London Stansted (STN) > Reviews > A super airport

Author's product rating:   

Prices
Transport links

Advantages:	Significantly quieter than other London airports
Disadvantages:	Not enough seating near check - in .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Although not seen by many on the same scale as either Heathrow or Gatwick, I found this London airport to be a super place from which to start your overseas holiday.

It has numerous advantages, the main one being that I found it had a much more laid-back and less-congested atmosphere about it, enabling me to start my holiday free from the stresses previously encountered at larger airports.

I found that I could leave the car at home and escape parking costs as access by public transport is very easy. There are regular coach links from Heathrow at reasonable cost, and the airport has its own railway station situated just below the airport terminal building. A regular express train runs between here and Liverpool Street station in London.

Check-in desks were easy to find and queues dispersed quickly. Until the flight is called, there are plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you amused, both before and after passport control. However, as with most airports I've visited, the food is quite expensive. I was particularly impressed by a service that allows you to make purchases in the duty-free shop before you depart and then collect them when you return. This saves you having to take your purchases abroad with you and leaves more room in your suitcase for local souvenirs.

To get from the main terminal to the departure gates, there is a nifty little transport system that takes you from door to door. The departure gates are well signposted and there is plenty of seating whilst you are waiting to board.

This airport certainly exceeded my expectations and I shall certainly use it again in the future, My only complaint was that there was very little seating close to the check-in desks. This could be a problem if you arrive early to wait for them to open, especially if you have elderly people or young children in your party.