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Rent a car at Stansted Airport with VIP Cars
Landing at London Stansted Airport? Start your trip with the freedom to explore at your own pace. With VIP Cars, you can compare options for car rental at Stansted Airport from trusted suppliers, find a vehicle that suits your journey, and continue traveling without depending on public transport or rideshares.
Located just outside London, Stansted Airport offers easy access to destinations across Essex, Cambridge, Suffolk, and other nearby areas. Whether you are travelling for business, planning a weekend escape, or setting off on a road trip, car hire at the airport gives you the convenience to reach your destination with ease.
Stansted Airport Car Rental Village: Location, opening hours & returns
| Address: | Coopers End Road, Stansted, Essex, CM24 1SJ, United Kingdom |
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The Stansted Airport Car Rental Village is the dedicated hub, open 7 days a week, where you can find your car hire provider and collect your vehicle after arriving at the airport. Located just a short distance from the terminal, the village is separate from the main airport building and is easily accessible by the airport’s free shuttle service. The shuttle bus usually takes around 5 to 10 minutes to reach the location, depending on traffic and airport conditions.
Follow these simple steps to get to the Car Rental Village at Stansted Airport:
- Once you have collected your luggage, make your way out of the Arrivals area.
- Look for clear signs directing you to the 'Car Rental Village’, as these will guide you towards the shuttle bus stop.
- Board the shuttle bus to get to the rental centre where most suppliers including Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Alamo, and Budget are located.
- Locate your supplier’s desk, complete the formalities, collect your keys, and follow the instructions provided by the rental staff to pick up your car.
Stansted Airport car rental opening hours
The Stansted Airport car rental opening hours vary depending on the supplier you choose. Most providers operate daily, with many desks open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm.
If you are arriving late at night or have an early morning pickup, it is recommended to check your supplier’s operating hours in advance.
Stansted Airport car rental return
Returning your vehicle at STN Airport is straightforward. Most on-airport rental cars are returned to the Car Rental Village on Coopers End Road (CM24 1SJ), located at a short distance from the terminal. Follow these simple steps for a smoother return:
- Follow the airport signs for Stansted Airport 'Car Rental Village’ return area.
- Look for your supplier’s designated parking space and park the vehicle in the marked area.
- Hand the keys at the desk and complete the paperwork, or if any inspection is required.
- Once the return is complete, take the free shuttle bus (takes ~10 minutes) from the Car Rental Village to get back to the airport terminal.
After-hours pickup & drop-off
Some suppliers such as Green Motion, Drivalia, Sixt, Europcar, Alamo, and Hertz may offer after-hours pickup and drop-off, including key collection or return services. However, availability depends on your chosen supplier, so it is best to check the supplier’s policy before confirming your booking.
Flexible car deal types available at Stansted Airport
Every journey from Stansted Airport is different, so choosing the right rental deal can help you get better value and a smoother travel experience. VIP Cars offers flexible car hire deals to match your travel plans.
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Short-term car rental
Best for: Weekend breaks, short holidays, airport transfers, and quick business visits
Short-term deals from Stansted Airport are useful for business travelers attending meetings in nearby towns, visitors spending a few days in Essex or Hertfordshire, and tourists planning short regional trips. You can pick up a car for a few days to travel to Cambridge, Bishop’s Stortford, Harlow or other destinations across East Anglia, without committing to a longer rental. If you only need a car for a few hours or for a day, 24-hour car rental can be a practical option. It is suitable for short trips, sightseeing or quick getaways. FHowever, for a few hours rental, charges are generally calculated on a daily basis.
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Long-term car rental
Best for: Extended stays in the UK, temporary work assignments, and long visits with family or friends
Long-term car rentals from Stansted Airport are a practical option for travelers staying in the area for several weeks or longer, including business travelers on long assignments, visitors staying with family or friends, and tourists planning a longer road trip. Having a rental car for an extended period gives you the flexibility to travel between destinations such as Cambridge, Norwich, London and towns across Essex and East Anglia without having to arrange multiple rides. Longer rental periods may also offer better value than booking multiple shorter rentals since they come at a lower daily rental price.
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Last-minute car rental
Best for: Sudden or unexpected travel plans
Last-minute deals from Stansted Airport can be useful when travel plans change unexpectedly or you decide you need a car after arriving. They are convenient for business travelers with unplanned meetings, tourists who want to explore beyond the airport at short notice, or likewise. Same-day rental vehicle choices and rates can vary depending on demand and availability, especially from June to August.
One-way car rental from Stansted Airport
You can pick up your car from the airport and return it at a different location. It’s a convenient choice for travelers planning road trips or moving between cities. With VIP Cars, you can compare one-way rental options from STN Airport and choose a route that fits your itinerary.
Some of the popular one-way routes from the airport are:
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Stansted Airport to Central London
Drive time: ~1 hour
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Stansted Airport to Cambridge
Drive time: ~45 minutes
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Stansted Airport to Oxford
Drive time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
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Stansted Airport to Norwich
Drive time: ~2 hours
Cross-border travel from Stansted Airport (STN)
Travelers planning to continue their journey beyond the UK can check cross-border rental options from Stansted Airport with VIP Cars. However, cross-border travel varies by supplier’s terms, destination restrictions, additional fees, and prior approval. Check with your supplier before pickup to confirm if your planned route is permitted.
Popular cross-border travel routes:
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Stansted Airport to Calais, France
Drive time: 2 to 2.5 hours
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Stansted Airport to Brussels, Belgium
Drive time: 3.5 hours
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Stansted Airport to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Drive time: 5.5 hours
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Stansted Airport to Cologne, Germany
Drive time: 5.5 hours
About London Stansted Airport
| Address: | Bassingbourn Rd, Stansted CM24 1QW, United Kingdom |
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| IATA Code: | STN |
Located near Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, London Stansted Airport is an international airport serving more than 180 destinations all across the globe. The airport is the main hub for many low-cost airlines like Ryanair and is one of the busiest airports in the UK after Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester. It is owned and operated by Manchester Airport Holdings. Stansted Airport has one main passenger Terminal building and three passenger satellites containing the departure gates.
Facilities at STN
- Restrooms
- Meeting Rooms
- WiFi
- Restaurants
- Currency Exchange
VIP Cars’ tips to rent a car at Stansted Airport (STN)
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For many suppliers such as Hertz, Green Motion, Drivalia, etc. at Stansted Airport, the minimum age to hire a car is 21 years. In addition to this, a Young Driver Surcharge is levied on renters under the age of 25 years. For precise information, read the Rental Terms of your preferred supplier.
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If you are planning to cover long distances across the UK, look for unlimited mileage deals to avoid additional charges for exceeding a mileage allowance.
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To avoid any last-minute hassle, allow extra time for the vehicle return, shuttle transfer, and airport check-in process, especially if you are travelling in peak season - July to August or winter holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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The UK follows left-hand side driving, meaning you will drive on the left side of the road and the driver’s seat will be on the right side of the vehicle. If you are not used to UK roads or left-side driving, choosing an automatic car rental at STN Airport can make your journey easier.
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Families traveling with a child can add a baby car seat as an add-on with their rental, if available. If you have one already, carry it with you as per the UK's laws. Availability and charges for Extras vary by supplier, so it is best to check it when booking
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If you are a large group of up to 9 people, you can look for a 7-seater or 9-seater car hire at Stansted Airport as per your needs. It is a more practical option than booking multiple rides, plus you get to travel together.
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Check local parking zones and restrictions beforehand if you are driving into towns or cities near Stansted Airport. Areas like Central London have controlled parking zones and congestion-related rules, so planning where to park can help avoid unexpected charges.
