I thought I had it all figure dout but now need some advice from experienced travellers or the locals:
I'm staying at the de Vere Cavendish near Piccadilly Circus and need to get to Stansted Friday morning (be there at about 10:30). Just checked how to get to Victoria Coach Station and read that it may take about 25 minutes by bus with change of bus. Then, another 1hr 42 minutes by bus to Stansted.
Even though it's about GPB 20 more (40 instaed of 20 (for 1 adult, 2 kids), how much easier would it be to take the Express train from Liverpool Stree, i.e. how long a hike will that be? Train trip itself takes 45 minutes.
Thanks!

Do you for sure have to change buses if you catch the bus at Victoria Coach Station? I did not change buses when I took the National Express coach from VCS to Stansted.

But be sure to leave lots and lots of time whichever way you choose. Delays are so prevalent. I had left more time than I thought I needed and was planning to be there more than 2 hours in advance. I was there 1 hr, 45 minutes in advance which was still fine, but I would have hated to cut it any closer.

On rereading, perhaps you mean you need to take a local London bus to VCS, and then take a single bus from VCS.

Given your configuration, I'd suggest taking a cab to either VCS or Liverpool Street Station for the train. By memory, I think the cab to VCS is a shorter ride, but I'd have to look at a map.

You could take the tube to either, but that's more difficult with luggage. Local buses are quite difficult with luggage, particularly during the early morning. Actually the tube would be quite difficult with luggage during rush hour also.

The bus from Victoria Coach Station to Stansted Airport takes about 1.5 hour, leaves about every 1/2 hour and no changes involved.

<b>www.nationalexpress.com</b>

the Stansted Express from Liverpool station leaves every 15 miutes from 8am on and takes about 45 minutes.

<b>www.stanstedexpress.com</b>

Either way, I suggest taking a cab to whichever station you decide. Trust me, it will be a better day all around if you do not take the tube/bus in the morning, especially if you have luggage.

I concur with the advice you've been given. We took the tube during rush hour with luggage from Paddington Station to Liverpool St., where we transferred to the Stansted Express. We each had a 24&quot;roller with an attached smaller piece of luggage when we went into the Underground station &amp; on to the tube. We managed, but it wasn't fun. The worst part, aside from hordes of people rushing around you, is negotiating the various obstacles, like stairs, you encounter on your way through the turnstile area and to the subway trains themselves.

Having said that, the Stansted Express was lovely. Clean, not too crowded in the early morning, plenty of room for luggage and legs, comfortable seating, and a nice coffee and roll service. A pleasant easy train ride into Stansted Airport itself.

Yes, I meant in order to get to Victoria Coach Station, we would need to take a local bus (with changes involved). Okay, so assuming I need a taxi either way to Victoria Station or Liverpool Street, how much is that going to cost me? And how much time do I need to get to either?
Then, of course, the alternative is a limo service directly from the hotel to Stansted... Ugh!