This is for people who don’t trust the cloud or have a phone that runs on hope. Near the drop-off zone, there are a few lonely payment machines. They look like ATMs but dispense only financial pain. Tap your card, enter your reg, and bam – you’re £5 poorer but free to go.
I tried using one last year. It spoke to me in a robotic voice: “Please insert payment for your moral failing.” Okay, I made that up. It actually says “Payment accepted.” Which is worse, because it’s so casual about stealing your money.
The Cheap Escape (A.K.A. The Free Option)
Are you a rebel? A scoundrel? A tightwad with a sense of adventure? There is a free drop-off zone. It’s called the Mid-Stay Car Park. Don’t laugh, I’m serious. You get the first 30 minutes free there.
The catch? It’s a bit of a walk. We’re talking a “career-ending shin splint” kind of walk. Or you take the shuttle bus. It takes about 10 minutes to get to the terminal. So you lose time but gain the satisfaction of sticking it to the man. It feels like a small victory against the corporate airport machine.
Stansted Airport Drop-Off Charge £10 | Gatwick Taxi Transfer
