Stansted parking

[Parkingwithlittlelegs]

I'm going on my first flight since pre pandemic (and a bit before that) times and have the new addition of a 3yr old. I will be parking there, can anyone recommend which parking to go for to save little legs as we will be leaving straight after work/nursery on a Friday after a busy week. The valet is not much more expensive but does it really gain anything over the short stay? Or should I just save a little more and risk the bus option? Just going hand luggage so not lugging heavy bags but still will have my hands somewhat full.

Going easyJet domestic if that helps.

I treated us to the valet option at Stanstead in 2018. It was really easy, drive in, hand over your keys and walk into the terminal. It’s not my local airport and I have never parked there before so can’t comment on the short stay parking. It was a really hassle free option. We were delayed coming back, there were no issues & we didn’t have to pay extra.

I wish we had picked the valet option. We returned at 11 pm, had to wait aged for the bus, and it took a good 45 minutes trundling round the gigantic car park, we were desperate to get home by that point.

Don't pick valet! Last time coming back we waited nearly an hour for our keys. Use the parking you walk to the terminal, were going next week and I think we're in blue 5/7 minute walk but there are closer car parks

If you choose valet I'd recommend researching the company you use properly.
I live very close to the airport and every so often there's problems with valet companies parking cars on local residential streets and not secure car parks as advertised. The most recent time a line of about 10 cars that were parked were vandalised (windows smashed).

How long you parking for? Go in the multi-storey (green?) it's a five minute walk to the terminal (maybe 10 with a child) Really easy

Short stay blue or green are v close to the terminal but expensive. Mid stay is fine if you don’t mind a bus ride

I researched the valet options at Stansted as they offer one where they will at least partially charge your EV for your return. But I came across way too many horror stories, of people checking their car's app whilst on holiday to see it speeding down the M11 etc.

We opted for the short stay as we were only there for a few days, very convenient.

Last weekend we used the Blue car park just past the multi story. Booked online. Barrier machine thing recognised the number plate, short walk to the terminal. It was really simple.

I really rate the Mid Stay Car Park, ease of access and frequency of buses.
Long Stay - not so much
Always want to keep hold of my own car keys

I think if you google Stansted parking it brings up a plan of the short stay parking with colour coded car parks that are different prices according to distance from the terminal. Blue would be fine without a three-year-old, but with a three-year-old in tow it might be worth paying more to get something nearer.

The one where you can walk straight from the car park to the terminal in a few minutes

Or the train goes right to the terminal depending on where you are coming from?

Thank you all. I think I'll go with one of the colours. @Boosterquery I'd forgotten about the colours, I've found the map, thanks!

Does anyone know the difference between meet and greet and valet? Is it just the difference between being down in the car park or up in the forecourt?

Also, do domestic still come out in the far left of the terminal? It's been probably 5years!

a good point. I’d only use the official one because of that!

We always get our parking through "Holiday Extras" purple parking at the mid stay car park. Usually very good deals and find the shuttle bus very reliable and quick as close to the airport. We actually find it quicker than the short stay carpark which is quite a walk. Shuttle bus from mid stay is pretty much door to door.