Most UK airports split their own car parks by distance from the terminal. The names describe where the car park is more than how long you must stay — you can usually park in short stay for a fortnight if you are willing to pay for it.
Short stay
The car parks closest to the terminal, often multi-storeys you walk straight out of. They suit quick trips, families with lots of luggage and anyone meeting arriving passengers.
- At Gatwick, Short Stay is about a 4-minute walk; at Liverpool the Multi-storey is directly opposite the terminal.
- Heathrow now calls its short stay car parks Terminal Parking, and Southend renamed its short stay car park Superior — check the name on your booking.
Mid stay
A compromise on price and distance — usually still walkable, sometimes with a shuttle bus. Stansted's Mid Stay has a free courtesy bus; Manchester's Mid Stay Multi Storey links to Terminal 2 by a covered bridge.
Long stay
Further out and normally the cheapest official option for trips of several days, usually with a free shuttle bus. Some airports have renamed it: Heathrow's long stay is now Park & Ride, and Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands sell their cheapest bus-linked car parks as JetParks.
Tip: a long stay transfer adds time at both ends of your trip. Check how often the bus runs — Stansted and Manchester shuttles run every 15 minutes, East Midlands Long Stay every 20.
Which should you choose?
- Away for a day or two, or travelling with small children? Short stay can cost less overall than you expect for very short trips — compare.
- Away for a week or more? Long stay is usually the cheapest official choice.
- Can't walk far? Check the Blue Badge information on your airport's page.
Each airport page lists the official car parks by name, with the transfer method and time where the airport states it.