rb24

Hi,

We're planning to take a really early morning flight from Stansted airport. It's departing at about 6:50 a.m.

We're staying near Victoria Stn. By my calculation, we would have to take the 3:50 a.m. bus from Victoria Stn. to get to the airport about 2 hours in advance.

Should we try to find accommodations near Stansted the night before instead? We have a great deal with the London hotel. Are there any inexpensive hotels near Stansted or is there another option? Either way, we figure we won't get much sleep.

Also, the bus from Victoria to Stansted Airport...is that a direct route?

Thanks.

WillTravel

If you do get the bus, keep in mind it leaves from Victoria Coach Station - about 2 blocks away from Victoria Station. The one I took from there had a few stops in central London before proceeding directly to the airport.

claire

Why not go to Liverpool Station and take the Stansted Express?

WillTravel

When is the earliest Stansted Express? That would be the main concern with that - but if it's available the SE is faster than the coach.

yk

Hi rb24-

How many people are in your party? I've done something similar in the past (early flight out of stansted), and we just arranged a car to get us out there. It wasn't too expensive, esp if you count in the convenience.

tropo

When I am in London, I have used the Stansted Express train, but sometimes, I use my favourite mini cab service, which is Airport Direct Ltd, Phone 020-7263-3636 (I think that is still the same number). They use clean reliable cars, and the drivers are most courteous, they even find an airport trolley, and load your bags on it. One price for the fare, regardless of how many people in the vehicle. Last time we were driven in Chrysler Voyager, just so much room.

claire

The Stansted Express, out of Liverpool Street Station, apparently runs about ever 30 minutes except for the period of 11:00 PM to 4:30 AM. So, the first train would be at about 4:30 AM. However, the site also notes a coach service during the 11:00 PM to 4:30 AM "down time." Check out http://www.stanstedexpress.co.uk and navigate to train times.

rb24

Thank you so much for your replies.

We did plan to take the Stansted Express but were concerned that it didn't run that early.

There are three people in our party. We would love to hire a cab service, but the rates I've heard are frightening. We're on a budget and didn't think this was an option for us.

YK and Tropo, could you give me an idea of how much it cost you for the cab service and for how many people?

Claire, thanks for the link on the down time for the express. I'll check them out.

So far I haven't seen anyone suggest getting a hotel near Stansted the night before over trying to travel from London to Stansted at that horrible time of the morning.

Thanks for all the advice!

janis

Actually - I was going to suggest you stay at/near STN that night. I'd stay out late in London my last walking around/dininh/drinking and then head to a stansted area hotel after 9 or 10 p.m. This way you can use the tube and Stansted Express.

The only semi-easy to get to Stansted early enough is to use a car service and that is pretty expensive because it is a long drive. The discount airlines using STN are generally VERY strict about checking in on time so you have to build in a little "fudge factor" and get to the airport even earlier than you think.

Since most hotels near STN are less expensive than most in central London and you'll be saving the cost of a car service you actually will come out a little ahead.

(I always prefer to stay in London as long as possible -- but for an early morning flight staying at the airport really simplifies things - plus you can get an extra 2 or 3 hours sleep)

annecourt

We will also be flying out of Stansted but in the early afternoon. We do not have a hotel yet and wonder if we should look for one near Victoria coach station and take the bus or near Liverpool station so we can take the express. Any ideas?

WillTravel

annecourt, what London airport are you arriving at in the first place? If it's Gatwick, might as well stay at a hotel near Victoria Station. When you get off the Gatwick Express, you are at Victoria Station. It's a central area and very convenient for sightseeing, and I found it very easy to take the National Express coach from near there (two blocks away at Victoria Coach Station).

You wouldn't want a hotel near Liverpool Street Station, in my opinion.

Some would argue you should still go to Liverpool Street Station, no matter where you end up staying. It's true the train journey would be an hour shorter than the coach, more or less. But the bus journey is very convenient, and a bit cheaper. And it would take time and money and inconvenience to get to Liverpool Street Station.

If you are coming from Heathrow, it doesn't matter so much. For one thing, there are a few other stops that the National Express bus stops at in central London (I think near Marble Arch and near Golders Green for two). So for maximum convenience, I'd find a hotel near one of these stops, whatever they happen to be. And you could always do the taxi or tube to Liverpool Street Station.

yk

Hi rb-

The one time I used a car service (I believe it was a mini-cab) from London to STN, it was 5yrs ago. Sorry but I cannot remember how much it was... Hopefully someone else will have the answer for you.

tropo

rb24, the price of the mini cab service, when I was there last year, was 35 pounds from London to Stansted, and that was for either 1, 2, 3, of 4 passengers.
A lot of people don't use mini cab services, as they have a fear of them, or they hear bad reports about them, from other tourists. However, the locals use them all the time, because they get to know which one is RELIABLE & SAFE. I am fortunate to have a son living in London permanently now, and he is able to supply me with the names of those reliable companies.

annecourt

Thanks Willtravel. We are arriving at Heathrow and departing from Stansted. Looking at the Thistle Victoria because they allow children free in rooms and have A/C. Just trying to make the trip to stansted as easy as possible. Popping in the tube is a bit difficult with 2 children and luggage in tow.

WillTravel

I think Thistle Victoria is a good, convenient choice. With 2 kids, I might consider getting a car service from Heathrow to Thistle Victoria. There is also a National Express bus from Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station, but I don't know how the price of the bus vs. the car service would compare.

Then when you are leaving London, it's an easy walk from Thistle Victoria to the Victoria Coach Station where you can catch the National Express bus to Stansted.