Yes, smoking is permitted at London Stansted, at several designated outdoor areas on the ground-floor forecourt outside the main terminal, landside and before security. Like most UK airports, Stansted operates outdoor-only, so there is no airside smoking once you clear security.
Stansted’s long-haul connections frequently go via Istanbul — see Istanbul Airport’s smoking areas if you have a transfer ahead.
The Designated Smoking Areas
The official Stansted site states there are several designated areas outside the terminal building’s landside areas. All are before security:
- Location: ground-floor forecourt outside the main terminal, near the bus stops.
- How to find them: walk out the main entrance toward the bus stops; the areas are on the way, approximately 1-2 minutes from the terminal entrance.
- Equipment: smoking bins, signposted.
The airport explicitly prohibits smoking at the doors themselves and along the drop-off lanes. Only the marked designated areas are permitted.
Terminal and Satellite Layout
Stansted operates a single Norman Foster-designed terminal (1991) with three satellite gate piers:
- Satellite 1, 2, 3 — reached from the main terminal by an automated Transit shuttle.
- Transit shuttle — runs continuously, free to use.
There is no smoking at any satellite or anywhere airside. Once you’ve cleared security and ridden the Transit, you are committed to non-smoking until you return through immigration on arrival or exit security if you abort the flight.
Manchester Airports Group Vaping Ban
Stansted’s official rule is that it is forbidden to use e-cigarettes within the airport, so vaping is not permitted inside the terminal or airside. Stansted is also part of the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which implemented a group-wide indoor vaping ban on 1 August 2014 — earlier and stricter than national UK law required. E-cigarettes may only be used outside, in the same designated landside areas as cigarettes.
Layovers and Transit
Stansted’s traffic is overwhelmingly point-to-point — passengers fly in or out, rarely connecting through. If you do have a layover:
- Under 60 minutes: not feasible. Security re-entry alone can exceed your layover.
- 60 to 90 minutes: tight. Possible but eats most of the connection time.
- 90+ minutes: comfortable.
The Transit shuttle adds 5-10 minutes each way to the gate-to-landside-area walk if you’re at a satellite.
Vaping
Stansted’s official wording is clear: it is forbidden to use e-cigarettes within the airport. Vapes, e-cigarettes, and heat-not-burn devices may only be used outside, in the designated landside smoking areas before security — never inside the terminal or airside. Indoor vaping has been banned across MAG (Stansted, Manchester, East Midlands) since August 2014.
Bringing vapes through Stansted is legal under UK law with no possession restrictions. UK Civil Aviation Authority rules: vapes in hand luggage only, maximum 2 spare lithium batteries.
Connecting to London
Many travellers prefer to delay a smoke break until they reach London. The options:
- Stansted Express — 47 minutes to London Liverpool Street, every 15 minutes.
- National Express coach — 60-90 minutes to Victoria, Stratford, or Baker Street; cheaper than the train.
- Drive — about 90 minutes to central London depending on traffic.
All of these are non-smoking throughout. Plan smoke breaks around departure or arrival, not in transit.
For United Kingdom airport smoking rules, vaping rules, and other general info, see our United Kingdom smoking guide.