Airport Information


London Stansted Airport is the UK's fourth-busiest airport after London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester Airports. This thriving international airport started life as a cargo and bomber airfield during the Second World War, but today, it has earned its place as London's third international airport.

Serving over 29 million passengers every year and flying to 190 destinations in 38 countries, this airport in the middle of the tranquil Essex countryside has connections across the globe. In this Stansted Airport guide, we’ll introduce you to the airport and tell you all about the facilities available, how to get there, and some great top tips for travellers.

 

Where is Stansted Airport located?

Fifty kilometres from London and in the heart of the Essex countryside is the sleepy town of Stansted Mountfitchet. Close by is the bustling Stansted Airport, one of the most popular departure points for sunshine-starved Brits wanting to grab a couple of weeks in the Greek Islands. It is also a key hub for cargo transport to far-flung destinations such as Hong Kong and Guangzhou in China.

The current terminal, designed by the eminent architect Norman Foster, welcomes up to 100,000 passengers per day during peak times, and is the home of some of the best-loved low-cost carrier services including Ryan Air, easyJet and Tui.

The whole area is served by the M11 motorway and extensive rail and bus links to London and beyond.

 

How to get to Stansted Airport from London

By car or bus, the easiest way to get from the centre of the capital and to London Stansted Airport is up the M11 motorway. Come off the M11 at Junction 8a and onto the A120, which will take you to the main airport. If you use a satnav to reach your destination, the airport postcode is CM24 1RW. The average journey time from the start of the M11 motorway in East London is around 40-45 minutes.

You can also catch the Stansted Express train from London Liverpool Street station, Tottenham Hale Station, or Stratford station. This express train service takes around 35 minutes and takes you right into the Terminal itself.

Taxi companies do offer airport services, but bear in mind that this is the most expensive way to travel and will cost anything from £70-£100, depending on the firm you choose and how far in advance you book.

One of the best ways to get to London Stansted Airport is by coach using Airport Bus Express. Travelling from either London Liverpool Street or our main transport hub at London Stratford, this fast, reliable and affordable service takes you right to the Departure area of the airport in just 45 minutes from Stratford and one hour and 10 minutes from London Liverpool Street.

If you want more detail on transport links, why not take a look at our informative How To Get To Stansted Airport from London [HYPERLINK] guide? This practical, no-nonsense guide gives you in-depth details on things like London Overground and Underground links, bus routes, timetables, and costs.

 

Airport information – What’s on offer at Stansted Airport?  

Modern and welcoming, London Stansted Airport has plenty of facilities and services on offer to make your travel experience one to remember for all the right reasons.

 

Retail therapy – Shop ‘til you drop

Stansted has a variety of shops within the main Terminal, so you won't need to worry if you forget to pack your toothbrush or need a bestseller to read while you're relaxing by the pool.

Stansted Airport also has a large Duty-Free store where you can buy top brands, including perfumes, alcohol, and skincare products. A Click and Collect service is available for Duty-Free shopping, so you can buy online and pick up your purchase at the airport to avoid the queues.

 

Some quiet time

Travelling can be stressful. So, at London Stansted Airport, there’s a chance to get away from the crowds and the hustle and bustle in their Escape Lounge. A break in this tranquil oasis can be pre-booked for a set price so you can get your holiday or business trip off to a great start. With complimentary food and drinks, free Wi-Fi, mobile charging points and flight information screens, you don't have to worry about missing your flight or spending all your time at the airport in the main Departures area.

 

Food and drink

From burgers to burritos, coffee and cake to a full three-course meal, multiple food and drink options are on offer from some of the biggest and best brands in the world. Many of the restaurants can accommodate specific dietary requirements—talk to your server if you have any specific needs.

 

Prayer rooms

The main Terminal building has two Prayer rooms open 24/7 for a few moments of quiet reflection or prayer. They are opposite Check-In Zone A and near the Escape Lounge in the main Departure area.

 

Wi-Fi

Stansted Airport Wi-Fi is free for up to four hours. If you are at the airport for longer than that (for example, if your flight is delayed due to bad weather), it only costs £1 for another 24 hours' access. Look for the _FreeWiFi network in your Wi-Fi options to access Wi-Fi. You will have to register to start, but after that, you can use the services normally.

 

Queries

The airport Information desk is in the International Arrivals area. It is staffed 24 hours a day by multilingual staff who are happy to help with general inquiries, flight information, and additional facilities such as photocopying.

The Help Points are located at each of the Short Stay car parks, and courtesy phones are outside the terminal doors. Using these, you can ask for assistance with things such as wheelchair provision and help getting your baggage to your check-in desk.

 

Tips for passengers flying out from Stansted

  • Give yourself plenty of time – Never leave it to the last minute to arrive for your flight. We advise always arriving at the airport at least two hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. This gives you plenty of time to check in, go through your security checks, and locate your departure gate.
  • Security – To ensure you don't get too delayed going through your security checks, check you have all your documents, including your passport, boarding pass, and ticket, to hand. As you have to go through a scanner, you may need to remove your jacket, belt and shoes. Our top tip: Always leave yourself plenty of time to go through security to avoid any last-minute panics if you are delayed for any reason.
    Our Top Tip: Wear comfy shoes that can be easily taken off and put back on again.
  • How much luggage can you take? - You will need to check with your airline regarding luggage allowances, including how much hand luggage each passenger is allowed to take onboard.

Our Top Tip: It's worth checking the weight of your luggage before you leave home so you don't encounter any issues when you get to the airport.

  • Restrictions—There are still some restrictions on what articles can be taken in hand luggage, including limits on the amount of liquids. You can carry liquids in your hand luggage as long as the contents are less than 100ml and the container is carried in a resealable, see-through plastic bag. You can learn more about what can and cannot be carried by visiting the Stansted Airport Luggage Page.
  • Be aware of your surroundings – London Stansted Airport is very busy, even at night. So ensure your luggage is never left unattended to avoid theft or even triggering an emergency response.

 

Tips for passengers flying into Stansted

  • Have all your documents ready—Security checks for passengers arriving at Stansted are strict, so have all your documents ready and ensure your visas are in order and up to date.
  • Brighten up your luggage – Making your luggage distinctive helps speed up the process when it comes to baggage reclaim. Add bright stickers or something that makes your luggage stand out from a sea of similar suitcases!
  • Buy a SIM card to avoid excessive roaming charges – If you’re flying into the UK on business, it’s worth stopping at one of the shops in the airport to buy a UK SIM card. This could cut your roaming charges considerably while you are in the UK.
  • Book your onward travel plans early—To avoid being stranded at the airport, make sure you book your onward travel in plenty of time. You can book your Airport Bus Express seat 28 days in advance online. Or book your Stansted Express train ticket or car hire before you arrive in the UK.

 

Hotels and accommodation

Sleeping at London Stansted Airport is not the most comfortable way to spend a night. Two on-site hotels, the Radisson Blu and Hampton by Hilton, are within walking distance of the main Terminal. Several Stansted hotels are also within easy reach of the airport by Uber or transfer ride, including Novotel (2 minutes by transfer shuttle), Premier Inn (5 minutes by transfer shuttle), and the Holiday Inn Express (a 10-minute walk from the Terminal).

 

Stansted Airport rules

  • If your pet is accompanying you on your travels, they must always be secured within an appropriately sized carrier. The only exception to this is for registered service animals such as guide dogs.
  • Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the airport building.
  • Passport control applies to all travellers from outside Britain. If a border agent approaches you, even if you have already passed through security, you must present your passport if asked.
  • Unattended bags may be considered a security issue, so do not leave your luggage, even when grabbing a coffee or using the toilet.

 

Airline information

Multiple airlines fly into and out of London Stansted Airport, including British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2.com, Emirates, easyJet, Lufthansa, and Tui. You can learn more about the various airlines operating from Stansted Airport here.

 

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get to Stansted Airport?

If you book a seat on one of our luxury Airport Bus Express coaches, it will take you just 45 minutes from London Stratford and one hour and ten minutes from London Liverpool Street.

Driving using the M11 motorway and the A120 takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.

If you take the Stansted Express train, the journey time is around 35 minutes.

 

Is there parking at London Stansted?

Yes, including Short Stay (up to eight days), Long Stay, JetParks and Mid Stay options. You can either pay on the day or save a considerable amount of money by booking online in advance. You can learn more about Stansted Airport car parking options on the Airport Car Parking page.

 

What are the dining options?

There are plenty of dining options at Stansted Airport. Check the Stansted Airport Services page for a complete list of restaurants, cafés, and diners.

 

Can you sleep at Stansted overnight?

You can, but it won’t be particularly comfortable! See our section above on Hotels and accommodation at and around Stansted.

 

What time should you arrive before your flight?

We recommend you arrive at least one to two hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. This will give you ample time to go through airport security checks and check-in procedures without rushing.

 

Further Information

Thanks for reading our Stansted Airport guide. If you’d like to read more about airport security, luggage, transport and facilities, be sure to check out the official Stansted website. There is plenty more Stansted airport information available on the following pages:

 

Stansted Airport website

www.stanstedairport.com/

Stansted Airport train station information
www.stanstedairport.com/getting-to-and-from/by-train/

Stansted Airport bus station information
www.stanstedairport.com/getting-to-and-from/by-bus/

Stansted Airport luggage restrictions
www.stanstedairport.com/help/passenger-guides/luggage/

Stansted Airport security information
www.stanstedairport.com/help/passenger-guides/security/

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