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 small, single-terminal airport, 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 too sleep-friendly. 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.
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. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our London Stansted Airport Guide.
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. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours a day but is said to “close” for several hours at night. We haven’t heard of people being kicked out of the terminal if they are already inside at the time of the closure. If you know and can confirm this information, click here to update this guide.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this 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. If you are on a layover, you must pass through immigration/security as there are no transit hotels. Once you are in the public area of the terminal, there are two hotels connected to the airport by covered walkways. Several nearby hotels offer airport shuttles for a fee.
- Hampton by Hilton – Connected to the terminal via a covered walkway. A five-minute walk to the terminal. » Check Rates
- Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport – A five-minute walk to the terminal via a covered walkway. Day rooms for four and eight-hour blocks are offered between 8:00 AM – 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
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Escape Lounge – Location: International Departures, Airside, Mezzanine Level. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs. » Buy Lounge Pass
Related Pages: London Stansted Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Thirsty? Water fountains and bottle refill stations are available. Locations: Airside, International Departures, behind Pret a Manger Passport Control • Airside, near Gates 1-19 & Gates 40-59 • International Baggage Claim, near Reclaim area 9 • Landside, Arrivals Hall, near Burger King.
Food & Drinks
Most food concessions throughout the airport operate according to flight schedules. The following options are available 24 hours: Costa Coffee (Landside, Arrivals) • Pret-a-Manger coffee shop (Airside).
Need to pick up groceries on your way home from the airport? M&S Simply Food has produce, wines, deli items, ready-to-go meals and everyday household items. 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
A reader tells us, “All seats in the waiting have usb ports under the arm rests. 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
Unfortunately, there are no showers available to freshen up.
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. However, 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. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
Changing Rooms – Changing rooms are available airside in the Departures Area, and landside at Arrivals.
Currency Exchange – ChangeGroup offers currency exchange services in over 60 currencies. Brachens can be found in the Departures Area and the Baggage Reclaim Area, with 26 ATMs scattered all over the terminal.
Drinking Water – see “Drinking Water” above.
Duty-Free & Shopping – World Duty-Free and a variety of retail shops are available. Most stores are open from the first flight of the day until the last.
Family Services
- Baby Changing Facilities – Baby changing facilities are available in the following locations:
- Departures: Zone A Check-In area restrooms • Main Departures Lounge (nursing room also available) • Family restrooms at Gates 13, 33/34, 43, and 59 • Gates 81-88 area (ladies restroom)
- Arrivals: UK Baggage Reclaim (ladies restroom) • International baggage reclaim 1 (family restroom) • Intl Baggage Reclaim 9 (restrooms) • Arrivals Route 40-59 (accessible toilet) • Main Arrivals Greeting area (restrooms).
- Breastfeeding – A dedicated breastfeeding room can be found in the main departures lounge should you wish to breastfeed in private.
Fast Track Service – As a premium service, customers with Fast Track security passes will be given priority service to keep waiting to a minimum. Rate: £8.00, book online at least one hour before your flight. The airport also offers a Passport Control Fastrack for arriving passengers. Rate: £8.00, book online at least one hour before your arrival.
Grocery Store – see “Food & Drinks” above.
Hotels – see “Airport Hotels” above.
Information Desk – Get info about the airport or flights, page a person, send or receive faxes, make photocopies or print online boarding documents (£5.00 each) at the Information Desk. Locations: International Arrivals area, Landside (Hours: 24 hours) • Departures Area, Airside, this location is an airline information desk (Hours: unknown).
Lounges – see “Airport Lounges” above.
Luggage
- Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available in the baggage reclaim area. Rate: £1. If you don’t have coins, you can use the change machines in the baggage hall, the terminal forecourt, and the coach station.
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
- Luggage Weighing – For £1 per bag, you can avoid overage charges by checking the weight of your luggage before you check it in. Six Luggage Point weight check systems are located throughout Zones A – G, landside in the Check-In area. If your bag is overweight, you get a free weight recheck after you have adjusted the weight.
- Luggage Wrapping – Rates start at £10 per bag. Location: Luggage-Point Airport Services desk, landside, International Arrivals, Zone A. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Mobile Charging – see “Mobile Charging” above.
Pharmacy – For any last-minute medical needs, stop by Boots. Location: Airside, Departures Hall. Hours: 4:00 AM – 10:30 PM. • Landside, Arrivals. Hours: 1:00 AM – 11:30 PM (Mon – Fri) Hours: 4:00 AM – 8:30 PM. (Sat-Sun).
Postal Services – At one point, a mailbox was located Landside, in the Check-in Zone E, next to WHSmith and Arrivals.
Prayer Room – There are two 24-hour interfaith prayer rooms in the terminal: One is landside opposite Check-In Zone A, and the other is airside near the Escape Lounge in the main Departure Area. Ablution (ritual washing) facilities are next to each prayer room.
Rest Zones – see “Rest & Relaxation Zones” above.
Showers – see “Showers” above.
SIM Cards – A reader tells us there are SIM card vending machines. “If you just landed, after passing through passport control-UK Border and heading to the exit of that area, just at the right of the doors with a headline of “customs nothing to declare,” there are some vending machines, and one of them is of SIM cards.” (October 2022)
Smoking – There are no designated smoking areas inside the terminal. Once you have passed through security, there will be nowhere to smoke.
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: 2024-02-21
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.