Stansted Airport Parking

Stansted Airport Guide

Stansted Airport is one of five major airports in London. It is known as the local hub for the budget airlines and commuter flights. Stansted is still undergoing some renovations and it could transform into a more hospitable environment in the near future.
 

What Sets Stansted Apart From Others

London Stansted Airport is bright, spacious, and organized. If you've ever had the experience of flying through the much busier Heathrow airport, you'll find that Stansted is a breath of fresh air. 

The shopping options here are actually quite decent for a small sized airport. There are plenty of shops at the World Duty Free. If shopping doesn’t interest you there are several Internet kiosks at various locations provided by Spectrum Interactive. You can pay to use the Internet and access printing services.

Besides the Internet kiosks, you could access the free airport Wi-Fi; however, you are limited to 60 minutes.
 

What to Look Out For

One of the things people do not enjoy about this airport is that you have to pass through the duty free shop to get to an international flight. The last thing most tired passengers want to see is another duty free shop, and Stansted makes for a rather annoying experience in this respect. 

Security lines are also very long for an airport of this size. Part of the reason for this is that the security officers are a bit controlling and intrusive when it comes to performing checks. If you are at Stansted during a layover and are thinking of venturing to the airside portion of the airport, you should save yourself the hassle.

Additionally, when you travel through here on RyanAir, you can expect to have a frustrating experience. The RyanAir section is constantly packed with travelers and can get pretty unorganized. If you're flying out through this airline, make sure to get to the gate early to make it less stressful. 

Places to Relax Before Your Flight

The Number 1 traveler lounge is a great place to visit for relaxation. Although there is an admission fee, there are clear views of the runway, and plenty of other options to keep you busy. Full service food is available as well as self-service snacks at the well-stocked pantry area. Drinks (including alcohol) are free too! If you feel like catching up on some reading, there are plenty of reading materials available. You can also watch movies or news on one of the several TV's or play a board game. 

Pre-teens and teens will want to spend some time at the entertainment center because it offers several video game machines. This mini-arcade, called the Voyager Entertainment Centre, is guaranteed to keep young people happy for as long as you can afford to drop tokens in the machines.

The Best Places For Eating

There aren't a lot of options for a good meal at Stansted. Nonetheless, you'll find a few small eateries that are good enough to keep you from starving. 

Joe's Coffee House is a clean, modern cafe spot. As the name suggests, you can choose from a number of different coffee drinks and tea. They also serve a few alcoholic beverages such as beer. The food options include sandwiches and pastries. One of the "must-try" options is the smoked salmon bagel. Joe's is located before security, so make sure you have sufficient time to get back to your gate. 

Bridge Bar and Eating House has the most variety when it comes to menu items. It is a good place for family dining since they also offer a kids menu. The regular menu has everything from cheeseburgers to soup and salad.

Best Airport For Your Hygiene

Despite being such a busy airport, Stansted is always kept clean and organized - even the restrooms are plentiful roomy. You won't have a problem getting in the doorways or stalls with carry on items. There are also showers available at the lounges in case you need to freshen up.

Got an opinion on the above or advice for fellow Stansted travelers? Tell us on our Facebook page!