London Stansted is the UK's fourth busiest airport and the primary hub for Ryanair in the UK, as well as a major base for easyJet and Jet2. Located 35 miles north-east of central L...
✈ 28.0 million (2023) passengers🛫 1 runway📅 Est. 1942🏢 Manchester Airports Group (MAG)
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Stansted Airport Parking
Compare Park & Ride, Meet & Greet and on-airport car parks side by side. One search — all the major providers. Find your price, then book direct with them.
💡 Parking tip: Stansted's on-airport parking is operated by MAG and is the most convenient but priciest option. Mid and Long Stay car parks offer shuttle buses. Off-airport operators offer significant savings — APH, BCP and Airparks all serve Stansted and are typically 30–50% cheaper than on-airport rates. The airport is also accessible by train so some passengers prefer leaving the car at home entirely.
Airport
Drop off
11/05/2026
Pick up
18/05/2026
Departure time
Stansted Airport Hotels
Stay the night before and wake up five minutes from the terminal. Compare hotels with parking, breakfast and shuttle options. Find the best deal, then book direct.
💡 Hotel tip: Radisson Blu London Stansted is connected directly to the terminal. Holiday Inn Express is a short walk. Several budget options are within a few miles. Park & Stay packages are good value.
Airport
Drop off
11/05/2026
Check out
18/05/2026
Departure time
Stansted Airport Lounges
Day passes for every lounge at Stansted. Food, drinks, Wi-Fi and a quiet space before your flight. Compare prices and facilities, then book direct.
💡 Lounge tip: Escape Lounge operates airside. No1 Lounge is also available. Stansted has decent lounge options for a single-terminal airport, with day passes typically £28–38.
Airport
Date
11/05/2026
Pick up
18/05/2026
Departure time
About London Stansted Airport
London Stansted is the UK's fourth busiest airport and the primary hub for Ryanair in the UK, as well as a major base for easyJet and Jet2. Located 35 miles north-east of central London in Essex, it has a single large terminal designed by Sir Norman Foster, which opened in 1991. It primarily serves European leisure and short-haul business destinations.
Terminals
▶Single terminal (all airlines)
⚠️ Stansted has one terminal building — all airlines depart from the same check-in and security area. Satellite buildings are accessed by an underground transit system after security.
History
Stansted was built as a US Air Force base during World War II and was used by the USAF until the 1950s. It became a civilian airport and was considered as a potential third London airport for many years. The current terminal was designed by Norman Foster and Partners and opened in 1991, replacing the original 1960s building. MAG acquired Stansted from BAA in 2013. Ryanair established its UK hub at Stansted in the 1990s and it remains the backbone of the airport's traffic.
Fast facts
Ryanair's UK hub
More Ryanair flights than any other UK airport
Check-in advice
2 hours minimum — security can be slow at peak times
Norman Foster terminal
The terminal building is an architectural landmark
Wi-Fi
Free throughout
Expansion plans
Planning permission sought for a second terminal and runway
📍 Nearby: Bishop's Stortford is 3 miles west. Cambridge is 30 miles north. Central London 35 miles south-west.
Getting to Stansted Airport
Stansted Express
Direct to London Liverpool Street in 47 minutes. Runs every 30 minutes.
Greater Anglia
Slower trains to London and Cambridge. Cheaper than Stansted Express.
National Express
Extensive coach network including 24-hour services to Victoria.
Taxi
Central London approx £80–110. Cambridge approx £30–40.
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