Stansted Airport (STN) is the fourth busiest airport in the UK and caters to over 24 million passengers a year. With over 170 worldwide destinations and served by 22 airlines, STN is one of the UK’s go-to airports for budget travel from the UK, and is Ryanair’s largest base.

As well as the many European destinations available, Stansted also offers routes to North Africa and Central North America. The airport has only one terminal, with three connected passenger satellites where the departure gates are located.

Location of Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport is situated in Essex, 35 miles (56 kilometres) away from central London. The airport sits just off the M11 motorway between Stansted Mountfitchet and Bombers Green, close to Bishop’s Stortford. The airport’s postcode is CM24 1RW.

Which terminal?

There’s only one departure terminal at Stansted Airport, which is very well signposted once you’re in the airport. Gates 1-39 are accessible via a short shuttle located just outside the departure lounge; all other gates are accessible on foot, just a minute or so from the departure lounge. Stansted Airport serves many major airlines including easyJet, Emirates, Jet2.com, RyanAir and TUI. Discover the full list of the airport’s airline operators.

Car

London Stansted Airport's postcode is CM24 1RW. From the north, take Junction 8 off the M11; from the south, use Junction 8A. The airport is approximately a 60-75 minute drive from central London, about 2 hours from Birmingham and 3 hours from Leeds.

Train

Stansted Airport has its own train station, offering seamless connections to surrounding areas. Hop on the Stansted Express for a quick 48-minute ride to Central London, with trains departing every 15 minutes. Please note that Oyster Cards and contactless payments aren't accepted - purchase your ticket online or at the station. Flying out early? Catch the first train from Liverpool Street Station at 3:40am (Mon, Fri, Sat) or 4:40am (Sun). Returning late? The last train to Stansted leaves at 11:25pm, with the final departure to Central London at 12:30am. Virgin services also operate from STN, with connections to key cities in the UK including Birmingham, Leicester and Norwich.

Bus and coach

The Bus/Coach Station is located 2 minutes from the airport terminal with the below services operating to and from the airport.

National Express – For services to and from Central London.

Airport Bus Express – For services to London. (Runs every 30 mins from 06:00am to 02:00am).

First Essex – For services to Basildon and Southend.

Search and book a transfer service.

Keep an eye on your gate

Stansted Airport covers a large area, so be prepared for a few minutes of walking from the entrance to your gate. Make sure you allow enough time to pass through security and to navigate to your gate.

Find a quiet spot

Some passengers enjoy some quiet time before their flight, and if that rings true to you, head over to where it tends to be a little quieter that the rest of the terminal. However if you want the ultimate pre-flight luxury experience, head over to Escape Lounge for some super comfortable seating and unlimited food and drink.

How to get cheap Stansted Airport parking

If you’re picking up or dropping off at Stansted Airport, you don’t necessarily need to pay to park. You can make use of the free drop-off areas located at the Mid Stay car parks. From there, passengers can jump on a free shuttle bus straight to the terminal entrance.

The postcode for the drop-off area is CM22 6PU.

If you require cheap parking at the airport whilst you travel, make use of our search widget above, simply enter your travel dates to compare prices across our range of cheap airport parking at Stansted Airport.

Taxi services at London Stansted Airport

If you’re opting to travel to the airport by taxi, remember to book it in advance to secure your ride at the best price you can. Remember, airport taxi journeys can be costly depending on the time of travel, as well as the additional drop-off fee added when you are dropped at the terminal. Parking at the airport can often be a cheaper alternative - use our search widget above to compare cheap parking for Stansted Airport. Find out more about booking a taxi journey for Stansted Airport.

The Stansted terminal building is spacious and bright, equipped with everything you may need to make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Its open-plan layout and various seating areas make finding a peaceful spot to relax before you depart a breeze. See the full list of airport amenities below:

Baggage wrapping and weighing
Cash machines
Car rentals
Currency exchange
Escape Lounge with complimentary bar and buffet
Family facilities
FastTrack priority booking
Hotels
Internet access
Left luggage
Meeting rooms
Porter services
Postal services
Prayer room
Food
Restaurants
Breakfast
World cuisine
Fast food
Cafés
Drinks
Bars and pubs
Cafés
Shopping
High-street brands
Newsagents
Convenience stores
Smoking areas
Trolleys
World Duty Free with reserve and collect service

Enjoy a buffet breakfast

There’s nothing better than enjoying some great food before your flight. At Escape Lounges, guests can indulge in a breakfast buffet featuring a variety of hot English breakfast items like back bacon, sausages, baked beans, scrambled eggs and porridge with assorted toppings such as honey, nuts and dried mixed fruit. Additionally, there's a cold buffet offering Greek yoghurt with various toppings, fresh fruit, cereals, sweet pastries and muffins. View the full food and drink menus at Stansted Escape Lounge, including lunch and dinner.

Reserve and Collect at Duty Free

One of the best things about spending time in the terminal is some of the fantastic bargains you can grab on big brands. From luxury beauty, innovative tech and popular wines and spirits, Duty Free is packed full of great products to purchase. It’s even easier to shop with Stansted’s Reserve and Collect service - simply reserve online and collect your items when you arrive at the airport. Plus there’s an extra 10% off when you use the Reserve and Collect service.

Plan a picnic

Travelling with little ones? Why not enjoy a picnic to pass the time before your flight? M&S Simply Food is open 24/7, so it’s easy to grab everything you need, from sandwiches and deli treats to snacks, fresh produce and bakery sweets.

Catch up on all those emails

Stansted Airport offers up to 4 hours of free Wi-Fi, accessible within the terminal and airport lounges. Simply go to the Wi-Fi settings on your device and connect to the ‘_FreeWifi’ network.

You can also access 10x faster Wi-Fi speeds for just £1. The pay-as-you-go Wi-Fi service offers users uninterrupted services for gaming, movies and other media streaming services.

Upgrade and Escape

If you’re looking to relax and refuel before your flight, Escape Lounge is the ideal spot. Open from 04:30am to 07:30pm, the lounge offers guests free and secure Wi-Fi, comfortable seating and charging points for devices - perfect for travellers working on the go. Indulge in the complimentary buffet featuring a delightful spread of breakfast and lunch options, complemented by a selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Book your Escape Lounge and elevate your pre-flight experience.

How long does it take to get through security?

The busiest time at Stansted Airport tends to be the morning, particularly for early flights. While the airport has expanded its queue management system to handle peak times, security lines can still take up to an hour or more on busy days. Typically, you can expect to pass through security in around 10-15 minutes. However, if you're worried about wait times, upgrading to FastTrack might be worth considering.

How much time should I allow between arrival and boarding?

Stansted serves as a major hub for many low-cost airlines, which boast a large number of short-haul flights. Generally, check-in for European destinations closes approximately 40 minutes before departure. However, remember to check your ticket and airline documents, as well and giving yourself plenty of time by arriving approximately 2 hours before your flight departs.

Can I take food through airport security?

While you're welcome to bring your own food to the airport and even through security, remember that liquids aren't permitted through security and will be confiscated. Once you've cleared security, STN has a range of shops where you can purchase food and drink before your flight.

Is the airport open 24 hours?

Stansted's main terminal building and many of its food and drink spots are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Can I charge my phone at the airport?

Mobile device charging points are available at London Stansted Airport, so you can charge up your device before your flight.

Does STN have cash machines?

There are several cash machines available at STN, located before and after security. Travellers can withdraw cash in GBP, US Dollars and Euros.

Can I smoke at the airport?

Smoking is prohibited inside Stansted Airport, in line with British law. There are designated smoking areas located outside the main terminal.

Can I store luggage at Stansted?

No, there are no available facilities for passengers to leave luggage. However, if you misplace something at the airport, please contact the Lost Property department.