Question 1

How early should I arrive at Stansted Airport?

Accepted Answer

Work backwards from your airline’s desk opening times: Emirates opens 4 hours before departure; Jet2, TUI, AJet and Ryanair international flights 3 hours; easyJet, domestic Ryanair and everyone else 2 hours. The airport separately recommends having your boarding pass validated at security no later than two hours before your scheduled departure.

Question 2

How do I get from Stansted to central London?

Accepted Answer

Three ways, all from inside or opposite the terminal. The Stansted Express leaves from the station beneath the building every 15 minutes and reaches Liverpool Street in 48 minutes. National Express coaches run 24 hours a day on the A6, A8 and A9 routes, serving 38 stops including Victoria, Paddington and Stratford. Flibco shuttles depart every 30 minutes around the clock to Liverpool Street, Stratford, Finsbury Park and Wood Green.

Question 3

Can I use an Oyster card on the train to Stansted?

Accepted Answer

No — Oyster cards are not valid to or from Stansted Airport on any operator. Contactless bank cards and mobile wallets do work on the Stansted Express: tap in and out as you would on the Tube. For the Underground itself, switch at Tottenham Hale (Victoria Line), Liverpool Street (Central and Elizabeth lines among others) or Stratford (Jubilee, Central and DLR).

Question 4

What is the liquids rule at Stansted security?

Accepted Answer

Stansted keeps the 100ml ceiling per container, but with a simplification: liquids no longer need a clear plastic bag and can stay inside your hand luggage. Containers over 100ml are refused even if half-empty, unless they qualify for the medical, dietary or baby-food exemptions. Note that other UK airports — Bristol, for one — already allow up to 2 litres, so the rules can differ on your way home.

Question 5

Is there anywhere free to drop off or pick up at Stansted?

Accepted Answer

Yes: the Mid Stay car park has a free drop-off area, connected to the terminal by a free shuttle, and for pick-ups you can park there free for up to an hour. The Express Set Down outside Departures is barrierless — cameras log your plate and you pay online or by phone by midnight the following day; miss that and it becomes a £100 charge notice (£60 if settled within 14 days).

Question 6

Can I go back to the shops after taking the transit to my gate?

Accepted Answer

Not from every gate. The airport’s own guidance is blunt: once passengers have travelled out to Gates 1-19 on the Stansted Transit System, they cannot return to the main terminal. Treat the departure lounge as your last stop for food and shopping, and only board the transit when your gate is called.

Question 7

How do I get to Heathrow or Gatwick from Stansted?

Accepted Answer

National Express runs a direct coach to Heathrow every hour, taking about 1h 30m, and a direct Gatwick service every two hours, taking about 2h 45m. Tickets are sold online, at the terminal ticket desks, at the coach station or on board. There is no direct rail link between the London airports.

London, Essex, England

STN questions travelers actually ask