Passengers travelling through London Stansted Airport will be able to catch overnight trains for the first time this summer. The new overnight service began on 3 July and will operate every Friday night into Saturday morning until 25 September, providing rail services throughout the night during the peak summer holiday period. The launch is aimed at improving connections for late-night arrivals and early-morning departures.
During the trial, trains will run every 30 minutes between 11:30 pm and 5:00 am. Most services will operate between the airport and Tottenham Hale, where passengers can connect to London’s Victoria Line Night Tube network. A limited number of early-morning trains will also continue to, or start from, London Liverpool Street station. The journey between Stansted Airport and Tottenham Hale takes around 36 minutes.
Until now, passengers arriving on late-night flights or departing on the earliest morning services have often relied on taxis, coaches or private cars once the regular train timetable ended. The new overnight services are intended to provide a more convenient rail alternative during one of the airport’s busiest travel periods.
The operator of Stansted Express, Greater Anglia, will monitor passenger demand throughout the summer before deciding whether the overnight trains should become a permanent feature of the Stansted Express timetable.
Welcoming the initiative, Lord Peter Hendy, the UK’s Rail Minister, said: “These overnight Stansted Express services will make a real difference to people arriving late or travelling for early flights – connecting them straight into London via the Night Tube.”
He added: “Alongside contactless ticketing at every London airport, we’re building a railway that works for passengers and drives growth across the country.”
🚆 New departure boards have arrived at the Stansted Express platforms at Stansted Airport, featuring:
— Stansted Express (@Stansted_Exp) July 7, 2026
🔹Next Fastest board
🔹GBR clock
🔹Underground rainbow status board.
What do you think?
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The overnight trains also follow the recent introduction of contactless ticketing across the Stansted Express route, making journeys to and from the airport easier for passengers travelling from London. Tickets for the new services will be valid with Railcards, with the usual discounts applying.
Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s managing director, said: “The overnight trial of Friday Stansted Express services is a welcome development, and one which I’m sure will prove to be popular with airport passengers and staff, providing more choice, convenience and connectivity when accessing the airport.”
The Stansted Express normally operates every 15 minutes during the day between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport. The overnight Friday services represent the first time passengers will be able to travel by train through the night to and from the airport, offering an additional public transport option during the busy summer season.
