Jazmin Li
London Stansted Airport is open 24 hours a day, but it does not have dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones. Travellers who have slept in the airport have reported being woken up by staff, as sleeping in the airport is something the airport is trying to prevent. However, there are some informal spots with benches and padded seats available. If you have a late arrival or early departure and would prefer a more comfortable sleeping arrangement, there are two hotels connected to the airport by covered walkways, and several nearby hotels offer airport shuttles for a fee.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleeping facilities | No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones |
| Sleeping spots | Informal spots with benches and padded seats are available |
| Sleeping experience | May be interrupted by airport staff, police, or cleaning staff |
| Nearby hotels | Hampton by Hilton, Radisson Blu Hotel, Holiday Inn Express, Premier Inn, easyJet hotel |
| Hotel accessibility | Connected to the airport by covered walkways or a short walk |
| Hotel alternatives | Lounges with dedicated rest zones (e.g., Escape Lounge) |
| Other amenities | Free WiFi, USB ports, plug sockets, drinking water fountains, EV charging stations |
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What You'll Learn
Stansted Airport does not encourage sleeping in the terminal
If you have a late arrival or early departure and are looking for a comfortable place to sleep, there are two hotels connected to the airport by covered walkways: the Hampton by Hilton and the Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport. Several other hotels in the area offer airport shuttles for a fee. These include the Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport and the Premier Inn, which is just a short walk from the airport.
If you are on a layover, you must pass through immigration/security as there are no transit hotels. However, there are premium airline lounges and accessible public lounges available for a fee. The Emirates Lounge, for example, has showers, but no dedicated rest zone or sleep facilities.
While some travellers have reported being able to sleep on the floor or in a chair at the airport, most do not recommend it due to the discomfort and the likelihood of being woken up by staff or cleaning crews. Additionally, sleeping in the airport will not provide you with a good night's rest, which could impact your enjoyment of your holiday. Therefore, it is generally advised to book a hotel, even if it is just for a few hours of sleep.
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There are hotels connected to the airport
London Stansted Airport does not have dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones, and the airport staff are reportedly intolerant of overnight sleepers. However, there are two hotels connected to the airport via covered walkways: Hampton by Hilton and Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport. The Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport is also a short distance away and offers a paid shuttle service.
If you are on a layover, you must pass through immigration/security as there are no transit hotels. However, once you are in the public area of the terminal, you can access the Hampton by Hilton and Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport, which are connected by covered walkways.
The Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport offers day rooms for four and eight-hour blocks between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport offers a paid shuttle service for £4 per person.
In addition to these hotels, there are several other nearby hotels that offer airport shuttles for a fee. These include the Novotel London Stansted Airport, Down Hall Hotel & Spa, and The PitStop Boutique Hotel.
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Nearby hotels offer airport shuttles for a fee
London Stansted Airport does not have dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones. While the airport is open 24/7, staff do not encourage sleeping in the airport, and travellers report being woken up by police and cleaning staff. Travellers can access lounges with comfortable seating through multiple methods, including pay-at-the-door, prepaid lounge passes, lounge membership programs, or complimentary entry for eligible airline passengers and frequent flyers.
If you are looking for a more comfortable place to sleep, there are two hotels connected to the airport by covered walkways: Hampton by Hilton and Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport. The Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport is another option, which offers a paid shuttle service for £4 per person. Several other nearby hotels also offer airport shuttle services for a fee.
- Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport: This recently renovated hotel offers a shuttle bus to the terminal for guests, as well as free Wi-Fi, a lounge area, and a Rotisserie restaurant.
- Other nearby hotels: According to traveller reviews, some hotels near Heathrow Airport offer shuttle services to the airport. These include private shuttle buses that can be booked for a fee.
While the airport itself may not be the most comfortable place to sleep, there are several nearby hotel options that offer shuttle services for a fee to help you get a good night's rest before or after your travels.
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The airport has lounges, but no dedicated sleeping areas
London Stansted Airport does not have dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones within the airport. However, there are informal spots with benches and padded seats available. The airport staff may wake you up, particularly if you are sleeping overnight, as the airport tries to prevent this.
The airport does have a variety of lounges, including premium airline lounges and accessible public lounges. However, these lounges do not offer sleep facilities. For example, the Escape Lounge has a dedicated rest zone but no sleep facilities, while the Emirates Lounge does not have a dedicated rest zone or sleep facilities.
If you are looking for a place to sleep comfortably, there are hotels connected to the airport or nearby. Two hotels connected to the airport via covered walkways include Hampton by Hilton and Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport. The Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport offers a paid shuttle service for £4 per person. These hotels may be more expensive than in the past due to the impact of COVID.
If you do choose to sleep in the airport, it is recommended to bring a small sleeping bag, as it can get cold. You can lie down and rest near the entrance inside the airport, but you will be asked to move if you go further into the airport near the desks as they clean the area at night. Security opens around 2:30 am, so you can enter the airport early in the morning if you have an early flight.
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Travellers report feeling safe at the airport
While there are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones at London Stansted Airport, travellers report feeling safe sleeping there. The airport is open 24 hours, and there are plenty of staff around. Travellers can find informal spots with benches and padded seats, although they may be woken up by airport staff as the airport tries to prevent people from sleeping there overnight.
One traveller recommends sleeping near the entrance of the airport, as travellers will be asked to move on later in the night when cleaning staff arrive. They also recommend bringing a small sleeping bag as it can get cold. While there are no showers, there are plenty of shops and restaurants with plug sockets on the tables. Free WiFi is also available for four hours.
If travellers want a more comfortable option, there are two hotels connected to the airport by covered walkways: Hampton by Hilton and Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport. The Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport is another option, accessible via a paid shuttle.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can sleep in Stansted Airport, but there are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones. The airport staff are reportedly less tolerant of sleepers, and you may be woken up.
You can lie down and sleep near the entrance of the airport. If you go further into the airport, you will be asked to move as they clean the area.
There are no hotels inside the airport. However, there are two hotels connected to the airport by covered walkways: Hampton by Hilton and Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport. Several nearby hotels also offer airport shuttles for a fee.
There are various lounges in Stansted Airport, including premium airline lounges and public lounges. However, these lounges do not offer sleep facilities.
