Car Hire at London-Stansted airport (STN)

List of car rental agencies that operate within the London-Stansted airport (STN)

The car hire service is centralised in the Car Rental Village, a dedicated area located outside the main terminal. This space houses the desks of the main companies as well as the vehicle pick-up and return areas.

Location and Transfer

To get there, you must use the free courtesy shuttle bus service. Buses depart from Stop 17 on the terminal forecourt every 10 minutes, operating 24 hours a day. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes.

Car Hire Companies

Requirements for Hiring a Vehicle

To hire a car at Stansted, you will generally need to meet the following requirements:

Minimum age: Most companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old. Drivers under 25 are usually subject to an additional “young driver” surcharge.
Driving licence: You must present a valid, original driving licence. If your licence is not in English or was not issued in an EU/EEA country, you will very likely need an International Driving Permit.
Identification: A valid passport or identity document is required as additional proof of identity.
Credit card: A credit card in the name of the main driver is required for the security deposit. Debit cards are not always accepted for this purpose.
DVLA check code: If you hold a UK-issued driving licence, you must generate a check code on the DVLA website before collecting the vehicle.

Latest updates: February 09, 2026

5 tips for renting a car abroad

What to consider:

Certify that you have a valid driver's license to drive in the destination country. If you are a foreigner, check if you need to validate your license in your country of origin. It should be noted that the International permit is NOT valid by itself, it must always be accompanied by the National Driver's License.

Documentation and vehicle insurance required according to current traffic regulations.

Take into account the traffic rules that currently apply in the destination country. Maximum speeds allowed on highways, avenues and streets, priorities of passage at intersections without traffic lights, tolerance of allowed blood alcohol, etc.

Direction of movement and the way in which cars should be driven on the streets. If the side where the steering wheel is located in the cars of your country matches the vehicles in the destination country.