Stansted Airport will run trains through the night for the first time this summer, as Stansted Express introduces a new overnight timetable designed to support late‑arriving and early‑departing passengers.

The trial begins on Friday 3 July and will operate every Friday night through to 25 September 2026, offering a direct rail link during hours when travellers previously had to rely on coaches or taxis.

During the trial period, trains will run every 30 minutes between 11.50pm and 5am, connecting Stansted Airport with Tottenham Hale, where passengers can transfer to the Victoria line Night Tube for onward travel across London. Some services will also extend to and from London Liverpool Street, giving travellers additional options for reaching central London during the early hours.

The overnight timetable includes new late‑night departures from London Liverpool Street at 23:51, 00:21 and 00:54, alongside early‑morning services from Tottenham Hale at 01:45, 02:05, 02:35, 03:05 and 03:35. The journey time between Stansted Airport and Tottenham Hale is around 36 minutes, making it one of the fastest ways to reach London during the night.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said the overnight trains will make a meaningful difference for passengers arriving late or travelling for early flights, providing a direct connection into London via the Night Tube. Greater Anglia, which operates Stansted Express, said the trial will help assess demand for overnight airport rail services and has been developed in partnership with Network Rail Anglia.

London Stansted’s managing director Gareth Powell welcomed the move, saying the overnight trains will offer more choice, convenience and connectivity for both passengers and airport staff travelling during late‑night and early‑morning hours.

Standard Stansted Express tickets, including Railcards and discounts, will be valid on the overnight services. Passengers travelling after midnight can use a Friday‑dated ticket as long as their journey is completed by 04:29; journeys arriving after that time require a Saturday‑dated ticket.

The overnight trains represent a significant shift in airport transport options, providing a faster and more reliable alternative to road travel during some of the busiest hours of the summer season. The results of the trial will determine whether the service becomes a permanent part of Stansted’s transport network.