Before the Stansted Express you could choose the car and drive to the airport from Central London. This is a nightmare in rush hour traffic and then you have to go through the perils of Long-Stay Parking. Or you could take a bus or coach but these too would become caught up in the traffic. Or you could take the local train but these are almost invitably delayed or cancelled meaning you would miss your flight.
The Stansted Express is a train service but unlike the rest of the British network. It is fast, frequent and more importantly on-time though it does have the cost of the British Railways.
Trains leave from Liverpool Street Station direct to Stansted Airport (apart from also stopping at Tottenham Hale - is you are travelling into the West End take the Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale and then you can take the Victoria Line on the Underground).
Inside the trains the seats are quite comfy and importantly, clean. Also refreshments such as sandwiches and cakes, are offered at your seat. I think that £1.20 is quite reasonable for a coffee considering it is almost twice as much at the airport. Another nice touch is the free magazine they offer on London - such as what's going on and the best restaurants/theatres.
As there is only one stop, trains do not get delayed and are fast arriving in 45 mins and run every 15 mins during the day (from 8am to 5pm) and 30 mins in the early morning (from 4.30am - 8am) and late in the evening (5pm - midnight). However, I think that the cost for the service is a bit expensive but worth it avoiding the traffic.
Fares are: £24 for a return (£36.40 in first class but the standard 'Express' class is good enough). There is also a 'Cheap Day Return' at £13.90 but I do not see how good that is to anyone unless you are only flying out and back in the same day or meeting someone at the airport. If you are travelling into London Stansted on Ryanair, you can purchase a discounted ticket on board at £22.
So the Stansted Express is the best of our rail network. Frequent, Clean, Punctual but at a price. Apart from being expensive, the whole of Britian's railways should be just like the Stansted Express.
Thank You for reading and please can you rate it below.
***UPDATE***
Another journey on the Stansted Express but, unfortunately, not as good. Firstly on the platform the train doors would not open, so I was in a panic as it was ready to depart. Once I had got on the train it was quite dirty, the seat had to be brushed down. Finally, the journey was not completely direct - it stopped at Bishops Stortford and Stansted Mountfitchet. However, on the return journey the train was perfectly clean. I would also like to add that the staff on the train and at Stansted Airport station are helpful. They told me I had to hold down the button to open the door.
***UPDATE***
Missed the last train (23:59) as soon as I got on the platform the doors closed and it went. Looking at the clock, the train left at exactly 23:59 - shows how on-time the trains are. Also be aware if you buy your ticket on-board a Ryanair flight where the arrival time is close to the last train (ie. if the flight is delayed). If you do miss it you would be paying over-the-top for a Stansted Express Coach Trip into Central London at 00:30. Therefore you would be much better off with a Terravision or National Express Coach as it would be cheaper. Also, you can buy tickets online at the website below.
