Checking in
Where to check in
The check-in area is on the ground floor of the terminal.
To find your check-in desk, look for your flight number on the screens near the terminal entrance. Check-in zones A to K are signposted by illuminated yellow cubes.
How early to arrive
Please check your ticket or contact your airline for advice on checking-in times. The following timings provide a general guide only.
- Long-haul flights: Check in three hours prior to scheduled departure.
- European scheduled flights: Check in two hours before scheduled departure.
- UK and Ireland flights: Check in two hours prior to scheduled departure.
- All charter flights: Check in three hours before departure.
Online check-in
More and more airlines now allow you to check in online from your home, office, hotel ... in fact anywhere with an internet connection.
Please check with your airline to see if this service is available for your journey, as not all passengers and routes are eligible. Some carriers restrict the service to those travelling without hold baggage.
Please remember to print your boarding card prior to arriving at the airport as some airlines will make a charge for the issue of a boarding card at the airport.
You should also pay attention to the times given for dropping bags, collecting boarding cards and arriving at the gate.
Below are links to online check-in pages for some of the airlines offering this service at Stansted.
Self-service check-in
Depending on your airline, you may be able to use this time-saving service. Simply check in at the self-service kiosk, then go to the fast bag drop area.
At Stansted there are self-service check-in kiosks for passengers flying with Ryanair* (between check-in Zones F and J).
Please note that some passengers and flight destinations are not eligible for self-service check-in. Please confirm whether this service is available to you at the time of booking, or visit your airline's website to find out about service limitations.
* All passengers flying with Ryanair from Stansted, who need to check-in at the airport, must use the self service check-in kisoks. If you have baggage to check-in you can then proceed to the relevant bag drop area situated in either zone F or J
After check-in
Once you've checked in and dropped off any baggage you'll need to pass through security control to reach the departure lounge. To avoid any delay to your journey, you are recommended to do this as early as possible.
Find out more about security control
Boarding
Keep an eye on the flight information screens in the departure lounge which show flight numbers, destinations, boarding times and gate numbers. Boarding usually begins about 45 minutes before departure, and you should allow a minimum of 12 minutes to get from the departures lounge to your gate.
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Airport hotels
Early flight? Avoid travel stress – spend the night at a hotel near the airport.
Stansted has accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. What's more, you can save up to 70% on your room using our online hotel booking system.
If you're making a stopover you've plenty of choice around Stansted Airport.
Hotels close to the airport include the Hilton, Radisson Blu and Express by Holiday Inn, and there are plenty more to choose from nearby. A number of hotels offer courtesy transport to and from the terminal.
Use our hotel finder page to see what's available for your journey.
