A long-awaited travel upgrade is finally arriving for millions of passengers using two of the UK's major airports. In a move hailed as overdue, contactless tap-in, tap-out payments are being introduced to railway stations at London Stansted and Southend airports.
End of an 'Unfair' System
The new system goes live on December 14, 2025, perfectly timed for the Christmas travel rush. This change will liberate the 6.7 million people who travel to and from London Stansted, the UK's fourth busiest airport, each year from the hassle of booking train tickets in advance.
Until now, a frustrating loophole has plagued travellers. Passengers could tap their contactless cards to enter stations in London, such as Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale, and board a Stansted Express train. However, they were prohibited from tapping out at Stansted Airport Station, leading to confusion and hefty penalties.
London Travelwatch estimates that thousands of customers have been caught out, facing fines of up to £100 for not holding a valid paper ticket despite using contactless barriers at the start of their journey. Ticket inspection teams from the train operator, Greater Anglia, have regularly enforced this rule.
A Multi-Million Pound Modernisation
This shift is part of an £18.7 million investment from the Department for Transport, aimed at simplifying ticketing across the network. Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy described the change as a vital modernisation of an archaic system.
‘Rail ticketing is far too complicated and long overdue an upgrade to bring it into the 21st Century,’ he said. ‘Through the expansion of tap-in tap-out technology... we’re making buying tickets more convenient, more accessible and more flexible – and ensuring passengers can get the best fares.’
A spokesperson for London Travelwatch welcomed the decision to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on contactless payments. However, they issued a crucial warning to passengers: ‘Oyster cards won’t count as contactless cards and will still not be valid at Stansted Airport Station.’
Important Exceptions and Wider Rollout
Travellers should note one key exception: services between Cambridge and Stansted will not qualify for the new contactless payment system. Passengers on this route will need to continue using traditional ticketing methods.
The upgrade at Stansted and Southend is part of a broader rollout across stations served by publicly owned train companies like Greater Anglia and South Western Railway. Other stations set to benefit include Beaulieu Park, Woking, and Chelmsford.
This modernisation marks a significant step towards a more integrated and passenger-friendly rail system, finally bringing two of London's key airport rail links into the modern age.
