If you're looking for short term parking at Stansted Airport, the airport calls it Short Stay, and we offer five of its official Short Stay car parks. All five are within walking distance of the terminal, from around 1 minute to around 12. There's no shuttle bus at either end of your trip.
They suit weekend breaks, business trips and anyone who'd rather walk straight to check-in. However, Short Stay isn't always the cheapest choice, particularly if you're away for a week or more, so it's worth comparing all Stansted Airport parking options.
Where is short term parking at Stansted Airport?
Stansted's Short Stay car parks sit beside the terminal building. Unlike Mid Stay and Long Stay, you walk to check-in rather than catch a bus. At all five you park your own car and keep your keys.
| Car park | Walk to the terminal | Price for a 7-day stay | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Short Stay Blue Zone | 10 to 12 minutes | £79.99 | The longest walk of the five |
| Official Short Stay Green Multi-Storey | 5 to 8 minutes | £89.99 | Covered walk to the terminal; 2m height limit |
| Official Short Stay Premium Orange | 1 to 4 minutes | £99.00 | The airport's closest Short Stay car park to the terminal |
| Official Short Stay Premium Red | 1 to 4 minutes | £119.00 | Right next to the terminal |
| Official Short Stay Premium Yellow | 1 to 4 minutes | £119.00 | Right next to Arrivals |
Our price snapshot for a 7-day stay from 16th Nov to 23rd Nov 2026, checked on 9th Nov 2026.
Walking times are the airport's own estimates and depend on where you park. The difference between a 2-minute and a 12-minute walk can matter if you're travelling with young children or heavy luggage.
How much is the short-term car park at Stansted Airport?
Of the five, Official Short Stay Blue Zone is usually the cheapest. In this week's snapshot it was £79.99 for a 7-day stay from 16th Nov to 23rd Nov 2026. It's a 10 to 12 minute walk to the terminal, so it suits anyone who wants to avoid a shuttle bus without paying for the closest spaces.
Official Short Stay Green Multi-Storey sits in the middle, with a 5 to 8 minute walk along a covered route.
Premium Orange, Red and Yellow are the closest, at around 1 to 4 minutes, and usually cost the most. They're worth it if convenience matters more than price. The table above is sorted cheapest first each week, so you can see how far apart they are right now.
How much does it cost to park for a Short Stay at Stansted Airport?
The price depends on your dates, how long you're away and which car park you choose. The prices above are for one 7-day stay, so run a search for your own dates and times before you book.
Booking ahead also matters. If you turn up at Blue or Green without a booking, the airport's published rate is £70 per 24 hours, and spaces are limited.
How long can you stay in short stay parking?
Short Stay works for anything from a few hours to several days. At Blue and Green the airport says there's no minimum stay. At Premium Orange, Red and Yellow, a pre-booked stay is charged for at least 24 hours, with no refund for a shorter stay. So if you only need a few hours, Blue or Green is the better fit.
Is Short Stay worth it for a weekend?
For a 2 or 3 day trip, Short Stay can make a lot of sense:
- no shuttle bus at either end;
- a short walk to and from the terminal, which helps with early departures and late returns;
- easier with children or heavy luggage;
- you park yourself and keep your keys.
If you come back more than 6 hours after your booked exit time, the airport's terms charge £70 a day at Blue and Green, payable before you leave.
Is Short Stay cheaper than Mid Stay or Long Stay?
Not usually. Short Stay is priced for convenience, while Mid Stay, Long Stay and Park & Ride trade a short bus ride for a lower price. This week, the cheapest car park we offer at Stansted was Maple Parking at £67.99.
| Car park | Type | Getting to the terminal | Price for a 7-day stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Parking | Park & Ride | Shuttle bus | £67.99 |
| Official Mid Stay Car Park | Mid Stay | Free shuttle bus, about 7 minutes | £69.99 |
| Official Long Stay Car Park | Long Stay | Free shuttle bus | £72.99 |
| Official Meet & Greet | Meet & Greet | Hand over your car near the terminal | £77.00 |
| Official Short Stay Blue Zone | Short Stay | 10 to 12 minute walk | £79.99 |
Our price snapshot for a 7-day stay from 16th Nov to 23rd Nov 2026, checked on 9th Nov 2026.
Bear in mind that Mid Stay has a minimum stay of 3 days and Long Stay of 5 days, so they aren't an option for a quick trip.
If you're away for a week or longer, it's well worth comparing these alongside Short Stay. You can compare every Stansted car park we offer for your exact dates.
How to save money on Stansted Short Stay parking
- Book ahead. Turn-up prices at Blue and Green are £70 per 24 hours, and spaces are limited.
- Compare the five car parks. Blue is usually cheaper than Premium Orange, Red or Yellow, and still within walking distance.
- Look beyond Short Stay. If walking to the terminal isn't essential, compare Mid Stay, Long Stay and Park & Ride.
- Use your real times. Prices depend on your booked times, so allow for your return flight and collecting your bags.
- Check the cancellation terms. We show the flexibility terms on each results card, so check them before you book.
Which Stansted Short Stay car park should you choose?
For the shortest walk, Premium Orange, Red or Yellow. For a covered walk at a lower price, Green. For the lowest Short Stay price, Blue, if a 10 to 12 minute walk is fine. If you're leaving your car for several days, compare Short Stay with Mid Stay, Long Stay and Park & Ride first, because one of those is usually cheaper.