Hello, I’m glad I ventured this far into FT.. I rarely find myself in any other place then United and Mileage run.

My question(s),

Next week I’ll be traveling out of Stansted for the first time. I’m excited to see something else besides Heathrow. I fly in Heathrow via SFO (UAL) on Wednesday, then out of Standsted for Italy that Thursday afternoon. I understand that there is an express from Liverpool station. I’m staying in central London, Lester Square area, how much time should I allow for my journey.

Details,

Ryan Air Flight # FR124
STN – AOI
Depart 11:40am

Second question,

What is Ryan Air like? I try to steer a way from budget US carriers, this is my first trip on a European budget flight. Should I eat prior to my journey? Is it a cattle call like Southwest Airlines is in the US? My guess is that miles is out of the question, right??

Third question,

Has anyone been to (AOI) Ancona ?? I understand it’s off the beaten path as far as Italy is concerned. I’m planning on winging it, arriving with no reservations, is that advisable?

I think I’m done with the questions,

Thanks in advance..

The train takes about 45 minutes from Liverpool Street, or 35 minutes from Tottenham Hale which is on the Victoria Line. You could get the Piccadilly line tube from Leicester Sq to Finsbury Park, cross the platform and catch the Victoria Line where it is two stops to Tottenham Hale. This should be about 30 minute journey.

The train runs every 15 minutes for most of the day.

Hope this helps.

Hi thommsf,

in response to your second question, yes it is like Southwest so seating is first come first seated so get to the gate prior to boarding, they do sell food and drinks on board for a price so you may want to eat prior to departure.
and yes, there are abosloutely no points for the flight( unless you bought the flight on your mile earning credit card)

You might want to look at the FR site to read about the discount r/t tickets London-STN. It's not offered at the regularl train ticket counters.

Info on the Express:

http://www.stanstedexpress.com/

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The _Banking_Scot:
[B]they do sell food and drinks on board for a price so you may want to eat prior to departure.

That's a first for me. Does the attendents make change??? I'll eat at the airport.

Hi thommsf


Yes they will make change ( although you would not be popular handing over a Ł50 or Ł100 note and of course they may be out of change by the time they get to you.

I think they may take a number of currencies but not sure which ones so you might be better off with a few low denomination notes or british Ł coins.
Of course if you eat at the airport then you do not need to worry.

Dear thommsf

The train to Stansted Airport, the "Stansted Express", leaves from London Liverpool Street (not Liverpool) station every 15 minutes. It takes 45 minutes for the 37-mile journey. It stops in the suburbs at Tottenham Hale where you can transfer from the Victoria Line underground, as noted previously, but from central London I would take the Underground (or a cab) to Liverpool Street, one of London's major stations, where I could get in the train at the start of its journey, have my choice of seat (standing from Tottenham to Stansted is no joke), and probably find things easier.

Ryanair is an OK airline, certainly for the money, which is often a fraction of the so-called "full-service" airlines in Europe. The aircraft on the Italy routes are usually the new 737-800s; the older 737-200s are more prevalent on the routes out of their Dublin hub. I find their punctuality as good as the major airlines too, despite their short turnarounds, because they don't spend half their day stacked waiting for a landing slot at Heathrow.

There is no advance seat selection. Try for the emergency exit rows in the centre of the aircraft, for more legroom - many passengers shy away from them because of their yellow headrests which make infrequent flyers (Ryanair has more than its fair share) think they are reserved or something).

Eat before you go, sure. Plenty of opportunities at Stansted, both in the terminal and at the remote gates. There are drinks and sandwiches sold on board the aircraft but they often don't have enough, particularly when I'm hungry! (service starts at the front).On one recent trip there was no food, because "They forgot to load it at Stansted". One hopes a more professional approach is taken with the fuel.

The only currencies you need nowadays are Euros in most of Europe, and Pounds in Britain. Being an Irish airline, the latter is known as "Sterling" on Ryanair (not an expression often used in Britain, but we know what they mean - they even write it "STG"). Both are accepted equally on Ryanair. If they say they will be back with change "later", in my experience they invariably do so, so don't worry.

Selling food on an aircraft may be novel, but from Europe we are similarly surprised within the US on the major carriers to be actually charged for liquor. By the way, steer clear of GBP 50 and GBP 100 bills in Britain any time you change money as they are really not in common use; GBP 10 and 20 are the ones to have. If you take your money out of an ATM this is all you will get anyway.

I would be quite happy about winging it round Italy at this time of year. In tourist terms Italy is more markedly seasonal than most Mediterranean countries; June to September are the peak, so you should find plenty of space (except if you are planning to be in Rome over Easter, in which case reserve ahead).

THANK U ! so much for this info. (Including all posters) It's so much more relaxing when you know what to expect on your travel days.
Yes the US has booze issues. I think the government is even thinking about limiting the amount one can drink? I guess Americans need to be told when enough is enough?

Also thanks for the emergency row info. I’ll be sure to bum rush the crowd, elbow my way past the old ladies to the good seats!! (Aggressive American behavior) Do all European carriers have distinct seat covers on the emergency row?

Now about the weather.. fingers crossed Italy is warm and uncrowned. But what can I expect from London? I was there six months ago, last September. I really enjoyed the Beautiful warm weather. I’m hoping the skies are clear enough to enjoy the Thames river ride down to Greenwich, a site that has eluded me for past four visits.

Liverpool street???? I don't understand.. Street and station are differant places??

Hi,

London Liverpool Street Station is the proper name but most people call it (London) Liverpool Street.Like Charing Cross, Kings Cross etc ommiting the "Station"

OK, it's the one downtown? Right?

Hello thommsf

Just to clarify, there are some 10 major railway stations in the centre of London; Liverpool Street is the one for trains to Stansted and other north-easterly destinations. I only labour the difference to "Liverpool" (as in your original post), the city 200 miles north of here where the Beatles came from, because (believe it or not) there are stories of visitors mistakenly taking a train all the way up there when they want Liverpool Street station. I'm sure you wouldn't!

If you look at the London Underground map, which is how many visitors relate to London - www.londontransport.co.uk/images/jp_big.jpg if you don't have one - Liverpool Street is at the right hand end of the yellow Circle Line. The Circle Line is a commonly accepted definition of what is central London. You will see Leicester Square, where you are staying, right in the centre.

To steal a march when boarding the plane, Ryanair do not use jetways connecting the aircraft to the terminal (apparently they are charged for separately by airports), so you go down steps from the gate and walk across the apron. There are steps up to both front and rear doors of the aircraft. This is done to help the 20-minute turnrounds. Most casual travellers make for the front one, but walk round the wing and go up the back steps, and then move forward in the cabin. It's much quicker and you escape the holdups while families are being seated at the front of the plane.

Sorry, the weather here is just too unpredictable to even guess at; (I go flying myself weekends so weather is important to me). Last weekend was nice. Today was grey with low cloud; tomorrow will be colder and windy. That was not forecast a few days ago. Just have something warmer than you will need for Italy, and pack a compact umbrella. Imagine it's Seattle (sorry Seattle!). All the blossom is out so we are into spring. For a 5-day ahead forecast try www.bbc.co.uk/weather/

Thanks guys,

We were talking about the same station.. good. SF has just one train station, and it's more then half the size of Yorks. Thanks for the great tips on Ryan. I’m so well informed now I feel like a pro.

I hope you guys make it out to SF for a FT do at some point. I’d like to chat about these topics over a cocktail. Be sure to post in Comunity or SF if you are planning a trip.


[This message has been edited by thommsf (edited 03-12-2002).]