Stansted/Wroclaw/ Prague next week - M11 roadworks and potential delays at airports..

Tunstallstoven

Hi all

I've got some travel coming up next week. I don't get out often and therefore do stress a bit when going on a trip!

I leave on Wednesday morning for Wroclaw. I'll be going straight there to the Czech Republic. And I'll leave late Sunday evening from Prague back to Stansted. It's for a music festival and I've done it for several years now. But this year there are a few potential spanners in the works.

1. M11 road closure. From what I can tell here:

http://www.stanstedairport.com/getting-to-and-from/traffic-news/

The M11 will be completely closed around the Stansted junction at the time we'll be travelling. Can anyone confirm whether I'm reading that right? And does anyone know where I can find out what diversion will be in place? I'm trying to decide whether it would be wisest to follow diversions, or whether to take an alternative route altogether (A140 / A120 fron Norwich).

2. Airport delays. I've been hearing in the news about delays at airports. Should I aim to get to Stansted earlier than the usual 2 hours before departure? I have heard warnings about getting to the airport early, but I'm thinking that will only be helpful if check-in is open more than two hours before the flight. Otherwise I'd be early for nothing! I'm flying Ryanair.

3. Same goes for the return flight (EasyJet, Prague - Stansted). Should I aim to get to the airport more than two hours in advance?

4. One other thing, when we travel from Wroclaw to Czech Rep. will this be as normal or will there be some additional security when we cross borders? We are being driven. In the past you blink and you miss the fact that you are in a different country; much like crossing county borders in this country.

Sorry for the long thread, and help with ANY of these things would be most gratefully received. And breathe...

Cheers

Tunstallstoven

Thank you so much turnupforthebooks for your help here and in the other thread. I really do appreciate it.

Just to clarify first off that on the way out I won't be using the Mid Stay drop off. That's just for the way back. We're using a meet and greet that drops you off outside the terminal.

The traffic log you describe - how much time did that add to the journey?

Regarding the M11 roadworks, my brother found a number we can call on Tuesday evening for an update and also to find out the route of the diversion. Apparently they don't give out the info before then in case anything changes. So I think we'll decide on our route after that call.

Thanks again

the_gardener_2

errrrr Poland / Czech republic ? Schengen !!! you will be struggling to see the border as you mention . I crossed Germany to Czech republic recently and I really did not see where there could be controls

Tunstallstoven

Thanks the gardener - that's good to hear. I did think I was likely over worrying, but when I was reading about tight security in travel across Schengen countries it did make me wonder. I guess a non-Schengen travelling through an airport is a bit different to a car with unknown passengers crossing a border with no control and and barely a sign to say you've entered a new country.

turnupforthebooks - you're right, I am arriving with different people to whom I'm going home with. Meet and greet meet us at the terminal and take the car away to be parked. The guys I'll be with are staying longer than me, so the other half will be picking me up.

You mention the 5-5:30 traffic jam... Has it calmed down by 6am onward or does it cross over into that time as well? Our flight is at 08:35 and Ryanair have said we do not need to get their any earlier than the standard 2 hours before departure time. So we'll be aiming for 6-6:30am, although that could be less accurate and predictable on account of the roadworks and possibly a different route.

I agree with your stress free approaches... I'm fine with roughing it and have in the past been happy to sleep the night in the airport. (The missus and I have had holiday where we've spent two weeks sleeping in front seats of a small hatchback!). The thing with this holiday though is that it is a music festival which involves late nights and a fair bit of drinking. The last band doesn't finish until 3am on the Wednesday night/Thursday morning. So every extra minute in bed counts before leaving!

Thanks again for all the great help, and any thoughts on the usual traffic at 6/6:30 would be even more helpful.

Cheers

michele-p

I can't help with your journey, but wanted to thank you for your post, as we will be driving Norwich to Stansted for a 9am flight next week. So I"m looking for any info on M11 closures now! Thinking I looked up an alternative route, you could go via the A12 and miss the M11 altogether, it takes longer, but might be less stressful?

Tunstallstoven

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too...

Which day are you travelling on?

jackieblack

:rotfl: I've never before heard, nor ever expected to hear, the words 'A12' and 'less stressful' used in the same sentence :rotfl:

peachyprice

Seagull27 wrote: »

2. Airport delays. I've been hearing in the news about delays at airports. Should I aim to get to Stansted earlier than the usual 2 hours before departure? I have heard warnings about getting to the airport early, but I'm thinking that will only be helpful if check-in is open more than two hours before the flight. Otherwise I'd be early for nothing! I'm flying Ryanair.

3. Same goes for the return flight (EasyJet, Prague - Stansted). Should I aim to get to the airport more than two hours in advance?

2. We don't have passport control exiting the UK, the delays experienced in EU Schengen countries do not apply to the UK, the only problem you may encounter is that other travellers may be unaware of this so may all get to the airport early causing an unnecessary backlog when the check-in desks open.

3. Prague is in Schengen, therefore there may be delays coming home, so get there early!

michele-p

I never thought I'd ever say those words either about the A12!

The problem is coming from Norfolk, if you get stuck on either the A11 or M11, you've had it when trying to get to Stansted. On a good day we can make it door to door in 1 hr 15 - but on a bad day, with tractor factor ....... ?

michele-p

we're not travelling until the 15th, still trying to work out of there are roadworks that day!

Tunstallstoven

The roadworks that affect me stop on the 12th. But that's not to say there'll be more.

My brother emailed here to find out exactly what would be happening (and details of the diversion):

Info@highwaysengland.co.uk

There is also a phone number you can call for info:

0300 123 5000

HTHs and good luck