Stratford is the center of the 2012 Olympic games. Here is some practical information about how to get there, and what it will be like in the future.
TRANSPORTATION TO STRATFORD
Rail from Europe
Eurostar will NOT stop at Stratford International Station in time for the Olympic. This is in spite of the fact that trains coming from France pass through the station. Eurostar will review stopping at this station after the 2012 London Olympics.
The "Javelin service" is a high speed train connection between Stratford International and the nearest Eurostar station, St Pancras International. It also connects Stratford to Kent. It is much more expensive to buy on the spot than the tube or a regular train fare, costing about £11 for the additional ticket.
Information about buying tickets during the Olympic periods here: http://www.eurostar.com/UK/be/leisure/latest_deals/olympic2012tickets.jsp
Bicycle
Barclay's Cycle Hire scheme does NOT extend to Stratford. This is also contrary to initial plans. Nearest docking stations are outside the borough, in Bow and Hackney.
Airport Transportation
Taxi
You can travel by taxi to or from all the London area airports. I recommend booking in advance online to save money. Sometimes pubic transportation is faster, though, especially if your driver chooses to drive through the city centre.
London City Airport
The fastest connection to an airport from Stratford is London City Airport, which only takes 15 mins by DLR.
Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport is also accessible by tube, but you will have to switch lines, and it will take over an hour. If you have luggage, a good strategy is to switch lines at Mile End and Acton Town to avoid stairs.
Stansted Airport
The National Express coach (bus) is direct from Stratford to Stansted Airport in 45 min, and including free wifi. The cost is £6 and up.
Terravision also operates a £6 bus service from Stratford to Stansted Airport. These are the tickets they sell on Ryan Air flights. The coaches are nicer but I am not sure if they have started offering wifi.
I have been told by rail staff that there is one train per day running direct Stratford-Stansted, but I have not been able to confirm this. The usual trains from Stansted are not direct to Stratford and take an hour or so, including an interchange, see the National Rail website for more information.
An Olympic Museum is planned to open in 2014.
Ikea plans to build a housing estate in Stratford.
TRANSPORTATION TO STRATFORD
Rail from Europe
Eurostar will NOT stop at Stratford International Station in time for the Olympic. This is in spite of the fact that trains coming from France pass through the station. Eurostar will review stopping at this station after the 2012 London Olympics.
The "Javelin service" is a high speed train connection between Stratford International and the nearest Eurostar station, St Pancras International. It also connects Stratford to Kent. It is much more expensive to buy on the spot than the tube or a regular train fare, costing about £11 for the additional ticket.
Information about buying tickets during the Olympic periods here: http://www.eurostar.com/UK/be/leisure/latest_deals/olympic2012tickets.jsp
Bicycle
Barclay's Cycle Hire scheme does NOT extend to Stratford. This is also contrary to initial plans. Nearest docking stations are outside the borough, in Bow and Hackney.
Boat from Europe
For those who insist boat travel is better value (e.g., my mom, who suffers from perminent vertigo) you can take a Stena Line boat from Holland to Essex with rail (or coach) connections to Stratford. I have been warned away from this by east Londoners who prefer travelling by car via the Chunnel (much faster), but I am sure that will not divert my mom.
Taxi
You can travel by taxi to or from all the London area airports. I recommend booking in advance online to save money. Sometimes pubic transportation is faster, though, especially if your driver chooses to drive through the city centre.
London City Airport
The fastest connection to an airport from Stratford is London City Airport, which only takes 15 mins by DLR.
Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport is also accessible by tube, but you will have to switch lines, and it will take over an hour. If you have luggage, a good strategy is to switch lines at Mile End and Acton Town to avoid stairs.
Stansted Airport
The National Express coach (bus) is direct from Stratford to Stansted Airport in 45 min, and including free wifi. The cost is £6 and up.
Terravision also operates a £6 bus service from Stratford to Stansted Airport. These are the tickets they sell on Ryan Air flights. The coaches are nicer but I am not sure if they have started offering wifi.
I have been told by rail staff that there is one train per day running direct Stratford-Stansted, but I have not been able to confirm this. The usual trains from Stansted are not direct to Stratford and take an hour or so, including an interchange, see the National Rail website for more information.
OLYMPICS DEVELOPMENTS IN STRATFORD
Westfield Stratford City is the largest urban shopping mall in Europe. (However, that does not make it particularly spacious.)
POST-OLYMPICS DEVELOPMENTS IN STRATFORD
There will be a new museum dedicated to sport.
Several Olympic structures will be converted to sports facilities for public use.
The Olympic Stadium has not been promised to anyone yet.
The University of East London and Birkbeck, University of London are building a shared University Square. University College London has bought land and plans to build a campus in Stratford.
An Olympic Museum is planned to open in 2014.
Ikea plans to build a housing estate in Stratford.
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