Free Parking Near Stansted Airport

While PCN-UK is a website concentrated on helping motorists fight traffic infractions and parking contraventions, we also feel we could provide solid information to help them also avoid other motoring related costs. We feel that airport parking fees have increased a lot in recent years and have identified some locations that could provide some free parking near Stansted Airport.

Is There Free Parking At Stansted Airport?

Firstly, the Mid Stay Car Park at Stansted Airport offers free parking for up to 60 minutes. It is a seven minute free bus transfers to the terminal which leaves every ten minutes, 24 hours a day. This option is only really ideal for people dropping off or picking up passengers.

Secure Parking Near Stansted Airport

It will always be recommended to first consider parking at a secure car park to ensure your vehicle is safe during your trip. These locations are going to cost a fee in order to use them, but will provide peace of mind while you are away. We provide information on Stansted’s parking options in our Stansted Drop-Off PCN article.

Rules Around Parking On Residential Roads

The first thing to know before considering any free parking near Stansted Airport are the rules surrounding parking on residential roads. These are outlined in The Highway Code under Waiting and Parking, and are rules 238 to 252. If they are followed, you are well within your rights to park on a residential street. These rules must be followed at all times or you could be in breach of them and face multiple Parking Charge Notices or Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).

What To Consider Before Picking A Parking Location

Stansted Airport can’t be accessed easily on foot. The only road to the airport that has a pavement is Parsonage Road. Parsonage Road comes directly from the village of Takeley. Takeley has now got the majority of its roads under parking restrictions due to the close proximity to the airport. Even if you could find a parking space, it is a 45 minute walk to the terminal.

So we need to look elsewhere and there are a few things to consider before choosing your free parking location:

• Consult Google Maps to see if there are any parking restrictions and if the road is suitable for parking on. It would be even better if you could visit the location beforehand because road restrictions change all the time, and Google Maps may not be up to date.
• When you have picked your location, check local newspapers, Facebook groups, etc to see if there are any local events on the day you wish to park to gauge how busy the area might be.
• It may also be ideal to check the Neighbourhood Watch website, and use the postcode of where you are considering parking to see the type of crime in the area. Ideally you are wanting somewhere with a low crime rate, but especially low vehicle crime/burglary, to help keep your vehicle safe.

Where Is There Free Parking Near Stansted Airport

One of the factors that need to be taken into account when looking for parking locations outside of Stansted Airport, is how to get from your vehicle to the terminal. One of the best options is by train. The closest railway station to Stansted Airport is Stansted Mountfitchet which has a direct train to Stansted Airport taking around six to ten minutes. Unfortunately, the train only runs on average once every hour, from 05:30 to 23:30, so this would have to be factored into your transfer time to the terminal.

Free Parking In Stansted Mountfitchet

Free parking in Stansted Mountfitchet looks to be available at the following locations:

Road Name	Postcode	Time To Stansted Mountfitchet Train Station (minutes)
Maitland Road	CM24 8NT	6
Saint Mary’s Drive	CM24 8NS	6
Priory Drive	CM24 8NR	8
Mountfitchet Road	CM24 8NN	8
Stoneyfield Drive	CM24 8PA	8
Walson Way	CM24 8FY	11
Hampton Road	CM24 8FF	12
Old Bell Close	CM24 8JJ	14
Reeve Road	CM24 8SJ	15
Forest Hall Road	CM24 8TS	16
Long Croft	CM24 8JD	19

Please remember to survey your chosen location before your flight date to avoid any unnecessary problems.

What To Make Sure Of After You Have Parked

When you have found a place to park you vehicle, make sure you are following the Waiting and Parking rules in The Highway Code. Some of the top ones to make sure you have followed are:

• Make sure you are not blocking anyone’s driveway;
• Don’t park where your vehicle would prevent access for Emergency Service vehicles;
• Don’t obstruct any entrances to properties;
• Park your vehicle as close to the curb as possible;
• Check for any signage that might indicate any new parking restrictions before leaving your vehicle;
• If you parking spot doesn’t feel safe, find another one. It’ll only play on your mind for the duration of your trip.

TLDR: Free Parking Near Stansted Airport

• Stansted Airport’s Mid Stay Car Park offers free parking for up to 60 minutes;
• When considering parking on a residential street, make sure you follow the Waiting and Parking rules outlined in The Highway Code;
• Consult Google Maps, local newspapers, Facebook groups and Neighbourhood Watch to get an idea of what the location is like to park at and if there are any local events on at the time you wish to park;
• It would be beneficial to do a recce to your desired location beforehand to make sure it is ideal to park at.

Sources used to write this article:

• The Highway Code – Waiting and Parking