Facing the likelyhood of kipping overnight at Stansted Airport next month ( 10 hour wait for connecting flight to France) I was interested to find this web site:
The Budget Traveller's Guide to
Sleeping in Airports
There is some useful tips and also forums where people leave info and stories for airports around the world. The direct for Stansted is here;
LONDON (Stansted), England
I read some other info on Stansted which I thought was useful:
I am sure I am not the only low-budget traveller to have experienced the delights of hard airport benches or cold floors
The Best and Worst section is worth a read
From what I read and remember I will have the following:
I understand there are free showers available at Stansted so that wil be a nice way to wake up
[edit] actually it looks like it is £5 with towel from the Stansted Airport web site Info page:
Stansted - Information
So, any other advice, experiences?
Simon
The Budget Traveller's Guide to
Sleeping in Airports
There is some useful tips and also forums where people leave info and stories for airports around the world. The direct for Stansted is here;
LONDON (Stansted), England
I read some other info on Stansted which I thought was useful:
Here is advice on sleeping rough at Stansted taken from here
*LONDON (Stansted), England (Contributed by The bloke in the yellow vest!)
"June 18, 2004 - I work here and we always have about 500 sleepers. We do exclude people but only for a reason (if they are drunk/loud/abusive) or if they make life uncomfotable for others.
The airport is exceptionally safe, with have Security, Armed Police and Customer Services all wandering around 24hours.
If you come to sleep here, invest in a sleep mat ot get here early (before 10pm).
Sleep in Zone K, it's quiet and the 'bleepers' do that zone early.
Just remember...sleep but be pleasant and polite and that's what you'll get back!"
I am sure I am not the only low-budget traveller to have experienced the delights of hard airport benches or cold floors

The Best and Worst section is worth a read

From what I read and remember I will have the following:
- iPod Shuffle MP3 player (prevent boredom and drown out airport noise)
- Book of something to read (see above)
- Layered clothing ( to regulate temp)
- Full water bottle ( I hate being dehydrated)
- Some food/ snacks (Stansted is pretty well supplied with food places and cafes some open all night)
- All my kit in 2 bags and close to me ( carry on bag and check in bag. Wash kit and towel packed for easy access)
- Decent travel alarm! (guess the noise volume will wake me up anyhow as morning approaches)
- Hopefully a Thermarest and sleeping bag (so I can kip fine on the floor if no seats left)
- All sharps and other stuff packed away in my hold luggage beefore the check in !
I understand there are free showers available at Stansted so that wil be a nice way to wake up

Stansted - Information
So, any other advice, experiences?
Simon