easier

TWO of the UK’s major airports are rolling out new travel rules and it is great news for passengers.

Both London Stansted and London Southend will allow much easier travel to and from the airport.

The new rules will mean holidaymakers can tap in and out, using contactless tickets.

This means passengers travelling from London will no longer have to pay for a physical ticket, and can instead use their bank card or Apple Pay.

The new tap-in and tap-out rules are being introduced from December 14, for the first time.

This will affect millions of passenger travelling to Stansted Airport by train, which saw around nine million use the station last year.

NO GO

Budget airline slashes flights from major UK airport in scramble to cut costs

TAKING OFF

Jet2 to launch first ever flights from big UK airport with 29 ‘sunshine’ routes

For Southend, it will affect around 118,000 passengers who travel there by train.

It also means passengers can avoid the strict £100 fines if they tap in at the start of their journey and forget to tap out before.

This is welcome news for thousands of travellers, with as many as 16,000 a year caught out.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said: “The introduction of contactless travel on the Stansted Express is great news for passengers and will make rail travel between Stansted and London even more simple and convenient.

“More seamless rail travel between the airport and London Liverpool Street will significantly improve our passengers’ experience and make choosing the train even more attractive.”

This was backed by Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at Transport for London (TfL), who said: “We are delighted to be extending pay-as-you-go with contactless to a further 50 stations from 14 December, including Stansted Airport, making it easier for those arriving at the airport to travel to London and experience all the city has to offer.”

It is also a boost ahead of London Stansted’s major expansion plans.

Currently welcoming nearly 30million passengers a year, this could increase to 51million by the 2040s.

While there are no plans for a new runway, the airport is set to welcome more flights launched by airlines.

The rollout of the new contactless travel rules is part of a major £18.7million investment plan.

The upgraded contactless rules is also being rolled out at another 50 train station around the UK, including in cities such as Leeds, Derby and Nottingham.

Both London Heathrow and London Gatwick already allow passengers to use contactless payment to travel to and from the airport.

Along with London City and London Luton, this means that all of the ‘London’ airports will be contactless.

HORROR TOWN

Our once proud town is besieged by masked machete yobs – even cops are targets

CRUEL ORDEAL

I was blinded & my pals were killed by dangerous trend in Brit holiday hotspot

Another new change coming to UK airports is contactless passport travel.

Border Force successfully trialed new technology at Manchester Airport which replaces passport checks with facial recognition.

A PRETTY town on a island in Greece has opened a new €3.5million (£3million) marina to visitors.

The brand new marina in Nydri, which is located on the Ionian island of Lefkada, is set to attract more tourists, visitors and yacht owners to the area.

Having opened back in April, the marina has 73 berths for yachts up to 15 metres.

The marina was developed to make access to the Ionian islands better.

While there is a small bridge from the mainland which makes the island accessible via car, the new marina should help to improve nautical tourism.

Deputy Maritime Minister Stefanos Gkikas, stated: “This project marks a vital development that will foster prosperity not only in Nydri but across the entire island of Lefkada.”

Read more on travel inspo

SI MORE

Ditch Paris and Mykonos… experts reveal most overrated hols and where to go instead

HAPPY DEAL

Disney free food deal that ‘saves THOUSANDS’ – our experts see if it’s worth it

He added that the upgrades make the destination competitive with the likes of Croatia, Montenegro and Albania.

He said: “It is crucial for the Ionian Islands to experience such significant growth in maritime tourism.”

The project was also part of a wider development plan to expand marine tourism in the islands.

Other projects include adding a 100-berth marina in Vassiliki.

Nydri itself is a pretty resort town to explore, just under 10 miles from the main town.

The town curves around the bay and has a few quaint taverns and restaurants to explore.

Head to the harbour to see boats bobbing up and down on the water.

Or venture to Dimosari Waterfalls – a popular hiking spot that leads to Dimosari Gorge and its waterfalls, which you can even swim in in the warmer months.

As a whole, this island of Lefkada is known as the ‘Caribbean of Greece‘ thanks to its exotic, Caribbean-like natural landscape.

On the island, visitors will find sprawling beaches, such as Porto Katsiki which is bookended by dramatic cliffs and has soft, golden sands.

One recent visitor said: “Great beautiful beach with beautiful blue water! The road after is already an experience and beautiful views!”

The island’s main town is also worth exploring – it features lots of little alleys, a long promenade and several restaurants and bars.

One of the top restaurants to head to is Antivaro, which won a TridAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for 2025.

On the menu, you could opt for a meat grill with chicken, pork, beef, pita bread and french fries for €27 (£23.78).

Make sure to look at the buildings as well, many of which have Venetian architecture.

Throughout the town there are a number of landmarks worth exploring too, such as the Church of Pantokrator and the Church of Agioi Anargyroi.

Or head to a museum, such as the Phonograph Museum, the Folklore Museum or the Archaeological Museum.

The island is littered with different accommodation spots, meaning there is something for every type of holidaymaker.

For example, you could stay at Armeno Beach Hotel from £72 per night.

The hotel has a restaurant, with free breakfast included and beach access.

Alternatively, head to Lefkas Hotel, which has a pool and is a two minute walk from the sea – it costs from £43 per night.

The best way to get to Lefkada is by flying into Aktion National Airport, which is about an hour away from Lefkada.

Some airlines fly seasonally to the airport – for example, you could fly with easyJet from London Gatwick to Aktion Airport in April 2026 for £171 return.

Alternatively, you can fly into Athens and drive, which takes around five hours.

Flights from the UK to Athens in December cost as little as £28 return from London, £61 return from Bristol and £71 return from Manchester.

WIFE’S AGONY

Husband’s heart attack was start our of nightmare – vital mistake lost me £20k

MADDIE SCAM

I looked into the eyes of Maddie fraudster…Chilling move proved she was a sham

If you are looking for more inspiration for holidays to Greece, then one expect has shared four better value islands where locals go on holiday.

Plus, the smaller Greek island with 70 beaches that experts warn you should see before it gets too popular.