If you hate queuing, are travelling with young children, or simply want a smoother start to your holiday, airport fast-track security could be money well spent. Most major UK airports now offer a priority security lane you can add to your booking for a small fee – and in this guide, updated for 2025–2026, we cover everything you need to know: current prices, operating hours, how to book, which airports suit families best, and where it’s genuinely worth it.
💡 APH tip: Pair your fast-track pass with APH airport parking for the smoothest possible start. Several airports include free fast-track passes when you book premium parking – we’ve flagged these throughout the guide.
What Is Airport Fast-Track Security?
Fast-track security (also called priority security or express lane) is a dedicated queue for passengers who pay a small extra fee. You still go through exactly the same X-ray and baggage screening – there are no shortcuts on safety – but you join a much shorter line and reach the departure lounge faster.
Most airports that offer the service limit the number of passes sold per time slot, aiming to keep your wait under 5 minutes. It won’t guarantee zero waiting, but it’s the shortest queue available – even at peak times.
When Is Fast-Track Worth Paying For?
- You have a tight connection or a strict check-in time
- You’re travelling with young children and want to avoid long waits
- You’re departing during peak morning windows (typically 5-9 am)
- It’s school holiday season or a bank holiday weekend
- Your airport is known for slow queues (Birmingham and Stansted, in particular)
UK Airport Fast-Track Security: Prices & Quick Guide (2025-2026)
The table below compares fast-track services at major UK airports. Prices are per person. Always book via the official airport website to avoid third-party fees.
| Airport | Cost Per Person | How to Book | Hours | Kids Free? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen (ABZ) | £7.00 | Online (advance) | 04:30–19:30 | – |
| Belfast International (BFS) | £5.00 | Online only (must pre-book) | All day | Under 2 |
| Birmingham (BHX) | £6.00 online / £8.50 at airport | Online or at airport | Security hours | Under 5 |
| Bournemouth (BOH) | From £7.00 | Online (by 10 pm prior) | All day | – |
| Bristol (BRS) | £6.00 online / £7.00 at airport | Online or kiosk | 03:00-19:00 | – |
| East Midlands (EMA) | From £6.00 | Online (up to 1h before) | 03:00-last flight | – |
| Edinburgh (EDI) | £7.00 | Online or QR on day | 04:00-19:00 | Under 2 |
| Exeter (EXT) | £3.50 | Online or kiosk | Airport hours | – |
| Gatwick (LGW) | £6.00 | Online or at airport | 04:00-20:00 | – |
| Glasgow (GLA) | £6.99 online | Online or QR on day | 04:00-20:00 | – |
| Heathrow (LHR) | From £12.99 | Online (pre-book required) | Select 1-hr slots | – |
| Leeds Bradford (LBA) | £8.00 | Online or walk-up | All day | Under 12 |
| Liverpool (LPL) | £6.00 | Online or kiosk | 05:00-21:00 | Under 2 |
| Luton (LTN) | £4.00 online / £8.00 at airport | Online (24h+ advance) or kiosk | 04:15-20:00 | Under 2 |
| Manchester (MAN) | From £5.49 | Online or at airport | 03:00-22:00 (T2 & T3) | – |
| Newcastle (NCL) | From £6.00 | Online or at airport | All day | – |
| Southampton (SOU) | £7.00 | Online or at airport | Airport hours | – |
| Stansted (STN) | £7.00-£8.00 | Online or at airport (same price) | 04:00-21:00 | – |
Prices correct as of June 2026. Always confirm with your airport before booking — fees and hours can change without notice.
5 Things to Check Before You Buy a Fast-Track Pass
- Do children need their own pass? In most cases, yes – including babies. Exceptions: under-2s go free at Belfast, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Luton; under-5s at Birmingham; under-12s at Leeds Bradford. Always check before assuming.
- Can you bring a pram or car seat? Manchester and Stansted do not permit pushchairs or car seats through their fast-track lanes. You’ll be redirected to the standard lane, so if you’re travelling with a buggy at these airports, skip the pass.
- Is it refundable? Fast-track passes are almost universally non-refundable and non-changeable. Read the T&Cs carefully; if your flight is cancelled, you may need to claim via travel insurance.
- Online vs on-the-day pricing. The difference can be significant – Luton charges £4 online vs £8 on the day. Heathrow requires pre-booking only; no on-the-day sales at all. Booking ahead almost always saves money and secures availability.
- Is it already included? Several airports bundle fast-track passes with premium parking. Check your APH booking confirmation – you may not need to buy a separate pass at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, or Southampton if you’ve booked the right parking product.
Airport-by-Airport Fast-Track Guide
Aberdeen Airport Fast Track (Priority Security)
Price: £7.00 per person | Hours: approx. 04:30-19:30 daily
Aberdeen’s Priority Security lane is open to all passengers. Pre-book online via the official Aberdeen Airport website and present your ticket at the dedicated entrance on the day. APH tip: Aberdeen’s Priority Parking package includes one fast-track pass per booking – a great way to save on both. See also: our Aberdeen Airport guide.
Belfast International Airport Fast Track (Premium Security)
Price: £5.00 per person | Hours: all departures | Kids: under 2 free
Belfast International’s Premium Security must be booked online in advance only – there are no walk-up sales at the terminal. Book your time slot on the airport’s website and bring your QR code. Slots sell out quickly at peak times, so book as early as possible. Read more in our Belfast International Airport guide.
Birmingham Airport Fast Track (Express Lane)
Price: £6.00 online / £8.50 at airport | Kids: under 5 free
Birmingham’s Express Lane covers Zone B-C security only – head to the correct entrance or you won’t be able to use your pass. Only a limited number of on-the-day passes are sold per hour, so pre-booking is strongly recommended. Note that BHX introduced new-generation CT scanners in 2024, which caused significant disruption; queues have improved but can still build during peak periods, making fast-track particularly worthwhile here. Book Birmingham Airport parking with APH | Birmingham Airport guide.
Bournemouth Airport Fast Track
Price: from £7.00 online | Hours: all day
Book by 10 pm the night before to secure the online rate. On-the-day purchase may be available at a slightly higher price. Every passenger – including infants – needs a pass here; there are no child concessions. Visit our Bournemouth Airport guide for more tips.
Bristol Airport Fast Track
Price: £6.00 online / £7.00 at airport | Hours: 03:00–19:00 daily
Available online or via ticket machines at the airport. Bristol requires a ticket for every passenger including infants and babies – no exceptions. If you’re a family of four with a baby, factor in four passes. Fast track closes at 7 pm, so late-evening departures won’t benefit. Find Bristol Airport parking | Bristol Airport guide.
East Midlands Airport Fast Track
Price: from £6.00 online | Hours: 03:00–last flight
Book online up to one hour before your departure. All passengers including children and infants need a pass – no child concessions currently apply. EMA also offers a Passport Control FastTrack for arrivals when available (check their site, as it has been intermittently suspended). If you book premium Meet & Greet parking at East Midlands, it sometimes includes FastTrack passes – worth checking when booking. More in our East Midlands Airport guide.
Edinburgh Airport FastTRACK Security
Price: £7.00 per person | Hours: 04:00–19:00 daily | Kids: under 2 free
Book in advance online or scan a QR code at the airport on the day (subject to availability). Pushchairs are permitted at Edinburgh – it’s one of the more family-friendly fast-track lanes. FastTRACK may be included with certain Edinburgh parking products, so check your Edinburgh Airport parking booking. More tips in our Edinburgh Airport guide.
Exeter Airport Fast Track
Price: £3.50 per person | Hours: during airport operating hours
The cheapest fast-track in the UK. Buy a voucher at the kiosk before security, or book via the airport website. Given the low cost, it’s worth it whenever queues are visible – and at a small airport like Exeter, the regular queue is often fine too. See our Exeter Airport guide.
Gatwick Airport Premium Security
Price: £6.00 per person | Hours: 04:00–20:00 daily
Pre-book on Gatwick’s official website or buy at kiosks in the North or South terminal. The premium lane closes around 8 pm, so late-night departures may not benefit. Gatwick also sells a separate Fast Track Passport Control for arriving passengers (£9). Mastercard perk: certain World Elite Mastercard credit cards offer free Gatwick fast track via Mastercard Travel Experiences – check before paying. Book Gatwick Airport parking | Gatwick Airport guide.
Glasgow Airport Priority Security
Price: £6.99 online (approx. £9 on the day) | Hours: approx. 04:00–20:00
Book online for the best price, or scan a QR code on pillars near security on the day. Glasgow’s security is generally efficient – 95% of passengers clear in under 10 minutes – so fast-track is most valuable on busy summer mornings. Glasgow also offers Priority Passport Lane for arrivals (approx. £6.99). More in our Glasgow Airport guide.
Heathrow Airport Fast Track Security
Price: from £12.99 per person | How to book: online only (pre-book required, no on-day sales)
Heathrow now sells fast-track security to all passengers – a significant change from previous years when access was restricted to premium cabin holders. You choose a 1-hour time window when booking and must be at the Fast Track entrance within that slot. At £12.99+ per person, this is the most expensive fast-track in the UK, so it’s worth weighing up the likely queue time on your specific departure day. Business class passengers and elite frequent flyers continue to receive complimentary access via their airline. Heathrow also offers Fast Track Arrivals Passport Control – book separately. Note: Terminal 4 parking and forecourt layout changed from June 2026 as part of a major redevelopment. Book Heathrow Airport parking | Heathrow Airport guide.
Leeds Bradford Airport Fast Track
Price: £8.00 per person | Hours: all day | Kids: under 12 free with a paying adult
One of the best family options in the UK – under-12s travel free with a paying adult, so a family of two adults with two young children only needs to buy two passes. Better still, LBA’s Premium Short Stay parking includes up to four Fast Track security passes – ideal for a family and potentially free fast-track if you were parking anyway. Book Leeds Bradford parking | Leeds Bradford Airport guide.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport Fast Track
Price: £6.00 online | Hours: 05:00–21:00 daily | Kids: under 2 free
Buy online in advance or at machines near security on the day (online booking guarantees your slot). Liverpool’s Fast Track Family Parking and Premium parking products include free fast-track passes for two adults and two children – excellent value if you’re parking at Liverpool Airport anyway. More in our Liverpool Airport guide.
London Luton Airport Fast Track (Priority Lane)
Price: £4.00 online (24h+ advance) / £8.00 at airport | Hours: 04:15–20:00 daily | Kids: under 2 free
The biggest online discount of any UK airport – £4 online vs £8 on the day. Luton now uses timed 15-minute entry windows, so choose your slot carefully to match your departure time. Show your QR code at the turnstile. Certain easyJet Flexi fares and annual pass holders may have Luton fast track included – check your booking before paying separately. Book Luton Airport parking | Luton Airport guide.
Manchester Airport Fast Track
Price: from £5.49 | Hours: 03:00–22:00 (Terminals 2 & 3 only) | ⚠ No prams or car seats permitted
Important update: Manchester’s Terminal 1 closed permanently in November 2025 as part of a £1.3 billion transformation. Fast Track now operates at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 only. When booking, select your correct terminal – T2 handles approximately 80% of passengers including easyJet, Jet2, TUI and Emirates. Terminal 2’s new security hall features next-generation CT scanners that allow laptops and liquids to stay in your bag, even in the standard lane. Prices adjust dynamically and can rise at peak times, so booking early secures the lowest rate. Manchester also offers a free TimeSlot scheme for standard security (no fast-track but reserves a time window) and a Passport Control FastTrack for arrivals (£15). Book Manchester Airport parking | Manchester Airport guide.
Newcastle Airport Fast Track
Price: from £6.00 | Hours: all day
Pre-book on Newcastle’s website or buy at the airport desk. Newcastle is typically a well-run airport with average security waits under 6 minutes, so fast-track is most useful on peak-period mornings or during school holidays. Book Newcastle Airport parking | Newcastle Airport guide.
Southampton Airport Priority Security
Price: £7.00 | Hours: during airport operating hours
Book online in advance or pay at the airport. Southampton’s Priority Parking automatically includes Priority Security passes for the vehicle’s occupants – the neatest parking-plus-fast-track bundle at any UK airport.
Stansted Airport Fast Track
Price: £7.00 online / £8.00 at airport | Hours: 04:00–21:00 daily | ⚠ No prams or large baby equipment
Stansted’s security queues can be notoriously long, making this one of the more worthwhile fast-track investments. Unlike most airports, the price difference between online and on-the-day is small, so you can wait to see queue lengths – though popular slots do sell out. Stansted also offers arrivals Fast Track Passport Control (£7, operating 06:00-01:00). Book Stansted Airport parking | Stansted Airport guide.
Where Is Fast-Track Best Value? Our Verdict
Not all fast-track passes are equal. Here’s a quick steer based on price, airport queue reputation, and family value:
| Best for… | Airport to consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | Exeter (£3.50) | Cheapest fast-track in the UK |
| Best online saving | Luton (£4 vs £8) | 50% cheaper if booked 24h ahead |
| Families with young kids | Leeds Bradford | Under-12s go free – rare and generous |
| Worst queues – most needed | Birmingham, Stansted | Longest reported average wait times |
| Parking bundle value | Liverpool, Southampton, LBA | Fast-track included with certain parking products |
| Most expensive | Heathrow (£12.99+) | Significant premium vs other airports |
Frequently Asked Questions About Airport Fast Track
Fast-track security (also called priority security or express lane) is a dedicated queue that lets you bypass the standard security line. You still complete all normal X-ray and baggage checks, but you reach the checkpoint faster. Most UK airports limit the number of passes sold per time slot, aiming to keep waits under 5 minutes.
Prices range from £3.50 at Exeter Airport to £12.99+ at Heathrow. Most airports charge £5-£8. Booking online is almost always cheaper than paying on the day – at Luton, for example, the difference is £4 online vs £8 at the airport.
In most cases, yes – including babies and infants. However, some airports offer exemptions: under-2s go free at Belfast International, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Luton; under-5s at Birmingham; and under-12s at Leeds Bradford (with a paying adult). Always check your airport’s specific policy before booking.
Not at all airports. Manchester and Stansted do not permit pushchairs, prams, or car seats in their fast-track lanes. If you’re travelling with a buggy at these airports, you’ll be redirected to the standard queue – so fast-track won’t be of use to you. Edinburgh and Birmingham are more family-friendly in this regard.
Generally no – fast-track passes are non-refundable and non-changeable. If your flight is cancelled, you may be able to claim the cost back on travel insurance. Some airports allow cancellation up to 24 hours before; always read the terms and conditions before purchasing.
No airport can guarantee a maximum wait time. Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester and Stansted all explicitly state they cannot guarantee the fast-track lane will be quicker than the standard lanes. That said, fast-track queues are almost always shorter – and most airports aim to process fast-track passengers in under 5 minutes.
No – they’re completely different services. Airport fast track is sold by airports to speed up security screening before you reach the departure lounge. Priority boarding is sold by airlines and determines the order in which you board the plane at the gate. You can use both independently of each other.
Several do. Aberdeen’s Priority Parking includes one fast-track pass. Leeds Bradford’s Premium Short Stay parking includes up to four passes. Liverpool’s Fast Track Family Parking and Premium products include passes for two adults and two children. Southampton’s Priority Parking includes fast-track for all vehicle occupants. Always check what’s included when booking parking with APH.
Further Reading & Related Guides
- Airport security tips: what to do before you reach the queue
- Travelling with children: everything you need to know
- How to get the best deal on airport parking
- Find airport parking at all UK airports
Disclaimer: All prices, operating hours, and policies were correct at the time of publication (June 2026). Airports may change fees, conditions of entry, or operating times without prior notice – always confirm with your airport before booking or travelling. Fast-track access provides a shorter queue but does not exempt passengers from standard security procedures and 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 !