Stansted arrival time

ericonabike

My flight from Stansted departs at 08.55. I want to get to the airport by National Express. One will get me there at 04.05, the next will arrive at 07.10. I'd prefer not to be there five hours beforehand [!] but am feeling a bit wussy about the later coach, which if on time, gets me to the airport 1hr 45 before the plane leaves. And so I thought I'd seek the thoughts of the forum as to what I should do...

Bob_the_Saver

Can you 101% guarantee there won't be;
An accident on the motorway that delays the later bus.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2319374/M25-traffic-Lorry-driver-arrested-chemical-spill-leaves-thousands-bank-holiday-motorists-stuck-queues-M25.html
A breakdown or puncture that delays the later bus.
You won't miss the later bus.
Can you guarantee the later bus will turn up.
Roadworks that delay the later bus.
A security scare that means getting through the airport takes 2 hours.

If so take the later bus, but I often have this problem and never risk it
because all of the above have happened to me.
My last coach to Stansted 2 weeks ago was over an hour late.

Dont' forget it's your responsibility to be at the gate 30 mins before departure (Ryanair) I've been on planes that have pushed off early before now.

AngLangS

Earlier bus! must be! everything that Bob the Saver says and more! just not worth the risk!

ericonabike

Yeah - have decided to bite the bullet and spend the best part of 5 hours in the departure lounge at Stansted! Thanks for the advice - very sound.

zagfles

Have you looked into getting an airport hotel? Not used Stanstead but have had excellent hotel deals at airport hotels at other airports, in walking distance to the airport, inc Luton, for around £30 a night (though obviously the cost can vary greatly). Then you can just roll out of bed, walk to the airport, and probably have a leisurely breakfast airside having got through security.

Bob_the_Saver

I find this a good solution, usually bought for about £1.
(Pic not taken in Stansted obviously)

http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/11005344/2/stock-photo-11005344-businessman-lies-back-on-lilo-in-tropical-bay.jpg

ferf1223

zagfles wrote: »

Have you looked into getting an airport hotel? Not used Stanstead but have had excellent hotel deals at airport hotels at other airports, in walking distance to the airport, inc Luton, for around £30 a night (though obviously the cost can vary greatly). Then you can just roll out of bed, walk to the airport, and probably have a leisurely breakfast airside having got through security.

agree 100%...it would be a much nicer start to the trip so may be worth paying a bit for - assuming there is a coach the night before that suits your timings.

Obviously_the_best

I don't know where you're coming from, but easyBus, Terravision and Stansted flyer all service the airport as well. (click the names to go to the websites)

Bob_the_Saver

ferf1223 wrote: »

assuming there is a coach the night before that suits your timings.

Try living in the nether regions of Poundland, the places that don't have 4G phone coverage (or 3G or even 2G or even 1G if there is such a thing). Where we were there was 1 bus per week, not a National Express Coach - a bus.

Bob_the_Saver

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

I don't know where you're coming from, but easyBus, Terravision and Stansted flyer all service the airport as well. (click the names to go to the websites)

I never use Terrorvision for very good reasons.

ericonabike

Serendipity - got MSE email today and using link, got room at Premier Inn Stansted for £29, so that I can leave Friday night by Nat Express for £12 and sleep in a bed rather than the airport lounge! One further potential moneysaving idea though - the shuttle bus to and from the hotel is every 30 minutes and costs £3 each way. As the hotel is, it says, opposite the Mid-Stay car park, could I not use the airport car park shuttle bus for free?