Stansted car hire

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Stansted is London's third largest airport (after Heathrow and Gatwick) and is located in Essex some 35 miles north east of London's centre. It is a major airport for low cost carriers, with easyJet and Ryanair operating flights to some of the nearly 200 destinations offered from the airport.

The airport is cheap to fly into and acts as a great springboard to London, the south east, and further afield in the UK...


Car hire is easy to arrange and pick up from Stansted Airport, with providers Auto Europe, Avis, Hertz and Sixt, among others, all having branches within the arrivals terminal. To get the cheapest car hire available, make sure you compare online and book before your holiday.

The airport has just one terminal but serves about 41 mainly charter, budget and cargo airlines to European destinations as well as well as some popular tourist resorts in Turkey and Morocco.

The route to London is easily accessible via the M11 motorway and the North Circular Road around North London. 

You can also take the M25 orbital motorway for South London and further towards Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire to the West Country. Take the M25 to visit Kent and the South of England coast, or you can stay locally in the Essex and Cambridge areas.

Follow local roads to the east to visit Norfolk and Suffolk. The A14 to the north of the airport links with the A1, M1 and M6 to access the Midlands and the North of England.

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Find answers to your questions

FAQs

What age do I need to be to hire a vehicle in Stansted?

You need to be at least 21 years old to hire a vehicle at Stansted Airport – that's the minimum legal age for car hire in the UK. Some car hire companies only start at 25, and most will deem you a 'young driver' if you are under 25 years old. That generally means that you'll pay more.

What do I need to hire a vehicle in Stansted?

You'll need your driving licence and a credit or debit card as a minimum to hire a vehicle at Stansted. Some hire companies also ask for another form of ID, proof of address, such as a bank statement or utility bill, and a DVLA check code.

Do I need car hire excess insurance in the UK?

No, but it is worth considering. In the UK, you're not obliged to have car hire excess insurance but if you don't have it, you'll usually have a big excess to pay if you have an accident. Car hire excess insurance means you don't have to worry about that. Have a look for a standalone policy online – you'll usually get a much better deal than buying it at the desk.

Can I rent a car with a debit card in Stansted?

Many car hire companies will let you rent a car with a debit card. Some will require a credit card, so check which you need before you book a hire car at Stansted.

Which rental companies are available at Stansted Airport?

You can rent a car at Stansted Airport from the following providers: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt. Pickup for all of them is at the airport's car rental village.

Is it cheaper to rent a car at the airport or off site in Stansted?

You can check different pickup locations to get the best deal, but you'll often find it's cheaper to collect your hire car off-site – since picking up at the airport is most convenient, it can be more expensive.

Can you rent a car in Stansted and drop it off in another city?

Yes. Most car hire companies let you drop your car off in another location. Specifics will depend on who you hire with, so choose your drop-off location when you search at the top of the page and see what's possible.

Can you rent a car the same day in Stansted?

Yes, you can rent a car the same day at Stansted Airport. Check for the best deal online first – booking in advance is usually cheaper than booking in person at the car hire desks at the airport.

Can I hire a vehicle at 21 years of age in Stansted?

Most car hire companies have 21 as the minimum age for rental, but some only allow you to hire from age 25. If you're not sure, find your deal then check that the provider allows younger drivers. Many companies will apply a surcharge if you're under 25.

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