Stansted Airport's late-night secret is out: from 3 July to 25 September, a fleet of trains will be running every 30 minutes between 11:50 pm and 5 am, directly linking the airport with Tottenham Hale and London Liverpool Street. This trial overnight service aims to meet growing demand for convenient travel options.
Trains will depart from Stansted Airport at approximately 11-minute intervals throughout the night, with journeys taking around 36 minutes to reach Tottenham Hale – a key hub connecting passengers with the Victoria Line Night Tube for onward travel across London. The new services are set to run every Friday night into Saturday morning.
Greater Anglia's introduction of these late-night trains follows its nationalisation last autumn and is part of plans to assess customer demand ahead of the Great British Railways' establishment in 2027. Network Rail Anglia has collaborated on this initiative, which seeks to simplify travel for airport staff and passengers alike.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy believes these services will provide significant benefits for air travellers, especially those with early or late flights. The recent introduction of contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing at Stansted in March is seen as a further step towards making travel to the airport more flexible. Gareth Powell, London Stansted's managing director, welcomes the trial and expects it to prove popular among both passengers and staff.
Standard Stansted Express tickets will be valid for these new late-night services, with all applicable Railcards and discounts still honoured. This development aims to cater to evolving air travel needs by providing greater accessibility during non-peak hours.