London Stansted Airport Reviews 

Really bad - won't fly out of here again. Testing the fire alarms means the lifts won't work apparently - you'll have to carry your suitcase up 4 flights of stairs. 20 kilos, on my own, no assistance. I would still be there now if a kind passenger hadn't helped me. Security is an absolute farce - half the bags get pulled for no good reason - the scanner just misses them - and then only 3 security people moving at the speed of rheumatic snails apparently unaware anyone might have a plane to catch. Lots of shopping etc but no time to use any of it by the time you finally got through chaotic security. Absolutely dreadful - avoid like the plague

The security checkpoint stuff treated me and my family horribly, dreadfully. My parents are elderly and my mum disabled. They were so so rude, I can't believe this is allowed. My mother had a sling and was told to remove it and go back to the end of the queue and do it all over again. I asked for help to one of the staff and she didn't even look at me and said: Move to the side. Where's the humanity? Why is this happening ? Treat us with respect, please! I will try to avoid at all costs going through this cemetery again. I've got autism and this has left me scarred. NEVER AGAIN.

Our flight was 1 hour delayed. We landed at 1 AM in the morning to just found out that we need to wait over 45 minutes for passport check!!! Kids were crying and lying on the floor, parents carrying their kids in their arms as kids were sleeping. What a poor service!!!!

Horrific Experience at London Stansted Airport
I have travelled extensively around the world, but I have never experienced the level of chaos and mismanagement I witnessed at Stansted Airport. The entire security process is a nightmare — overcrowded, disorganised, and handled by shockingly rude staff.
It genuinely feels as though they intentionally create bottlenecks at the security gates to push travellers into purchasing the £15 fast-track pass. I was delayed due to traffic and had no choice but to buy one, yet even after paying for the so-called “fast track”, the staff refused to let me through! As a result, I missed my flight.
The behaviour of the security personnel was unprofessional, hostile, and completely lacking in empathy. Many of them act less like airport staff and more like enforcers — treating passengers as though we’re inmates rather than paying travellers. There’s no sense of assistance or accountability, only frustration and intimidation.
This was a truly disheartening experience. Stansted seriously needs to review its crowd management, staff training, and the ethics behind its “fast track” policy. For an international hub, this level of service is unacceptable.

You arrive 2 hours early and spend that time in a long line. They funnel everyone into the same tiny area . This place is absolute mess the line for security is massive and not moving. Staff are clueless and swan around talking into radios with no sense of urgency . Gate closes in 35 mins and still have to clear security and walk there. Real chance we could miss our flight 😡 Absolute shambles of an airport

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 .