Stansted charges £10 to use the Express Set Down drop-off area for up to 15 minutes, and £28 if you stay longer. The charge has to be paid by midnight the day after your visit. If it is not paid, the registered keeper gets a £100 parking charge, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
These prices took effect on 19 March 2026 (Stansted Airport).
Your options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Express Set Down | £10 up to 15 min, £28 over 15 min | Barrier-free, number plate cameras, pay afterwards |
| Short Stay car parks (Green and Blue) | £13 up to 30 min, £21 up to 1 hour, £25 up to 2 hours, £38 up to 4 hours | For dropping off or picking up |
| Mid Stay car park | Free drop-off | Free shuttle bus to the terminal |
Source: Stansted drop-off and pick-up, checked October 2026.
How to pay the Express Set Down charge
There are no barriers, so nobody stops you on the way out. Cameras record the number plate, and the driver then pays:
- online at the airport’s payment site, or
- by phone on 03450 175046,
- or automatically through an AutoPay account set up in advance.
The deadline is midnight on the day after the visit. Missing it is what triggers the £100 parking charge.
The 15-minute line
The jump from £10 to £28 happens at 15 minutes. A quick drop-off with bags out of the boot and a goodbye at the kerb is well inside that. Waiting in the zone for someone to arrive is not, and that is why the Short Stay car parks are the better choice for collecting someone.
Free drop-off at Mid Stay
If you are being dropped by a friend and want to avoid the charge altogether, the Mid Stay car park has a free drop-off area and a free shuttle bus to the terminal. Allow extra time for the bus.
When you travel with us
Stansted’s drop-off charge is already included in our fares. You do not pay the airport anything or set up an account. Our Stansted taxi prices page lists fares from London, Cambridge, Essex and further afield.
For arrivals, your driver meets you inside the arrivals hall. We track your flight, and the first 60 minutes after landing are free. Read more in our Stansted meet and greet guide.
Common questions
How much is the drop-off charge at Stansted?
£10 for up to 15 minutes in the Express Set Down area, and £28 for longer stays.
What happens if I don’t pay the Stansted drop-off charge?
The registered keeper receives a £100 parking charge, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
Is there free drop-off at Stansted?
Yes. Drop-off is free at the Mid Stay car park, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal.
Is the Stansted drop-off charge included in your taxi fare?
Yes. It is already included in our fixed fares.