Pick Up & Drop Off at London Stansted Airport
At London Stansted Airport there’s a perfect Pick Up & Drop Off car park for every budget.
We’ve got Pick Up & Drop Off areas directly outside Departures – ideal if you just want to touch down for long enough to unload luggage, or you want to be waiting when someone’s flight gets in.
There’s a free Drop Off area, too – a bit further from the terminal, but a free shuttle bus operates with journeys taking just a few minutes.
Book in advance to get the best deals, and secure your parking space today.
Looking to pay a Pick Up & Drop Off charge?
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
We have introduced a new convenient barrierless system at the Express Set Down area at London Stansted Airport. As cars now no longer have to stop and pay at the barriers, waiting times have been reduced and traffic flow has improved. This is powered by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) which will make dropping off or picking up passengers much easier. Drivers can simply pay online remotely after their visit.
Read our FAQs below to find out more…
Nobody enjoys being stuck in traffic. Our barrierless Express Set Down has been designed to streamline the drop-off and pick-up process, reducing wait times and improving traffic flow. By removing the barriers, drivers can pass through without stopping and pay online later.
There are no payment barriers or machines around our Express Set Down area, and payments can’t be made using cash or cheques. Drivers simply need to pay online via our payment portal, or by phone: 0345 017 5046 by midnight the following day.
If payment is not received by the deadline, a £100.00 Parking Charge Notice will be issued to the registered vehicle holder. This will be reduced to £60.00 if paid within 14 days.
You’ll need to pay online or by telephone by midnight the day after your visit to the Express Set Down area at London Stansted Airport.
If payment is not received by the deadline, a £100.00 Parking Charge Notice will be issued to the registered vehicle holder. This will be reduced to £60.00 if paid within 14 days.
No, sorry. Payment can only be made after you’ve visited the Express Set Down area. Payments must be made by midnight the day after your visit to avoid a parking charge.
Alternatively, you can create an autopay account via our payment portal. Adding a payment card will make it even easier to pay for each of your journeys.
You can do this via our payment portal. Simply add your vehicle registration and your payment card details. Then payment will be taken automatically after each journey through the Express Set Down area, saving you from having to remember to pay!
If payment is not received by the deadline, a £100.00 Parking Charge Notice will be issued to the registered vehicle holder. This will be reduced to £60.00 if paid within 14 days.
If you have any problems or concerns about your payment after visiting the Express Set Down area, please contact APCOA, our parking management company:
• Live customer services webchat
• Call customer services on 0345 017 5046
As payment wasn’t received by midnight on the day after your visit, a £100.00 Parking Charge Notice has been issued to the registered vehicle holder. This will be reduced to £60.00 if you pay within 14 days.
If you wish to appeal, please visit the APCOA website.
Payment can only be made after you’ve visited the Express Set Down area. If you wish to appeal a Parking Charge Notice you have received, please visit the APCOA website.
No, unfortunately not. All vehicles using the Express Set Down area must pay for their visit. However, if you require longer than the allocated 15-minute period, please speak to one of our traffic marshals on site who will be able to provide further guidance.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive for local residents' discount cards, our response time is currently ten working days. Please be assured, we're processing applications as quickly as possible! If you have any concerns or further questions, or your application has taken longer than ten working days, please contact us by emailing
For more FAQs about the barrierless system, please see our Car Parking FAQs page.
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