Drop-off at the Stansted terminal is not free. The Express Set Down zone costs £10 for up to 15 minutes and £28 for 15 to 30 minutes, with a 30-minute maximum, effective from 19 March 2026. The free alternative is the Mid Stay car park, which allows up to 60 minutes free with a shuttle bus to the terminal. Prices checked August 2026.
The Express Set Down charge
| Time in the zone | Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 15 minutes | £10 |
| 15 to 30 minutes | £28 |
| Over 30 minutes | Not permitted (30-minute maximum) |
The £10 rate took effect at 00:01 on 19 March 2026, up from £7, which had held since 2012. That makes Stansted's drop-off one of the most expensive in the UK, on a par with Gatwick. The zone is barrier-free and uses ANPR cameras, so there is no ticket to take. You pay online, by phone on 03450 175046, or through an AutoPay account, by midnight the day after your visit. Miss the deadline and you risk a £100 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
The free alternative
If you want to avoid the charge entirely, use the Mid Stay car park. It allows free drop-off and pick-up for up to 60 minutes, and a free shuttle bus runs to the terminal, a transfer of about 7 minutes. It is rarely signposted as the free option, but it is the clean way to set someone down or wait for an arrival without paying £10. The extra time built into the shuttle is worth it against the tight 15-minute window and steep second-tier price in the Express Set Down zone.
Pick-up advice
For collecting an arriving passenger, the Mid Stay car park is again the sensible choice: 60 minutes free covers most flight delays and the walk out through baggage reclaim. Agree a meeting point before the flight lands, since arrivals exit into the International Arrivals concourse at the north end of the terminal, where the shuttle connects. If you are collecting a rideshare passenger rather than driving yourself, note that Uber uses this same Mid Stay Free Set Down area, covered on the taxis page. If a longer wait is likely, compare the parking rates instead.
Drop-off FAQs
How much is drop-off at Stansted? The Express Set Down zone is £10 for up to 15 minutes and £28 for 15 to 30 minutes, with a 30-minute maximum. The rate rose to £10 on 19 March 2026.
How do I avoid the Stansted drop-off charge? Use the Mid Stay car park, which allows free drop-off and pick-up for up to 60 minutes, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal taking about 7 minutes.
How do I pay the Stansted drop-off charge? The zone is barrier-free with ANPR cameras. Pay online, by phone on 03450 175046, or via an AutoPay account, by midnight the day after your visit. Miss it and you risk a £100 Parking Charge Notice, £60 if paid within 14 days.
Is Stansted pick-up free? Not at the terminal Set Down zone, which charges the same as drop-off. Pick-up is free for up to 60 minutes at the Mid Stay car park, with a free shuttle to the terminal.
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Routes, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the London Stansted Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official London Stansted Airport website before you travel.