London Stansted Airport guide
Jump to:
- Terminal layout
- Terminal map
- Check-in
- Leisure and family facilities
- Business facilities
- Getting online
- Special assistance
Terminal layout
Stansted operates out of one single terminal and is currently undergoing a major £80 million redevelopment. Check the latest information on its progress and new retail areas including shops, restaurants and cafes.
Transport available between terminals
Terminal map
Due to the major transformation Stansted doesn't have a current terminal layout map but you can read about its progress and what's available for passengers here.
Check-in
The check-in area is on the ground floor of the terminal. To find your check-in desk, look for your flight number on the screens near the terminal entrance. Check-in zones A to K are signposted by illuminated yellow cubes.
Leisure and family facilities
We know the airport is about more than the flight - there's the food, the shopping and also often the challenge of organising everyone, with lots of ages to cater for. At Purple Parking we're here to help, so here's a few of Stansted's key services to keep you on track.
Family Amenities
There are family rooms and baby changing facilities available for departures and arrival. For older children, The Voyager Entertainment centre has a selection of video games. Boots supply baby essentials including nappies, formula milk and baby wipes, while most restaurants and cafes provide high chairs and children's menus.
Information desk
Situated in the international arrivals area, this 24-hour desk fields general airport enquiries, gives flight information and acts as a tourism desk for local information.
Shopping
There's a good range of shopping available at Stansted from cosmetics (The Body Shop and Rituals) and electronics (Dixons Travel) to clothing (Next, Fat Face) and toys (Hamleys). There are lots of essentials, too, such as a currency exchange, a pharmacy and newsagents. Duty Free is available Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 05.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 19.00 in arrivals (for tax-free liquor, tobacco, fragrance, skincare, confectionery, sunglasses and watches). There's also a personal shopper service. The Stansted Airport website has an A-Z of shopping at Stansted, which covers 'Books and Magazines' and 'Beauty and perfume' to 'children' and 'food and wine', searching by location (before and after Security, Arrivals and Baggage Reclaim Hall).
Food & Drink
From fast-food to finer dining, there's something to cater for most tastes at the terminal. For coffee lovers there's Costa Coffee and Starbucks, for a quick bite there's Pret a Manger and for a traditional pub atmosphere there's Wetherspoons. Get a nutritious hit with a fruity juice from Pip or savour Gourmet Hotdog or cuisine at the French influenced Café Balzar. Check the Eating A-Z to see all of the outlets available throughout different terminal locations.
Business facilities
At Purple Parking we know business travellers always need to be at the top of their game on the move, so here's a few of Stansted's key business facilities to make your journey easy.
Business Lounge
Get yourself to Gate 49 for the No.1 lounge and escape the crowds. Amenities include Wi-Fi, complimentary drinks, snacks and newspapers, plus payphones and fax.
Meeting rooms
For small, quick huddles or larger conference rooms, check out the United Business Centre at Stansted and nearby hotels such as Hilton and Radisson Blu - some with capacity for 400 delegates.
Getting online
You can stay connected at Stansted through Wi-Fi and by using selected Internet kiosks available before and after security control.
Free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal for 60 minutes per registered device per day. Users complete a simple registration process and once completed the network will recognise previously registered devices and automatically connect you. The free network is _stanstedairport.
Your devices
Most modern laptops are wireless compatible devices. If you need to upgrade to connect, there are wireless networking cards available to be bought at the airport.
Network providers
Wireless internet access at London Stansted is provided by Arqiva.
Visit www.arqiva.com
How to connect
Turn on your wireless-enabled device. When prompted choose Wi-Fi network '_stanstedairport' and follow on-screen instructions.
Internet kiosks
Payment can be made online by credit card, by voucher, or by coin (UK pound or euro).
You can also print at Stansted's kiosks from any internet device, including laptops and smartphones. These services are operated by Arqiva, please see the internet kiosks for more details.
Special assistance
There are a number of services offering special assistance. It's important to remember Stansted Airport has responsibility at the airport and the airline has responsibility when you are on board the aircraft - you may need to contact both parties.
Arrival
For travellers with a disability or mobility difficulties who need assistance at the airport, you must inform your airline 48 hours before you fly. It is recommended you arrive two hours before the published flight time at the Special Assistance desk. European regulation has introduced more rights for those in need of special assistance - to find out more watch the EU video.
Flights
Assistance arrangements must be booked at least 48 hours before departure through your airline.
In the terminal
Be sure to check the information at Stansted concerning facilities for the hard of hearing and blind and partially sighted, or getting to your gate, security checks and accessible toilets.
Planning your trip
For a checklist of things to bear in mind and advice on planning your trip, from hold luggage and medication to wheelchairs, see our special assistance advice.
Useful links
For a list of groups and organisations offering assistance to those with special needs or who need extra assistance.
