Arrival in London with a Baby: Late-Night Chaos and Kindness

Julie

2025-05-21

Arrival in London with a Baby: Late-Night Chaos and Kindness

Our late-night arrival in London with a baby brought confusion, cold rain, and an unexpected act of kindness. Here’s how we made it through.

Main Journey

After a long and eventful journey from Egypt—including a detour through Turkey—we finally arrived in London just past midnight.

Our Pegasus Airlines flight from Istanbul took off at 9:30 PM and landed around midnight local time at London Stansted Airport. Sweetie had been sleeping on the flight, but waking up in the middle of the night left her cranky and fussy. Julie held her close, whispering calm words while we slowly made our way through immigration.

Stansted is located northeast of central London—not exactly close to the heart of the city. After a quick shuttle ride and simple immigration questions, we picked up our bags. Or rather, Sweetie did. With hawk-like eyes, she spotted Julie’s bag and shouted across the baggage claim:
“Mommy’s bag! Mommy’s bag!!”
Her voice echoed across the airport. Even in her half-sleepy state, her spirit never faded.

We stopped at an ATM before heading out. Unfortunately, the exchange rate was ridiculous—₩1,776 per pound, compared to the usual ₩1,500 range. But we needed cash, so we bit the bullet.

Before leaving the terminal, we also visited Lost and Found to retrieve our Xiaomi Mi Max phone, which had been taken from us back in Istanbul for UK security checks. We were finally reunited.

Welcome to the UK, Sweetie and Julie!

Tired but relieved, we slung on our backpacks and made our way to the bus stop.

Events

Arrival at London Stansted Airport around midnight
Reunited with our phone at Lost and Found
Heavy rain as expected in London
Confusion with A8 bus not going to our final stop
Missed the correct direct bus due to the late schedule
Wandered in the rain searching for transport
A kind stranger helped us get on the right bus without a ticket
Sweetie walked the final 500 meters to our stay, all on her own

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Plan your ground transportation in advance: We assumed A8 would take us straight to our lodging, but nighttime schedules vary. Always check specific bus departure times, especially late at night.
Don’t rely on cash for buses in London: London buses do not accept cash—only Oyster cards, contactless, or travel passes. If arriving late at night, you might not find a place to buy these easily.
Expect mood swings from babies after late-night flights: Sweetie struggled after waking mid-flight. Keep snacks, water, and comfort items ready.
Let toddlers walk when they want to: Sweetie insisted on walking the last 500 meters. It wasn’t just adorable—it also helped her feel more engaged and gave us a small breather.
Strangers can be angels: A kind man vouched for us when we didn’t have the proper travel card. Sometimes, all it takes is one good person to turn a stressful moment around.

Local Travel Tips

Stansted Airport (STN): Located far from central London. Public transport is reliable, but services run less frequently at night.
Bus A8: Usually connects Stansted to central London, but check the specific time and stops carefully.
No cash on London buses: All buses require prepaid travel cards or contactless payments. Have one ready, or know where to get it in advance.
Prepare for rain: True to its reputation, London greeted us with drizzle. Always carry a small umbrella or rain cover, especially for your baby stroller.
Be flexible with transit options: Google Maps is helpful, but locals often have better on-the-ground knowledge—especially when you’re tired and disoriented.

Travel Reflections

This was one of those travel days where every small win felt huge. Sweetie’s smile when she spotted Julie’s bag, her determination to walk to the lodging, and the kindness of a stranger on the night bus—those are the moments that carry us through the fatigue.

After more than 110 days of world travel, I think Sweetie has started to understand what it means to move. She wasn’t just a passenger anymore—tonight, she chose to walk beside us, backpacks and all. It might have been just 500 meters, but for me, it felt like watching her take her first steps into being part of this journey—not just being carried through it.

And to the man who asked,
“Are you a stranger?”
and gave us a ride anyway: thank you. You reminded us that no matter how foreign a place may feel, there’s always room for kindness.