Driving to Stansted
Directions
London Stansted is conveniently situated just off the M11 motorway – use Junction 8a if approaching from the London direction or Junction 8 from the Cambridge side, then follow signs for the airport.
For help planning your journey, use the Route Planner tool on this website.
Satellite navigation information
Postcode: CM24 1RW
Latitude/longitude: N51:53:24 (51.889939); E0:15:42 (0.261739)
Parking
The Short Stay Car Park is next to the terminal and is suitable for stays of less than 24 hours. The Long Stay Car Park is a few minutes from the terminal by courtesy bus.
Motorcycle parking is free in the designated bays in Zone Q of the Long Stay Car Park. Motorbikes must not be parked elsewhere.
Book Stansted Airport parking now
More information about Stansted Airport parking
Set Down and Pick Up
IMPORTANT: The terminal forecourt is now closed for set down of passengers arriving by private car.
Download leaflet, including map, of new Express Set Down and Free Set Down
Passengers can choose to use the Express Set Down (min charge £2 for 10 mins) or Free Set Down in the Mid Stay Car Park (free for 1 hour).
Express Set Down
- Adjacent to the terminal
- £2 up to 10 mins; £3 up to 15 mins
- Maximum stay 15 mins. £50 penalty after 15 mins
- Shortest distance to the terminal
Vehicles cannot be left unattended in the Express Set Down. Unattended vehicles will be towed at a charge of £180.00 plus £12.00 fee for storage per day after the first 24 hours. If you wish to park or stay in the vicinity of the terminal longer than 15 minutes we recommend you use a Short Stay Car Park
Entry / exit is a ticketless system using Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to read entry and exit times to calculate duration of stay. Payment can be made using cash or debit / credit card at the exit barriers.
Discount schemes apply for local residents, taxi companies and low emission vehicles in the Express Set Down.
Free Set Down
- Mid Stay Car Park
- Free for the first hour. £1 for stays up to 2 hours
- Convenient access from M11 and A120
- Frequent shuttle to and from the terminal
A daily rate of £17.00 or part thereof, will apply for stays over 2 hours. If you wish to stay in the vicinity of the airport longer than 2 hours we recommend you use a Short Stay Car Park
Entry / exit is a barrier ticket system. On arrival drivers take a ticket at the entry barrier and follow signs for Free Set Down. When ready to leave, follow signs to the Exit, insert the entry ticket at the barrier and follow instructions.
Motorcycles
Free motorcycle parking is available in Red Car Park in the Short Stay Car Park- as well as zone Q in the Long Stay Car Park.
Car hire
Major car rental companies have desks on the international arrivals concourse. For more information or to hire a car now, visit our Stansted Airport car hire page.
Fuel
There is a 24-hour BP service station at Southgate, 1.5 miles from the terminal (postcode CM24 1AA), telephone +44 (0)1279 692 25.
Express Set Down discount scheme
Our Express Set Down discount scheme is open for anyone to apply that fits the following criteria:
- Residents of Uttlesford District Council (UDC) and East Herts District Council (EHDC)
- UDC and EHDC licensed Hackney Carriage / Private Hire vehicles.
- Low emission vehicles (Band ‘A’ <100g/km CO2)
Residents and Hackney Carriage / Private Hire
Q: What discount will be applied?
A: A discount of 75% will be applied to the published tariff for stays up to a maximum of 15 minutes in the Express Set Down only, meaning registered discount scheme members will pay £0.50 upto 10 mins and £0.70 up to 15 mins. Discounts will not apply to other airport car parks and if scheme members exceed the maximum stay period of 15 mins in the Express Set Down they will be liable to pay the £50 penalty that applies to all users.
Q: How do I apply?
A: You need to complete an application form and return that to Empark, who manage our car parks, together with proof of ID. Full details, including terms and conditions, are detailed on the application form. To request an application form email customerservice@empark.es
Q: Once I’ve registered how will the scheme work?
A: You will be sent a discount card. The Express Set Down is a ticketless system using Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to read entry and exit times to calculate duration of stay. Discount scheme members will simply insert the discount card at the exit barrier, the discount will be applied, and you can make your reduced payment to exit (subject to exit being made within 15 minutes of entry).
Low Emission Vehicles (Band ‘A’ <100g/km CO2)
London Stansted Airport has introduced a discount scheme for low emission vehicles.
