Essence by Escape Lounges is Stansted's only airside lounge, and it is worth booking if you value a quiet seat, unlimited drinks and free wifi over the terminal's shops and cafes, especially if you book ahead. Pre-book from £19.99 per person; walk in on the day and it is £48.99. Checked August 2026.
What you get for the price
The lounge is open roughly 04:00 to 19:30 daily, and access is usually capped at three hours before your flight, so you cannot camp there for a full day even if your layover is long. Inside, the entry price includes free wifi, dedicated work spaces and charging points, and complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine and bottled beer. There is no shower facility, which matters if you are coming straight off an overnight journey or a long drive and were hoping to freshen up before your flight.
| What's included | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Roughly 04:00 to 19:30 daily |
| Access window | Usually up to 3 hours before your flight |
| Drinks | Tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, bottled beer |
| Connectivity | Free wifi, work spaces, charging points |
| Showers | Not available |
Pre-book versus walk-in
The gap between the two prices is the single biggest factor in whether the lounge is worth it. Pre-booking online costs from £19.99 per person, while paying on the day at the door costs from £48.99, more than double. If there is any chance you will want to use the lounge, book it in advance once you know your flight time. Waiting to decide at the airport means paying a steep premium for the same room and the same drinks.
When it earns its price
The lounge makes the most sense if you have a genuine wait ahead of you, whether that is a couple of hours before an early departure or a longer gap because you built in extra time for security during a busy period. It also suits anyone who wants a table and reliable wifi to get some work done rather than balancing a laptop in a departure-gate seat, and anyone who would rather have unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee, wine or beer included than pay per item at a terminal cafe or bar. Because the lounge shuts overnight and is not set up as a place to sleep, it is not a substitute for an airport hotel if you are facing a genuinely early departure or an overnight wait, covered on the FAQs page.
When it is not worth it
If your connection through security to your gate is short, the value drops fast, since the access window is capped at three hours before departure and you will not get the full use of the space. It is also not the right choice if a shower is what you are actually after, since none is available here. And if you are travelling on a tight budget and mainly want somewhere to sit, the free areas of the terminal will do the same job for nothing, even if the seating and drinks are not included.
How to book
Pre-booking is done online ahead of your trip. If your plans change and you decide on the day instead, you can still pay at the door, but expect to pay the higher walk-in rate of £48.99 rather than the £19.99 advance price. For everything else at the airport, from prayer rooms to left luggage, see the facilities page.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Escape Lounge at Stansted? From £19.99 per person if you pre-book online, or £48.99 if you pay on the day.
What's included in the Stansted lounge price? Free wifi, work spaces, charging points, and complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine and bottled beer.
Does the Stansted lounge have showers? No. There is no shower facility in Essence by Escape Lounges.
What are the Stansted lounge opening hours? Roughly 04:00 to 19:30 daily, with access usually capped at up to three hours before your flight.
Is it cheaper to book the Stansted lounge in advance? Yes, significantly. Pre-booking costs from £19.99 per person, versus £48.99 for a walk-in on the day.
More
More: Overview, Facilities, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the London Stansted Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official London Stansted Airport website before you travel.