Stansted Airport drop-off charge
£10 for 15 minutes. Here's how to pay it, what happens if you forget, and the free way to drop off or pick up at London Stansted Airport.
When do I have to pay by?
Pay on Stansted's official site
We don't take payments. That link goes to the airport's own page.
The charge
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 15 minutes | £10.00 |
| Over 15 minutes | £28.00 |
Express Set Down is barrier-free: cameras read your number plate and you pay afterwards. Stansted also charges £28 if you re-enter within 30 minutes of first entering.
How to pay Pay later, by midnight the day after
- Online through Stansted's payment portal
- By phone: 03450 175046
- With an AutoPay account (card taken automatically after each visit)
- No cash or cheques
Can you pay in advance? No. Stansted says you can only pay after your visit, or set up AutoPay.
Forgot to pay?
If it's not paid by midnight the day after, London Stansted Airport sends a Parking Charge to the registered keeper. £100 Parking Charge Notice, cut to £60 if paid within 14 days.
You can still pay or appeal it: follow the instructions on the letter. APCOA customer services 03450 175046 (webchat also available).
Free drop-off and pick-up
Stansted's free drop-off area is at the Mid Stay car park, a short shuttle bus ride from the terminal. The first hour is free; the second hour is £5, then a day rate applies.
Picking someone up at Stansted
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 minutes | £13.00 |
| Up to 1 hour | £21.00 |
| Up to 2 hours | £25.00 |
| Up to 4 hours | £38.00 |
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| First hour | Free |
| Next hour | £5.00 |
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 15 minutes | £10.00 |
| Over 15 minutes | £28.00 |
Stansted's Short Stay car parks charge £48 if you re-enter within 1 hour of first entering.
Blue Badge holders and discounts
Blue Badge holders aren't exempt: all vehicles using Express Set Down must pay. If you need longer than the 15-minute period, Stansted says to speak to a traffic marshal on site.
Stansted runs a Local Residents Discount Scheme for pick-up and drop-off; apply with the form in its terms (processing currently takes around ten working days).
Where to go
Follow signs for Express Set Down, outside Departures.
Lift or park: which is cheaper?
Being dropped off and picked up means your driver does the trip twice each way: four journeys. This adds that up using Stansted's own charges.
15p a mile is a starting point; change it to suit your car. Parking prices change by date, so get a quote from the airport's own parking site.
Questions
How much is the drop-off charge at Stansted Airport?
£10 for 15 minutes in the Express Set Down, outside Departures. Express Set Down is barrier-free: cameras read your number plate and you pay afterwards. Stansted also charges £28 if you re-enter within 30 minutes of first entering.
How do I pay the Stansted drop-off charge?
Online through Stansted's payment portal; By phone: 03450 175046; With an AutoPay account (card taken automatically after each visit); No cash or cheques. You must pay by midnight the day after.
What happens if I forget to pay the Stansted drop-off charge?
£100 Parking Charge Notice, cut to £60 if paid within 14 days. It's sent to the registered keeper of the car.
Can I pay the Stansted drop-off charge in advance?
No. Stansted says you can only pay after your visit, or set up AutoPay.
Is there free drop-off at Stansted Airport?
Stansted's free drop-off area is at the Mid Stay car park, a short shuttle bus ride from the terminal. The first hour is free; the second hour is £5, then a day rate applies.
Do Blue Badge holders pay to drop off at Stansted Airport?
Blue Badge holders aren't exempt: all vehicles using Express Set Down must pay. If you need longer than the 15-minute period, Stansted says to speak to a traffic marshal on site.
Where do I pick someone up at Stansted Airport?
Short Stay car parks (Green and Blue), pick up or drop off only (up to 30 minutes: £13.00). Stansted's Short Stay car parks charge £48 if you re-enter within 1 hour of first entering.
Sources
Checked on London Stansted Airport's own website on 15 October 2026. Airports change these charges often, so check the signs on the day. Spotted a change? Email hello@airportdropoff.co.uk.