Stansted Airport Drop Off How to Get Dropped off at Stansted Airport for FREE!

by Holly Lavender

Stansted Airport Drop Off

Stansted Airport drop off, did you know you can drop someone off and pick someone up for free? The Stansted Airport Express Set Down is currently £7 for 10 minutes and £25 for over 15 minutes. It’s not worth the charge and I am going to show you how you can avoid the express setdown charge and park for up to 60 minutes at Stansted airport drop off for free.

Want to know how to get dropped off for free at other London Airports?

Mid Stay Car Park Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport Drop Off Video

Stansted Airport Drop Off Postcode:

CM24 1RW

How to get dropped off at Stansted Airport for free

Head to Stansted Airport mid stay car park.

When you get here follow signs to the “MID STAY CAR PARK” and then “FREE SET DOWN.” You will get a ticket when you enter here so do make sure you take note of the time as only 60 minutes is free. Also, do not lose this ticket! Otherwise, you will receive the maximum fair. If you do stay longer it costs £5 for up to 2 hours. Any longer than two hours it works out at a daily rate.

Just in case you have no signal, here are the written directions:
Leave the M11 at Junction 8a. Follow the road for just over a mile and take the Stansted Airport exit and branch left. At Bassingbourn Roundabout take the 3rd exit and follow the signs of Stansted’s mid-stay car park.

If you are picking up a passenger, I would check that the flight is on-time (I personally use the app flightrader24 to check where the plane is.) If it is on time, I would try to arrive at the car park 15 minutes after that flight has landed. You do not want your free 60 minutes to be up! Worst-case scenario your passenger will be waiting a bit for you.

Stansted Airport Drop Off offers 60 minutes to drop off and pick up passengers at the Mid Stay Car Park.

Free parking near Stansted Airport

I have been told about a few local hotels that have a free one-hour parking limit, however, I have never tried this myself. You will only find out when you enter and by that point, it will be too late and you may have a hefty fine. I would highly recommend the FREE SET DOWN at Stansted Airport’s Mid Stay Car Park. This is where I would go to pick people up at Stansted Airport. Not only is this the cheapest way to drop someone off it is also easiest to get picked up as there is a free 60-minute wait time.

London Stansted Airport Shuttle Bus for Passengers

Stansted Airport Drop Off – Departures Mid Stay

When you reach the FREE SET DOWN in the mid-stay car park. Unload and wait at bus stop K (the closest bus stop). The free shuttle comes every 10 minutes and is only a 7-minute ride to the terminal. It is as easy as that. You will be taken to the bus station where you will need to take the escalator/lift to the departure terminal.

Note: Stansted Airport only has one terminal.

Stansted Airport Drop Off Mid Stay Pick Up

Note: The Mid Stay car park shuttle bus stop has moved. When you exit you will need to follow signs towards the train station and exit at the bus terminal outside. From there you will see signs for the Mid Stay Car Park where you will need to get off at Stop K, Free Set Down.

Outside Stansted Airport Drop Off
Outside Stansted Airport

How long can I wait at Stansted Airport drop off?

Mid Stay:
– Under 60 minutes: Free
– Up to 2 hours: £5

Express Set Down:
– Up to 15 minutes: £7
– Over 15 minutes: £25

Other ways to get to Stansted Airport Drop Off

You can get to Stansted airport in a variety of different ways such as by train, bus or car. Make sure you book in advance for a cheaper rate if you want to drive. Also, note that the further you park from the airport the cheaper is it. For example, the long-stay car park will be cheaper than the mid-stay and the mid-stay will be cheaper than the short stay etc.

A more sustainable way to travel to the airport is by public transport. If you’re coming from London there is a national express service that takes you straight to the airport. These are usually quite pricey on the day so make sure you book in advance. Also if you know you want a return ticket, purchase it at this time. Return tickets will work out cheaper than two single journeys.

To book your ticket click here.

Stansted Airport Drop Off Blue Badge Parking

Blue Badge holders have parking spaces in all car parks including Short Stay Car Park (Orange and Green Zones), Long Stay Car Park, Mid Stay Car Park and the Express Set Down.

You can now book your stansted drop off blue badge parking here.

Stansted long stay car park

Blue Badge parking is available at our Long Stay car park. It is just a short bus ride from the terminal and is free of charge and fully accessible to wheelchair users. Blue Badge holders usually board the bus before other passengers and can get priority seating and dedicated wheelchair points on board. To notify the bus driver simply press the help button in the bus shelter and inform them that you require a transfer bus to the terminal.

For more information about the Stansted drop off blue badge click here.

Stansted Short Stay Car Park (Orange and Green Zones)

Available in the orange and green zones, blue badge parking at Stansted Airport is available. It is a short walk to the check-in desk in the terminal and assistance is available 24 hours a day. You will need to head to the main walkway in the terminal to locate the help points in each payment booth.

Stansted Mid Stay Car Park

You will find blue badge parking in zone L at Stansted mid stay car park very close to the bus pick up and drop off shelter. The bus service will take you to the terminal and is fully accessible to wheelchair users. The driver is available to help you on or off the bus is it is required. It is recommended to allow up to 20 minutes to transfer to and from the terminal at Stansted Airport. There are help points available outside every revolving entry door to the terminal should you require more assistance with your journey.

Stansted Airport Express Set Down

Blue Badge Spaces are available at the front of the Express Set Down located at Zone C, close to the Assistance Desk that is inside the terminal.  Please note that vehicles cannot be left unattended in this area.  The Express Set Down fee is £7 for 15 minutes and there is no discount for blue badge holders. If you require longer than 15 minutes, the car park team can offer assistance by pressing the intercom located at the exit barrier when you leave this area. A ticketless entry system is in operation and payment is made on exit.

Stansted Drop Off Fees

Up to 15 mins: £7.00

Over 15 mins – £25.00

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.

Payment via card or exact change only.

Stansted Airport Drop Off How To Pay

Stansted Airport drop off has automated ticket machines where you can pay using cash or card. Please note that you will need exact change if paying with cash as the machines don’t give you change.

Stansted Airport Drop Off Pick Up

Stansted Express

The Stansted Express is the easiest way to get to and from London from Stansted Airport. It can take you to Stratford, London Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale. Tickets can be purchased on the platform.

Stansted Short Stay Parking Prices

Although the Stansted Airport short stay is super close to the terminal it does come at a cost. There are different coloured zones in the short stay car park – which is helpful for finding your car. They are orange, red, yellow and blue. All of the zones are within a 1-4 minute walk to the entrance of the terminal. These are considered premium spaces and are expensive because of this. The Orange zone seems to be the most popular zone. There is free cancellation should you not need to park your car anymore.

Click here to check the prices as they will vary depending on season and duration.

Stansted Parking Discount for Local Residents

London Stansted Airport offers a discount for local residents to use the express set down. This is open to everyone living within a 10-mile radius of London Stansted Airport. This is for the express set down only.

  • If you live within 5 miles from the Airport: 50p for up to 10 minutes.
  • If you live within 10 miles from the Airport: £1 for up to 10 minutes.
  • Between 10 -15 minutes: £1 per minute.
  • Over 15 minutes: £25
  • Re-entry within 30 minutes: £20

Other things to note:

  • This is for picking up and dropping off purposes only. Vehicles must not be left unattended.
  • Replacement cards are £5
  • These cards are not to be inserted into the machine
  • Only 1 card per household (cards are linked to property)
  • Discounts are not for commercial use, only for personal purposes only.
  • This discount is only for the express set down. All other parking charges apply at the full rate.

If you would like to apply simply fill out this form here.

Directions to Stansted Aiport Express Set Down

1. From the M11 motorway, use Junction 8a if approaching from the London direction or Junction 8 from the Cambridge side.
2. Follow signs for the airport.

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