Stansted Airport (STN)

Upon arrival, passengers disembark into satellite corridors and make their way to the central terminal building for UK border inspection, baggage collection, and customs clearing.

• Disembark the aircraft and follow signs along the walkway or board the automated track transit to the main terminal building.
• Proceed to UK Border Control; eligible passport holders (UK, EU, US, CA, AU, NZ, JP, etc.) may use automated eGates.
• Descend to the baggage reclaim area on the ground floor and check monitor displays for your assigned baggage carousel.
• Pass through the appropriate Customs channel: Green for nothing to declare, Red for goods over duty-free allowance, or Blue if arriving from domestic ports.
• Exit into the main arrivals hall where ground transport options, car rentals, and information desks are located.

• Train

  Rail (Stansted Express)

  Direct train connection running from the station located directly underneath the terminal building to London Liverpool Street station.

  Time:

  roughly 45-50 minutes

  Typical cost:

  typically £15-£25 one-way

• Train

  Coach / Bus (National Express)

  Frequent coach services running to key London destinations including Stratford, Liverpool Street, and Victoria Coach Station.

  Time:

  roughly 60-90 minutes

  Typical cost:

  typically £10-£17 one-way

• Taxi

  Taxi / Private Hire

  Pre-booked private hire vehicles or official airport taxis available outside the main arrivals area; rates vary with traffic.

  Time:

  roughly 60-90 minutes

  Typical cost:

  typically £70-£120+

• Car rental

  Car Rental

  Car rental centre accessible via short, frequent shuttle buses running from the terminal concourse.

  Time:

  varies by destination

  Typical cost:

  varies by provider and vehicle type

Stansted mainly operates point-to-point routes, so transfer passengers usually need to clear UK border procedures landside before re-entering departures.

• Follow arrival procedures to clear UK Border Control and retrieve any checked luggage.
• Take the lift or escalator up to the main departure concourse.
• Check in for your onward flight at the relevant airline desk and pass through standard security screening.
• Allow at least 2 to 3 hours between connecting flights for self-transfer and security procedures.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available across all public areas of the passenger terminal.

• Select the network named '_Stansted Airport' on your mobile device.
• Follow the browser prompt to complete a brief registration process.
• Free access is provided for a standard multi-hour session length.
• High-speed options are available for premium network services if needed.

Full banking and currency services operate landside and airside within the terminal.

• The local currency is the British Pound Sterling (GBP; £).
• Contactless card payment is widely accepted across all transport options, shops, and dining outlets.
• ATMs accepting major international debit and credit cards are situated throughout the terminal building.
• Currency exchange counters (Travelex) are available pre- and post-security.

A broad choice of eateries, coffee shops, and express bars are distributed across departures and arrivals.

• Landside options in the main check-in concourse offer quick food, coffee, and grab-and-go snacks.
• The primary airside departures lounge hosts larger sit-down restaurants, family eateries, and pubs.
• Free water refilling points are located near major restroom blocks in the departures lounge.

Paid passenger lounges offer comfortable seating, refreshments, and business workspace airside.

• The Escape Lounge is situated in the main departures airside concourse after security.
• Access can be booked online prior to travel or paid at the entrance subject to availability.
• Services include complimentary hot and cold refreshments, drinks, Wi-Fi, and flight status displays.

Several major hotels sit directly adjacent to the terminal or within short shuttle distance.

• The Radisson Blu Hotel connects directly to the terminal building via a covered walkway.
• Hampton by Hilton is situated within a short walking distance of the main terminal concourse.
• Additional local airport hotels run dedicated paid or complimentary shuttle services to and from the terminal.

Baggage facilities include left-luggage storage, lost property management, and luggage wrapping.

• Left-luggage and luggage wrapping options operate landside in the main airport concourse.
• Luggage trolleys are located around the baggage claim hall and vehicle drop-off zones.
• Items lost within the terminal building are handled by the airport's central lost property office.

The terminal provides basic family amenities, changing spaces, and pushchair accessibility.

• Dedicated baby-changing rooms are attached to main toilet blocks throughout the terminal.
• Pushchairs can generally be used up to the aircraft door; collected at baggage claim on arrival.
• High chairs and child-friendly options are provided by most airside food outlets.

• Free Wi-Fi
• ATMs & Cash Machines
• Currency Exchange
• Left Luggage Desk
• Prayer Room
• Car Rental Village
• Accessible Restrooms

Local emergency number: Dial 999 or 112 for national emergency services; report to airport staff.

• In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or 112, or notify any member of airport security or staff.
• First aid support is available 24 hours a day across the main terminal building.
• For urgent, non-emergency medical concerns in the UK, call 111 for NHS assistance.

• Check your passport validity and any visa, ETA or entry declaration required.
• Confirm your departure terminal on your boarding pass the day before.
• Activate a travel eSIM so you are online the moment you land.
• Download offline maps and screenshot your hotel address and booking reference.
• Tell your bank you are travelling and carry a backup payment card.
• Save the local emergency number and your embassy contact in your phone.
• Photograph your passport and store the copy somewhere you can reach offline.
• Check baggage allowance and any restricted items for your destination.

Airport operations change. Always confirm terminals, fares and timetables with the official sources below before you travel.

• London Stansted Airport Official SiteOfficial airport source
• UK Government - Entering the UK / Border ControlGovernment source
• Stansted Express Official SiteOfficial transit source
• National Express Official SiteOfficial transit source
• NHS UK Health ServicesGovernment source