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Stansted Taxi Services

Stansted Airport

London Stansted is not, as its name may suggest, located in London but lies in fact 30 miles north east of the capital’s centre, in Essex, only 3 miles from Bishop’s Stortford and 6 miles from Harlow.

The airport started life as an RAF airfield during the Second World War and was then used by charter operators in the 1960s. It was not until the advent of low cost flights in the late 1990s, however, that its popularity really took off.

The proposals for a second runway at Stansted have caused a major headache for BAA and the government and are strongly opposed by the pressure group Stop Stansted Expansion.

Stansted is the third largest and third busiest airport in London and a major hub for many European budget carriers, principal of which is Ryanair, which operates flights to over a hundred destinations from Stansted.

What about taxis for getting to and from the airport?

A taxi between central London and Stansted may cost between £70 and £80 (significantly more for a VIP service) and will take about 1 hour 10 minutes, although much depends on the time of day and driving conditions on the M11. The shorter trip between Stansted and Cambridge is cheaper at around £40. Although a lot of companies will charge extra for anti-social hours this is not always the case, so do your homework before committing. You may also like to check that there is no charge for a delayed flight.

There is no taxi rank at Stansted so it is not possible just to take pot luck and queue for one. If, however, you have not pre-booked it is possible to make arrangements in the International Arrivals Hall at the appropriate desk.

When deciding whether or not to book a taxi or take your own car to the airport, it is worth bearing in mind that apart from the costs of parking, the long stay facilities involve a 15 minute transfer on the shuttle bus.

With many people choosing to fly with nothing but hand luggage, especially on many of the budget airlines, it is worth pointing this out to your taxi driver, as they may well build in half an hour or so to allow you to collect luggage from the carousel.

Popular meeting points for taxi drivers include the Airport Information Desk (clearly marked near the Arrivals gate) although some companies will ask you to phone the driver on arrival to make arrangements and this can keep parking charges to a minimum.

Every possible type of vehicle is available for trips to and from Stansted, from the bog standard saloon carrying 4 passengers and a couple of suitcases up to people carriers and mini buses carrying larger groups with more luggage.

If you fancy travelling in style or are a business traveller wanting to work on the journey you might like to consider a VIP taxi, commonly a Mercedes or BMW, driven by a uniformed chauffeur who will even carry your luggage into your house. Leather upholstery, Sat Nav, air conditioning and Wi Fi are the norm when paying for this sort of service. Drivers are also CRB cleared and discreet so that you should have no worries if making confidential business calls from the vehicle.

Taxis, minicabs – what’s the difference?

Most of us prefer to pre-book our travel to and from the airport but if not, then in theory at least, we would be able to flag down a taxi, whereas minicabs must in law be booked in advance. Both, however, have to meet certain regulations in order to be licensed and drivers of both classes of vehicle should be equally competent and reliable.

What can I do near Stansted?

Times allowed are a rough guide only.

London

To quote Dr Johnson “When a man is bored of London, he is bored of life”. This was true in the 18th century and still holds good today. Whether you want to ride the London Eye, try your hand at ice skating at one of the outdoor rinks put up specially for the Christmas period, go to a concert at the Albert Hall, visit an exhibition at one of the many galleries, shop till you drop or just do the tourist thing on an open topped bus, the capital city will not disappoint.

Cambridge

Best known for being home to one of the leading universities in the world, Cambridge makes an ideal place for a day out. Whether you fancy trying your hand at punting on the River Cam followed by afternoon tea at Grantchester, attending choral evensong at King’s College Chapel or just wandering around the medieval streets and college grounds you will not be disappointed. There are plenty of interesting shops plus the prestigious Fitzwilliam Museum to keep visitors busy too.

Lakeside

When a touch of retail therapy is called for, why restrict yourself to the High Street? Lakeside shopping centre in Essex has over 250 shops, 12 restaurants and a Vue cinema. Apart from all this, Lakeside has thought of everything to make the shopping experience trouble-free, from a Shopmobility centre for those with mobility problems, to identity wristbands for those worried about losing their children. For full details of what is on offer at Lakeside see the website. As if that were not enough, right next to Lakeside is a 22 acre lake offering all manner of water sports, from diving to kayaking.

Audley End

Now owned by English Heritage, Audley End is a 17th century country house in Essex, near Saffron Walden, which makes a splendid day out for anyone who enjoys visiting stately homes and gardens. The house offers something for all culture vultures, whether your interests lie in sumptuous interiors and works of art or in the newly restored Service Wing which gives a great insight into life below stairs in Victorian times. The Capability Brown gardens and lake are well worth exploring too. For full details see Audley End's website.

Imperial War Museum, Duxford

For anyone interested in aviation history this outpost of the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, ten miles south of Cambridge, will make a great day out. It is Europe’s premier aviation museum and also boasts a huge collection of tanks, other military vehicles and naval exhibits. For further information on what is on, including the famous Duxford air show see the website.