You’ve tried to do a good deed, and help a friend/your mum/the kids out by taking them to the airport, only to be slapped with a hefty drop-off charge.
And this is more than just a few quid – at some UK airports, you could be looking at £25 for 15 minutes.
It’s not just Brits saddled with a strict drop-off system – Dunedin Airport in New Zealand recently introduced a three minute ‘hug limit’ – but UK fees have been called ‘disgusting’ and a ‘rip-off’, while the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) describe them as ‘bordering on the ridiculous’.
An analysis by the company in July found that charges have increased by £1 since summer 2023. Here’s how much should you expect to pay at the drop-off zones of the UK’s major airports.
Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow’s terminal drop-off charge will increase from £5 to £6 on January 1, 2025 – an expensive way to kick off the new year.
However, unlike some UK airports, there is no time limit. Customers can pay for a single drop-off or pre-pay for multiple drop-offs online or by phone.
The airport also offers a long-stay car park which passengers can use free of charge for 30 minutes. For Blue Badge holders parking is free for two hours.
Gatwick Airport
The minimum drop-off charge at Gatwick is £6 for up to 10 minutes and then an additional £1 for each additional minute for up to 20 minutes.
There is a maximum daily charge of £26 and the maximum length of stay is 30 minutes. Customers must pay by midnight the following day via phone, AutoPay account or online.
The airport’s long-stay car park meanwhile, is free for the first two hours for drop-offs or collections. Those who want to avoid paying the fees can take the free 10-minute shuttle bus from the car park.
London Luton Airport
London Luton’s drop-off and pick-up zone costs £5 for up to five minutes then an additional £1 per minute. The maximum stay is 20 minutes and customers must pay online by midnight the following day.
The airport does have a free drop-off option at its mid-stay car park. The area is free of charge for up to 15 minutes and is a short 10-minute walk away from the terminal or a five-minute shuttle bus.
Stansted Airport
Those dropping off at Stansted Airport can expect to pay £7 for up to 15 minutes and £25 for over 15 minutes.
The airport also has a mid-stay car park which is free for up to 60 minutes, located a seven-minute shuttle bus away.
Manchester Airport
Drop-offs at Manchester Airport’s three terminals cost £5 for five minutes or £6.20 for 10 minutes after which an overstay charge of £25 will apply. All payments can be made at the exit barrier via card or exact change.
There’s a free drop-off area slightly further from the terminals, but a free shuttle bus operates 24/7 and journeys take just a few minutes, according to its website.
Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh’s drop-off zone costs £5 for up to 10 minutes and a further £1 per minute after that. Local residents can apply for a 50% discount via the airport’s website. The deal applies to the first 10 minutes only.
The airport offers a free drop-off and pick-up area at their long-stay car park – where customers can stay for 30 minutes. However, there are no shuttle buses between the car park and the terminal and the walk takes 10-12 minutes.
Glasgow Airport
Those travelling from Glasgow Airport will be charged £5.50 for up to 15 minutes in its drop-off zone. The airport offers a long-stay car park which is free for the first hour and is located five minutes from the terminal via a free shuttle bus.
Birmingham Airport
Birmingham’s drop-off zone is free for up to 10 minutes. However, it is a five to 10-minute walk from the main check-in desks, and charges apply after the time limit.
Customers can expect to pay £5 for 10-15 minutes, £6 for 15-20 minutes, and £6 every five minutes thereafter.
London City Airport
It’s free to drop-off passengers at London’s least busy airport in front of its terminal building. However, drivers must not wait in their vehicle or leave it unattended at any time as they may receive a penalty.
Charges also apply for pick-ups. It costs £6.90 for 0-20 minutes and rises to £24.90 for one to two hours.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
The airport’s express drop-off and pick-up car park facing the terminal has a minimum charge of £5 for up to 10 minutes.
A free option is located 400 metres and a short shuttle bus from the airport at its Drop Off 2 zone.
Newcastle Airport
Newcastle International Airport’s express drop-off zone costs £4 for up to 10 minutes, £7 for 30 minutes, £11 for the hour and an extra £11 every hour thereafter.
The airport has a free 15-minute ‘short stay’ car park located a short walk away from the terminal which can be used for pick-ups and drop-offs..
Bristol Airport
Bristol’s ‘drop and go’ area fees start at £6 for 10 minutes and rise to £8 for 10 to 20 minutes, £12 for 20 to 40 minutes, £25 for 40 to 60 minutes and a £25 for every hour thereafter.
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Blue badge holders can receive up to 40 minutes of parking for a reduced fee of £6.00.
The airport’s ‘Waiting Zone’, a short drive from the terminal, is free of charge for 60 minutes.
Aberdeen Airport
The express drop-off zone, located directly outside the main terminal, charges £5.50 for a 15-minute stay. The fee rose from £5 earlier this year.
It also has a long-stay option free of charge for 60 minutes which is a six-minute walk from the terminal or a minute shuttle bus.
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