From 14 December, travellers heading to Stansted and Southend airports will be able to use contactless payment cards and Oyster to tap in and out on rail services, including the Stansted Express.
The expansion of the “pay as you go” system brings these airports in line with Heathrow, Gatwick and London City, creating a unified approach across all of London’s major gateways. More than 50 stations in the south‑east will be included in the rollout, simplifying journeys for both domestic and international passengers.
Rail minister Peter Hendy described the initiative as a long‑overdue modernisation of ticketing, designed to make fares more transparent and flexible. Gareth Powell, managing director at Stansted, welcomed the move, noting that contactless travel will make the airport’s rail link to London more straightforward and convenient for passengers.
For business travellers, the change promises faster connections and fewer barriers to seamless airport transfers – an important step towards streamlining the UK’s transport infrastructure.