Pick Up & Drop Off

Where to park if you’re picking up or dropping off

pick up and drop off

Pre-book Pick Up & Drop Off

Save time and book your parking in advance.

Check pre-book car park dates and prices.

Dropping Off or Picking Up 

There are different options for dropping off or picking someone up from London Stansted. We have options at our Short Stay car parks, or a free alternative at our Mid Stay car park. You can either pick up or drop off at both locations. We also have an Express Set Down area.

For any times exceeding 4 hours, please see our Turn Up & Park page for more details.

pick up and drop off map at Stansted Airport
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Pick Up & Drop Off Options

Express Set Down

Short Stay

Mid Stay

Express Set Down

Drop off only

This option is most suitable for a quick drop off for loved ones or friends. It is the most convenient option for passengers, with check-in just minutes away.

Up to 15 mins

£7.00

Over 15 mins

£25.00

Maximum stay is 30 minutes. Payment can currently be made via card*. Vehicles must not be left unattended. Unattended vehicles may be towed and will incur a towing fee.

There will be a £20 charge for re-entering within 30 minutes of first entering the car park.

Direction

Short Stay Car Parks (Orange, Green & Blue)

Pick up or drop off

Follow signs for 'Short Stay Car Park'

You can pick up or drop off in the Orange, Green & Blue Short Stay car parks. This is ideal if you want to accompany passengers or head into the terminal to meet someone.

Up to 30 minutes

£10.00

Up to 1 hour

£18.00

Up to 2 hours

£22.00

Up to 4 hours

£35.00

Directions

Mid Stay Car Park

Pick up or drop off

We have a free pick up or drop off option at our Mid Stay car park. This car park is free for up to 60 minutes. 

Up to 60 minutes

Free

Next hour

£5.00

After 2 hours

Day rate

After your first free 60 minutes, you will be charged £5 for the second hour. Any time exceeding, you will be charged a day rate. Details of this can be found on our Turn Up & Park page.

There will be a £40 charge for re-entering within 1 hour of first entering the car park. 

Directions

Express Set Down - Barrierless

*From 22nd January 2025, the Express Set Down area at London Stansted Airport will operate a new barrierless system. This system, powered by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), will make dropping off or picking up passengers more convenient by reducing wait times and improving traffic flow, providing a smoother and more efficient experience. Customers can drive straight through without stopping at the barrier and pay remotely after their visit.

The switch to a barrierless Express Set Down is designed to streamline the drop-off and pick-up process, reducing congestion and improving traffic flow. By removing the barriers, drivers can pass through more smoothly, without stopping at barriers, which minimises wait times and eases vehicle flow.

You can pay online via our payment portal, or by phone: 0345 017 5046

Payments cannot be made using cash or cheque. Additionally, no payment for our Express Set Down area can be made upon exiting, as there are no payment barriers in this area. If payment is not received by midnight the following day, a £100.00 Parking Charge Notice will be issued, which will be reduced to £60.00 if paid within 14 days.

Payment must be made by midnight the day after you visited to ensure a Parking Charge Notice is not sent to the registered vehicle holder.

No, payment can only be made after you have visited the Express Set Down area. To avoid a parking charge, payment must be made by midnight the day after your visit. Alternatively, you can create an autopay account and add a payment card to enable automatic payments for each of your journeys. You can create an account by visiting our payment portal.

You can set up an account and add your vehicle registration and payment card, which will automatically take payment after each journey through the Express Set Down area. No pre-payments can be made before your visit to this area. To create an account please visit our payment portal.

If you have any problems or concerns about your payment for visiting the Express Set Down area, please contact APCOA via one of the following options:

• Customer Services webchat: Live chat with an agent here

• Customer Services phone number: 0345 017 5046

What time of day is the Express Set Down charge enforced?

The charge for using the Express Set Down applies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Do you provide a free pick-up and drop off option?

We have a free pick up or drop off option at our Mid Stay car park. This car park is free for up to 60 minutes.

I am travelling via taxi; do I have to pay for the Express Set Down charge?

It is the responsibility of the owner of the vehicle to ensure they have paid the Express Set Down charge.

Are Blue Badge holders exempt from charges in the Express Set Down area?

No blue badge holders are not exempt, all vehicles that use the Express Set Down area must ensure they have paid for their visit. However, if you require longer than the 15-minute period, please speak to one of our traffic marshallers who will be able to provide further guidance.

I have an electric vehicle do I have to pay the Express Set Down charge?

Yes, the Express Set Down charge still applies. There is no exemption for Electric Vehicles.

I have pre-booked Valet do I need to pay for entering the Express Set Down area?

If you have a pre-booking for our VIP Valet car parking product you do not need to pay for entering the Express Set Down area, when using this service your vehicle will be exempt.

If I use the Express Set Down more than once in one day, do I have to pay for every visit?

Yes, every time you use the Express Set Down area payment must be made for each visit and non-payment will result in a £100 Parking Charge which must be paid within 14 days, terms and conditions will apply.

Please click here to learn more about how London Stansted Airport processes your personal data.

For information regarding our Local Resident Discount Scheme, please find out more here.