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Car hire at Stansted Airport

Hiring a car at Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport (STN) is a UK international airport located near Essex and only 30 miles from the centre of the City of London. The airport is a base for a number of budget airlines, offering low-cost travel to countries around the world. It is the best airport to arrive at if you are heading to Essex or Hertfordshire.

You can reach the centre of Essex in as little as 30 minutes by taking the A120 and the centre of London in just over an hour via the M11. The airport is very accessible from a number of areas, especially if you invest in a hire car.

What you need to know

There are several car hire companies available from Stansted Airport, so you will be able to find the right vehicle at a price that fits your budget. You can make it easier to find and book your car by using Holiday Autos' website. This will show you all the available vehicles for the dates of your trip and the costs with no hidden charges.

Hiring via our website also means you benefit from around the clock support and free cancellation in case your plans change. This is why millions of people around the world book their hire cars with us every year.

Where to pick up your car

Once you've collected your luggage upon arrival at Stansted Airport, you can head straight to the car hire desks in the arrivals hall of the terminal. Some car hire companies have pick-up points at the airport, while others offer a free shuttle bus service to their car collection area. This ensures you can get on with your trip straight away, making things easier whether you're travelling for business or pleasure.

While you can hire a car from any of the companies at Stansted Airport upon arrival, this is likely to be a lot more expensive. This is why it is a good idea to book in advance so you can be sure to get the car you want at the best price.

Best Car Hire Companies Stansted Airport

thrifty
thrifty
thrifty

Car Hire Reviews Stansted Airport

  • “The pick-up was easy, it took 5 minutes from arriving at the desk to driving out the car, and the return took even less time. Booking with Holiday Autos was easy and I received the car that I had asked for, just perfect!”
    Diane T

Where to go

As soon as you've picked up your car, you can head straight to your hotel without the need for any transfers. Of course, this means you can also start exploring the south-east of England straight away and make the most of your time there.

Landing at Stansted means you have a lot of choices in terms of places to go. You can travel into London to explore of the big city, drive toward the countryside for a relaxing time after your journey and even go to the coast if you feel like braving the British weather on the beach. This is all made possible by hiring a car, which is a great way to make the most of your time in the area.

Nearby Stansted Airport

There is a lot to do and see near Stansted Airport so you don't have to travel far for a bit of fun. One place that is worth a visit is Mountfitchet Castle and Norman Village. The interesting open-air museum experience is just ten minutes away from the airport via the Long Border Road. Heading into the reconstructed castle allows you to explore the village and step back in time 900 years.

Lovers of fine art may want to travel 20 minutes down the A120 to the Henry Moore Foundation. The registered charity showcases a range of exhibitions at Henry Moore's Hertfordshire home, with pieces displayed inside and out in the beautiful grounds. It was set up by the artist back in the 1970s and has continued to grow since.

Longer drives

If the weather is fine, an hour's drive to Southend-on-Sea could be just the thing. Head down the M11 and turn onto the A127 to reach the resort and make the most of being on the coast. Relax on the beach and take a swim in the sea or have fun on the fairground rides along the seafront. The popular resort also offers great shopping, a chance to explore the pier and an excellent night life.

You can also head into London, which is just over an hour away from Stansted Airport via the M11. Here you can explore all the tourist hot spots, shop on Oxford Street, enjoy a great choice of restaurants and soak up all that the capital has to offer. No matter what takes your fancy, London has something for everyone so you'll be spoilt for things to do.

Top attractions to visit near Stansted Airport

Hiring a car from Stansted Airport means you can visit some of the great attractions in the area easily.

Audley End House and Gardens

For a relaxing break from busy city locations, drive 25 minutes down the B1383 to Audley End House and Gardens. The Jacobean mansion is incredibly beautiful and has plenty to see and learn about, while the gorgeous gardens offer great views over the Essex countryside. You can also visit the Victorian stable yard to see the horses housed there and to take little ones to the children's play area. As part of the tour of the house, you'll get a chance to meet Victorian workers and find out about how the house used to run back in its heyday.

Imperial War Museum

If you have an interest in aviation history, you can visit the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. The historic airfield is only 25 minutes from Stansted Airport via the M11 and offers insight into the people who lived and worked at RAF Duxford. With a huge range of exhibitions that display vehicles and aircraft from different periods of the RAF's history, you'll learn a lot about Britain's war history. You can also learn about some extraordinary individuals who called the base home, as well as get an idea of what it takes to be a pilot.

Hatfield Forest

Take in the beautiful and varied nature of Hatfield Forest to relax after the hustle and bustle of Stansted Airport. Owned by the National Trust, Hatfield is an ancient hunting forest that offers plenty to do and see for everyone. You'll find a lot of hidden treasures throughout the forest, including dens and beautiful lakes for boating or fishing. There are also a range of forest trails for you to explore by foot, bike or horseback, no matter whether you want a long journey or short.

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