Stansted Airport is located around 40 miles north-east of the city of London, close to Stevenage and Chelmsford. It is close to the M11; after exiting here, follow the signs along the A120 to the airport.
Stansted Airport postcode for satnav: CM24 1RW
| London | 37 | Stevenage | 27 |
| Basildon | 39 | Milton Keynes | 69 |
| Watford | 45 | Luton | 54 |
| Slough | 68 | Cambridge | 32 |
| Ipswich | 49 | Reading | 87 |
| Northampton | 87 | Oxford | 92 |
| Chelmsford | 20 | Brighton | 97 |
Stansted gives you a few different ways to drop off or collect family and friends, depending on how much time you need. Whether it’s a quick goodbye at the terminal doors or meeting someone inside Arrivals, here are your options for 2025:
The closest option to the terminal. It costs £7 for up to 15 minutes, with a maximum stay of 30 minutes. Stay longer than 15 minutes and the charge jumps to £25. Vehicles can’t be left unattended here, and re-entering within 30 minutes comes with a £20 fee. Best for quick goodbyes or pick-ups when your passenger is ready to go.
If you’d like a bit more time without rushing, head to Mid Stay. It’s free for the first 60 minutes, then £5 for the next hour. A free shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes, taking about 7 minutes to reach the terminal. Handy if you want to walk inside to meet your guests or help with luggage.
For those meeting passengers in Arrivals, the Short Stay car parks (Orange, Green and Blue zones) are right by the terminal. Prices start from around £10 for up to 30 minutes, with higher rates for longer stays. A good option if you’d like the convenience of being on the doorstep of the terminal.
