London Stansted Airport
photo by Renato
If there is such a thing as a budget traveller's airport, it is London Stansted airport or Camp Stansted as we lovingly refer to it here. Every night - throughout the year - budget travellers descend upon this airport awaiting the departure of their early morning RyanAir flights. The airport has become so popular that you must arrive early in order to secure a good spot. Some nights "early" may mean 10PM. During the busy summer months you would not be foolish to arrive at 8PM. If it is your first time at Stansted airport, you will be able to easily identify the regular Camp Stansted Sleepers as they will be the people inflating their air mattress or erecting their tents off in the corner. When you see the hundreds of sleeping bodies all over the floor during peak airport sleeping season, it will be a sight to behold. With its liberal airport sleeping policies, the availability of food, showers and left luggage 24 hours a day, we consider Stansted Airport to be very airport sleeper friendly - if not entirely comfortable. Just get there early, bring your air mattress and be quiet - there will be many other people trying to sleep!
In this section you will find some of the more entertaining comments, traveller airport reviews as well as our Stansted Airport Guide with info on WiFi, lounges, facilities and services....and yes, even the names of nearby hotels if you really can't handle sleeping in the terminal.
Traveller Comments....
"nobody cares what you do, we even hung some wet clothes to dry." - (mariayoshiko)
"I was really impressed by the sense of community among the sleepers, the way that people kept an eye on each others' stuff, were really considerate about noise etc." (Tanya)
"it looks like a refugee camp with the amount of people sleeping" (toby)
" I would recommend this place for anyone with a sleeping bag" (?)
" There were a few groups of rowdy American teenagers who talked the night through which I thought was a bit rude as it was obvious everyone else was trying to have a kip." (kiwi traveller)
"Benches w/o armrests are taken very early." - americaninuk
"When I talk to friends, I always say that I'm going to take a trip to my leisure residence in Essex. Stansted is perhaps one of the best places to sleep in the world." - airpunk
"[the seats] weren't very comfortable, but anyway... it's an airport, not a B&B!!" - bierina
"Its just the biggest youth hostal I have ever seen... So many people all over, in the seats, on the ground, and wherever you can imagine" - phabioo
"always packed with people, it's a crazy sight to see. Every one is taking photos of each other sleeping, that's how many people there were. It was becoming a tourist attraction!" - kirsty39
Recent Review
by kiribatimellow
Sleep in Section K. It is towards the end of the terminal, no doors open throughout the night, it is near a 24 hour cafe, toilets are nearby.
Only power outlet I found was behind the coke machine. Set yourself up near there.
Get there relatively early, around 9pm or 10.
Make sure you get a bench with no armrests between seats. I had to drag my original one 50m across the terminal to swap it for a better one. Yes everyone was looking at me as I did it and yes I had a much more comfortable sleep than they did.
If you arrive too late for a bench, sleep under one of the pillars with ads on each of its sides. Almost like a pseudo 'pod'.
Make friends with someone so you can mind each other's stuff if you need to go toilet etc.
Burger King is good for cheap and healthy food.
Wifi is through Boingo which is around 4 pounds a month. Make sure you remember to cancel it after a month thought because I think it is a subscription. Although it did seem to be useful in many other cities I went to.
Make sure you wake up in time. There are many other early morning flights. Checkin security train to gate can take some time.
The last review for this airport was in 2012. Have you been there recently? Tell us about it!
London Stansted Airport Guide
Airport Lounges
There are pay-per-use airport lounges found Airside.
- No. 1 Stansted at Gate 16 - Satellite 1, airside, Gate 16. Hours: 0400-2100
- No. 1 Stansted at Gate 49 - Satellite 3, airside, Gate 49 (Ryan Air uses this one). Hours: 0400-2100
- Servisair Lounge - Satellite 1, airside, between Gates 1-19 on departures level. Hours: 0515-2100
Airport WiFi / Internet
Wireless internet access is available at the London Stansted Airport for a fee. Connect to the Boingo network.
Internet kiosks are also available. Locations: Domestic Arrivals (Landside), Departure Lounge (Airside) and International Arrivals (Landside)
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the Stansted Airport does not appeal to you, there are hotels near the airport....
- Radisson Blu - 2 minute walk from the terminal via an undercover walkway
- Hilton Hotel - 10 minutes from the airport. Shuttle bus available 430am-100am (£2.00 per person)
- Holiday Inn Express - 5 minutes from the airport. Shuttle bus operates every 30 minutes from 4am-1am ( £2.00 per person).
Airport Facilities / Services
- Food / Dining
There are several 24 hour food and coffee establishments (land side). The airside restaurants and cafes open at 4AM and close after the last flight.
>>>Landside: Boost Juice Bar • Burger King (open 24 hours) • Caffe Alba (open 24 hours) • Caffe Espresso • Costa Coffee • Krispy Kreme • Ponti's (open 24 hours) • Pret A Manger • Ponti's • Starbucks (open 24 hours) • Bridge Bar & Eating House •
>>>Airside: Caffe Alba • Costa Coffee • Est Bar • Est Presso • F&B's Deli • Pret A Manger • Yam Yam To Go • Caviar House • Wetherspoon • Wetherspoon Express • Frankie & Benny's • - ATM
Locations: Cash machines can be found throughout the airport (Landside and Airside) - Luggage storage / Lockers
Located between check-in Zones G-H. Open 24 hours. £8.75 per 24 hours. - Showers
There is one shower in the Departures area and another in the Arrivals area. Go to the Information Desk for shower access and a towel. The shower deposit is approx. £5 including a towel. The deposit is refunded upon return of the towel and shower key. - Prayer Room
Located landside in Check-In Zone J, opposite Caffe Alba. If you enter, please be respectful of the people who do use the facility for prayer. You may be asked to leave by security. Open from 05:00 - 23:00. - Games
Voyager Entertainment provides video games. Location: Landside and Airside - Chapel
Location: Check-in Zone J, opposite Caffè Alba. Hours: 5am-11pm - Car Rentals
Alamo • Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz • National.
Airport Hours
open 24 hours
Terminal Quick Tips
- there are padded benches that will make nice beds, but seating is limited so get there early.
- It will likely be cold, so bring warm clothes
- the airport is often crowded at night, so get there early
- there are frequent announcements and construction noise, so bring some ear plugs
Airport Maps
Click to download the London Stansted Terminal Map
Airport Transportation: Getting There
- Bus - Express buses operate overnight service between Liverpool Street Station (via Stratford) when the trains are not running. Journey time 65 minutes. Fare £17. There are several other coach services that you can find in the coach station opposite the terminal. Fares to the city center £2-15
- Train - take the Stansted Express train from London Underground Stations Tottenham Hale (Victoria Line) or Liverpool Street (Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines) . Journey Time 35 - 46 minutes. The train runs 05:20- 01:30 depending on the day of week and train. Check the schedule online. £18
- Taxi - A taxi journey into London for one to four people costs about £99
- Bicycle - feeling energetic? You can ride your bike to the airport. The airport offers a free bike shelter near the short stay car park.
Airport Transportation: Getting Around
Getting around the terminal is easy. If you need to transfer to one of the other London airports, National Express operates inter airport coach service.
- To Heathrow - departs every 60 minutes. Journey time is 90 minutes. Fare £23
- To Gatwick - departs every 30-60 minutes. Journey time is 2 hours 45 minutes. £30
- To Luton - departs every 30-60 minutes Fare £12
>>> Continue to more London Stansted Reviews
Last Updated: 04 Jan 2011 | Sources: London Stansted Airport
The information in this Airport Guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airport's and their web sites. When you see "information not available" and "unknown", the airport has a lousy web site and/or has been uncooperative in providing information. The information above is subject to change without notice. Use it for informational purposes only to help you during your stay. To report errors, or to add/change any items quoted in the guide, please email me.
