Stansted Parking

London Stansted Airport (STN)

Parking at Stansted Airport

Stansted runs a single terminal with four parking zones. Short Stay sits beside the terminal; Long Stay uses a free shuttle. Book in advance to avoid the highest walk-up rates.

4
Parking zones
1
Terminal
5 min
Short Stay walk
15 min
Long Stay shuttle

At a glance
What parking options does Stansted have?

The airport operates Short Stay, Mid Stay, Long Stay and Drop and Go across a compact single-terminal site. Third-party operators add more budget alternatives off-airport.

Short Stay
Covered multi-storey directly linked to the terminal via footbridge. Best for pick-ups and short trips under three days.

Mid Stay
Covered car park a short walk from the terminal. A solid mid-range option for trips of three to seven days.

Long Stay
Open-air car park with a free shuttle bus running every 10 to 15 minutes. The most cost-effective official option for longer trips.

Drop and Go
Quick drop-off lane at the terminal forecourt. Pay by the minute; designed for those dropping passengers without staying.

Off-airport operators
Purple Parking, APH and Maple Parking offer meet-and-greet or park-and-ride from nearby sites, often at lower rates than official Long Stay.

Book in advance
Walk-up rates at Stansted are among the highest of any UK airport. Booking online two or more weeks early typically saves a significant amount.

Price comparison
Parking cost tiers

Relative cost guide by duration. Actual rates vary by date and booking lead time.

Car park Type 1 day 3 days 7 days Transfer
Short StayTerminal-linked Covered ££££ ££££ £££ Footbridge
Mid StayShort walk Covered £££ ££ ££ 5-min walk
Long StayFree shuttle Open air ££ £ £ Shuttle, 10-15 min
Off-airport operatorsVarious sites nearby Open air / MaG ££ £ £ Shuttle or meet-and-greet
£ Budget
££ Mid-range
£££ Premium
££££ Top tier

Products in detail
Understanding each parking zone

Each zone suits a different travel pattern. Choose based on your trip length and how much walking you want to do.


Multi-storey, footbridge
Short Stay

The most convenient option. A covered multi-storey connected to the terminal building via an indoor footbridge. No shuttle needed and fully undercover. Commands the highest rates but ideal for arrivals or very short trips.

Best for: arrivals and 1-2 day trips


Covered, 5-min walk
Mid Stay

A covered car park a short level walk from the terminal entrance. Cheaper than Short Stay for multi-day stays and still undercover. Good balance of price and convenience for trips up to a week.

Best for: 3-7 day trips


Shuttle, 10-15 min
Long Stay

Open-air surface car park served by a free shuttle bus that runs every 10 to 15 minutes. The lowest official rate for longer trips. Allow an extra 20 to 25 minutes on top of the shuttle journey for the walk to check-in.

Best for: trips over 7 days


Pay by minute, kerbside
Drop and Go

A pay-by-the-minute forecourt lane for quick passenger drop-offs. Charged in short increments and not suitable for parking overnight. Useful when someone needs to come into the terminal briefly.

Best for: drop-offs only

Book official Stansted parking
Reserve in advance for the best available rate on the airport’s own website.

Book now

Quick guide
Which car park should I use?

Use this to narrow down the right zone for your trip.

If you are
Picking up an arrival
Short Stay gives the shortest walk back to the car and keeps everything undercover.

If you are
Going for a long weekend
Mid Stay covers three to four days at a lower rate than Short Stay with only a short walk.

If you are
Away for a week or more
Long Stay or an off-airport operator will save money; the shuttle runs regularly.

If you are
Just dropping someone off
Drop and Go is designed for this. Pay only for the minutes you use at the forecourt.

Hotels near Stansted Airport

Staying the night before or after your flight removes any parking stress. Several hotels sit within walking distance of the terminal, and some include a parking package as part of the room rate.

Radisson Blu (on-site)
Holiday Inn Express
Hilton Garden Inn
Park and fly packages

Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive at Stansted?
Allow at least two hours before a short-haul departure and three hours for long-haul or busy morning slots. If using Long Stay, add 20 to 25 minutes for the shuttle and walk to check-in. The terminal can get congested at peak times particularly on Friday mornings and Sunday evenings.
Is it cheaper to book online in advance?
Yes, significantly. Walk-up rates at Stansted are among the most expensive of any UK airport. Booking at least two weeks before your departure typically unlocks a much lower rate. The airport also runs periodic promotions on its official booking site.
Can I change or cancel my parking booking?
Official airport bookings can usually be amended or cancelled up to a day before arrival for a partial refund, depending on the fare type selected at checkout. Flex rates cost more but offer full flexibility. Always check the terms at the time of booking.
Are off-airport car parks safe?
Many are reputable operators. Look for sites that are members of the British Parking Association’s Approved Operator Scheme (AOS) and carry the Park Mark award. Read recent reviews before booking and check whether cars are stored on a secured compound or on a public road.
Is there a free drop-off area at Stansted?
There is no permanently free drop-off at Stansted. The Drop and Go lane charges by the minute from the moment you enter. If you only need seconds to unload bags at the kerbside, the charge is minimal, but longer stays will accumulate costs quickly.