Official Short Stay (all five zones): an overview
Stansted's Short Stay is not one car park but five colour-coded zones, and the colour decides how far you walk. Orange, Red and Yellow, the Premium zones, sit a one to four minute walk from the terminal. Green is a new multi-storey with a covered route of five to eight minutes. Blue is the furthest, at ten to twelve, and the cheapest of the five.
Short Stay at Stansted is split into Premium zones and value zones. The Premium zones are Orange, which the airport calls the closest Short Stay car park to the terminal, Red, right next to the terminal, and Yellow, right next to the Arrivals area. All three are a walk of one to four minutes and can only be pre-booked.
The value zones are Green and Blue. Green is a brand new multi-storey with a short, covered walk of five to eight minutes. Blue is ten to twelve minutes on foot and, in the airport's words, the most competitively priced. Both also take turn-up drivers, subject to space.
All the zones read your number plate at the barrier, and you keep your keys. The airport says all its car parks are Park Mark safe. Blue Badge parking is available close to the terminal.
On the map
London Stansted sits beside the M11 in north-west Essex, about 35 miles north-east of central London. From M11 Junction 8, follow Thremhall Avenue to the Coopers End roundabout and then the Short Stay signs for your colour.
Your confirmation names the zone. Follow its colour on the final approach.
- Short Stay Premium: Orange, Red, Yellow
1–4 minutes' walk - Short Stay Green (multi-storey)
Covered walk, 5–8 minutes - Short Stay Blue
10–12 minutes' walk - London Stansted Airport (STN)
The terminal, Stansted, Essex
What the booking covers
The headline features of Official Short Stay (all five zones).
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
The five zones compared
The airport has also added Enterprise House, a Short Stay option five to seven minutes from the terminal with number plate entry. It is not in our price sheet.
| Zone | Type | Walk, per the airport | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | Premium | 1–4 min, the closest | Pre-book only |
| Red | Premium | 1–4 min, next to the terminal | Pre-book only |
| Yellow | Premium | 1–4 min, next to Arrivals | Pre-book only |
| Green | Value, multi-storey | 5–8 min, covered | Pre-book or turn up |
| Blue | Value | 10–12 min | Pre-book or turn up |
Picking a colour
For a week away, Blue is the obvious value choice: ten minutes on foot is less than many airports' shuttle rides. Green costs more and buys a covered walk, which counts for a lot in rain with children. The Premium zones earn their price on a one- or two-night trip, or when every minute matters on the way out.
Blue.
Green, covered route.
Orange, Red or Yellow.
Yellow, next to Arrivals.
Height in the multi-storey
Green is a multi-storey, and the airport's terms set a 2.0 metre height limit on all multi-storey car parks. A roof box can push an SUV over. The open zones are the alternative for taller vehicles; check with the airport for anything unusually large.
Short visits and pick-ups
Short Stay also takes drivers meeting a flight. The airport's pick-up charges run from £13 for up to 30 minutes to £38 for up to four hours, and the Short Stay turn-up rate for a full day is £70. For a quick drop-off, the Express Set Down or the free area at Mid Stay usually costs less; our Stansted drop-off and pick-up guide covers both.
Late back from the trip
The airport's terms allow up to six hours beyond your booked exit time without charge. The exception is Short Stay Premium, which the terms say has no grace period. Beyond that, Short Stay overstays are charged at a daily rate, so amend a Premium booking before you travel when a return date moves.
Before you set off
The zone colour is the one detail to check.
Orange, Red, Yellow, Green or Blue.
2.0m in Green.
No grace in Premium zones.
Barriers and operators check number plates at Stansted, so the registration on your Short Stay booking must be the car you drive. Bookings made with us can be cancelled free within 24 hours of booking.
Departure morning
How the outbound day works at Official Short Stay (all five zones).
- Follow the Short Stay signs, then the colour on your confirmation.
- The barrier reads your number plate.
- Park and keep your keys.
- Walk to the terminal: a short stroll from the Premium zones, longer from Green and Blue.
When you land
Back at Stansted, this is the routine.
- Walk back to your zone from Arrivals.
- Drive to the exit.
- The barrier reads your plate.
Know before you go
Details about Official Short Stay (all five zones) worth reading before you pay.
Your confirmation names the colour.
Pre-book only, and no grace period.
Within 24 hours of booking, on bookings made with us.
Booking ahead costs far less than the drive-up rate.
Short Stay prices
Our sample prices cover Blue and Green. Orange, Red and Yellow are priced live in the search when they are available for your dates.
| Product | Usual price, 8 days | 8 days | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Short Stay Blue | £108.79 | £76.15 | £9.52 |
| Official Short Stay Green (multi-storey) | £120.00 | £84.00 | £10.50 |
Priced for 7–14 November 2026. Your own dates are in the search at the top.
Book Official Short Stay (all five zones) and save. Choose your dates in the search at the top and save up to 80% on the drive-up price. Bookings made with us can be cancelled free within 24 hours of booking.
Get Quote NowOfficial Short Stay (all five zones) FAQs
Five colour-coded areas: Orange, Red and Yellow (the Premium zones, 1–4 minutes' walk), Green (a multi-storey with a covered walk, 5–8 minutes) and Blue (10–12 minutes).
Orange, which the airport calls the closest Short Stay car park. Red is right next to the terminal and Yellow right next to Arrivals.
Our sample prices cover Blue and Green. Search your dates above to see what else is available for your trip.
Yes. Green is a multi-storey, and the airport's terms set a 2.0 metre limit in all its multi-storey car parks.
At Blue and Green, subject to space, at a daily turn-up rate. The Premium zones are pre-book only.
Up to six hours in most car parks, but the airport's terms say Short Stay Premium has none.
Compare the rest of Stansted
Every other Stansted product we sell, for the same eight days.
Every Stansted product is compared on our London Stansted Airport parking page. For a cheaper option with a short bus, see Official Mid Stay.
| 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 |
 |
Official Mid Stay On-Airport · Official |
Park & Ride | Bus 7 min, 24/7 | £64.39 £8.05/day |
 |
SMG Value Plus Meet & Greet Off-Airport · Terminal handover |
Meet & Greet | Driver meets you at the terminal | £65.09 £8.14/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 |
 |
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. Products without a link have no guide page yet. Search above for the dates you need.