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London Stansted Airport Guide

Lasting Impressions....

Memorable comments left by travellers:

"I was really impressed by the sense of community among the sleepers, the way that people kept an eye on each others' stuff, were really considerate about noise etc." (Tanya)

"it looks like a refugee camp with the amount of people sleeping" (toby)

" I would recommend this place for anyone with a sleeping bag" (?)

" There were a few groups of rowdy American teenagers who talked the night through which I thought was a bit rude as it was obvious everyone else was trying to have a kip." (kiwi traveller)

"Benches w/o armrests are taken very early." - americaninuk

"When I talk to friends, I always say that I'm going to take a trip to my leisure residence in Essex. Stansted is perhaps one of the best places to sleep in the world." - airpunk

"[the seats] weren't very comfortable, but anyway... it's an airport, not a B&B!!" - bierina

"Its just the biggest youth hostal I have ever seen... So many people all over, in the seats, on the ground, and wherever you can imagine" - phabioo

"always packed with people, it's a crazy sight to see. Every one is taking photos of each other sleeping, that's how many people there were. It was becoming a tourist attraction!" - kirsty39

FEATURED REVIEWS

by Airpunk
When I talk to friends, I always say that I'm going to take a trip to my leisure residence in Essex. Stansted is perhaps one of the best places to sleep in the world. OK, it is not comfortable but the prices for flights in and out of Stansted are hard to beat. Combine a late night flight in and an early morning flight out, it gives you a cheap start into your trip.

An interesting aspect about Stansted is the large number of people spending the night in the terminal building. Hundreds of travellers stay over night, which makes it difficult to get a good place to sleep. If you don't have an own sleeping bag/mattress, come early to get one of the benches without armrests. Otherwise, you'll need to find a creative manner to sleep on the remaining seats by building your own bed out of your bags and a trolley.

A WH Smith store in open 24 hrs, so are two cafes and a self-service restaurant. Boots closes only for a couple of hours in the night and even the luggage storage facility is open for most of the time. Airport and security staff is aware of the overnight situation and leaves you alone as long as you don't cause any trouble. You may be woken up by a floor sweeper, but once it is gone, you can get back to sleep.

If you are cheap enough to consider sleeping in Stansted, you won't be disappointed. For me, a night in Stansted is always the first step of a trip to an interesting place somewhere in Europe.

by kirsty39
Not much seating and is always packed with people, it's a crazy sight to see. Every one is taking photos of each other sleeping, that's how many people there were. It was becoming a tourist attraction! have stayed there a few times. Cold marble floor, lights on the whole time and super annoying announcements!
Once we even asked security if we could set out tent up, they laughed and said we could for a bit but not for the whole night! some of the looks we got was hilarious, !!

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Airport Guide

If there is such a thing as a budget traveller's airport, it is London Stansted airport or Camp Stansted as we lovingly refer to it. Every night - throughout the year - budget travellers descend upon this airport awaiting the departure of their early morning RyanAir flights. It has become so popular that you must arrive early in order to secure a good seat. Some nights "early" may mean 10PM, while you would not be considered foolish to show up at 8PM during the busy summer months. If it is your first time at Stansted, you will be able to easily identify the regular Camp Stansted Sleepers as they will be the people inflating their air mattress or erecting their tents off in the corner. When you see the hundreds of sleeping bodies all over the Stansted Airport floor during peak season, it will be a sight to behold. With its liberal airport sleeping policies, the availability of food, showers and left luggage 24 hours a day, we consider Stansted Airport to be very airport sleeper friendly - if not entirely comfortable. Just get there early, bring your air mattress and be quiet - there will be many other people trying to sleep!

Read the London Stansted Airport reviews from our visitors.

Airport Lounges

There are 4 pay-per-use airport lounges found Airside.

  • No. 1 Stansted - Satellite 1 - next to Gate 16. Offers beverages (including alcoholic), hot and cold snacks, Internet, WiFi. Rate: TBA. Hours: 0400-2100
  • No. 1 Stansted - Satellite 3 (Ryan Air uses this one) - next to Gate 49. Offers beverages (uncluding alcoholic), hot and cold snacks, Internet, WiFi. Rate: TBA. Hours: 0400-2100
  • ServiceAir Lounge - Satellite 1 between Gates 1-19 on departures level - Offers beverages (including alcoholic), Internet, WiFi (with cost). Rate: TBA. Hours: 0515-2100

Airport Facilities

  1. Luggage storage / Lockers
    Located between check-in Zones G-H. Open 24 hours. £8.75 per 24 hours.
  2. Showers
    There is one shower in the Departures area and another in the Arrivals area. Go to the Information Desk for shower access and a towel. The shower fee is unknown, but I'm sure it is reasonable. If someone knows the fee, email me and I'll add it here.
  3. Prayer Room
    Located landside in Check-In Zone J, opposite Caffe Alba. If you enter, please be respectful of the people who do use the facility for prayer. You may be asked to leave by security. Open from 05:00 - 23:00.
  4. Food / Dining
    There are several 24 hour food and coffee establishments (land side). The airside restaurants and cafes begin to open at 4AM and close after the last flight.
    If you have any food recommendations/warnings, email me and I will add it to the list.

Airport Transportation: Getting There

  • Bus - National Express operates overnight service between Liverpool Street Station (via Stratford) when the trains are not running. Journey time 65 minutes. Fare £17. There are several other coach services that you can find in the coach station opposite the terminal. Fares to the city center £2-15
  • Train - take the Stansted Express train from London Underground Stations Tottenham Hale (Victoria Line) or Liverpool Street (Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines) . Journey Time 35 - 46 minutes. The train runs 05:20- 01:30 depending on the day of week and train. Check the schedule online. £18
  • Taxi - A taxi journey into London for one to four people costs about £99
  • Bicycle - feeling energetic? You can ride your bike to the airport. The airport offers a free bike shelter near the short stay car park.

Airport Transportation: Getting Around

Getting around the terminal is easy. If you need to transfer to one of the other London airports, National Express operates inter airport coach service. Their web site was spazzing out when I checked the fares.

  • To Heathrow - departs every 60 minutes. Journey time is 90 minutes. Fare £23
  • To Gatwick - departs every 30-60 minutes. Journey time is 2 hours 45 minutes. £30
  • To Luton - departs every 30-60 minutes Fare £12

Nearby Hotels

Airport Maps

Click to download the London Stansted Terminal Map

London Stansted Airport Tips

Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date experiences:

  • there are padded benches that will make nice beds, but seating is limited so get there early.
  • It will likely be cold, so bring warm clothes
  • the airport is often crowded at night, so get there early
  • there are frequent announcements and construction noise, so bring some ear plugs

London Discount Travel Links

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The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports has been online since 1996