London Stansted Airport Guide (STN)

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our London Stansted Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Airport is now open 24/7. Possible to stay overnight again. – a traveller (May 2022)

STN Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at London Stansted Airport.

What to Expect

London Stansted Airport (Code: STN) is a single-terminal airport with 3 satellite buildings linked by walkways and people movers, mainly serving budget airlines. While the airport is pretty barebones, you can expect four free hours of WiFi, plenty of electronic outlets, and a handful of food and beverage spots, including one grocery store. For those looking for a little added comfort, there is one first-class lounge that economy-class passengers can pay to access.

Sleeping in London Stansted Airport

Sleeping at London Stansted Airport is possible, but overnight conditions are challenging. Much of the terminal before security may be fenced off around 11:00 PM, leaving travellers crowded into a smaller area with limited seating, lots of floor sleeping, noise and occasional wake-ups or moves for cleaning. Conditions improve once security opens in the early morning, when quieter areas and more sleep-friendly seating may become available. For detailed sleeping locations, conditions, photos and traveller tips, see our Guide to Sleeping in London Stansted Airport.

If you have a late arrival or early departure from this airport and are not prepared to sleep on the floor, you should plan to stay at the hotel connected to the airport or one of the other hotels nearby. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.

Airport Hours

London Stansted Airport is open 24 hours. Overnight access is limited to certain areas of the landside area.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones, but informal spots with benches and padded seats are available. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Airport Hotels & Day Rooms

Quick Facts

Nearest Hotel: Connected to the airport
Sleep Cabins & Pods: No
Day Rooms: Yes
Nearby Hotels with Shuttles: Yes

When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair is giving you nightmares, there is good news for those of you who are looking to sleep at Stansted Airport in comfort. Stansted does not have transit hotels, so all hotel stays require clearing immigration and exiting to the public area.

Hotels at the Airport

Two hotels are directly connected by covered walkways, making them the easiest option for overnight stays or short rests. Several additional hotels nearby offer paid shuttle transfers.

Hampton by Hilton – Mid-range hotel. Connected to the terminal by a covered walkway, about a 5-minute walk.
Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport – Upscale hotel. Connected to the terminal by a covered walkway, about a 5-minute walk. Day rooms are available.

More Hotels Near the Airport

Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport – Mid-range hotel. Paid airport shuttle available.
Premier Inn – Budget hotel.
Novotel London Stansted – Mid-range hotel. Paid airport shuttle available.

Looking for more options? Browse the complete list of hotels near Stansted Airport on Expedia.

Airport Lounges

Whether you’re looking to relax, work, or refresh before your flight, Stansted Airport offers a variety of lounges to enhance your travel experience. From premium airline lounges to accessible public lounges, there are options for every traveller. Access is available through multiple methods, including pay-at-the-door, prepaid lounge passes, lounge membership programs, or complimentary entry for eligible airline passengers and frequent flyers.

Escape Lounge – Location: Main departure lounge, Airside. Hours: 4:00 AM – 7:30 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (from £49 per person) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs.

Food & Drinks

Most food outlets follow flight schedules and close overnight. The following options are reported as 24-hour:

Costa Coffee – Arrivals, landside
Pret A Manger – Airside

For groceries or takeaway food, M&S Simply Food sells ready meals, snacks, produce, wine, and essentials. Location: Arrivals, landside. Hours: 24 hours.

Drinking Water
Free water fountains and bottle refill stations are available:

Airside, International Departures (behind Pret a Manger, past Passport Control)
Airside, near Gates 1–19 and 40–59
International Baggage Claim, near Reclaim Area 9
Arrivals Hall, landside, near Burger King

Luggage Storage & Lockers

We were unable to confirm if the left luggage is still available. Based on our last information, it was located at the Luggage-Point Airport Services desk, landside, International Arrivals, Zone A. Hours: Open 24 hours. Click here to update or confirm this information.

Mobile Charging

Free charging points are available airside, with limited power outlets landside.

This may be outdated, but a reader told us, “All seats in the waiting have usb ports under the armrests. Useful, but maybe 40% of them actually work. So it’s worth trying the port first before getting comfy if you need power. Also, some of the restaurants have plug sockets on the tables. ” (November 2019)

Showers

There are no public showers available.

WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at London Stansted Airport for four hours. Connect to the “‘_FreeWifi” network. Passengers can pay £1 for 10 times faster speed.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available landside and airside. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s withdrawal limits and international fees before travelling.

Changing Rooms – Changing rooms are available both airside (Departures) and landside (Arrivals).

Currency Exchange – Currency exchange services are available through ChangeGroup, with counters located in the Departures and Baggage Reclaim areas.

Duty-Free & Shopping – World Duty Free and a range of retail shops are available. Most stores operate from the first departure of the day until the last.

Family Services

Baby Changing Facilities – Baby changing facilities are available throughout the terminal in both Departures and Arrivals restrooms.
Breastfeeding – A dedicated breastfeeding room is available in the main Departures lounge.

Fast Track Service – Fast Track options are available for both Security and Passport Control for an added fee. Advance booking is recommended.

Information Desk – Information desks can assist with general airport and flight enquiries. Printing and other services may be available for a fee. Availability varies by location.

Luggage

Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available in the baggage reclaim area for a small fee.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
Luggage Weighing – Self-service luggage weighing scales are available landside in the check-in area for a small fee.
Luggage Wrapping – Protective luggage wrapping is available landside through airport service desks.

Pharmacy – A Boots pharmacy operates both airside and landside, with extended daily hours.

Postal Services – A mailbox was previously available landside near the check-in area. Current availability is unconfirmed.

Prayer Room – Two interfaith prayer rooms are available 24 hours a day—one landside and one airside. Ablution facilities are provided.

SIM Cards – SIM card vending machines have been reported near the Arrivals exit after passport control. Availability may vary.

Smoking – There are no designated smoking areas inside the terminal. Smoking is not possible after passing through security.

Airlines

London Stansted Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Moldova • Arkia • British Airways • EasyJet • Emirates • FlyOne • HighSky • Jet2 • Pegasus Airlines • Ryanair • SunExpress • TUIfly • Turkish Airlines. (Reader updated, April 2026)

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus and Coach

STN airport is well connected to the bus system. Whether you need a shuttle bus to the train station, a fast bus connection to central London, or a long-distance coach, there is probably a bus for you. The airport bus and coach terminal are opposite the main terminal entrance. To plan your route or prebook your ticket, visit the London Stansted Airport website.

Car Rentals

The following car rental companies are located on-site: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz • National • Sixt.

Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Ride Sharing

Uber operates throughout the UK. A ride to London city centre will cost you about £68.

Trains

Stansted Airport rail station is located directly below the terminal building, just a two-minute walk from Check-in and Arrivals. Trains are available to central London, long-distance destinations and more. Train tickets are sold online and at the rail station. The London Stansted Express offers frequent service between Stansted Airport and the primary Liverpool Street Station, with travel times from 47 minutes. Other station stops are Tottenham Hale and Stratford (London). To check schedules or book a fare, visit the Stansted Express website.

Taxi

Street Cars Taxis is Stansted Airport’s official taxi service provider, offering 24-hour transportation to and from the airport. Alternatively, you may use the services of Minicabit (downloaded app) to compare prices from all the approved airport taxi companies and proceed to book your ride when you are happy with the fare.

Last updated: 2026-01-12

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.

London Stansted Airport Guide