Pick Up & Drop Off
Where to park if you’re picking up or dropping off
Pre-book Pick Up & Drop Off
Save time and book your parking in advance.
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 which is now barrierless.
For any times exceeding 4 hours, please see our Turn Up & Park page for more details.
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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 must be made online*. Vehicles must not be left unattended. Unattended vehicles may be towed, and a towing fee will be incurred.
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
Non-payment will result in a £100 Parking Charge, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. f you wish to appeal a Parking Charge Notice you have received, please visit the APCOA website.
I have received a Parking Charge for going through the Express Set Down, but I had pre-booked parking, can I appeal this charge?
If you wish to appeal a Parking Charge Notice you have received, please visit the APCOA website.
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.
Due to the high volume of applications the team are receiving our response time is currently 10 working days. We're processing applications as quickly as possible. Please allow the full 10 days for any new applications. If you have any concerns or further questions, or your application has taken longer than 10 working days, you can contact us by emailing DD_carparking@stanstedairport.com.
We appreciate your understanding.
For more FAQs about the barrierless system, please see our Car Parking FAQs page.
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