London Stansted Airport - Flight Information and Guide (STN)

How to get to London Stansted Airport

London centre is several kilometres from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 45-50 minutes by Stansted Express, the fastest option.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach the city centre of London in about 60-75 minutes, weather permitting.

By Train

Stansted Express reaches Liverpool Street in about 45-50 minutes with departures every 30 minutes; Advance tickets start from 9.90 GBP if purchased in advance (3 days to 6 months prior).

By Bus

Various National Express bus lines connect the airport to London and other cities, offering a more economical option.

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Tips Purchase your Stansted Express ticket online in advance to save significantly compared to the full price purchased at the station on the day itself.

Average travel time to STN

Train45-50 minutes (Stansted Express, from £9.90 advance)

Shuttle busService available (National Express)

Taxi / Private hire60-75 minutes (£90-130)

Parking near London Stansted Airport

Adjacent to the terminal there is a multi-level parking lot.

Rates are high, in line with the standards of a major London hub.

How to get to London from STN

By Train

The Stansted Express reaches Liverpool Street in 45-50 minutes; Advance tickets from 9.90 GBP if purchased in advance.

By Bus

Multiple National Express bus lines connect the airport to London and other cities.

By Taxi

A black cab or minicab to central London costs approximately 90-130 GBP for a journey of 60-75 minutes.

Airport transfers you can book in advance

Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.

Car rental at London Stansted Airport

The desks of the main car rental companies are in the arrivals area.

EU citizens need only their national license, along with passport and credit card.

Hotels near London Stansted Airport

Stansted is the furthest from the centre of the three big London airports, about 50 km away, but the direct train still makes it manageable even for those sleeping in the city. With a flight before 7 or a late-night arrival, it's worth staying at the terminal or in the band of hotels with a shuttle a few minutes away, saving the journey; those who instead want to see London can aim for Shoreditch, reachable by direct train from Liverpool Street, or push on to the West End, further away but livelier at night. Stansted Mountfitchet, the village just outside the gates, remains a quiet alternative with its own station on the same line.

At the airport

Connected to the terminal by a covered walkway, about 2 minutes on foot.

Best for: for anyone with a dawn departure or a night-time arrival who doesn't want to lose time in transfers

Pros

Zero transfer time, decisive with a flight in the early hours of the morning
Indoor pool and gym for anyone with a long layover

Cons

Higher rates than properties just outside the airport
Crowded halls and corridors during peak check-in hours

Recommended hotels

Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted Airport The only hotel connected to the terminal by a 2-minute covered walkway, convenient for anyone flying at dawn. View availability

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Airport area

Dedicated shuttles from each hotel to the terminal, from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the property.

Best for: for anyone who wants a hotel near the terminal without the price of the connected property

Pros

More price range to choose from than the hotel on the terminal
Some shuttles also cover the night hours for early flights

Cons

The shuttle isn't always free or running round the clock
Industrial area, nothing to do on foot in the evening

Recommended hotels

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Nearby town

Stansted Mountfitchet, the village

Direct train from Stansted Mountfitchet station, about 7-8 minutes to the terminal.

Best for: for anyone who wants to sleep in a real village with a pub, not an industrial area, while staying on the same rail line

Pros

A real village with a historic pub and a Norman castle, not just airport sheds
Station 2 minutes' walk from the hotel, on the same line as the airport

Cons

Less frequent trains at night than on the Stansted Express line
Very few verifiable alternatives in the village besides this one

Recommended hotels

Kings Arms Hotel Pub hotel 2 minutes from Stansted Mountfitchet station, with a 7-minute train ride to the terminal. View availability

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Near the airport link

Shoreditch (Stansted Express arrival at Liverpool Street)

Stansted Express to Liverpool Street in about 48 minutes, then 10 minutes on foot or one Underground stop.

Best for: for anyone who wants the centre but arrives or leaves on the direct train that terminates at Liverpool Street

Pros

Nightlife and venues open late every day of the week
A few minutes' walk from the station where the airport train arrives

Cons

Not London's historic or museum centre
Noisy neighbourhood at weekends because of the nightlife

Recommended hotels

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City centre

Central London (Marylebone and Mayfair)

Stansted Express to Liverpool Street (48 minutes), then 20-30 minutes by Underground to the West End.

Best for: for anyone staying several days who wants to see London, accepting a longer transfer from the airport

Pros

Shopping, restaurants and theatres a few steps away at any hour of the day
Central area well connected to the whole Underground network

Cons

Total transfer from Stansted takes more than an hour and a quarter
Higher rates than in the areas close to the airport

Recommended hotels

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Airport services

The airport is a major low-cost hub for London, with numerous budget-friendly connections throughout Europe.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area offers Scottish whisky, British tea, and luxury products.

Lounges & relaxation

At Stansted there are only two lounges, and they answer very different needs. The Essence by Escape Lounge, after security control towards gates 1-19, serves those departing from Pier 1 with Priority Pass or on payment, remaining inaccessible to those flying with Easyjet or Ryanair. The Emirates Lounge, near the airline's gate, is instead reserved for Emirates' premium or status passengers, with the option for those flying Economy to purchase entry.

lounges: 2
with Priority Pass: 1
paid entry: from £25.99
earliest opening: 04:45

Which lounge to choose: full comparison

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is active throughout all terminal zones.

Families & Children

The terminal features play areas and family-friendly assistance for travelers with children.

Terminal guide

The terminal, the main low-cost hub of the London area, handles intense traffic from low-cost airlines.

Before flights it is prudent to present yourself with 2.5–3 hours of buffer.

Map of London Stansted Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is it worth booking the Stansted Express in advance?

Yes, Advance tickets start from £9.90 if bought between 3 days and 6 months ahead, a significant saving compared to the full price at the station.

Q. Is Stansted London's main low-cost hub?

Yes, with numerous cheap connections to Europe, often operated by Ryanair.

Q. How much does a taxi from Stansted to the centre cost?

Roughly £74-120 to central London depending on the destination area and type of service (fixed pre-booked or metered), a journey of 55 minutes to 1h20; this includes the £10 drop-off surcharge (up from £7 in March 2026).

Q. Who designed the Stansted terminal?

Architect Norman Foster, whose minimalist design with its famous 'floating' roof and natural light spread throughout the building is considered a milestone in modern airport architecture.