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.
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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
Unfortunately, this airport is not very sleep-friendly. Official policy now discourages overnight sleeping, with staff actively waking sleepers landside and airside to enforce this. There’s not enough seating for the many travellers, and what exists is mostly equipped with armrests. (The seating may even have signs warning no feet on seats.) Sleeping on the floor is reportedly not allowed, so staff will likely wake anyone sprawled on the floor. Restaurants and cafes no longer allow travellers to rest on their chairs or benches. Airside is a bit more comfortable, with more shops and restaurants, but you may not be able to clear into this area until much closer to your flight.
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.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our London Stansted Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
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.
Cots
Cots are not offered to stranded travellers at Stansted Airport. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
London Stansted 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.
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 – Connected via covered walkway; approximately a 5-minute walk. » Check Rates
- Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport – Connected via covered walkway; approximately a 5-minute walk. Day rooms are offered in 4- and 8-hour blocks between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport – A paid shuttle is available for £4 per person. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Stansted Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
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.
Drinking Water
Thirsty? 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
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.
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.
Security & Safety
Airport staff seem to be much less tolerant of overnight or even daytime sleepers than they used to be. Recent travellers have reported airport staff waking them up because sleeping in the airport, particularly overnight, is something the airport is trying to prevent.
Still, it seems that travellers generally feel safe at the airport. Watch out for pickpockets and petty theft. Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
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.
Drinking Water – see “Drinking Water” above.
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.
Grocery Store – see “Food & Drinks” above.
Hotels – see “Airport Hotels” above.
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.
Lounges – see “Airport Lounges” above.
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.
Mobile Charging – see “Mobile Charging” above.
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.
Rest Zones – see “Rest & Relaxation Zones” above.
Showers – see “Showers” above.
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.
WiFi / Internet – see “WiFi / Internet” above.
Related Pages: Things to do on a layover at London Stansted 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
Some local hotels provide airport shuttles for a fee. See also 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.