Search and compare cheap car rentals in Stansted from top brands
Get moving with a car rental from Stansted Airport
London’s Stansted Airport lies to the northeast of the city and serves as both a domestic and international gateway for many visitors. With a car hire from Stansted, it’s a quick trip to the many and varied sights of the United Kingdom’s famous capital. The spectacular history and picturesque quaintness of the city are underlaid by astonishing worldliness and modernity, a captivating juxtaposition. There’s always something to see and do, and a pub to wind down in at the end of a long day of sightseeing.
Stansted Airport car hire locations
Many rental car suppliers are located at the airport’s Car Rental Village. This facility is reachable by a free bus transfer that departs from the terminal forecourt every ten minutes. There you will find Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, and National Car Rental.
Some other hire car companies, including Green Motion and Easirent, have off-airport depots nearby. These suppliers offer free shuttles for arriving and departing customers.
What you need to know for your car hire from Stansted
Stansted Airport guide
London Stansted Airport (IATA: STN) serves a wide array of destinations in the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. Many low-cost airlines fly to and from Stansted, and it is the largest base for Ryanair. There is one large terminal with three satellite buildings housing the gates.
An array of restaurants and retail stores make Stansted a comfortable and convenient place for travellers to be fed, watered, and entertained before or after a flight. You can even arrange a click-and-collect shopping order to pick up at the terminal. Other facilities and services include meeting rooms, a prayer space, water fountains, a pay-per-use lounge, and of course free WiFi.
Parking, both short-term and long-term, is available in various lots near the terminal and can be booked online.
A guide to driving in London and the United Kingdom
The best way to have a fantastic time with your Stansted Airport car hire is to stay safe and avoid any incident on the road. With a little preparation, you can have a smooth, fun, and memorable road trip.
Here are our top tips for driving in London and beyond.
Always drive your Stansted Airport car hire on the left! This is the most important advice we can give. If you’re arriving from a right-side driving country, find some quiet roads on which you can practice before heading into the city or onto the highways.
The downtown streets of London can be narrow, busy, one-way, and difficult to navigate. We recommend using your car hire Standsted Airport to get around the outer suburbs or when heading out on a road trip, and using public transport in the city centre.
Distances will always be posted in miles, and speeds in miles per hour.
All occupants of a vehicle must wear a seatbelt or appropriate child restraint.
Roundabouts are commonly used at intersections throughout the UK. If you aren’t familiar, keep these two things in mind: the traffic flows in a clockwise direction around the roundabout, and you must give way to any vehicles already on it as you enter.
The United Kingdom is famous for its narrow country lanes. Drive carefully on these and move over to make way for oncoming vehicles. You should also keep an eye out for pedestrians, cyclists, and horses. The legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers in the UK is 0.08%.
Destination ideas for your Stansted Airport rental car
With a rental car from Stansted Airport, you can head out of London to enjoy the rest of England, the British Isle and other European destinations. From the beaches of Devon to the wilds of Wales, bars of Birmingham to the Scottish highlands—everything is within reach when you have your own set of wheels.
Having your own transport means you can set your own schedule and enjoy the journey. It also puts so many wonderful United Kingdom destinations within easy reach: Southampton, Birmingham, and Bristol are accessible with a rental car, to name just a few close to London.
If you’re picking up your hire car at Stansted (or other London airport locations like Heathrow, Gatwick, or Luton) and planning to stick around and explore just the capital city and its vast surrounding region, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Below are a few of our destination suggestions that lie within London or not far beyond the city.
Buckingham Palace and central city attractions
This impressive palace, home to the monarch, is situated near the centre of London and is well worth a look—particularly if you can time your visit for the changing of the guards ceremony. From the palace, it’s easy to wander through Saint James Park and see Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and many other famous landmarks.
Camden Market
This magical market is an hour’s drive from Stansted Airport and a fascinating place to spend a few hours. Just about anything you could wish to purchase is here, with a lean towards the weird, whacky, and alternative. There are antiques, clothes, accessories, and many food stalls.
Museums
Most of the major museums in London are free to enter, and you can see some incredible things in the many museums and galleries throughout Greater London. Art enthusiasts will love Tate Modern and the National Gallery, while history buffs might prefer the British Museum, National Maritime Museum, Royal Airforce Museum, or even the quirky Horniman Museum and Gardens.
Greenwich
Gorgeous Greenwich on the Thames is where the western and eastern hemispheres meet and is home to some fantastic attractions including the Maritime Museum, Greenwich Market, Eltham Palace and Gardens, the Royal Observatory, and the O2, an iconic entertainment destination.
Oxford
Just over an hour’s drive from central London, Oxford makes a fantastic day trip. This is the ultimate elegant university town: packed with fun and youthful students but also lovely to look at and boasting incredible history and architecture.
Frequently asked questions for your Stansted car hire
Can you hire a car at Stansted Airport?
Yes, there is a wide range of cars available to hire at London Stansted Airport
Is it cheaper to rent a car at the airport?
While rental rates are fairly similar to those you’ll find elsewhere, renting a car at the airport eliminates the need to spend extra money on other forms of transport.
How do I get to the Rental Car Village at Stansted Airport?
A free bus departs from the terminal forecourt every ten minutes to transport passengers to the airport's car rental village. Get your keys from the rental office of the following: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt.
Follow the signs in getting your vehicle at the car parks designated for your brand. Then, when it is time to return, you just have to drop off your car at the same location.
What choice of cars are there to hire at London Stansted Airport?
You’ll find a huge range of vehicles to hire at London Stansted Airport, ranging from economical compact cars to luxury SUVs and cargo vans.
How do I find the best car hire deals at London Stansted Airport?
That’s easy! Enter your details into the search panel above to see a range of options from different suppliers. You can then narrow them down with handy filters to find the one that suits your needs and your budget.
Airport Rentals uses international buying power to get the best deals—and we love to pass savings along to our customers.
Which car hire companies in Stansted have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Many Stansted Airport car rental companies that operate in the UK will have updated policies in response to COVID-19. Look out for features such as “Enhanced Cleaning”. You can also find more about individual policies on the supplier websites.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Stansted?
The daily rental rate for a car hire Stansted Airport will vary widely, from around GBP£15 per day to GBP£450+ per day. This depends on the type of vehicle you choose, the time of year, and the supplier.
No booking fees and no hidden charges! Use your valid credit card when you book your rental cars Stansted Airport online with Airport Rentals.
What age do I need to be to hire a vehicle in Stansted?
A renter must be 21 years or older to get a car rental Stansted Airport. Some suppliers only start at 25, and most of them will charge a young driver fee if you are under 25 years old. Always check with your chosen car hire London Stansted company for more details.
What do I need to hire a vehicle in Stansted?
For most companies, you'll need your driving licence and a credit or debit card as a minimum requirement to rent a vehicle at Stansted. Some other rental suppliers also ask for another form of ID such as a passport.
Can you rent a car in Stansted and drop it off in another city?
Yes. Most Stansted car rental companies allow one way rentals. They can permit you to drop your vehicle off at another location. Visit our website and see available pick up and drop off locations.
.jpg)
