Bristol Airport Drop-off & Pick Up Charges (updated for 2026)

Bristol Airport Drop-off Charges

If there is one airport topic likely to spark debate among passengers and the local community, it’s drop-off charges. These fees vary widely – from around £1 for 10 minutes at Belfast to £7 for 15 minutes at Stansted – and Bristol Airport in particular has come under fire for recent hikes. What was a minimum charge of £1 in 2019 had risen to £7 by 2025, and as of January 2026, the minimum fee is increasing to £8.50 for a 10-minute stay

A sign at Bristol Airport displaying drop-off charges. Bristol Airport’s management says it did not take this decision lightly – the increase comes as the airport’s business rates bill is set to more than double – and they hope higher drop-off fees will encourage more travellers to use sustainable transport options. The airport has invested in a new £60 million Public Transport Interchange (opened July 2025) and a fleet of 21 electric buses to improve connectivity. Nevertheless, many passengers still feel they have little choice but to ask family or friends for a lift to ensure they catch their flight on time, especially when other transport options can be limited or inconvenient.

So, what are the current options for dropping off – and picking up – at Bristol Airport, and how can you avoid the highest charges? Below, we outline the Drop & Go (Express drop-off) zone, Short Stay car park, the free Waiting Zone, and other useful tips for 2026.

So, what are the options for dropping off – and picking up – at Bristol Airport?

Drop & Go car park

First up is the Drop & Go car park (also known as the “Drop Off & Pick Up” zone). This area is located right next to the terminal and offers the quickest option for dropping passengers near Departures. As of 5 January 2026, it costs £8.50 for the first 10 minutes (up from £7 previously), then increases steeply as follows: 

Drop & Go parking charges ( from Jan 2026):

• Up to 10 minutes: £8.50
• 10 – 20 minutes: £10.50
• 20 – 40 minutes: £13.00
• 40 – 60 minutes: £30.00
• 1 – 2 hours: £60.00 (maximum stay is 2 hours)

Note: If you think you’ll need longer than 10 minutes, the airport advises using the Short Stay car park or the free Waiting Zone instead. The Drop & Go zone is intended for very brief stops – drivers must stay with their vehicle, and there’s a strict maximum of 2 hours.

The Drop & Go facility operates with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to record your vehicle on entry, so you can drive straight in. The time-based fee is calculated at the exit barrier, where you can pay by card or cash.

The Drop & Go postcode is BS48 3DY and the what3words location is /// paths.foot.investor.

Blue Badge exemptions

Blue Badge holders still have a special concession in the Drop & Go zone. If you have a Blue Badge (disabled parking permit) displayed, you are allowed up to 40 minutes in the Drop & Go car park for the standard 10-minute fee (now £8.50). This is an increase from the previous £7, but it means disabled passengers have more time to unload or get assistance without extra charge beyond the £8.50 fee. Blue Badges should be scanned at the exit barrier to validate the extended stay. (Previously, Blue Badge holders could get 30 minutes free by visiting the special assistance desk, but the procedure has changed with the new automated system.) If your passengers require help inside the terminal, there is a Special Assistance point just outside, and staff can provide support.

Short Stay car park

Another option for dropping off or picking up is the Short Stay car park, which is within a short walking distance of the terminal. This is a better choice than Drop & Go if you intend to stay longer than a quick drop-off, or if you want to leave your car and meet passengers in Arrivals. From 5 January 2026, Short Stay tariffs are also rising: it will cost £8.50 for up to 15 minutes (was £7) and £10.50 for 15-30 minutes (was £9). After 30 minutes, the charges climb as follows:

Short Stay parking charges (2026):

• Up to 15 minutes: £8.50 (previously £7.00)
• 15 – 30 minutes: £10.50 (previously £9.00)
• 30 – 45 minutes: £13.00
• 45 – 60 minutes: £25.00
• 1 – 4 hours: £30.00

Short Stay is generally not intended for more than a few hours. For reference, 4-12 hours is £45, and up to 24 hours is £65, with multi-day rates thereafter

To use Short Stay, take a ticket at the entry barrier and pay at one of the pay stations or at the exit. Special Assistance: If you are dropping off or picking up a passenger who needs special assistance, you can press the intercom button at the Short Stay entry for help, and there are dedicated disabled bays near the terminal entrance.

The Short Stay postcode is BS48 3DY and the what3words location is /// jets.moral.lobby.

Free drop off

Yes – there is a way to avoid paying drop-off fees altogether! The trade-off is a short shuttle bus ride. Bristol Airport provides a free Waiting Zone where you can drop off or wait to pick up passengers for up to 1 hour free of charge. This area is located at the Car Rental Centre, a little further from the terminal, and a courtesy shuttle bus runs to and from the terminal every 15 minutes. This free shuttle (soon to be an electric bus as the fleet is upgraded) takes only a few minutes to reach the terminal’s new transport interchange.

The free drop-off parking area is clearly marked as the “Waiting Zone.” Here are the key details and charges if you stay beyond the free hour:

The free drop-off parking is called the Waiting Zone. 

Waiting Zone parking charges:

• Up to 60 minutes: FREE
• 1 – 2 hours: £10.00
• Each additional hour (or part thereof) after 2 hours: £20.00

There is no return permitted within one hour.

The Waiting Zone has two Blue Badge parking bays but note that special assistance is not available.

The Waiting Zone postcode is BS48 3DW and the what3words location is /// medium.estate.robe.

Beware the Red Routes

Be aware that Bristol Airport enforces a strict no-stopping policy on all access roads marked with Red Routes. It is prohibited to stop, even briefly, outside of designated car parks or drop-off areas anywhere on the airport’s roads. There are clear red lines and signs indicating these zones. The penalty for stopping on a Red Route is £100 (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days), enforced via number plate cameras and patrols. So, do not be tempted to drop someone at the roadside – use the official areas described above to avoid a hefty fine.

Picking up

When picking up arriving passengers, you have similar options. The Waiting Zone is ideal if you know roughly when your party will be ready and don’t mind using the shuttle bus for the final transfer. You can park for up to an hour free, which often covers the time it takes for them to deplane and come through baggage claim. They can then hop on the shuttle from the terminal to meet you at the Car Rental Centre pickup area – all without any cost.

If your passengers are delayed or have lots of luggage, you might end up exceeding the free hour. The good news is that the Waiting Zone now charges only £10 for up to 2 hours, which is much cheaper than it used to be (it was £25). This means even if you have to wait 1-2 hours, you’ll pay no more than £10 – far less than Short Stay would charge for the same period. However, beyond 2 hours, the cost in the Waiting Zone jumps by £20 per hour, so if you anticipate an exceptionally long wait (e.g. several hours due to extreme delays), the Short Stay car park’s flat £30 up to 4 hours might offer better value (and it saves your passengers a shuttle bus ride).

In summary, for pickups: up to 1 hour, use the free Waiting Zone; around 1–2 hours, the Waiting Zone is still cost-effective (£10); if much longer, Short Stay may be preferable. Just remember the no-return rule if you leave the Waiting Zone – you can’t keep re-entering to reset the free hour. Timing is everything, so keep an eye on the flight’s status. If you cut it fine, you could always wait off-site until your passenger is nearly ready, then drive into the Waiting Zone at the right time.

Local resident discount

If you live locally, there’s a concession scheme that might benefit you. Residents in certain areas around the airport can apply for permission to park free of charge in the Short Stay car park for up to 40 minutes. The eligible areas are:

• Downside Road – from the A38 to Coombe Garage – and all cul-de-sacs off it
• Hyatts Wood Road
• The Oatfield Estate
• Cook’s Bridle Path

To apply for this local resident discount, email your details to communitycarparking@bristolairport.com, including copies of your vehicle V5 registration document and insurance certificate. (The airport will issue you a permit or code if approved.) This concession helps mitigate the impact of airport traffic on immediate neighbours by giving locals a free short-term parking option.

Arriving by taxi

Taxis and rideshare drivers (Uber, etc.) have to follow the same rules at Bristol Airport. They cannot stop on Red Routes and must use the official drop-off/pick-up zones. If you take a taxi to the airport, the driver can drop you in the Waiting Zone (free for up to 1 hour), and you can take the shuttle bus to the terminal. This is a good option if you want to avoid adding a drop-off charge to your taxi fare – just make sure to allow a bit of extra time for the shuttle ride.

If a taxi uses the Drop & Go zone right by the terminal, the same charges apply for them as for any private car. This cost will likely be passed on to you as the passenger, so it’s worth discussing with the driver. Many taxi drivers will prefer to use the free Waiting Zone if you’re willing to take the shuttle. Always plan a few extra minutes into your journey if using the shuttle, especially at peak times.

Parking at Bristol

There is a variety of airport parking options at Bristol, so if you are considering saving your friends and family members a journey – and their fuel – by driving your own vehicle to the airport, you should be able to find something that suits you.

If time is not necessarily a priority, then the best value is usually Silver Zone Parking, which is a little distance from the terminal but still within the airport grounds. The free shuttle bus transfers depart every 15 minutes, and the journey time is between seven and nine minutes. For Sat Nav, use postcode BS48 3DW.

Alternatively, the Long Stay Parking is within walking distance (5 to 15 minutes), which gives a little more flexibility with timing. Use postcode BS48 3DY.

For the ultimate in convenience, book Meet & Greet, which is ideal for saving time, and for avoiding walking with luggage, or waiting for bus transfers. Just pull right up to the terminal and hand your vehicle over to a parking valet.

Get an APH Bristol Airport parking quote here.

Getting to Bristol Airport – by road

Driving to Bristol Airport is straightforward. The airport is about 7 miles southwest of Bristol City Centre, just off the A38. Key approaches:

• From the North (via M5): Exit the M5 at Junction 18 onto the A4 (Portway) along the River Avon, then follow signs for A370 Bristol/Airport, which connect to the A38 southbound to the airport.
• From the South (via M5): Exit at Junction 22 (Edithmead) and take the A38 north through Churchill toward the airport – or alternatively, exit at Junction 21 (Weston-super-Mare) and follow the A370/A368 to join the A38 at Churchill.
• From the East (via M4): If coming along M4, it’s easiest to switch to M5 southbound at the M4 Junction 20 (Almondsbury), then exit M5 at J18 for the A4 as above.
• From Bath/Southeast: Take the A4 towards Bristol, then join the A4174 Ring Road (southwest bound) and follow signs for A38/Airport.
• From South Wales: After crossing the Prince of Wales Bridge (M4), take Junction 22 onto the M49, then connect to the M5 southbound and exit at J18 for the A4 towards the airport.

All routes to the airport are well signposted. Do factor in extra time during rush hour, as the A38 and other approach roads can get congested during peak periods..

Getting to Bristol Airport – by bus or coach

You can of course avoid the car altogether and take advantage of the handy airport bus and coach services, which depart regularly from Bristol city centre, Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Cardiff and Plymouth.

From Bristol Bus Station, you can take the A1 Bristol Airport Flyer, which departs every 12 minutes. From Weston-super-Mare, the A3 Weston Airport Flyer sets off from the railway station every hour, as does the A4 Air Decker Bath – from Bath Dorchester St, via the Westgate Buildings, Royal Victoria Park and Newbridge Road.

National Express runs a service from Cardiff via Newport and the South West Falcon covers Plymouth, Exeter and Taunton, operated by Stagecoach.

Whichever way you choose to get to Bristol Airport, hopefully, this quick rundown of options has helped you on your way. Note that things can change, of course, including parking charges, so always double-check close to the time of travel.

FAQs

Bon voyage!