London Stansted Airport
London, Essex, United Kingdom
London Stansted Airport
London's leading low-cost hub in Essex.
- ›Stansted is the third busiest airport in the United Kingdom by passenger numbers.
- ›The terminal building, opened in 1991, was designed by architect Sir Norman Foster.
- ›Ryanair operates more flights from Stansted than any other airline, making it their largest UK base.
- ›The airport was used as a USAAF base during World War II, designated Station 169.
- ›Manchester Airports Group acquired Stansted from BAA in 2013 for £1.5 billion.
London Stansted Airport, located in Essex roughly 48 kilometres northeast of central London, began its modern era when a purpose-built terminal designed by Sir Norman Foster opened in 1991. It serves as the primary base for Ryanair and handles tens of millions of passengers annually, cementing its role as one of the UK's busiest airports. Despite its distance from the city centre, fast rail connections make it a practical choice for budget and leisure travellers across Europe.
- Main Terminal — A single, architecturally distinctive terminal building housing all departures, arrivals, check-in zones, and a large retail and dining concourse beneath its iconic roof structure.
- Stansted Express train to London Liverpool Street in approximately 47 minutes
- National Express and Terravision coaches to London Victoria and other city destinations
- Uber and licensed black cabs available from the dedicated taxi rank
- Car hire desks located in the terminal from Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and others
- Regular bus services to Cambridge, Stansted Mountfitchet, and surrounding Essex towns
- Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted Airport
- Holiday Inn London Stansted Airport
- Hilton London Stansted Airport
- Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport
- Premier Inn London Stansted Airport
Inside the terminal, travellers will find a broad mix of options including Wetherspoons, Wagamama, Pret a Manger, and various grab-and-go outlets spread across the departures area. Airside dining expands considerably past security, with sit-down restaurants and coffee bars suited to long waits before budget carrier departures. For a wider selection, the nearby town of Bishop's Stortford offers independent restaurants and pubs a short taxi or bus ride away.
- Book the Stansted Express in advance online for cheaper fares; walk-up prices are significantly higher.
- Security queues can be very long during early morning peak departures — arrive at least two hours before your flight.
- Trolleys are not permitted airside, so pack light or use a backpack for items you need at the gate.
- Long-stay and mid-stay car parks require a bus transfer to the terminal, so factor in extra time when driving.
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Stay, Eat & Explore: London
History and modernity on the Thames
- •Tower of London — A 950-year-old fortress guarding the Crown Jewels.
- •British Museum — Human history under one roof — from the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon sculptures.
- •Buckingham Palace — The monarch's official residence; catch the Changing of the Guard.
- •Westminster & Big Ben — Parliament, the Abbey and the world's most famous clock tower.
- •South Bank & London Eye — Riverside culture mile from Tate Modern to Borough Market.
Getting around: The Underground, Overground, Elizabeth line and iconic red buses cover the city; Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted link by express trains. Contactless payment works everywhere.
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London Stansted Airport is an international airport serving London and the south-east of England. It is located near Stansted Mountfitchet, in the district of Uttlesford, Essex; it lies 31 miles north-east of Central London.
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