London Stansted Airport Reviews 

I have to transit through Stansted on a weekly basis, following all signs for connecting flights leads to passport control and the exit, then you need to go though security again for the connection. Despite the signage, there is no way to actually connect. It's the height of stupidity, and an insult. Feels like a practical joke.
The airport in general is overcrowded and flights are usually late... Without updates on screens. Another great practical joke, as they display "final call" and you run to the gate to find boarding hasn't started.
Ridiculous!

Warning: Stansted Express Pick-Up = Legalized Scam

Avoid this trap at all costs. There are no warning signs until it’s too late—by the time you realize you’ve entered the “Express Pick-Up” zone, you’re already being charged extortionate fees for just a few minutes.

Even worse? You can’t leave and come back once you realize the rip-off. It’s a one-way ticket into an overpriced corner with no escape.

Sadly, this kind of deliberate consumer exploitation is exactly what we’ve come to expect from anything associated with Ryanair—unpleasant from start to finish. But what’s truly shocking is that UK consumer protection authorities continue to allow this nonsense.

🚫 Don’t fall for it.
✅ Instead, use the free “Mid Stay” car park, which offers 1 hour free and has shuttle buses every 10 minutes—fast, easy, and fair.

Let’s make this go viral. This setup is not okay, and the more people call it out, the harder it becomes to ignore.

We had pre-booked tickets. On return trip from London to stansted airport, the trains wheren’t running. No information or arragements were made from standaard express. We had to take aan uber with Seven people. Then getting a refund was made almost impossibele. Dont take the stansted express. Use the bus or a uber

If there is a worse airport in the world I would like to know where it is. This one ticks all the boxes. Security gets worse with each passing month. Expect up to one hour delay.

Sunday 1030 pm flight .Massive queues at baggage check only one scanning machine in use .Staff no help and no info as to length of delay .
The two nearest toilets both closed for steam cleaning leaving long walks .
Ten minute walk from duty free to gate .
Overall a very bad experience.

Maybe we got lucky but absolutely no issues with Stansted airport.
8am Saturday morning flight.
Parked up orange car park 5.30am.
Granted the airport was very busy.
5 minute walk to Ryanair self check in.
That was done in less than 2 mins.
Pre paid £5 for fast track security.
Slight queue but plenty of staff on.
Through in 10 mins.
Car park to Wetherspoons 20 mins.
Return trip equally good.
Through customs very quick.
Bags came through quickly.
Disembark plane to car park exit less than 30 mins.
The airport is so busy but no issues for us at all.

I used my contactless card from Central London on the Stansted Express, expecting the same simple rules as every other London train. Instead, I got slapped with a penalty notice for no reason I could possibly know, and I wasn’t alone, eight other passengers on my train were trapped by the same absurd system.

This is a traveller service, not a trap for people trying to do the right thing. It’s completely unfair, stressful, and ridiculous. The fact that they can charge you and ruin your day for following what seems normal is outrageous. For a company that claims to serve airport passengers, this is nothing short of exploitation.

Avoid this service unless you want to be treated like a criminal for no good reason. Utterly disgraceful.

This review is regarding Stansted Meet & Greet Parking.
I have 2 very young children and did not want transfers so had the option of official Short Stay or Meet & Greet - they were similarly priced with Meet & Greet being slightly pricier.
I went with the latter feeling that would be the quickest and most convenient but I honestly feel Short Stay would have been the much better choice.

Meet & Greet parking is generally defined as "an airport service where you drive your car to the terminal, meet a professional driver who takes your car for parking at a secure location, and you head directly to check-in. On your return, your car is brought back to the terminal, allowing you to avoid transfers and parking searches for a convenient, VIP experience."

This is NOT what this is.

Parking the car was easy enough - but then you have to go to the Reception to drop your keys off. This involved a 1-2 minute walk then queuing up, which doesn't exactly move quick. This is because there were people in the queue both picking up AND dropping cars off. Those that have just returned from holiday are not in any hurry to catch a flight so they take their time, have a chit-chat about their holidays, generally take their time. The agents also oblige, not seeming to notice stressed families with buggies and suitcases anxiously waiting to get to bag drop and check-in.
I was lucky with only about 7 people ahead of me and even then I think it took at least 10 minutes to reach the desk. The cheaper short stay would have just involved parking up and going straight to check-in.

For collection, the wait was even longer - I had to wait at least 15 minutes as the queue snaked outside the small office. I think I was just underneath the canopy, but those behind me were getting soaked by a downpour. I can't imagine if the weather was even more inclement - you'd definitely have to pack a raincoat or thick jacket!

The kicker was, my car was parked pretty much the furthest from the office, and it was pouring down with rain. I asked if I can drive close to the drop-off point to pick up my family and luggage, the agent was hesitant to, mentioning "it is literally only a couple of minutes walk" and to "be careful of cars entering the lanes" - as if I am unable to drive a car?

Leaving my family and luggage outside in the cold and rain but under cover, I ran to the car and noticed all the arrows point to the exit - there is no way to collect your suitcases or family/young children from the drop-off point! So you are expected to take multiple heavy suitcases and buggies and family in the freezing cold or rain, or hot weather, to wherever your car is parked - for the priciest parking option!

When I managed to get close to the drop-off point going against the marked arrows, and did a three point turn so I was facing the correct way next to my waiting family, a parking attendant then asked me "what are you trying to do mate?" - It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out does it?
While loading the car, I think a car even beeped my wife as it drove past even though there was plenty of space.

This is definitely NOT a Meet & Greet experience, where a driver takes your keys, or your car is driven to you to load your suitcases on return. If this is not possible, they should implement at least the following solutions:
- have separate Drop-off and Pick-up queues, which can then switch depending on demand. Minimise the chit-chat if there is a long queue.
- have a Loading lane/bays where families can load their suitcases and pick up kids, etc. on collection.
- ideally the parking attendant takes the keys and hands over the collection card on drop-off.
- Alternatively, have a bigger office where families can sit with luggage and kids while the driver queues up.

I will definitely be taking the cheaper and better Short Stay option next time.

The security set up is a joke. 2 machines for 1000's of people. The times on their screens a blatant lie. People waiting 45-60 mins to go through. The place is far too small for the number of passengers and its massively overcrowded and quite stressful. Its like trying to get 20 people in a mini!

The customer service was exceptional, so kind, patient, yet so professional staff, asking how My Day was, how much whipped cream I wanted on my frappe for preference if I wanted any in the first place. It was just a lovely welcoming experience.

BEWARE !!! What an absolute thieving rip off Hackney Carriage taxis (public transport) being charged the drop off, paying to bring your business to you, a shameful exploitation of the trade.
APCOA company collecting / enforcement payment when customers have a momentary lapse of not paying by 12pm the next day you get hit with a £100 reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
London Hackney Carriages carry wheelchairs and need easy access to direct to terminals the damn right flagrant disregard by charging them is outright fraudulent and a disgrace.

Need a holiday after travelling through this place, never anywhere to sit so try and get a drink in Wetherspoons but tables are filled with people who can’t get a seat elsewhere, same thing at Burger King
Might be helpful if they announce gate number early instead of hour before flight as you could find a seat at the gate
But no they want to keep you so you spend money at the over priced shops

I recently drove to Stansted for the first time and ended up with a £100 PCN for being in the Drop-Off Zone for only 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

I did not drop off or pick up anyone – I was simply trying to reach the official car park, where I paid £22 the same day. Unfortunately, the new barrierless ANPR system makes it far too easy to end up in the Drop-Off Zone by mistake. The signage is small and unclear at the Coopers End roundabout, and the natural flow of traffic takes you straight towards the terminal.

Instead of helping drivers with clear warnings (“YOU ARE ENTERING DROP-OFF – FEE PAYABLE”), the system relies on confusion. This feels less like a service and more like a trap designed to generate penalties.

My advice: be extremely careful with the road signs, double-check that you follow “Short Stay Car Park” and avoid the Drop-Off unless you really want to pay extra.

This experience left me very disappointed – airports should invest in better traffic management, not profit from drivers’ mistakes.

I booked a 2 days Mid-stay parking from the official website stanstedairport.com but was shocked by a way too high price of £119 when I few weeks before it was £70 for 7 days parking. No information how much it costs if I just turn up and pay so I paid online but on arrival there is big sign saying it's £45 per day which should be £90 at most not £119! Absolute disgrace and shame

It took 1 hour and 15 minutes to get our luggage .
Asked for a train ticket express to Victoria station , at a National Express counter . Was told yes you can buy here . When we finally got to the platform discovered I had been sold a bus ticket
The bus took over 2 hours . No express with this service .

This is the worst airport.
Getting through security is a shambles. There was no organisation. We saw multiple people miss their flights. The staff did not allow them to get priority.
When we finally got through, the board stated our gate was closed. Luckily I looked up the gate while standing in security line and the gate was NOT closed and was still boarding. Had I not looked it up online, then I would have presumed flight missed.

Has to be the worst airport in the UK. I have flown all around the world to many under developed countries who have more efficient and better run airports ! Took nearly 2 hours for luggage to come out even though it said luggage was in hall we had to pay extra for our Taxi which cost us nearly £100 more and I missed my daughter going away for an important trip that I was hoping to see her before. Ridiculous surely we can run an airport better. Luton is better and that is saying something as it horrendous also !! Try to avoid flying from Stansted if you can

I`d give it 0 but can`t , worst airport i`ve ever been to and trust me i`ve been to a lot all over the world . who ever designed the airport should be ashamed of them self. If your an OAP do not I repeat DO NOT even think of using this airport you`ll end up walking miles , after our experience my wife of 77 is spending her 3 rd day in bed , I could write our full experience but whats the point but won`t be back , needs a serious re-think

Worst airport in world, always delays at security check. Not enough check areas open. Complete shit hole

If I could give this appalling airport zero stars, I would. From the ridiculous overcrowding at every turn to the disgusting toilets, there's simply no letting up in the hell on earth place that Stansted has become. And to think that they want to increase the capacity by 30%? Unbelievable. I wouldn't return to this embarrassment to the UK travel industry on any account.