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Stansted Airport, 55 km from the city of London, is a popular choice for travellers looking to find cheap flights to London. The Airport is  used as a base by a number of major European low-cost airlines. A sharp rise in passengers taking advantage of the boom in low cost air travel has made Stansted the fourth busiest airport in the United Kingdom. Ryanair is the largest operator and flies to over 120 destinations from Stansted.

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General Information
Most Popular Airlines
Most Popular Routes
To and From the Airport
Checking-In
Amenities
Facilities


General Information

  • Airport Name: London Stansted Airport
  • IATA Code: STN
  • Contact Info: 0844 335 1803
  • Airport Location:55km (35 miles) northeast of London
  • Number of Terminals: 1
  • Opening Hours: 24 hours

 


Most Popular Airlines


Most Popular Routes


To and From the Airport

The Stansted Express
Bus and Coach
Uber
Taxis
Parking Fees

Stansted lies about 35 miles outside London and can be accessed by all major forms of public transport:

The Stansted Express: Is quickest and most direct route between Stansted Airport and London. It runs every 15 minutes, the journey taking about 50 minutes and a one-way adult fares booked in advance start at £12 when two or more people are traveling together.

The Stansted Express runs from and to Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale stations, from where the London Underground can be used to reach further connections.

The first service from Liverpool Street is 4:10am with an extra early service at 3:40  on Monday, Friday and Saturday, the last service from Liverpool Street is 11:25pm. The train runs a similar timetable from the airport, for more details and ticket booking visit Standsted Express here.

Bus and Coach: There are a number of operators who run services to and from Stansted Airport. The most popular being National Express who has 30 pick-up points across the UK, and up to 140 services each day. One-way adult tickets start from £5 when booked in advance. For more information and ticket booking visit National Express here.

Uber: Uber X services can be booked to and from Stansted Airport. Expect to pay about £65 from the airport to central London in good traffic conditions, with an estimated travel time of 70 minutes.

Taxis: Stansted Airport taxi booking service operates around the clock from the international arrivals concourse. There is a courtesy phone in the UK and Ireland baggage reclaim hall if you would like to book a cab to central London. Depending on the destination, this is likely cost you in excess of £100.

Parking Fees: If you plan to drive and leave your car at the airport, you can take advantage of a 15% offer available for bookings made from 8 weeks in advance of travel, for a 3 day minimum stay. To calculate your fee, use the online tool. Note that road congestion charges may also apply on top of your parking fee.


Checking-In

Liquids
Baby Milk and Medicine
Electronic Passport Exit

Liquids

Liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less. They must be carried separately in a single plastic bag which is:

  • Transparent and resealable
  • No larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in)
  • Able to close properly with all the items inside

Liquids in containers over 100ml will not be permitted through security. You will need to pack them in your hold baggage instead.

Baby Milk and Medicine

  • If you are travelling with a baby or infant, an exception to the above rule will apply, but you can carry only what you need for your journey.
  • The same applies to liquid medication – you can only carry what you need during the course of your flight. All medication should be accompanied by documentary proof of authenticity, such as a prescription or letter from a doctor.
  • Liquid medication that is not required on the flight should be carried as hold luggage.

Electronic Passport Exit

If you have a new biometric ‘chipped’ passport, you can use the automated ePassport gates instead of having your passport checked by a Border Force officer. This means you can avoid the queues and get through passport control more quickly.

You can use the gates if you are a passport holder of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) – including the UK – or Switzerland; and if you have the EEA chip logo on your passport.

You cannot use the gates with a national identity card. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.


Amenities

WiFi and Internet
Plug Stations and Charging
Cafés, Restaurants Bars
Lounges
Playrooms
Smoking Lounge
Prayer Rooms
Shopping and Duty Free
Sleeping Pods

 

WiFi and Internet

Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal for 60 minutes per registered device per day. To log on,choose the WiFi network _stanstedairport when prompted and follow on-screen instructions.

Internet kiosks are available before and after security control and can be paid by credit card, voucher or coin.

Plug Stations and Charging

Live sockets are available before and after security. They are compatible with UK and European plugs.

 

Cafés, Restaurants Bars

Stansted offers an array of cafés and bars. Click here for a full list of service offerings and their prices.

 

Lounges

Prices start at £19.99 to pre-book an “Escape Lounge” where a complimentary buffet and drink service is available. Rolls, croissants, soups, sandwiches and a selection of cheeses are on offer from the buffet, with a Young Explorer’s menu also purchasable. The lounge is situated on a mezzanine floor in the main departure lounge area, with the entrance located between Coast to Coast and Pret a Manger.

 

Playrooms

None.

 

Smoking Lounge

Stansted is a smoke-free airport, although smoking is permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building. As of 1. August 2014, the use of electronic cigarettes indoors is also prohibited.

Prayer Rooms

There is a multi-faith prayer room in the check-in Zone J located before the security control. It is open from 05:00 – 23:00 daily.

 

Shopping and Duty Free

An A to Z listing of shops can be found here. The World Duty Free store offers a selection of goods on sale without VAT.

 

Sleeping Pods

None.


Facilities

Toilets
Showers
Assisted Travelling Through Terminals
Lost and Found
Luggage Trolleys
Nearby Hotels

 

Toilets

Unisex toilets are provided on the main concourse and within the departures lounge. Parents travelling with children can also use the unisex accessible toilets.

 

Showers

Showers are available in the departure lounge (after security) and in international arrivals.

 

Assisted Travelling Through Terminals

If you have a disability or mobility difficulties, you will need to inform your airline or tour operator at least 48 hours before your travel. Omniserve provides assistance services on behalf of the airport.

You should also advise your airline if you intend to take your own mobility aid such as wheelchair, scooter etc, so that they can arrange the services that best meet your needs.

Portering services are offered by Bagport for passengers needing assistance from point of arrival to check-in; and from baggage reclaim to point of onward travel. Online bookings can be made here.

 

Lost and Found

If you lose an item in the airport, you can search for your missing property at missingx.com, or check The Lost Property service operated by Bagport UK Limited. All found property is entered into the missingx.com database. You can visit the Bagport site here.

 

Luggage Trolleys

Baggage trolleys are available in the reclaim hall and other key areas in the terminal building, car parks, rail station and coach station. You will need a £1, €1 or $0.25 coin to obtain one, which is refunded when the trolley is returned. There are change machines in the international and domestic baggage reclaim halls, on the terminal forecourt and in the coach station.

 

Near-by Hotels

There are a number of different Hotel near-by to Stansted Airport.

Search Hotels Near Stansted Airport

About the author

Oonagh ShielContent Manager at Cheapflights whose travel life can be best summed up as BC (before children) and PC (post children). We only travel during the school holidays so short-haul trips and staycations are our specialities!

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