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Travelling from London Stansted Airport

London Stansted Airport Destinations

Got itchy feet and want to head off from London Stansted Airport (STN) to somewhere nice?

But you’re not exactly sure where?

Whether you’re open to pretty much any suggestion or you’ve narrowed it down a little but aren’t sure there are direct STN flights, you’ll get all the essential info you need in this guide.

And if you’re merely travelling through Stansted (perhaps to take advantage of a package deal), hold your horses a minute – because hanging around this terrific town for a couple of days is a real tonic.

The House on the Hill Museum is your first must-see. A unique venue showcasing 70,000+ toys ranging the Victorian to modern era, it’s a great place to while away a few hours.

Alternatively, there’s Mountfitchet Castle & Norman Village, a refurbished medieval castle and Norman settlement, with its own toy museum, closed during winter. This awesome attraction is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.

And Saffron Walden Museum is another great spot for history buffs – you can immerse yourself in the evolution of Saffron Walden from its Saxon roots to the present.

For something a little different meanwhile, try the escape rooms at Bishops Stortford. There are several rooms ranging from easy to tricky – suss out your level and get your brain and body moving.

If you prefer to get into the great outdoors, make a beeline for Hatfield Forest – this old royal hunting estate is operated by the National Trust and has neat walkways, a dense forest and trees which are over 1000 years old.

If you’re peckish, the Stansted cuisine scene is not to be underestimated.

For instance, Comptoir Libanais is a legendary Lebanese restaurant specialising in grilled meats, mezze platters and fresh salads. And The Windmill is an old school British pub serving outstanding bar meals like burgers, pies and fish and chips.

There are a few rather posh choices at Stansted too. For example, The Cork House is a high end establishment specialising in tapas and beer, while Collage Restaurant in the Radisson Blu Hotel is a hotspot for contemporary British cuisine.

How about somewhere to rest your weary head?

There are lots of decent hotels within striking distance of STN. For example, Premier Inn London Stansted Hotel is literally 5 minutes from the airport and offers ensuite rooms with park-n-fly deals.

There’s also the perfectly acceptable Travelodge Stansted Great Dunmow, a 3-star establishment with comfy rooms and a laid-back restaurant. And there’s also the Ramada London Stansted M11, another 3-star emporium just 10 minutes from the airport.

And for something a little more offbeat, try The Green Man Takeley & Boutique Hotel. Just 20 minutes from the hotel, this traditional inn dating from the 17th century has toasty rooms and an artisan restaurant.

London Stansted Airport destinations list

Check out your full range of London Stansted Airport destinations below.

London Stansted Airport UK destinations

Want to head off from STN to all four corners of the UK?

You can catch flights from Stansted to great destinations like Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Belfast.

London Stansted Airport Europe destinations

Stansted is your launchpad for lots of excellent European destinations too. You can pop off to Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome and Berlin. And there’s also Lisbon, Nice, Dublin, and Mallorca.

What are the best places to fly to from London Stansted Airport?

Choose Edinburgh for one of the world’s most beautiful capitals. With its castle perched on a volcanic plug, elegant Georgian New Town and UNESCO City of Literature status, this is a place where art, culture and history mix in lots of exciting ways. At the National Museum of Scotland, you can see everything from Egyptian catacombs to dinosaur skeletons. Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags offer panoramic city views. And the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art always has fascinating visiting and permanent exhibitions.
Choose Amsterdam for its iconic liberal ambience. Packed with deep history and off-the-wall contemporary culture, it can suit everyone from history buffs to hen weekend revellers. Attractions include the Rijksmuseum and its awesome collection of Dutch art dating back to the Golden Age, and the Van Gogh Museum, which showcases Vincent’s rare artistic talent. There’s also the hip De Negen Straatjes area in the middle of the canal belt.
Choose Glasgow for world-class art and design, plus the world’s fiercest football rivalry. Glaswegians are some of Britain’s friendliest people and this is an excellent place to visit museums, see live music and socialise with locals and visitors alike. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is always interesting to visit, and catching a football game at Celtic Park (home of Celtic FC), Ibrox (home of rivals Rangers), or Hampden Park (home of the Scottish national football team) is recommended.
Choose Newquay if you do like to be beside the seaside. With beautiful beaches, a hip surf scene and a chilled vibe, it’s a great place for solo travelers, couples and families who appreciate the raw and rugged outdoors. Scenic spots include Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay, while Newquay Zoo and Trenance Gardens and Cottages are also popular.

From London Stansted to the world

There are lots of dynamic STN destinations which make it an ideal gateway to the world.

Choose Tenerife in the Canary Islands for characterful villages, beautiful beaches and wonderfully relaxed vibes. A perpetually popular winter sun destination for Brits, Tenerife is always good value for money. A few fantastic attractions here include Loro Parque aquarium, Siam Park amusement park, and the dramatic El Teide volcano.
Choose Athens for a capital which is a former centre of civilisation. You can step back in time at sites like the Acropolis (home of the Parthenon), Agora, and Panathenaic stadium. If you visit the National Archaeological Museum, you’ll see the Antikythera Mechanism, a 2000-year old navigational device regarded as the world’s oldest analog computer.
Choose Corfu for dreamy villages and nice beaches. Crescent-shaped Paleokastritsa Beach boasts crystal waters and a cliffside backdrop, Corfu Old Town has a Venetian Fortress (amongst other charms), and Aqualand Corfu Water Park is fun for all the family. There’s also Casa Parlante (a plush aristocratic pad), and the haunting Church of Saint Spiridon.
Choose Cork for a buzzing city with a great live music scene. Great things to do here include visiting the beautiful Blarney Castle & Gardens, the imposing Cork City Gaol, the impressive St. Anne’s Church (with its panoramic city views), and gorgeous green Fitzgerald Park. This is also the home of cult band The Frank and Walters and you can see top flight musicians at venues like The Gables, the Crane Lane Theatre and Coughlans Bar.
Choose Milan for high fashion and chic culture. Attractions include the magnificent Duomo cathedral, the Da Vinci designed Navigli District (perfect for people watching), and live opera at the outstandingly ornate Teatro della Scala. If you want to chill out, visit the Silence Quadrangle and catch some Zen moments while watching the flamingos.

Which airlines fly out of London Stansted Airport?

Lots of great airlines fly out of Stansted.

Low-cost carriers include Wizz Air, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI Airways.

And you also have flag carriers like KLM, Iberia, Vueling, British Airways and Aer Lingus.

Plus, if you’ve booked a package holiday, you can hop on Thompson Airways, First Choice, and Thomas Cook.

How can I hire a car at London Stansted Airport?

The car hire provision at STN is pretty good. In fact, it even has its own car rental village close to the terminal. You can book ahead of time online (right here on Enjoy Travel, for instance), or at the airport when you’re departing.

Some of the car hire companies available include Budget, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, and Sixt. To book your car hire in advance with a site like Enjoy Travel, visit the website, enter your dates and desired vehicle, and your pick up locations. You’ll soon be served up a choice of cars and prices and make your choice.

Prefer to book online? Simply visit the car rental desks at the rental village and bring your passport and driving license. You should book in advance to secure the best availability and rates, compare deals to make the right choice and read the terms and conditions before making a reservation.