London Stansted Airport
STNLondon, Essex, United Kingdom
Regional airport in the South East, 40 miles north of London. Fly to destinations across Europe and beyond.
3.3/ 5(38k)Major hubScheduled serviceICAO EGSS781 word guide
Departures & Arrivals
TimeToTermStatus
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Schedule data · AeroDataBox · times in airport local time
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Airport at a glance
- Google rating
- 3.3/5 · 38,305 reviews
- Phone
- +44 808 169 7031
- Official site
- stanstedairport.com
- Time zone
- Europe/London
- Address
- Bassingbourn Rd, Stansted CM24 1QW, United Kingdom
- Plus code · V6PR+GG Stansted, United Kingdom
Quick Facts
- IATA
- STN
- ICAO
- EGSS
- Rating
- 3.3 / 5
- Type
- Major hub
- Scheduled
- Yes
- Elevation
- 348 ft
- Coordinates
- 51.886, 0.241
Confirmed amenities
9 features verified at London Stansted Airport
Service options
- On-site services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Baggage storage
- Toilet
Children
- Has changing table(s)
Parking
- Paid parking lot
When is London Stansted Airport busiest?
Typical foot-traffic by hour, sourced from Google. Live conditions may differ.
Peak hours overall
3 pm, 2 pm, 1 pm
12am6am12pm6pm11pm
Busiest on Mondays around 2 pm — usually as busy as it gets.
Quiet Normal Busy Very busy
Traveller reviews
3.338,305 reviews on Google
heathrow·392gatwick·298luton airport·112contactless·57shuttle train·47epassport gates·42brexit·42train ticket·40
- J.J. QLocal guideOct 2025
The cheapest way to get to Stansted is to take the national express coach. The Stansted express train is quite expensive compared to the couch service. Stansted airport is pretty much the Homebase of Ryanair. The airport is pretty basic. There aren't many seats for passengers to relax. I would recommend the Wetherspoon there. It is not expensive. There is not much children facilities, no soft play or any area for young children. However there is a Hemleys toy shop. Some gates will need shuttle train, kids love that. The security check service is good. Passengers don't need to take out the electronic devices and liquids out. There are some water fountains after security checks. Bring your own bottle and save few pounds on bottled water.
- JaJack FletcherLocal guideOct 2025
I was really impressed with London Stansted Airport on my recent trip. Everything ran super smoothly from start to finish -- check-in was quick, security moved fast, and the staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. The airport itself is bright, clean, and easy to find your way around, which makes a huge difference when you're traveling. There's a good mix of shops and restaurants too -- plenty of options to grab a coffee or something to eat while waiting for your flight. Getting to and from the airport was straightforward as well, with clear signs and good transport links. Overall, it was a really stress-free experience and definitely one of the better airports I've flown through. I wouldn't hesitate to fly from Stansted again!
- CsCsorba DianaLocal guideOct 2025
Today was a good day...all smooth and fast. Though it was fairly early for the 6:45 flight, from stepping in all was great. No queuing or waiting time at all. Flying to Germany and the plane is kinda ready to take off at 6:20am. Positive experience.
- R.R. GreenLocal guideOct 2025
Fast, smooth and reasonably nice. We quickly moved through security(saving time by not needing baggage drop off as we bought an overhead bag) and through to the shops. A wide range of provisions. Lots of seats and lots of people. I traveled on a thursday and although at first there was limited seats, spaces quickly appeared as people left for their gates. Our flight was delayed so we spent a lot of time here. It was made easier by the comfortable seats, free WiFi and USB charging ports so I plugged in and watched some plane crash documentaries. I had Burger King but there's many other option too. There are limited toilets that are poorly signposted. There is one just off the main area with all the seats(water fountain there too). It was also incredibly hot with poor ventilation, especially outside the gates. Nice airport seemingly focusing on budget airlines. Edit: Just as quick on the return. The E-gates allowed us to get through in two minutes.
Overview
London Stansted Airport is one of the busiest international airports serving the capital, situated around 40 miles northeast of central London. While it handles a mix of scheduled and charter flights, it is best known as a major base for low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet, connecting the city to scores of European destinations. The airport sees particularly heavy passenger flows in the afternoon, with peak periods around 2pm and 3pm, so travellers planning departures in that window should allow extra time for check-in and security.
Stansted operates a single terminal, which is compact and straightforward to navigate. The airport is not a 24-hour operation — the terminal building closes overnight, typically from around midnight to 4am, so passengers are not allowed to stay inside during those hours. This is important for those with very early or very late flights; check with the airline for terminal access times.
Location & Access
Stansted is located in the district of Uttlesford in Essex, near the village of Stansted Mountfitchet. The nearest major city is Cambridge, about 30 miles north, while London lies to the southwest. The airport’s position makes it a convenient gateway for the eastern region of England.
By train, the Stansted Express runs non-stop to London Liverpool Street, taking approximately 50 minutes, and also serves Tottenham Hale for connections to the Victoria line. Services run frequently throughout the day. By road, the airport is just off junction 8 of the M11 motorway, with direct links to the M25 orbital motorway, making it accessible from much of the South East. National Express and other coach operators provide regular services to London, Cambridge, and other towns.
On-site parking options include short-stay, mid-stay, and long-stay car parks, all paid. The airport also offers a drop-off zone close to the terminal, but charges apply. For passengers with reduced mobility, there is a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, and toilet facilities.
Facilities
Stansted provides a range of services to support a comfortable journey. Baggage storage is available for those who want to explore the area without luggage — useful for Cambridge or nearby attractions. The terminal has standard toilets as well as accessible toilets and baby changing tables.
Wheelchair-accessible facilities are well provided: the car park, entrance, seating, and toilets are all designed to meet accessibility needs. The airport recommends that passengers requiring assistance notify their airline or travel agent in advance.
Other on-site services include a selection of shops, cafes, and restaurants both before and after security. While the airport is not a major shopper’s destination, it offers essentials such as newsagents, duty-free, and a few clothing and gift outlets. Wi-Fi is available free of charge for a limited period.
About the Region
Stansted Airport serves as a gateway to the East of England, a region known for its rich history, academic institutions, and natural landscapes. To the north lies Cambridge, home to the University of Cambridge — one of the world’s most renowned universities — and its historic colleges, the River Cam, and the charming Backs. The city draws visitors for punting, museums, and cultural events.
Essex itself offers countryside, coastal towns, and historic houses such as Audley End House, a Jacobean mansion near Saffron Walden. The area is also popular for countryside walks, with the Epping Forest and Dedham Vale nearby. Further afield, Norfolk’s Broads national park and Suffolk’s heritage coast are reachable by car.
Many passengers use Stansted as a direct airport for Cambridge, but it also serves central London reasonably well, especially for destinations in the north and east of the city. The airport’s location makes it a practical choice for travellers heading to the London 2012 Olympic Park (now Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park) in Stratford, which is accessible via the Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale and then the Victoria line or overground.
Practical Information
The airport’s official website is stanstedairport.com. For general enquiries, you can call +44 808 169 7031. Note that the airport is not open 24 hours; the terminal closes overnight, typically from around midnight to 4am, so passengers should plan accordingly.
Check-in desks usually open two to three hours before scheduled departure times. Security wait times vary, but peak periods are around 2pm and 3pm when traffic is heaviest. It is advisable to arrive at least two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours for long-haul.
While Stansted is a major international airport, it does not have a full range of airport hotels within the terminal; several hotels are located nearby with shuttle services. For up-to-date flight information, refer to the airport’s website.
This guide provides factual information only; always confirm details with the airport or your airline before travelling.
Airlines at London Stansted Airport
5 carriers list direct routes from this airport.
Where can you fly from London Stansted Airport?
124 direct destinations across 32 countries.
Most-served direct routes
Location
London Stansted Airport
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W
Wikipedia
More about London Stansted Airport
Quick Facts
- IATA
- STN
- ICAO
- EGSS
- Rating
- 3.3 / 5
- Type
- Major hub
- Scheduled
- Yes
- Elevation
- 348 ft
- Coordinates
- 51.886, 0.241
W
Wikipedia
More about London Stansted Airport
Nearby Airports
London Luton AirportLTN42 km
Hilltop airport for domestic and European destinations served mainly by low-cost airlines.
London City AirportLCY44 km
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London Southend AirportSEN47 km
Award winning airport. Short and long stay carparks right next to the terminal and up to 8 trains an hour taking you to London in less than 45 minutes.
Bedford Aerodrome62 km
Bedford Aerodrome serves private pilots, flying schools, and charter flights in Bedfordshire. Learn how to get there, what to expect inside the terminal, and what makes Bedford worth a visit.
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