Official Mid Stay: an overview
Mid Stay is Stansted's middle ground: nearer than Long Stay and JetParks, cheaper than Short Stay, with a free bus that runs day and night. It is also the only official car park that takes turn-up drivers as well as bookings, and it is home to the airport's free drop-off area.
Mid Stay sits at postcode CM24 1PZ, a short drive from the terminal. You park yourself, keep your keys and catch the free shuttle bus, which the airport says runs 24/7 and takes about seven minutes.
There is no sign-in: number plate recognition opens the barrier on the way in and out. Mid Stay can also be used without a booking, subject to space, but for a trip the pre-booked price is far lower.
The airport also runs its free drop-off area at Mid Stay, served by the same free bus. That makes Mid Stay useful in two ways: for parking a few days, and for dropping off or collecting without paying the Express Set Down charge.
On the map
London Stansted sits beside the M11 in north-west Essex, about 35 miles north-east of central London. Use the postcode in your confirmation and follow the Mid Stay signs.
Allow for parking, a short wait and the seven-minute ride.
- Official Mid Stay
CM24 1PZ - London Stansted Airport (STN)
The terminal, Stansted, Essex
What the booking covers
The headline features of Official Mid Stay.
Keeping it secure
The airport says all of its car parks are Park Mark safe, with number plate recognition at the barriers. That is the airport's own statement, from its parking pages on 25 September 2026. Leave nothing valuable on show.
- Park Mark Safe (Airport's Statement)
- Number Plate Recognition
- Official London Stansted Airport Car Park
- Pre-Booked Space Held for You
Mid Stay, Long Stay or JetParks
For a weekend or a four-day trip, Mid Stay is the airport's cheapest option, because Long Stay and JetParks have minimum stays. For a week or more, JetParks or Long Stay cost less.
| Mid Stay | Long Stay | JetParks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | About 7 min, 24/7 | Every 15 min, 24/7 | Every 15 min, about 10 min |
| Minimum stay | None stated | 5 days | 7 days |
| Turn up | Yes, space permitting | Pre-book only | Pre-book only |
The free drop-off area
Drivers dropping off or collecting can use the free area at Mid Stay instead of the charged Express Set Down at the terminal. 2026 guides put the free limit at 60 minutes. Passengers ride the free bus, so allow an extra half hour on a busy morning. Our Stansted drop-off and pick-up guide has the details.
Turn-up parking
Mid Stay is the official car park that takes drivers without a booking, space permitting, charged per 24 hours at the airport's turn-up rate. On a week away that comes to several times the pre-booked price, so book ahead whenever you can.
Late flights home
The airport's terms allow up to six hours beyond your booked exit time without charge. After that, Mid Stay overstays are charged at a daily rate, per the terms.
Before you set off
Mid Stay is straightforward; these three details cover it.
From your confirmation.
Short and free.
No minimum stated.
Barriers and operators check number plates at Stansted, so the registration on your Mid Stay booking must be the car you drive. Bookings made with us can be cancelled until 72 hours before arrival.
Departure morning
How the outbound day works at Official Mid Stay.
- Drive to Mid Stay.
- The barrier reads your plate.
- Park and keep your keys; note your row.
- Take the free bus to the terminal.
When you land
Back at Stansted, this is the routine.
- Follow the signs to the Mid Stay bus stop.
- Ride back to the car park.
- Drive out; the barrier reads your plate.
Know before you go
Details about Official Mid Stay worth reading before you pay.
Useful for short trips.
Next door, for another day.
Up to 72 hours before arrival on bookings made with us.
The code is pre-loaded in the search form, and the reduced price shows at checkout.
Mid Stay price
Mid Stay costs more than Long Stay and JetParks on our sample dates, and less than any Short Stay zone.
| Product | Usual price, 8 days | Our code, 8 days | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Mid Stay | £91.98 | £64.39 | £8.05 |
Priced for 7–14 November 2026. Your own dates are in the search at the top.
Book Official Mid Stay and save. Choose your dates in the search at the top and book with 30% off already applied. Bookings made with us can be cancelled up to 72 hours before arrival.
Get Quote NowOfficial Mid Stay FAQs
About seven minutes, per the airport. Buses run 24/7 and are free.
Yes. The airport runs a free drop-off area at Mid Stay, and 2026 guides put the limit at 60 minutes, with the free bus to the terminal.
Yes, subject to space, at the airport's turn-up rate for each 24 hours. Booking ahead costs far less for a trip.
Yes. You park yourself, and number plate recognition handles entry and exit.
CM24 1PZ, per the airport.
Compare the rest of Stansted
Every other Stansted product we sell, for the same eight days.
All Stansted options are on our London Stansted Airport parking page. For the cheapest official parking on a long trip, see Official JetParks.
| Operator | Car park | Type | Transfer | 8-day price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
SMG Park & Ride Off-Airport · Takeley |
Park & Ride | Keys at reception, bus 6–7 min | £51.09 £6.39/day |
 |
Official JetParks On-Airport · Official |
Park & Ride | Bus every 15 min, about 10 min | £56.69 £7.09/day |
 |
Official Long Stay On-Airport · Official |
Park & Ride | Bus every 15 min, 24/7 | £59.49 £7.44/day |
 |
CSL Park & Ride Off-Airport · Takeley |
Park & Ride | Keys at reception, bus 3–5 min | £59.84 £7.48/day |
 |
Peak Park & Ride Off-Airport · Takeley |
Park & Ride | Bus on demand, 2–3 min | £59.84 £7.48/day |
 |
SMG Value Plus Meet & Greet Off-Airport · Terminal handover |
Meet & Greet | Driver meets you at the terminal | £65.09 £8.14/day |
 |
Official Short Stay Blue On-Airport · Official |
Park & Walk | Walk 10–12 min | £76.15 £9.52/day |
 |
Official Meet & Greet On-Airport · Official |
Meet & Greet | Keys at reception, 2-min walk | £78.40 £9.80/day |
 |
Stansted Easy Meet & Greet Off-Airport · Terminal handover |
Meet & Greet | Call ahead for the meeting point | £79.09 £9.89/day |
 |
I Love Park & Ride Off-Airport · Stansted |
Park & Ride | Keys at reception, bus about 5 min | £79.80 £9.97/day |
 |
Maple Parking Park & Ride Off-Airport · Stansted |
Park & Ride | Keys at reception, bus about 5 min | £82.59 £10.32/day |
 |
Official Short Stay Green (multi-storey) On-Airport · Official |
Park & Walk | Covered walk 5–8 min | £84.00 £10.50/day |
 |
SMG VIP Meet & Greet Off-Airport · Terminal handover |
Meet & Greet | Chauffeur meets you at the terminal | £86.09 £10.76/day |
 |
APH Park & Ride Off-Airport · Stansted |
Park & Ride | Keys at reception, bus about 5 min | £93.80 £11.72/day |
 |
I Love Meet & Greet Off-Airport · Terminal handover |
Meet & Greet | Driver meets you on the forecourt | £119.00 £14.87/day |
 |
APH Meet & Greet Off-Airport · Terminal handover |
Meet & Greet | Driver meets you at the Express Set Down | £129.50 £16.19/day |
 |
I Love Meet & Greet Valet Off-Airport · Terminal handover |
Meet & Greet | Handover plus an exterior wash | £130.90 £16.36/day |
*Eight days, 7–14 November 2026, with our code. Products without a link have no guide page yet. Search above for the dates you need.