Stansted Airport Guide - Features, Services & Facilities

London Stansted Airport (STN) is the UK’s fourth-busiest airport and the undisputed king of European low-cost travel. Located in Essex, just 42 miles northeast of Central London, the airport recently made history by welcoming a record-breaking 30 million passengers in 2025. As we move through 2026, Stansted is undergoing a massive £1.1 billion transformation, introducing a huge terminal extension, Next Generation security scanners, and major new airline partners including Turkish Airlines.

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Introduction: London’s Fastest-Growing Hub

Stansted Airport offers more scheduled European destinations than any other airport in the UK. It is famously the largest base for Ryanair in the world, with over 40 aircraft stationed here, but its identity is rapidly evolving.

In late 2025, Stansted secured government permission to increase its passenger capacity to 51 million a year. To support this growth without building a new runway, the airport's owners, MAG (Manchester Airports Group), have commenced a £1.1 billion transformation programme.

For 2026, the highlight of this project is a 16,500sqm, three-bay extension to the existing Norman Foster-designed terminal. This upgrade is revolutionising the passenger experience with a sprawling new departure lounge, expanded baggage carousels, and an overhauled security hall. Coupled with the arrival of global mega-carrier Turkish Airlines in March 2026 (offering 15 weekly flights to Istanbul and 350+ global connections) and Emirates continuing its popular Dubai service, Stansted is no longer just a budget hub—it is a global gateway.

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Terminal Guide

Unlike Heathrow or Gatwick, Stansted operates from one single, massive terminal building. This unique "all-in-one" design makes navigation incredibly straightforward.

• Check-In & Security: All check-in desks are located on the ground floor concourse. Once checked in, you proceed through the central security search area, which has been expanded for 2026.
• The Transit System (TTS): After passing through the departure lounge and duty-free, you will need to reach your boarding gate. Stansted uses a combination of pedestrian walkways and an automated Track Transit System (people mover train) to transport passengers to the three satellite buildings (Gates 1-39, Gates 40-59, and Gates 81-88).
• Tip: Always check the departure boards. If your gate requires the Transit System, allow an extra 10–15 minutes to reach it.

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Recommended Check-In Time

Stansted is highly efficient, with 99% of passengers clearing security in under 15 minutes during 2025. However, the sheer volume of early morning flights means the terminal can get extremely busy between 05:00 and 07:30.

• Long-Haul (Emirates, Turkish Airlines): Arrive 3 hours before departure.
• Short-Haul & European (Ryanair, Jet2.com, easyJet): Arrive 2 hours before departure.
• Desk Closing Times: Desks and bag drops typically close strictly 40 minutes before departure.
• Online Check-In: Mandatory for Ryanair and easyJet. Ensure you have your boarding pass printed or downloaded onto your phone to avoid heavy airport check-in fees.

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How to get to Stansted Airport?

Stansted boasts one of the best public transport shares in the UK, with the Stansted Express and a major coach station located directly beneath the terminal.

By Train (Stansted Express)

The Stansted Express is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between Central London and the airport. The train station is located directly beneath the terminal—just a 2-minute ride up the escalators to check-in.

• Route: London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport (calling at Tottenham Hale).
• Frequency: Trains depart every 15 minutes during the day.
• Journey Time: 48 minutes to Liverpool Street, or just 36 minutes to Tottenham Hale (for Victoria Line connections).
• Cost: Advance tickets for 2026 start from just £9.90 for a one-way trip if booked online in advance. Standard walk-up fares are considerably higher.

By Car

Stansted is situated directly off the M11 motorway, making it easily accessible from London and Cambridge.

• Directions: Leave the M11 at Junction 8A (if coming from the London direction) or Junction 8 (if coming from Cambridge) and follow the dedicated A120 access road.
• Sat Nav Postcode: CM24 1RW

By Coach and Bus

The Stansted Airport Bus and Coach Station is located just steps from the terminal entrance, operating 24 hours a day.

• National Express: Operates dozens of routes (A6, A7, A8, A9) connecting the airport to London Victoria, Stratford, Paddington, Kings Cross, and Golders Green. Fares start from around £16.00.
• Airport Bus Express: Connects the airport to Stratford and London Liverpool Street.
• First Essex (X10 / X30): Connects to Basildon, Southend, and Chelmsford.

By Car Hire

The Stansted Car Rental Village is located a short distance from the terminal.

• Transfer: A free dedicated shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes from the terminal forecourt to the rental village.
• Operators: Enterprise, Alamo, National, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt.

By Bike

For staff and local travelers, Stansted is connected to the National Cycle Network. Sustrans Route 16 runs close to the airport. Free bicycle parking is available in the Red and Orange zones of the Short Stay car parks.

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What is the Pick-Up and Drop-Off Procedure?

London Stansted has some of the highest drop-off charges in the UK. Planning your drop-off zone carefully for 2026 is essential to avoid hefty fees.

1. Express Set Down (Closest but Most Expensive)

Located immediately outside the terminal building, this is the quickest but priciest option.

• Cost: £7.00 for up to 15 minutes.
• Overstay: £25.00 for stays longer than 15 minutes.
• Return Penalty: If you return to this zone within 30 minutes, you will be hit with a £20 penalty.
• Payment: Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) is in use. You pay by card/contactless at the exit barrier. No cash.
• Local Resident Discount: Residents living within 10 miles of the airport can apply for discounts, reducing the cost to as little as 50p for 10 minutes.

2. Free Drop-Off (Mid Stay Car Park)

To avoid the £7 charge completely, use the Mid Stay Car Park.

• Cost: Free for up to 60 minutes.
• Transfer: Passengers must take a free shuttle bus from the car park to the terminal. Buses run every 10 minutes and the journey takes about 7 minutes. Allow extra time if using this option.

3. Pick-Up (Short Stay Car Parks)

You cannot pick up passengers in the Express Set Down area. You must use the Short Stay Car Parks (Green or Orange zones).

• Cost: Up to 30 minutes costs approx. £10.00.

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Which destinations does STN Airport cover?

Stansted serves over 200 destinations across more than 40 countries. In 2025, the most popular routes were Dublin, Istanbul, and Edinburgh, with Turkey, Spain, and Italy ranking as the top overall countries.

2026 brings an exciting expansion to the route map. Turkish Airlines launches in March, easyJet begins flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle, Ryanair adds Malmo and Glasgow, and Jet2.com introduces Jerez (Spain), Samos (Greece), and La Palma (Canaries).

Complete List of Direct Destination Categories (2026)

Region	Primary Destinations Served
UK & Ireland	Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Knock, Shannon, Dundee, Newquay.
Spain (Mainland)	Alicante, Malaga, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville, Jerez, Murcia, Santander, Zaragoza.
Canary Islands	Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Palma.
Balearics	Majorca (Palma), Ibiza, Menorca.
Italy	Rome, Milan (Bergamo/Malpensa), Venice, Naples, Pisa, Bologna, Turin, Bari, Sardinia (Olbia/Cagliari), Sicily (Palermo/Catania).
Turkey	Istanbul (SAW & IST), Antalya, Dalaman, Bodrum, Izmir, Ankara.
Greece	Athens, Corfu, Crete (Chania/Heraklion), Rhodes, Zante, Kos, Kefalonia, Santorini, Samos, Skiathos, Thessaloniki.
Middle East	Dubai (Emirates), Amman (Royal Jordanian).
Western Europe	Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Vienna, Geneva, Zurich, Lisbon, Faro, Porto.
Eastern Europe	Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Budapest, Prague, Sofia, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Riga.
Nordics	Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Malmo, Billund, Reykjavik.
North Africa	Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, Rabat.

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Which Airlines fly from Stansted Airport?

Stansted is a battleground for low-cost carriers, but is increasingly attracting premium global airlines.

Airline Overview

Ryanair is the undisputed king of Stansted, operating its largest global hub here with over 150 routes. Jet2.com and easyJet are expanding aggressively, making Stansted the ultimate hub for European package holidays.

Crucially, Stansted connects to the Middle East. Emirates operates daily flights on the Boeing 777 to Dubai, and for 2026, Turkish Airlines joins Pegasus and AJet to make Istanbul one of Stansted's busiest corridors.

Complete List of Airlines (2026)

1. Ryanair: Over 150 European destinations.
2. Jet2.com: Expanding holiday base (now serving 40+ destinations).
3. easyJet: Key routes including Amsterdam, Belfast, and new Paris CDG route.
4. Emirates: Daily scheduled flights to Dubai.
5. Turkish Airlines: (NEW for March 2026) 15x weekly flights to Istanbul Airport (IST).
6. TUI Airways: Holiday charters to the Mediterranean.
7. Pegasus Airlines: Major low-cost network to Istanbul (SAW) and Turkey.
8. AJet: (Turkish Airlines subsidiary) Flights to Ankara, Istanbul, and Bodrum.
9. SunExpress: Turkey sun routes (Antalya, Izmir, Dalaman).
10. Corendon Airlines: Turkey routes.
11. Royal Jordanian: Direct flights to Amman.
12. BA CityFlyer: Summer weekend flights to Ibiza, Florence, and Olbia (Sardinia).
13. Play: Low-cost flights to Iceland (Reykjavik).
14. El Al / Arkia: Flights to Tel Aviv.
15. Aurigny: Flights to Guernsey.

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What parking options are available on STN Airport?

Stansted offers official parking options tailored to every budget, all awarded the Park Mark® for safety.

Park And Ride (Budget)

• JetParks: The most cost-effective option. Located on the airport perimeter, it requires a 10-15 minute free shuttle bus to the terminal.
• Long Stay: A slightly closer Park and Ride option with a 7-minute shuttle bus. Perfect for 1-2 week holidays.

Park And Walk (Convenience)

• Mid Stay: Located a bit closer than Long Stay. Buses take around 5-7 minutes.
• Short Stay: Located adjacent to the terminal. Divided into Green, Orange, Blue, and Red zones. It takes between 1 and 10 minutes to walk directly into the check-in hall. No buses required.

Meet And Greet / Valet

• Official Meet & Greet: Drive into the designated area next to the terminal, drop your keys off at the reception, and your car will be parked in a secure compound for you. Your car will be waiting a 2-minute walk from arrivals when you return.

SaveOnPark Exclusive: We provide the best Stansted Airport parking deals. Gate prices at Stansted can be notoriously high—turning up at the Short Stay without a booking can cost over £60 per day. By pre-booking through our platform, you can save up to 60% on official Long Stay, Mid Stay, and JetParks products. We also compare trusted off-site Park and Ride operators, ensuring you get the absolute lowest rate for your trip.

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What facilities does STN airport provide?

The new terminal extension means the departure lounge is bigger and better than ever for 2026.

Shopping

Stansted offers a major high-street retail experience.

• World Duty Free: An enormous walkthrough store offering tax-free alcohol, cosmetics, and fragrances.
• Fashion & Accessories: JD Sports, Accessorize, Superdry, Boss, Ted Baker, Sunglass Hut.
• Toys & Tech: Hamleys (toys) and InMotion (travel adapters, headphones).
• Essentials: Boots (large pharmacy, baby milk, meal deals) and WHSmith.

Bar & Restaurants

• The Windmill (Wetherspoons): A massive two-story pub offering great value drinks, full English breakfasts, and runway views.
• The Camden Bar & Kitchen: Craft beers, street food, and burgers.
• Terracotta Italian Kitchen: Pizzas and pasta dishes.
• Comptoir Libanais: Middle Eastern dining.
• Quick Bites: Burger King, Pret a Manger, Starbucks, Itsu (sushi), and Joe & The Juice.

Lounges

• The Escape Lounge: Open to all passengers (for a fee). It offers a quiet haven away from the busy terminal with a complimentary hot and cold buffet, unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks, and free Wi-Fi.

Hotels

If you have an early morning flight, Stansted has excellent on-site hotel options.

• Radisson Blu Hotel: Connected to the terminal via a 2-minute covered walkway. Famous for its wine-tower bar.
• Hampton by Hilton: Also directly connected to the terminal via a covered walkway (5-minute walk).
• Premier Inn: Located on the airport perimeter. Requires a short shuttle bus or taxi to the terminal.
• Holiday Inn Express: Located nearby with a dedicated shuttle bus.

Special Assistance & Travel Assistance

Stansted’s PRM (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) services are managed by Omniserv. Assistance points are located in the coach station, train station, car parks, and terminal entrance. The Sunflower Lanyard scheme is fully active here, providing extra support for those with hidden disabilities.

Airport Security (Scanners & Liquids)

• Next Generation (C3) Scanners: 2L liquids allowed with C3 scanners fully operational—keep in bag with laptops.
• Fast Track Security: Available from approx. £8.00 per person. This allows you to bypass the main security queue—highly recommended for peak morning flights.

FastTrack Passport Control

Upon your return to the UK, you can pre-book Passport Control FastTrack (from £7.00) to use a dedicated lane at UK Border Force, skipping the often lengthy e-Gate queues.

Baggage Control & Transfers

Baggage reclaim has been expanded in the new extension. Free luggage trolleys are available throughout arrivals. For flight transfers, Stansted is predominantly a point-to-point airport, but there is an airside transit corridor for passengers on connecting flights (such as Emirates).

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