UK Airport Drop-off and Pick-up Charges 2026
Compare drop-off fees, pick-up arrangements, free alternatives, time limits and possible penalties at major UK airports. Use the comparison tool to find your airport and avoid unexpected forecourt charges.
Airport drop-off charges at a glance
Most large UK airports charge drivers to use terminal forecourts or express set-down zones. These areas are designed for quick passenger drop-offs rather than waiting or collecting arriving passengers.
Pick-ups normally take place in a Short Stay, Pick-up or Multi-storey car park. These facilities are generally charged according to the length of stay and may cost considerably more if a flight is delayed.
Compare UK airport drop-off charges
Search by airport name or use the region buttons to narrow the results. The minimum prices shown relate to short terminal drop-offs or the closest equivalent facility.
| Airport | Region | Minimum drop-off charge | Initial time | Free alternative | Important rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Scotland | £5.50 | 15 minutes | Long Stay: up to 1 hour | £1 per minute after the initial period |
| Belfast City | Northern Ireland | £4 | 10 minutes | Long Stay: 10 minutes | Price increases after 20 minutes |
| Belfast International | Northern Ireland | £3 | 10 minutes | Long Stay: 15 minutes | Check current payment methods |
| Birmingham | Midlands | Free option available | 10 minutes | Free Drop-off Car Park | Premium Set-down charges separately |
| Bristol | South | £8.50 | 10 minutes | Waiting Zone: up to 1 hour | Higher bands apply after 10 minutes |
| Cardiff | Wales | £3 | 10 minutes | Car Park 2: 20 minutes | Further charge bands may apply |
| East Midlands | Midlands | £5 | 15 minutes | Long Stay: up to 1 hour | £1 per minute after initial period |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | £6 | 10 minutes | Long Stay: 30 minutes | £1 per minute after initial period |
| Exeter | South | Free option available | 30 minutes | Car Park P4 | Car Park 1 has a terminal charge |
| Gatwick | London | £10 | 10 minutes | Long Stay: up to 2 hours | Payment required after the visit |
| Glasgow | Scotland | £7 | 15 minutes | Long Stay: up to 1 hour | £1 per minute after initial period |
| Heathrow | London | £7 | Per terminal entry | Long Stay alternative | ANPR payment rules apply |
| Leeds Bradford | North | Free zone available | Up to 1 hour | One-hour free zone | Re-entry restrictions may apply |
| Liverpool | North | £6 | 10 minutes | Selected areas: 20-40 minutes | Use the correct car park |
| Luton | London | £7 | 10 minutes | Long Stay: up to 2 hours | Maximum Express Drop-off stay applies |
| Manchester | North | £5 | 5 minutes | JetParks 1 | Use designated collection car parks |
| Newcastle | North | £5 | 10 minutes | Short Stay 2: 15 minutes | Blue Badge bays available |
| Southampton | South | £7 | 20 minutes | No free option listed | Use Short Stay when waiting |
| Stansted | London | £7 | 15 minutes | Mid Stay: up to 1 hour | Repeat-entry and overstay charges may apply |
Charges and arrangements can change. Check the airport’s official website and on-site signage before travelling.
Which airports have the lowest drop-off charges?
Several airports provide a free designated area, while Belfast International and Cardiff have some of the lowest paid terminal charges in this comparison.
Birmingham
Free for 10 minutes
Use the designated Free Drop-off Car Park rather than Premium Set-down.
Exeter
Free for 30 minutes
The free option is in Car Park P4 rather than directly outside the terminal.
Leeds Bradford
Free for up to 1 hour
Observe re-entry restrictions and follow the correct free-zone signs.
Belfast International
From £3
A separate free period may also be available in Long Stay.
Which UK airports offer free drop-off?
Free facilities are often located away from the terminal and may require a walk or shuttle-bus transfer. Allow additional time, particularly when travelling with children, heavy luggage or passengers requiring assistance.
| Airport | Free facility | Free period | Transfer consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Long Stay | Up to 1 hour | Allow time to reach the terminal |
| Birmingham | Free Drop-off Car Park | 10 minutes | Follow Free Drop-off signs |
| Bristol | Waiting Zone | Up to 1 hour | Not the same as terminal Drop & Go |
| Cardiff | Car Park 2 | 20 minutes | Check walking or transfer arrangements |
| East Midlands | Long Stay | Up to 1 hour | Shuttle or onward transfer may be needed |
| Gatwick | Long Stay | Up to 2 hours | Use the shuttle to the relevant terminal |
| Heathrow | Long Stay | Airport rules apply | Use the shuttle for the correct terminal |
| Luton | Long Stay | Up to 2 hours | Add transfer time |
| Manchester | JetParks 1 | Designated free period | Use the airport transfer service |
| Stansted | Mid Stay | Up to 1 hour | Shuttle transfer required |
Hidden airport drop-off costs
ANPR payment
Your registration may be recorded automatically, with no barrier or payment booth to remind you to pay.
Overstay charges
Charges can rise quickly after the initial five, ten or fifteen-minute period.
Repeat entry
Some airports apply an additional fee if the same vehicle returns within a restricted period.
Pick-up waiting
Waiting in a Short Stay car park for a delayed flight can cost much more than a quick drop-off.
How ANPR airport drop-off systems work
Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras record vehicles entering and leaving an airport forecourt. Depending on the airport, you may need to pay online, register for an automatic-payment account or pay by telephone before a stated deadline.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering the terminal drop-off area while intending to wait for an arriving passenger.
- Assuming there will be a payment machine or exit barrier.
- Forgetting to pay an ANPR charge after leaving.
- Using a bus, taxi or authorised-vehicle lane.
- Stopping on approach roads, red routes or restricted verges.
- Remaining beyond the maximum permitted stay.
- Entering the zone twice and triggering a repeat-entry charge.
Airport drop-off cost calculator
Estimate the cost of one or more terminal drop-off visits. This calculator uses the minimum charges shown in the comparison table and does not include overstays, pick-up parking or penalties.
Estimated total: £14.00
2 visits at Heathrow would cost approximately £14.00, based on the selected minimum charge and estimated extras.
Drop-off, Park & Ride or Meet & Greet?
Terminal drop-off
Best for: Quickly leaving a passenger at departures.
Fast, but someone must make another journey to collect the traveller.
Free drop-off area
Best for: Budget-conscious drivers.
Usually requires extra transfer or walking time.
Park & Ride
Best for: Travellers leaving their own vehicle.
Pre-booked parking with a transfer between the car park and terminal.
Meet & Greet
Best for: Convenience, families or heavy luggage.
Leave your vehicle at a designated meeting point close to the terminal.
Compare airport parking with APH
Airport-by-airport drop-off guides
Select an airport to see its main drop-off, free-alternative and parking information.
Heathrow Airport drop-off charges
Heathrow applies a terminal drop-off charge whenever a vehicle enters a designated forecourt outside its terminals. Drivers collecting passengers should use an appropriate Short Stay car park rather than the departures forecourt.
Compare Heathrow Airport parking | Heathrow Airport guide | Heathrow hotels and parking
Gatwick Airport drop-off charges
Gatwick operates paid drop-off zones at the North and South Terminals. The free alternative is in the Long Stay car parks, with shuttle transfers to the terminals.
Compare Gatwick Airport parking | Gatwick Airport guide | Gatwick hotels and parking
Stansted Airport drop-off charges
Stansted’s express facility is intended for short set-down visits. A free alternative is available at Mid Stay, but passengers must allow time for the terminal transfer.
Luton Airport drop-off charges
Luton’s closest drop-off area is subject to a short maximum stay. Drivers requiring more time should use an appropriate car park rather than waiting in the express zone.
Manchester Airport drop-off charges
Manchester provides paid set-down facilities near its terminals. Pick-ups should take place in designated collection car parks, while a free drop-off alternative is available at JetParks 1.
Compare Manchester Airport parking | Manchester Airport guide | Manchester hotels and parking
Birmingham Airport drop-off charges
Birmingham offers a free designated drop-off option as well as a paid Premium Set-down facility closer to the terminal.
Compare Birmingham Airport parking | Birmingham Airport guide | Birmingham hotels and parking
Bristol Airport drop-off charges
Bristol’s terminal Drop & Go facility is convenient but charges increase according to the length of stay. A separate Waiting Zone can provide a free alternative.
Cardiff Airport drop-off charges
Cardiff offers a paid terminal drop-off facility and a free short period in Car Park 2.
East Midlands Airport drop-off charges
East Midlands offers a paid terminal drop-off zone together with a free period in Long Stay.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport drop-off charges
Liverpool provides paid express set-down and free periods in selected drop-off or parking areas. Follow signs carefully because the free period depends on the facility used.
Compare Liverpool Airport parking | Liverpool hotels and parking
Leeds Bradford Airport drop-off charges
Leeds Bradford provides a one-hour free zone rather than allowing general terminal-forecourt stopping.
Newcastle Airport drop-off charges
Newcastle provides paid terminal drop-off and a free initial period in Short Stay 2.
Edinburgh Airport drop-off charges
Edinburgh offers paid terminal drop-off and a free period in Long Stay.
Glasgow Airport drop-off charges
Glasgow’s terminal drop-off area is charged by time, while Long Stay provides a free alternative.
Compare Glasgow Airport parking | Glasgow Airport guide | Glasgow hotels and parking
Aberdeen Airport drop-off charges
Aberdeen provides paid terminal drop-off and a free period in Long Stay.
Belfast City Airport drop-off charges
Belfast City offers a paid drop-off facility, with prices increasing according to the length of stay.
Belfast International Airport drop-off charges
Belfast International has a relatively low initial terminal charge and separate free periods in its parking facilities.
Southampton Airport drop-off charges
Southampton provides a paid terminal-access option but no free alternative is listed in this comparison.
Southampton Airport guide | Restaurants at Southampton Airport
Exeter Airport drop-off charges
Exeter provides a free drop-off period in P4 and a paid facility closer to the terminal.
Airport drop-off and pick-up FAQs
Can I avoid paying an airport drop-off charge?
Often, yes. Many airports provide a free alternative in a Long Stay, Mid Stay or designated drop-off car park. You may need to walk or use a shuttle bus.
What is the difference between drop-off and pick-up?
Drop-off zones are designed for passengers leaving a vehicle immediately. Pick-up usually takes place in a Short Stay or designated collection car park where drivers can wait legally.
Can I wait in an airport drop-off zone?
No. Terminal drop-off areas are intended for quick set-down only. Waiting may result in overstay charges or enforcement action.
How do I pay an airport ANPR charge?
Payment arrangements differ by airport. You may need to pay online, by telephone or through an automatic-payment account before the airport’s deadline.
What happens if I forget to pay?
The registered keeper may receive a Parking Charge Notice or another form of enforcement notice. Read it carefully and use the stated payment or appeals process.
Can someone else pay the charge for me?
Usually, another person can make an online payment when they have the correct registration number, date and visit details.
Do Blue Badge holders pay airport drop-off charges?
Policies vary. Some airports provide an exemption or discount but require the vehicle or badge to be registered.
Do taxis and private-hire vehicles pay?
Airports may operate separate arrangements for licensed taxis, private-hire drivers and authorised operators.
Can I stop on an airport approach road?
No. Airport roads frequently have red routes, clearways or stopping restrictions monitored by cameras.
Is airport parking cheaper than two drop-off journeys?
It depends on the airport, distance travelled, fuel costs and parking duration. Compare the total cost of the outward and return journeys with a pre-booked parking price.
Are airport drop-off charges refundable?
Charges are not normally refundable simply because the visit was short. Contact the airport or its payment operator if a duplicate or incorrect payment has been made.
How frequently do airport fees change?
Airports can change prices, time limits and payment arrangements at any time. Check official information shortly before travelling.
Before travelling: quick checklist
- Check the current fee and time allowance.
- Confirm whether payment is made before or after the visit.
- Save the official payment page on your phone.
- Look for a free Long Stay or Mid Stay alternative.
- Check Blue Badge registration requirements.
- Ask arriving passengers to call when they are ready.
- Do not stop on access roads or outside marked areas.
Why trust APH?
APH has helped UK travellers arrange airport parking and airport hotels since 1980. Our guides are designed to help passengers understand their options, compare parking services and avoid unnecessary costs before travelling.
Internal-link check: APH links in this version were verified as live in July 2026. Recheck links during future tariff reviews.
Information notice: Charges, free periods, payment methods and accessibility arrangements can change. Always check the airport’s official website and on-site signage before travelling.
Southampton airport now charges a minimum fee of £6 to drop off or pick up, this is for 20 minutes, I used the drop off and was in the car park for 2 minutes, still charged £6.