For groups flying from Stansted, one 12-seater or 16-seater minibus from Esskay Cars is simpler than three or four separate taxis. A 12-seater from Bishop’s Stortford costs £219, from Chelmsford £255, and a 16-seater from central London £371. The fare is fixed for the whole vehicle, so the more seats you fill, the lower the cost per person. Stansted is a base for many budget airlines, which makes it a popular airport for group trips across Europe.
Quick answers
- 12-seater from Chelmsford? £255.
- 16-seater from central London? £371.
- Luggage? 12-seater: about 10 cases. 16-seater: about 14.
- Cheaper for 8? The 8-seater minivan.
- Groups over 16? Two vehicles travelling together.
How much is a minibus to Stansted?
A 12-seater costs from £219 from Bishop’s Stortford and £314 from central London. A 16-seater costs from £270 and £371.
| From | 8-seater minivan | Executive minivan | 12-seater minibus | 16-seater minibus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop’s Stortford | £97 | £101 | £219 | £270 |
| Epping | £92 | £111 | £249 | £301 |
| Harlow | £114 | £124 | £241 | £294 |
| Chelmsford | £122 | £148 | £255 | £308 |
| Hertford | £137 | £147 | £264 | £318 |
| Brentwood | £145 | £163 | £279 | £334 |
| Romford | £153 | £170 | £286 | £341 |
| Cambridge | £153 | £170 | £286 | £341 |
| Colchester | £158 | £175 | £291 | £347 |
| Central London (Victoria) | £195 | £199 | £314 | £371 |
| Kings Cross | £179 | £183 | £299 | £355 |
| Canary Wharf | £161 | £183 | £298 | £355 |
Prices from our booking system, checked in October 2026, one way, whole vehicle.
Why do groups choose Stansted?
Stansted has a large network of short-haul routes on budget airlines, so it often has the cheapest fares for group trips to European cities.
Stag and hen parties, football supporters, school trips and sports clubs often fly from Stansted for that reason. The airport is also well placed for groups from Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and east London.
What does a minibus cost per person?
With all 16 seats filled, a minibus from Chelmsford works out at about £19 per person, and from central London about £23.
For six to eight people, the 8-seater minivan at £122 from Chelmsford is better value than a minibus. Choose the vehicle that matches your group, not the biggest one.
How does a group pick-up from Stansted arrivals work?
The driver meets the group leader in the arrivals hall with a name board, waits until everyone is through, then leads the group to the minibus.
Large groups often come out of customs in stages. Give us the flight number and a mobile number for the group leader. If the group is on two flights, tell us about both.
Can the minibus pick up from more than one place?
Yes. Add each pick-up to the booking, and the fixed price updates to include them.
This is useful when a group lives in a few nearby towns, such as Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford and Epping. Plan the order so the last pick-up is closest to Stansted.
How much luggage can the group bring?
About 10 large cases in a 12-seater and 14 in a 16-seater, plus hand luggage.
Many budget airline travellers carry only cabin bags, which leaves extra room. For groups with golf clubs or sports equipment, tell us what you are bringing so we can check it fits.
Do minibuses run for early morning flights?
Yes. We run 24 hours a day, at the same fixed fares.
Many Stansted group flights leave at 6am or earlier. A 3am pick-up for a group is routine, and the driver arrives in good time.
How early should a group arrive at Stansted?
At least two and a half hours before a European flight.
Security at Stansted can be busy in the early morning, and a group takes longer to get through together. Allow extra time for bag drop if anyone is checking in luggage.
How much per person for groups of different sizes?
It depends on how many seats you fill. Here is the cost per person in a 12-seater with 12 people and a 16-seater with 16.
| From | 12-seater, 12 people | 16-seater, 16 people |
|---|---|---|
| Bishop’s Stortford | £18 each | £17 each |
| Harlow | £20 each | £18 each |
| Chelmsford | £21 each | £19 each |
| Brentwood | £23 each | £21 each |
| Romford | £24 each | £21 each |
| Cambridge | £24 each | £21 each |
| Colchester | £24 each | £22 each |
| Central London (Victoria) | £26 each | £23 each |
Figures are rounded and based on one-way fares from our booking system in October 2026.
Is a minibus better than the Stansted Express for a group?
For groups outside central London, or with luggage, a minibus is usually easier. The Stansted Express runs from Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale, so most groups would need to get there first.
From Essex and Hertfordshire towns such as Chelmsford, Brentwood, Romford or Hertford, there is no direct train to the airport, so the group would need to change. A minibus collects everyone from one place and goes straight to the terminal. For a group of 12 or more, the cost per person can be lower than buying train tickets for everyone.
Which group trips leave from Stansted most often?
City breaks and stag and hen weekends to places like Krakow, Budapest, Prague, Dublin and Barcelona, plus football away trips, ski trips and university society tours.
Many of these groups travel with cabin bags only, which leaves more space in the minibus. Ski groups are the exception, as ski bags take up a lot of room. Tell us what the group is carrying, and we will check the space.
How long is a group journey to Stansted?
From Bishop’s Stortford about 10 to 15 minutes, from Harlow 20 to 25, from Chelmsford 35 to 45, from Cambridge 35 to 45, and from central London about an hour to an hour and 20 minutes.
Add about 10 minutes for each extra pick-up. The M11 can be slow around Harlow at peak times, so we build in a margin for group departures.
Can you collect a university group from Cambridge?
Yes. Student societies and sports clubs from Cambridge often book a minibus to Stansted.
A 16-seater from Cambridge costs £341, or about £21 each with every seat full. The driver can collect from a college, a department or a central meeting point.
Can the minibus meet the group on the way home?
Yes. Book a return, and the driver will track the inbound flight and meet the group in arrivals.
Return flights from city breaks often land late on a Sunday evening. The driver waits for the real landing time, and drops everyone back at the original meeting point or at their own addresses.
Is a minibus cheaper than several taxis to Stansted?
Usually, yes. Four saloons from Chelmsford cost £272, while one 12-seater costs £255.
One vehicle also keeps the group together. With several cars, one can be held up in traffic, and the rest of the group has to wait at check-in.
What size of group needs a minibus?
Nine passengers or more, or a group of up to eight with more luggage than eight large cases.
For smaller groups, the 8-seater minivan is cheaper. For 9 to 12 people, the 12-seater. For 13 to 16, the 16-seater. Above 16, we send two vehicles that travel together.
Can a company book minibuses to Stansted?
Yes. Companies book minibuses for teams flying to conferences, trade fairs and away days in Europe.
Each booking has a fixed price agreed in advance. The driver can carry a company name board when meeting a returning team in arrivals.
How do I book a minibus to Stansted?
Enter your pick-up address, Stansted and your group size in the booking form, then choose the 12 or 16-seater.
Or call 0207 8400 344. For smaller groups, see 8 seater taxi to Stansted.
Stansted minibus hire: common questions
How much is a minibus to Stansted from London?
From £314 for a 12-seater, one way.
How many people fit in a minibus?
12 or 16, depending on the vehicle.
Can a minibus pick up from several towns?
Yes. Add each stop to the booking.
Do you meet groups at Stansted arrivals?
Yes, with a name board.
Do you run minibuses at night?
Yes, 24 hours a day.
Is minibus hire priced per person?
No. It is per vehicle.
