London Stansted Airport Reviews 

This review is regarding Stansted Meet & Greet Parking.
I have 2 very young children and did not want transfers so had the option of official Short Stay or Meet & Greet - they were similarly priced with Meet & Greet being slightly pricier.
I went with the latter feeling that would be the quickest and most convenient but I honestly feel Short Stay would have been the much better choice.

Meet & Greet parking is generally defined as "an airport service where you drive your car to the terminal, meet a professional driver who takes your car for parking at a secure location, and you head directly to check-in. On your return, your car is brought back to the terminal, allowing you to avoid transfers and parking searches for a convenient, VIP experience."

This is NOT what this is.

Parking the car was easy enough - but then you have to go to the Reception to drop your keys off. This involved a 1-2 minute walk then queuing up, which doesn't exactly move quick. This is because there were people in the queue both picking up AND dropping cars off. Those that have just returned from holiday are not in any hurry to catch a flight so they take their time, have a chit-chat about their holidays, generally take their time. The agents also oblige, not seeming to notice stressed families with buggies and suitcases anxiously waiting to get to bag drop and check-in.
I was lucky with only about 7 people ahead of me and even then I think it took at least 10 minutes to reach the desk. The cheaper short stay would have just involved parking up and going straight to check-in.

For collection, the wait was even longer - I had to wait at least 15 minutes as the queue snaked outside the small office. I think I was just underneath the canopy, but those behind me were getting soaked by a downpour. I can't imagine if the weather was even more inclement - you'd definitely have to pack a raincoat or thick jacket!

The kicker was, my car was parked pretty much the furthest from the office, and it was pouring down with rain. I asked if I can drive close to the drop-off point to pick up my family and luggage, the agent was hesitant to, mentioning "it is literally only a couple of minutes walk" and to "be careful of cars entering the lanes" - as if I am unable to drive a car?

Leaving my family and luggage outside in the cold and rain but under cover, I ran to the car and noticed all the arrows point to the exit - there is no way to collect your suitcases or family/young children from the drop-off point! So you are expected to take multiple heavy suitcases and buggies and family in the freezing cold or rain, or hot weather, to wherever your car is parked - for the priciest parking option!

When I managed to get close to the drop-off point going against the marked arrows, and did a three point turn so I was facing the correct way next to my waiting family, a parking attendant then asked me "what are you trying to do mate?" - It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out does it?
While loading the car, I think a car even beeped my wife as it drove past even though there was plenty of space.

This is definitely NOT a Meet & Greet experience, where a driver takes your keys, or your car is driven to you to load your suitcases on return. If this is not possible, they should implement at least the following solutions:
- have separate Drop-off and Pick-up queues, which can then switch depending on demand. Minimise the chit-chat if there is a long queue.
- have a Loading lane/bays where families can load their suitcases and pick up kids, etc. on collection.
- ideally the parking attendant takes the keys and hands over the collection card on drop-off.
- Alternatively, have a bigger office where families can sit with luggage and kids while the driver queues up.

I will definitely be taking the cheaper and better Short Stay option next time.

The security set up is a joke. 2 machines for 1000's of people. The times on their screens a blatant lie. People waiting 45-60 mins to go through. The place is far too small for the number of passengers and its massively overcrowded and quite stressful. Its like trying to get 20 people in a mini!

The customer service was exceptional, so kind, patient, yet so professional staff, asking how My Day was, how much whipped cream I wanted on my frappe for preference if I wanted any in the first place. It was just a lovely welcoming experience.

BEWARE !!! What an absolute thieving rip off Hackney Carriage taxis (public transport) being charged the drop off, paying to bring your business to you, a shameful exploitation of the trade.
APCOA company collecting / enforcement payment when customers have a momentary lapse of not paying by 12pm the next day you get hit with a £100 reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
London Hackney Carriages carry wheelchairs and need easy access to direct to terminals the damn right flagrant disregard by charging them is outright fraudulent and a disgrace.

Need a holiday after travelling through this place, never anywhere to sit so try and get a drink in Wetherspoons but tables are filled with people who can’t get a seat elsewhere, same thing at Burger King
Might be helpful if they announce gate number early instead of hour before flight as you could find a seat at the gate
But no they want to keep you so you spend money at the over priced shops

I recently drove to Stansted for the first time and ended up with a £100 PCN for being in the Drop-Off Zone for only 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

I did not drop off or pick up anyone – I was simply trying to reach the official car park, where I paid £22 the same day. Unfortunately, the new barrierless ANPR system makes it far too easy to end up in the Drop-Off Zone by mistake. The signage is small and unclear at the Coopers End roundabout, and the natural flow of traffic takes you straight towards the terminal.

Instead of helping drivers with clear warnings (“YOU ARE ENTERING DROP-OFF – FEE PAYABLE”), the system relies on confusion. This feels less like a service and more like a trap designed to generate penalties.

My advice: be extremely careful with the road signs, double-check that you follow “Short Stay Car Park” and avoid the Drop-Off unless you really want to pay extra.

This experience left me very disappointed – airports should invest in better traffic management, not profit from drivers’ mistakes.

I booked a 2 days Mid-stay parking from the official website stanstedairport.com but was shocked by a way too high price of £119 when I few weeks before it was £70 for 7 days parking. No information how much it costs if I just turn up and pay so I paid online but on arrival there is big sign saying it's £45 per day which should be £90 at most not £119! Absolute disgrace and shame

It took 1 hour and 15 minutes to get our luggage .
Asked for a train ticket express to Victoria station , at a National Express counter . Was told yes you can buy here . When we finally got to the platform discovered I had been sold a bus ticket
The bus took over 2 hours . No express with this service .

This is the worst airport.
Getting through security is a shambles. There was no organisation. We saw multiple people miss their flights. The staff did not allow them to get priority.
When we finally got through, the board stated our gate was closed. Luckily I looked up the gate while standing in security line and the gate was NOT closed and was still boarding. Had I not looked it up online, then I would have presumed flight missed.

Has to be the worst airport in the UK. I have flown all around the world to many under developed countries who have more efficient and better run airports ! Took nearly 2 hours for luggage to come out even though it said luggage was in hall we had to pay extra for our Taxi which cost us nearly £100 more and I missed my daughter going away for an important trip that I was hoping to see her before. Ridiculous surely we can run an airport better. Luton is better and that is saying something as it horrendous also !! Try to avoid flying from Stansted if you can

I`d give it 0 but can`t , worst airport i`ve ever been to and trust me i`ve been to a lot all over the world . who ever designed the airport should be ashamed of them self. If your an OAP do not I repeat DO NOT even think of using this airport you`ll end up walking miles , after our experience my wife of 77 is spending her 3 rd day in bed , I could write our full experience but whats the point but won`t be back , needs a serious re-think

Worst airport in world, always delays at security check. Not enough check areas open. Complete shit hole

If I could give this appalling airport zero stars, I would. From the ridiculous overcrowding at every turn to the disgusting toilets, there's simply no letting up in the hell on earth place that Stansted has become. And to think that they want to increase the capacity by 30%? Unbelievable. I wouldn't return to this embarrassment to the UK travel industry on any account.

The seventh circle of Hell. Endless queues that aren’t ordered. Not enough trains to take folk to the terminals. Super stressful and much worse than the other main London airports.

Rude and unhelpful staff; baggage handling destroyed my Tom Ford glasses; the gate to the aircraft closed 15 mins before.departure and it was a long drawn out walk to the gate; had to pay for another flight and a ripp off fee of £100; which seems to be a regular scenario with Ryan Air?? By far, a terrible experience- I will never use this horrible airport again!!

Do not use Stansted… ever!

We arrived for our 9am flight with 3 hours spare. Shortly after arriving, some other folk told us that there had been a tiny fire at 3am and everyone had been evacuated. Because of this we started queuing outside the terminal.

We got through security at 9:30 missing our flight completely. Here is what we found. Four of the security lanes were closed and at no point were there any announcements, information, guidance or assistance offered by anybody working for Stansted. They could have called folk through that had the earlier flights. They didn’t. Shambolic. And we stayed overnight in the Premier Inn to ensure we got there early enough.

Never in my life have I ever seen such a queue. Stansted’s management of the situation could have helped and to leave thousands of folk with absolutely no idea what was going on was dangerous.

Our flight was yesterday (Wednesday), the next flight out was on Saturday having to return on the Sunday as the airport we were going to fly to only opens for the summer season. Last flight home was on Sunday.

This was our first time ever using this airport, it was also the last.

This airport is not only mismanaged, it’s downright dangerous. People could have been injured in that queue. Shame on you! Wished I could have given zero stars!

EDIT: 5 months later and no response, what a joke this airport is. You have been warned!

Again, my flight is late. Hopefully just the few hours and not a day late like last time I flew. I thought I write a review being super bored now. I meant to write in the past but kept giving chances that if I come again this place would be improved. It did not.
Filthy, everywhere. Outside inside. Toilets, floors. Filth which looks like it is here since my last visit and prior. Badly organized flow of visitors traffic. Even the stores look worse, especially WH Smith , which was always a tip but more so. Very sad.

Arrived at Stansted this morning 2.5 hours before our flight took off.
The airport had been evacuated, we were eventually allowed in but it took an hour to get to check in.
No announcements, no staff, it was a health and safety nightmare.
Our flight took off empty apparently.
We went to reclaim our bags, no bags, eventually located them but not where we were told to go.
We then found our way to Customer Service……no staff.
We left the airport and have set off to the South of France by car.

With over 9.3 million views on my reviews and privileged to be in Googles top 10% of reviewers globally my opinions are always honest and thorough.

I've used this several times before without any issues however this time it was just plain awful and had theft from my car. Upon arrival all went well, directed by staff to where disabled parking spaces were and parked. My elderly family 5 cars behind despite showing a blue badge were directed and parked a long way away in the car park. By the time they walked to the key drop off they were in need of wheelchairs. We left and went away on holiday.

Upon returning my car was not in the disabled parking space and so had a longer walk. When I went to the car and got ready to go I noticed that my BMW IDrive had been accessed and I had a flat tyre warning. The steering wheel and idrive control was sticky and smelt of oil. Then I noticed my can of energy drink had been stolen. I know it's not an expensive item but as it was 2.30am this was prebought for the trip home.
So someone with literally sticky fingers parked my car.
After arriving home then the following day i wanted to give my car a quick cleanas there was sticky substances over my roof so opened the boot to get my Demon Clean shine out but nope, they'd stolen that as well. Then yesterday we set out to drive up north and out comes the sun so my wife went to get her sunglasses from her door. Opened up the Ray Ban case only to find it empty. Yes, her £140 pair of sunglasses have also been stolen.
Will be taking this up with the company, the police and the press.

Use other Airports, flights are cheaper here granted, yet the stress, time going through security (for me 1.5 hours), train cost to get here, and the resulting impact on your spirit and soul easily strips away any financial saving.