Stansted vs. Luton

Any experiences with either one?

Now that I'm leaving, I'm finally taking advantage of the geography and visiting a friend in Rome...
I've heard Luton is a pain to get to, but it doesn't seem that way from their site, and it seems to be a smaller airport, which could be a pain, or could be easier...

I can't remember if you have moved out of your flat or not, but a cab from East Finchley to Luton was £40 and took about 30 minutes at 6am.  I think there is a train, but you have to take a shuttle as well, and not sure which station it runs out of, probably King's Cross.

Stanstead Express leaves from Liverpool Street and I think it's about £18 one-way.

Both ariports are very small and easy to check in etc. 

Thanks Karin; I'd actually forgotten I'll be travelling from West London at that point, so it seems easier to go in/out of Stansted.

Getting to Luton IS a pain.  DO NOT DO IT if you're flying back in the wee hours.  You'll get stuck on the chaos that is EasyBus/Green Line and not get home for hours.  Even during normal hours, you can get the train to Luton Airport Parkway and then the free shuttle (another 15 minutes) to the airport itself.  If there's only a small price difference, I'd go with Stansted, who has better & more reliable transport links.

Thanks; that's what I've done.  Had I been in N. London at the time, I might do Luton, as I remember going to the area by train before (for something else) and thinking it was rather easy.
But since I'll be living in West London and right near the Central Line for the time being, plus the Stansted Express...
I've booked through Stansted.

I'm going to Italy!!!! 

Hiya

Sounds like Stanstead is the preferred choice, however...

Luton isn't as 'hard to get to' as being made out. I'm not sure of a train link, but I'm sure there is a mainline station in Luton and from there possibly a bus/shuttle etc. Motorway M1 link makes getting to Luton easy peasy, very clearly signposted and only about 2 miles off the junction itself.

I've been to Stanstead a few times, I found that easy to get to, but quite a bit longer to get to timewise. I was coming from further in West London than you of course!!

Currently Luton is more of a pain becuase of the M1 roadworks just off the M25 and up to Luton - so you could potentially get cuaght up in traffic for ages, unless you take the side roads.

Seeing as I'm on heathrow's doorstep and that I spend so much time there with family and friends flying in/out - I prefer to pay that bit extra so it's only a 10 min drive if I ever need to go anywhere

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Too late for me to chip in...

But Luton is a breeze from West London, as you can get a little coach from Victoria.  I think it's quicker than Stanstead too.


Vicky

 

I'll tell msyelf flights were cheaper out of Stansted.

(NO corrections please!)

Sorry, I'm just a bit bitter, as we just had a really bad experience trying to get back from Luton at 1am.  It was an absolutely nightmare & I just wanted to warn people that there are no TRAIN links from Luton past around 10pm. (even still, there's no direct train to the airport...you go to the station and then take a free shuttle to the terminal itself)

We parked at Luton for £22 for something like 5-6 days, very cheap, especially compared to Heathrow!  I flew from Stanstead ages ago before the Stanstead Express so took the coach from there.  Either airport is much smaller than Heathrow or Gatwick so it didn't seem as manic, especially compared to the hell that is Heathrow!

Sorry, I'm just a bit bitter, as we just had a really bad experience trying to get back from Luton at 1am.  It was an absolutely nightmare & I just wanted to warn people that there are no TRAIN links from Luton past around 10pm. (even still, there's no direct train to the airport...you go to the station and then take a free shuttle to the terminal itself)

when was this? Luton is on a main train line and I just had a look and there is at least one an hour in the wee morning hours during the week. I suppose to cater to business travellers. You are SOL on a weekend though! This might change if the airport continues to grow and once the works complete.

I thought the travel to Luton was great from the SE on a Friday but totally sucked south of the river side when I returned home late afternoon on a Sunday. I should have used Greenline to Victoria.

My lesson was to always check train times and alternative routes before booking tickets.

Stansted is cake from Victoria. Just hop on a National Express or Terravision coach... takes about 70 minutes and they are very regular.

Stansted is cake from Victoria. Just hop on a National Express or Terravision coach... takes about 70 minutes and they are very regular.

Except I'll be travelling from Shad Thames/Tower Bridge area, so easier to walk to Liverpool Street and take the Stansted Express, no?  And coming back, I head straight over to Holland Park on the Central Line, so I thought again, it would be easier just to go out/in at Liverpool St.

Except I'll be travelling from Shad Thames/Tower Bridge area, so easier to walk to Liverpool Street and take the Stansted Express, no?  And coming back, I head straight over to Holland Park on the Central Line, so I thought again, it would be easier just to go out/in at Liverpool St.

I believe Terravision departs from Liverpool St too. It will save you a few pounds but guess it depends on the time of day you are travelling.

I am surprised you have never 'indulged' in the low fare airports before!!

Yes, well... my priorities have been ...elsewhere!

Yes, well... my priorities have been ...elsewhere!

a few jaunts to Africa and California... yeah yeah.