Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport (IATA: STN), originally opened in 1943 as a military airfield and developed into a major commercial airport from the 1980s, operates from one main passenger terminal and is London’s fourth-busiest airport, handling millions of mostly short-haul and low-cost flights each year. About 35 miles northeast of central London, Stansted is well served by the Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street (about 45–50 minutes), regular National Express and local coaches, plus direct access via the M11 and regional rail links to Cambridge and Bishop’s Stortford. Known as a budget-friendly gateway thanks to its strong low-cost network, it can still have higher on-site prices for parking and food; Stansted is a major base for Ryanair and an important hub for other low-cost carriers.