London Stansted Airport

Guide to London Stansted Airport

Though Stansted airport isn't as busy as Heathrow or Gatwick, it is still an important air terminal for London and the Midlands. It serves more than 40 airlines and 14 million passengers. It's located in northern London and services mainly European destinations.

Terminals and facilities at Stansted airport

The airport has two terminals, an international and a domestic, with arrivals and departures situated on the same levels. The airport’s simple design, monorail, and smaller size make connections easy.

Both Travelex and ICE operate bureaux de change at the airport, with branches found in departures before and after security, and another at international arrivals. Facilities for the disabled include dedicated parking spaces, induction loops for the hard of hearing, specially designed toilets, and reserved seating with low level flight information monitors. ATMs can be found before and after security. Other facilities include a left luggage service (next to Monsoon), lost property, and a chapel adjacent to UK Arrivals.

Stansted offers plenty of shops for its visitors. There are several large duty-free stores after security, as well as shops such as WH Smith, Boots, HMV, Tie Rack, and Sunglasses Hut.

Business travellers will find conference rooms located in Enterprise House, adjacent to the passenger terminal. Wireless internet access is available in the departure lounge. For more business facilities, travellers can go to one of the numerous airport hotels. Stansted has some fine airport hotels that offer good amenities and comfortable rooms. You can book a hotel at London Stansted airport ahead of time here.

There are a variety of restaurants throughout Stansted airport. Bars and food outlets include Café Alba and Costa before security and Starbucks, Wetherspoon, Caviar House, and Est Bar after security.

Car hire at Stansted is well catered for with several major car hire counters inside the airport. Travellers can usually get better rates on hire cars if they book in advance. You can check out rates for Airport car bookings here.

Hotels at London Stansted

If you only need to stay in London a short time, you might want to check into one of the Stansted airport hotels. The airport hotels will save you the trouble of driving into the busy city centre. Good rates on London Stansted airport hotel are available here.

All varieties of airport hotels are offered and a few of them are Hilton London Stansted Airport, Best Western Stansted Manor Hotel, and Swallow Churchgate Hotel.

Transportation and parking at London Stansted International Airport

The airport train station is located below the terminal building, with the first train into central London leaving at 6am daily. There is also an hourly service leaving the airport which stops at all major stations between the airport and Liverpool St. station. Alternatively, the airport bus station is located in the terminal forecourt. The Airbus A6 leaves every 20 minutes during peak times bound for London Victoria station, stopping at major north London points and taking over an hour.

Terravision Express Shuttle operates a direct service between the airport and London Victoria, departing from coach bay 29 every 45 minutes at peak travel times. National Express Coaches link Stansted with outlying towns and destinations further away.

You can also take a taxi into London if you don't mind paying a hefty price for the long trip.

Short-, medium- and long-term airport parking are all available at Stansted airport. The short-term airport parking is within walking distance of the terminal, while the others are situated a short distance away connected by a courtesy shuttle. You can reserve London Stansted parking and save by clicking here.

Car hire at London Stansted

Stansted is located next to the Junction 8 roundabout of the M11 motorway (central London and Cambridge). The airport is also just 20 minutes away from Junction 27 of the M25 motorway.

If you don't want to have to pay for public transport, which can be rather expensive, you might want to hire a car. You can hire a car directly from Stansted airport, but it's usually cheaper if you reserve a hire car from London Stansted airport online beforehand.

A hire car is handy when taking day trips through Britain's countryside. There is much to see and do in and around London. If you have a hire car, you can visit attractions at your leisure instead of having to wait on busy buses and rails.

Website: www.stanstedairport.com

Information: 0870 000 0303