To arrive at the airport at 5am for a 6:20am flight?

[CroccyWoccy]

Trying to figure out logistics for an early morning flight. Can’t get to the airport before 5am without staying the night before. Flight is 6:20am. Only flying with hand luggage, will have checked in online.

Is this doable or do I need to stump up for a hotel?

Get an airbnb nearby. Some do parking too.

I wouldn't, not at Stansted. I've waited ages in queues there and also some of the gates are miles away. There are some cheapo hotels nearby - for an extra £60 or so it's not worth the risk. Seriously, Stansted is huge and you may have to walk for miles. Any sort of delay at any stage and you'd be up the Swanney.

No, sorry, OP. I had a 6.30 flight from Stansted last week. No bags to check in, checked in online. I arrived at 4:30, and wasn’t through security til 5:30. Gate opened at 5:50 and by the time I walked to the gate it was boarding. 5am far too late I’m afraid.

No. You need to stay over. That's way too late to get to airport. We usually do 3 or 4 hrs before take off to allow for any issues. Maybe book the lounge so you can have some coffees before take off.

Can't you get an Uber there that morning - might be cheaper than a hotel?

Stansted can be crazy busy at 6am - it's worth checking how many flights leave around the time of your time flight to gauge how busy. And when it is rammed they open up the fast track to anyone and everyone to try and clear the queues so that may not help you.

Gosh OP. Do you always live so close to the edge? I don't know whether to be impressed or clutch my pearls.

This is giving me anxiety just reading it. I don't know anything about that train or that airport but I wouldn't rely on any of it. Taxi or hotel required!

I’d not chance it as Stansted. Loads of early morning flights can make things a busy nightmare. And don’t underestimate travel time to the gate, especially if you have to take the shuttle train. I once left the main terminal as soon as my gate was announced, got on the first shuttle and walked straight to the gate (which happened to be at the other side of the terminal). It was closing by the time I got there. Ten more minutes and I would have missed my flight!

Here are all the flights departing between 05:55 and 07:00 tomorrow morning.

You'd have to be mad to risk an hour and twenty minutes to catch a 6:20 flight. You'll be queueing with half the world

Which day of the week is it? Stansted is always busy and usually efficient but some mornings there are tons of commuter flights which check in and board quickly. Other days you might have lots of holiday flights full of families, luggage and queues. I’d probably risk it IF a last minute taxi was an option should the train be late.

I just counted all the departures in my screenshots. 33 flights departing over a period of 65 minutes. That has to be as busy as Stansted ever gets. I'd be getting there even earlier than advised. The security line is going to be insane.

I’ve gotten a flight leaving less time than that, I hate waiting at airports so personally I’d take the risk, but obviously it is a risk.

I would rather wait an extra hour on an airport than risk missing a flight.

I haven’t ever missed a flight, I’ve had my name called on the tannoy but never actually missed one so I guess to me the risk seems small, but I completely understand your point of view and each to their own.

We went through Gatwick last week in 15 mins, no queue

Get a nice hotel and make it the it the start of the holiday. That’s what I do. Rather than paying £70 for a shitty experience, pay £120 for a decent hotel and at least get a comfortable night, tasty food and drink at the bar, shuttle to the airport etc. At least you will get some enjoyment out of the money you spend.

Last June I got dropped off at Manchester airport and 18 minutes later was in the departure lounge having checked in my bags and gone through security and passport control. Although I would usually aim for 2 hours, I'd be relatively relaxed at a 1 hr 20 min check in.

No one can guarantee or guess how Stansted will look like, every day is different. If you can't afford taxi/Bolt/Uber/hotel, take the risk. You can always use Fast Track, which might help. Also, one tip-at the security area, go to the left, there's new system being tested, all liquids stay in the bag, queue there is usually very small as people don't know there's some other security check (it is kinda next door), you'll see it, it is on the left.

Nonsense..... I have to fly from Stansted at the same time as the OP at least once a month and always get in the terminal with no more than an hour until the flight is due to take off. I've never missed a flight.

I'm pretty sure there are coaches ti Stanstead through the night from London.

I'd get security fast track, just in case, it's usually max £8. And make sure there's no expected delays etc. If you're on the express then you're London & actually a cab/uber could be an idea. More than the train but less than a hotel. Have a great trip

Takes around 20 mins from train to get into the building

Personally I'd chance it but I'm going off the airports near me (NW). I've only been to Stansted once but it was packed.

I went through Stansted Easter Monday. We paid for fast track and I’m glad I did, the queue was huge for normal. Even then, with two hours before take off we had very little extra time.

It's quite a walk from the station to check in...so yeah no way would I cut it that fine OP.