About flights from London (STN)
Stansted doesn't get the credit it deserves. Overshadowed by Heathrow's alliance hub status and Gatwick's charter legacy, it quietly became one of Europe's most efficient low-cost gateways — and a genuinely useful airport if you know how to use it. Ryanair built an empire here, which means 202 direct routes to 40 countries and a frequency that lets you treat European capitals almost like bus stops. The terminal is single-building, which sounds limiting until you've sprinted a connection at Charles de Gaulle and reconsidered your life choices.
Quick stats for STN
- Direct destinations: 202
- Countries served: 40
- Continents reached: 3 of 6
- Average flight distance: 1,554 km
- Longest non-stop: Dubai (DXB) — 5,457 km (~6h 49m)
- Shortest non-stop: Rotterdam (RTM) — 286 km (~21 min)
- Reach score: 81/99
Why fly to London?
Italy alone accounts for 30 routes from here. Thirty. That's not connectivity, that's obsession — and honestly, fair enough. Spain adds another 23, France 22, and Greece 15, which covers most of what European travelers actually want. But the route that genuinely surprised me was the Emirates service to Dubai, clocking in at 5,457 km and making Stansted the only airport in this group with a credible long-haul option. It punches well above its budget-airport reputation. For travelers who care about value over lounges and alliances, the reach score of 81 out of 99 tells you this network is doing serious work across three continents.
Longest non-stop flights from STN
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from London:
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB) — 5,457 km, approximately 6h 49m
- Hurghada, Egypt (HRG) — 3,915 km, approximately 4h 54m
- Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt (SSH) — 3,879 km, approximately 4h 51m
- Amman, Jordan (AMM) — 3,655 km, approximately 4h 34m
- Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel (TLV) — 3,562 km, approximately 4h 27m
Short-haul flights from STN
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from London:
- Rotterdam, Netherlands (RTM) — 286 km, approximately 21 min
- Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) — 311 km, approximately 23 min
- Eindhoven, Netherlands (EIN) — 357 km, approximately 27 min
- Paris, France (CDG) — 360 km, approximately 27 min
- Newquay, United Kingdom (NQY) — 401 km, approximately 30 min
Top countries by direct connections from STN
Stansted connects to 40 countries. Here are the most served:
- Italy — 30 destinations (Alghero, Ancona, Bari, Bologna and 26 more)
- Spain — 23 destinations (Alicante, Almeria, Barcelona, Benlloch and 19 more)
- France — 22 destinations (Basel, Switzerland/Mulhouse, Bergerac, Beziers, Biarritz and 18 more)
- Greece — 15 destinations (Athens, Chania, Heraklion, Kalamata and 11 more)
- Germany — 11 destinations (Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Hahn and 7 more)
- Poland — 11 destinations (Bydgoszcz, Gdansk, Katowice, Krakow and 7 more)
- Turkiye — 10 destinations (Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and 6 more)
- Morocco — 7 destinations (Agadir, Casablanca, Essaouira, Fes and 3 more)
Where to fly from London
Flights to Italy
London has 30 direct routes to Italy:
- Turin (TRN) — 921 km
- Milan (MXP) — 931 km
- Milan (BGY) — 977 km
- Genoa (GOA) — 1,046 km
- Verona (VRN) — 1,062 km
- Parma (PMF) — 1,078 km
- ...and 24 more destinations
Flights to Spain
London has 23 direct routes to Spain:
- Santander (SDR) — 990 km
- Girona (GRO) — 1,127 km
- Zaragoza (ZAZ) — 1,141 km
- Barcelona (BCN) — 1,185 km
- Santiago De Compostela (SCQ) — 1,193 km
- Reus (REU) — 1,197 km
- ...and 17 more destinations
Flights to France
London has 22 direct routes to France:
- Paris (CDG) — 360 km
- Tours (TUF) — 497 km
- Nantes (NTE) — 543 km
- Poitiers (PIS) — 590 km
- Strasbourg (SXB) — 642 km
- La Rochelle (LRH) — 643 km
- ...and 16 more destinations
Tips for travelers at STN
The Stansted Express from Liverpool Street is the move — 47 minutes, runs every 15-30 minutes, and you won't be fighting central London traffic. Don't underestimate the time from west or south London though; door-to-gate can easily hit two hours from Chelsea. Security tends to move faster than Heathrow but slower than it should on Friday evenings. Summer Greece routes fill up fast, so if you're chasing Thessaloniki or Corfu in July, book well ahead. One thing most people miss: early morning Ryanair departures here often leave on time precisely because the aircraft overnighted on stand.
Airlines operating from STN
The following airlines offer non-stop flights from Stansted:
5F, AH, AT, BA, EK, FR, H4, H7, HV, IZ, LH, LS, PC, RJ, RK, TK, U2, VF, XC, XQ
Frequently asked questions about flying to London
How do I get from Stansted Airport to London city center?
The Stansted Express train takes you directly to Liverpool Street Station in about 47 minutes for around £17-20, or you can book a coach service for cheaper but slower options, typically £5-10 depending on the operator.
What's the best time to fly from London Stansted?
Mid-week flights (Tuesday-Thursday) are usually cheaper than weekends, and flying in shoulder seasons like April-May or September-October offers better deals than peak summer or winter holidays.
How many destinations can I reach directly from Stansted?
Stansted offers 202 direct destinations, giving you excellent options across Europe, the Mediterranean, and beyond without needing to connect through a larger hub.
Do I need a visa to travel from Stansted to Europe?
UK citizens can travel visa-free to EU countries for up to 90 days, but non-UK visitors should check individual country requirements as they vary; it's worth confirming well before your flight.
What's a useful tip for Stansted Airport?
Stansted is relatively compact and easy to get through compared to larger London airports, so arrive 2 hours early for EU flights and 3 hours for international flights—you'll likely clear security quickly.
Is Stansted cheaper than other London airports?
Yes, Stansted generally offers cheaper flights and lower airport fees than Heathrow or Gatwick, making it a great budget option, though factor in the slightly longer transfer time to central London.
Plan your trip from London
Browse the complete list of 202 destinations below to find your next flight from Stansted. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.