If you’re in a rush, travelling with kids, or simply hate queuing, fast-track security lanes can be a lifesaver. Many UK airports offer priority security services that let you skip the regular lines for a small fee. In this updated guide, we’ll rephrase and refresh the latest information on fast-track security across UK airports, including prices, operating hours, how to book, and tips to know before you pay. We’ve adopted the helpful tone of APH’s travel blog and optimised the content with key search terms (like Birmingham Airport fast track, airport fast track, etc.) to make sure you find exactly what you need for a smoother airport experience.
Why Consider Fast-Track Security?
Fast-track security lanes are an express route through airport security. Instead of joining the standard queue, you use a dedicated lane reserved for those who pay a little extra. This can be especially useful if:
- You’re short on time or have a tight connection.
- You’re travelling with young children (avoiding long waits with restless kids).
- You simply prefer a stress-free start to your holiday without standing in long lines.
Most airports that offer fast-track limit the number of passes sold per time slot, aiming to keep your wait under about 5 minutes. It won’t let you skip security checks; you still go through all the normal X-ray and bag scans, but you’ll reach the checkpoint much faster via the priority lane.
Costs: Fast-track passes typically cost anywhere from £3 up to around £12 per person, depending on the airport and whether you book in advance. In the sections below, we list the current prices (as of 2025) for each airport’s service.
How to book: Some airports require pre-booking online (often at a discount), while others also allow you to pay at the airport on the day. It’s often cheaper to pre-book, for example, London Luton’s Fast Track is £4 online vs £8 on the day. We’ve noted the booking options for each airport in the comparison table and details.
Time savings: While fast-track can save you time, queues can still form during peak periods. No service can guarantee zero waiting, but a fast-track pass ensures you’re in the shortest line possible, even at busy times. Always arrive with plenty of time; fast-track isn’t an excuse to cut it too close!
Buyer Beware: What to Check Before You Book
Before purchasing any airport fast-track pass, keep these tips and cautions in mind:
- Age and eligibility: In most cases, every passenger needs a fast-track ticket, including children. Some airports offer free access for infants or young kids: e.g. children under 2 go free at Edinburgh and Luton, under 5 go free at Birmingham, and under 12 go free at Leeds Bradford with a paying adult. Check each airport’s policy if you’re travelling as a family.
- Prams and large items: A few fast-track lanes do not permit pushchairs (prams) or car seats. For example, Manchester Airport’s express lane is unsuitable for passengers with pushchairs or car seats, and similar restrictions apply at Stansted and East Midlands. If you’re flying with a baby and buggy, you might be directed to the regular line or a special assistance lane instead.
- Booking fees: Watch out for any extra fees. London Gatwick historically added a £2 surcharge for credit card payments on fast-track bookings (bringing the price from £5 to £7). Most official airport sites now include fees in the ticket price, but it’s worth double-checking during checkout so you’re not caught out by surprise charges.
- Refunds and changes: Generally, fast-track tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable if you miss your slot or no longer need them. Some airports allow cancellation up to 24 hours before or changes if your flight is delayed. Read the terms and conditions when booking. If your flight is cancelled, you may have to claim the cost back on travel insurance or accept the loss.
- On-the-day decision: If you’re unsure whether fast-track is worth it, note that at some airports (like Manchester and Stansted), the price is the same on the day, so you could wait to see queue lengths and then buy a pass at a kiosk if needed. However, availability can be limited, popular time slots may sell out, so booking in advance secures your spot and often saves money.
Now, let’s look at each UK airport’s fast-track security service, where available, including the latest prices, hours of operation, how to book, and links to official booking pages. We’ve also provided a handy comparison table for a quick overview.
Fast-Track Security Options at UK Airports
The table below compares the fast-track security services offered by major UK airports in 2025. It lists each airport, the per-person cost, whether you can book online or at the airport, the usual operating hours of the fast-track lane, and a direct link to the official booking page.
As you can see, most major UK airports do provide a fast-track option (with the notable exception of Heathrow, which reserves fast-track for qualifying passengers rather than selling it outright). Below, we give a brief airport-by-airport rundown with any extra details and tips for each fast-track service.
Aberdeen Airport Fast Track Security (Priority Security)
Aberdeen offers a Priority Security lane open to all passengers. Price: £7 per person. Hours: Roughly from the first wave of morning flights (~04:30) until the evening (around 19:30). You can pre-book online via the official Aberdeen Airport website for a specific time slot. Upon arrival, just present your Priority Security ticket to staff at the dedicated lane, and you’ll be through to departures in no time. Tip: Priority Security at Aberdeen is included free if you book the airport’s Priority Parking package; one car parking booking includes one fast-track pass for the driver.
Belfast International Airport Fast Track (Premium Security)
Belfast International calls its service Premium Security. Price: £5 per person. It must be booked online in advance; there are no tickets sold at the terminal. Hours: It’s available throughout the airport’s operating day (generally early morning until the last departures of the day). To use it, book a date/time on Belfast International’s website and bring your confirmation QR code or printout. The Premium Security entrance is signposted (left-hand walkway toward security). Note: Children under 2 go free with a paying adult, making this family-friendly. Be aware that slots can sell out for popular times, so it’s wise to book as early as possible.
Birmingham Airport Fast Track (Express Lane Security)
Birmingham’s Express Lane lets you fast-track through the main security (Zone B) at BHX. Price: £6.00 per person if pre-booked online, or £8.50 if you buy a ticket at the airport on the day. Only a limited number of on-day tickets are sold per hour, so pre-booking is recommended to guarantee a spot (you can book via the Birmingham Airport website and then just show the barcode at security). Hours: The express lane is available during normal security hours; Birmingham’s security typically opens around 3–4 am and runs until late evening. Tips: Children 4 and under go free (with a paying adult) at BHX, no need to buy a pass for your toddler. Also note that the Express Lane is only at Zone B-C security; there’s no fast track in Zone A, so be sure to head to the correct security entrance if you have a ticket.
Bournemouth Airport Fast Track
Bournemouth Airport’s fast-track service can save you time at this smaller regional airport. Price: £7 per person when pre-booked (as of 2025). You should book by 10 pm the night before travel to secure that rate. On-the-day purchase may be possible at the airport ticket desk or kiosk, usually at a slightly higher price (about 20% more), roughly £8-£9. Hours: Available all day, covering all departing flights (Bournemouth’s first departures are often early morning and last flights in late evening). Simply follow the signs to the Fast Track lane at security. Note: There aren’t special freebies for kids here; the pass is per person, and all passengers, including infants, need one if you want to use the lane (so a family of four would need four passes).
Bristol Airport Fast Track Security
Bristol Airport offers a Fast Track Security pass for departing passengers. Price: £6.00 per person. You can book online in advance via Bristol’s website or buy a ticket at the airport (there are Fast Track ticket machines before security). If you pay on the day, it’s £7, booking ahead online saves you £1 (a note on Bristol’s site mentions online booking “saves £1.05 on the turn-up price”). Hours: The fast-track channel operates from 3:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily, which covers the busy morning and daytime period (overnight, it isn’t needed as queues are minimal). Important: Every person requires a ticket, including babies. Bristol explicitly states that infants and babies must have a Fast Track ticket if they want to use the lane; there are no exceptions for age. So if you’re a family of four with an infant, you’d need to buy four passes. Keep that in mind when considering the cost.
East Midlands Airport Fast Track
East Midlands Airport (EMA) provides a fast-track service for both security and passport control (arrivals), though the passport control fast track is sometimes unavailable due to UK Border Force changes. For departures, the Security FastTrack is what you’ll use. Price: From £6.00 per person when pre-booked. (It was previously £5; £6 is the current starting price online.) You can book online up to an hour before your scheduled departure time. Hours: The Security FastTrack lane is open 03:00 AM until the last departing flight of the day. In practice, that means it runs through all morning departures into the evening, roughly 5 am to 7 pm or later, depending on the schedule. There’s no limit on who can use it; families are welcome, but note that all passengers, including children and infants, need a pass (so the older policy of kids going free no longer applies). If you’re arriving at EMA, they also normally offer a Passport Control FastTrack for arrivals (operating during peak arrival times) for a similar fee, though at last check it was temporarily unavailable. Tip: If you’ve booked EMA’s premium Meet & Greet parking, they sometimes include a couple of FastTrack passes free, a nice perk to look into.
Edinburgh Airport fastTRACK Security
Edinburgh’s fastTRACK Security lets departing passengers skip the regular queue. Price: £7.00 per person (recently raised from £6). You can book in advance on Edinburgh Airport’s site, or even buy on the spot by scanning a QR code at the airport to pay (subject to availability). Hours: The FastTrack lane operates daily from 04:00 to 19:00 (4 am to 7 pm). It’s closed in the late evening and overnight when security is quieter. Family info: Children under 2 years old go free through Edinburgh’s FastTrack; you won’t need to buy a pass for an infant, just bring them along with you. Strollers/prams are allowed (Edinburgh has modern scanners and is quite family-friendly), but always double-check any notices at the time of booking. If you park in Edinburgh’s multi-storey car park, note that FastTrack is included with certain parking products (e.g. their “fastPark” service or premium parking might bundle in a security fast-track as a bonus).
Exeter Airport Fast Track
Exeter Airport is smaller, but they do offer a fast-track security option for busy times. Price: £3.50 per person (at last published rate), which is one of the cheapest in the UK. You don’t necessarily need to pre-book online; at Exeter, the system is that you purchase a Fast Track voucher at the kiosk before security, or you can book via the airport website in advance. The Fast Track lane is simply the left-hand side channel at security for those with vouchers. Hours: Available whenever there’s a rush, essentially during normal security hours (Exeter’s first departures are early morning around 6 am, last ones late evening). If the airport is very quiet, they may not bother staffing a separate lane, but during busy bank holiday mornings, it can be worth it. Note: Exeter’s fast track is not a “skip security checks”; you still follow all rules. They remind users that it’s not a preferential screening, just a shorter queue. There are no special child policies listed; given the low cost, families might choose to only buy for the adults and go through together in the regular lane if queues are short.
Gatwick Airport Premium Security
London Gatwick offers Premium Security passes. Price: £6.00 per person for the security fast track. You can pre-book on Gatwick’s official website or buy at kiosks in the terminal. (In the past, it was £5 with a £2 card fee; now it’s a flat £6 online with no extra fees mentioned.) Hours: The premium lane at Gatwick’s North and South terminals typically runs from 04:00 early morning until around 20:00 (8 pm). This covers the peak departure bank of flights. If you have a very late night departure, the regular queue may be fine, as the fast track may close after 8 pm. Extra: Gatwick also sells a Fast Track Passport Control service for arrivals, which is £9 and allows you to skip the passport queue on your way into the UK, useful if you’re coming back during a busy period. For departing security, standard Premium Security is open to anyone. Also, Mastercard holders take note: as of 2025, certain World Elite Mastercard credit cards offer free Gatwick fast track as a perk via the Mastercard Travel Experiences program. If you have one, you might save the £6 fee.
Glasgow Airport Priority Security
Glasgow’s Priority Security service grants you access to a dedicated fast lane. Price: £6.99 per person when booked online (often rounded to £7). If you don’t pre-book, you can purchase access at the airport via QR code on pillars near security; the on-day price is around £9 as reported by some travellers (so booking ahead saves a couple of pounds). Hours: The priority lane is generally available from early morning (around 4 am) through late evening (8 pm or so), covering the busy flight periods. Good to know: Children under 5 are not explicitly free at Glasgow, unlike Aberdeen/Southampton (even though all three airports are owned by AGS). However, families with young kids may not need the fast track at Glasgow; the airport has upgraded scanners and usually moves quickly (on average, 95% of Glasgow passengers clear security in under 10 minutes). If you do opt for it, the process is simple: present your booking QR code at the Priority Security entrance. Glasgow also offers a Priority Passport Lane for arriving passengers to speed through immigration for about £6.99, which can be booked together with the departing fast track if desired.
Heathrow Airport Fast Track
Heathrow is a special case. There is no public fast track for standard passengers at Heathrow security. Instead, Heathrow reserves its Fast Track lanes for premium cabin flyers and elite frequent flyers. If you are flying Business or First Class, or hold a status (e.g. British Airways Silver/Gold), your boarding pass may mark you for Fast Track, and you’ll be allowed in that lane (at no extra cost). But if you’re an economy passenger, Heathrow won’t sell you a security fast-track pass; you’ll have to use the regular lanes (which, to Heathrow’s credit, are staffed efficiently most of the time). Heathrow did experiment with selling premium security for a hefty fee during peak travel periods, but currently, the only way to get Fast Track at LHR is by ticket class or status. For arrivals, Heathrow similarly has “Fast Track” immigration lanes, but those are again for business/first class and certain visa holders; there’s no paid access for the general public. So, in summary: at Heathrow, if you want fast-track, fly in a premium cabin; otherwise, grab a coffee and enjoy the fact that Heathrow’s standard security, while busy, is pretty streamlined.
Leeds Bradford Airport Fast Track
Leeds Bradford (LBA) offers a Fast Track lane to help you bypass often lengthy queues at this bustling regional airport. Price: £8.00 per person as of 2025 (recently increased from £5). The good news for families is that children under 12 go free when accompanied by a paying adult, one of the only airports with such a generous policy. So a family with young kids might only need to buy passes for the parents and older teens; under-12s can come along through the fast lane at no charge. Booking: You can pre-book on the LBA website or pay at the airport. There is also a bundle: if you book the Premium Short Stay parking at LBA, it includes up to 4 Fast Track security passes for free (great for a family of four). Hours: The Fast Track lane is open every day, covering all departing flights (LBA’s schedule is typically 4 am to late evening). The airport doesn’t list exact hours, implying it’s available whenever security is open, basically “every day” access. Just head to the Fast Track channel with your booking confirmation or parking receipt (if using the bundled option) and you’ll be through to departures quicker.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport Fast Track
Liverpool Airport offers a Fast Track Security pass to speed you through the checkpoint. Price: £6.00 when booked online in advance. You can also purchase on the day at Liverpool; there are machines on the way to security where you can buy a pass if you see the main queue is long. (On-day prices are around £6 as well; Liverpool doesn’t heavily penalise last-minute buyers, but online booking guarantees your spot.) Hours: The Fast Track lane runs from 05:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, which covers the first departures (often very early Ryanair flights) through to the evening. If you have an extremely early 4 am flight, security might not have Fast Track open until 5 am, but at that hour, the normal queue is usually short anyway. Family info: Children under 2 years old are free with an adult at Liverpool, so you only need to buy passes for those aged 2 and above. One nice feature: Liverpool offers Fast Track Parking products. If you book certain car parks (like their Fast Track Family Parking or Premium parking), the package includes free Fast Track security passes for 2 adults and 2 children. This can be a great value if you were planning to park at the airport anyway.
London Luton Airport Fast Track (Priority Lane)
Luton’s security fast track, called Priority Lane, is a popular add-on given Luton’s often-busy morning security queues. Price: £4.00 per person if booked online at least 24+ hours in advance. If you wait to buy it at one of Luton’s kiosks on the day, it costs £8.00, literally double the price. So booking ahead is highly encouraged (Luton boasts “up to 55% discount” for online booking). Hours: Priority Lane is available 04:15 AM to 20:00 (8 pm) daily, covering the main departure windows. To use it, choose a 15-minute entry window when booking (Luton now uses timed slots). Show up during that window, scan your QR code at the turnstile, and you’re through to the dedicated lane. It’s generally very effective at LTN, even during the 6 am rush. Priority Lane moves quickly. Note: Children under 2 go free at Luton’s fast track. Also, certain EasyJet tickets (Flexi fares) or annual pass holders might already include Luton fast track; check your booking, because you wouldn’t need to buy it separately if so.
Manchester Airport Fast Track
Manchester Airport has a well-established FastTrack program, which now even includes the option to book a specific 15-minute time slot for security. Price: starting from £5.49 per person when pre-booked. That odd number is because Manchester (and its operator MAG) often adjusts prices dynamically, expecting roughly £5–£6 at off-peak times and up to £10-£12 at peak morning times if booking late. It does not usually cost more on the day; previously, Manchester’s fast track was a flat £5 whether pre-booked or walk-up, but nowadays they encourage online booking. Hours: FastTrack security at MAN is open 03:00 AM, 11:00 PM across Terminals 1, 2, and 3. So essentially all operational hours except the middle of the night (Manchester’s terminals quiet down overnight). When booking, you select which terminal you’re flying from and an approximate time. Important: Manchester does NOT allow pushchairs, prams or car seats through the fast track lane. If you turn up with a buggy, they will redirect you to the normal line or an alternative route. This policy is to avoid hold-ups in the fast lane. Also, every person needs a pass; no free kids, and infants under 3 are actually not allowed in the fast track at Manchester at all (presumably because of the no-pushchair rule; an infant in arms is fine, but if you have lots of baby gear, it’s an issue). Manchester also sells a Passport Control FastTrack for arriving passengers (at about £5), and it’s available from 7 am to 4:30 am (overnight) for those who want to speed up immigration.
Lastly, note that Manchester has introduced a free timed security slot scheme (separate from paid FastTrack); you can reserve a specific time to go through normal security for free via their website. This doesn’t put you in the FastTrack lane, but it can help manage your wait. If you miss your slot, you join the regular queue, or you could then opt to pay for FastTrack as a backup.
Newcastle Airport Fast Track
Newcastle International provides a straightforward Fast Track service. Price: approximately £6 per person if pre-booked (it’s often marketed as “from £6” by third parties; the exact price on Newcastle’s official system may be around £6-£7). Booking in advance online is easy via Newcastle’s site, or you can buy at the airport ticket desk. Hours: Available whenever security is open, essentially “all day, every day.” Newcastle’s first departures are around 6 am and last around 10 pm, and the fast track lane is staffed during those busy periods. Using it is simple: follow the signs for Fast Track at security, scan your booking, and you’ll enter the priority lane. Newcastle’s security queues can build up when multiple flights depart, so a fast track could save significant time in those peaks. Family info: Newcastle hasn’t advertised free passes for kids, so assume every person needs a ticket. However, Newcastle is known for being quite efficient; average wait times are often under 6 minutes, so if the airport is quiet, Fast Track might not make a big difference. It’s most useful during morning rush hour or school holiday travel peaks.
Southampton Airport Priority Security
Southampton Airport offers Priority Security for a faster transition to airside. Price: £7.00 per person when booked online. You can also pay at the airport (the price is roughly the same; online just guarantees your spot). Hours: The priority lane is available during Southampton’s operating hours, roughly from early morning through evening. Southampton, being a smaller airport, security isn’t 24/7, but Priority Security is open whenever the regular security is open (first departures from 6 am-ish until last departures around 9 pm). The airport strives to keep standard waits under 5 minutes, but if you want extra assurance, priority passes are there for you. Note: Southampton is part of the same group as Aberdeen and Glasgow, so they have similar offerings. However, unlike Aberdeen, which had a £5 price historically, Southampton’s is now £7. No specific mention of free infant access at SOU (so assume all ages need a ticket unless the under-2 policy is hidden). If you book Priority Parking at Southampton, that parking package automatically includes Priority Security for the vehicle’s occupants, a nice combo for weekend travellers.
Stansted Airport Fast Track
London Stansted has one of the priciest fast-track services, but it can be worth it given Stansted’s security lines are notoriously long at times. Price: £7 per person if pre-booked, or £8 per person if you buy on the spot. Unlike Luton, Stansted doesn’t heavily discount online bookings; the difference is small, and often they charge £7 regardless of online or on-day (the airport has in the past said there’s no advance discount, so you can decide last-minute). Hours: The Fast Track Security at STN is open 04:00 AM to 21:00 (9 pm). That covers all the busy departure waves (Stansted has many flights starting at 6 am, and a lot in the evening; late-night departures after 9 pm are few, hence the fast track closes by then). If you have a super early 3 am check-in, note fast track starts at 4 am, though at 3 am, the regular queue might be empty anyway. Important: Stansted, like Manchester, does not allow pushchairs or large baby equipment in the Fast Track lane. If you’re travelling with a pram, you’ll have to use the regular family lane. Everyone else can use Fast Track as long as they have a pass. You can book via Stansted’s website or just wait and see, since the price is the same, some travellers choose to only buy if they arrive and see a gigantic queue. Stansted also sells an arrivals Fast Track Passport Control service (£7, operating 6 am- 1 am) for immigration, which can be booked separately.
In summary, fast-track security passes can be a valuable time-saver for UK travellers, especially during peak periods or when travelling with family. By knowing the current prices and policies at each airport, you can decide where it’s worth spending a few extra pounds to glide through departures. Remember to book online in advance when possible, not only to save money but to ensure availability. And always double-check the official airport website (we’ve linked them above) for the latest info and to book directly, avoiding any third-party fees.
With this 2025 update, we hope your next trip through security, whether at Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Stansted, or any other UK airport, is as quick and hassle-free as it can be. Safe travels, and enjoy life in the (fast) lane!
Frequently Asked Questions About Airport Fast Track
An airport fast track (sometimes called priority security or express lane) is a dedicated queue that allows passengers to bypass the standard security line. It helps reduce waiting times and makes the journey through security quicker and less stressful.
Prices vary depending on the airport, typically ranging from £3.50 at Exeter Airport to around £8 at Stansted Airport. For example, Birmingham Airport fast track costs £6 online, while Manchester Airport fast track starts from £5.49. Booking online is often cheaper than paying at the airport.
Yes, in most cases, every passenger needs a pass, including children. However, some airports offer concessions. For example, children under 5 go free at Birmingham Airport, under 12 go free at Leeds Bradford Airport, and under 2 go free at Edinburgh, Liverpool and Luton airports. Always check your airport’s policy before booking.
Most airports allow you to book online in advance through their official website, and some also let you purchase tickets at kiosks in the terminal. Booking in advance secures your slot and often saves money, for instance, Luton Airport fast track is £4 online versus £8 on the day.
Fast track is designed to save time, but it’s not a guarantee. You’ll still need to complete all normal security checks, and during peak travel periods, there may still be short waits. However, queues are generally much shorter than the standard line, with many airports aiming to get fast-track passengers through in under 5 minutes.
Disclaimer
All prices, operating hours and policies for UK airport fast-track services were correct at the time of publication (2025). Airports may change their fees, conditions of entry, or operating times without prior notice. Please confirm the latest details with your chosen airport before booking or travelling. Fast-track access provides a shorter queue but does not exempt passengers from standard security procedures, and use of the service does not guarantee a specific processing time. APH accepts no liability for changes in availability, pricing, or airport policies.
Sorry if I’m being thick here ( oap ) . The time I select has to be my departure time? I was trying to estimate what time I would get to the express lane after checking our baggage in !