Get free drinking water at airports and beat the after-security price hikes… where to fill up your bottles revealed

Staying hydrated at the airport shouldn’t cost a fortune. Yet we’ve all been there, you toss out your water bottle at security, only to find sky-high prices for a new one in Departures. The good news is you can bring an empty reusable bottle through security (this is perfectly allowed by the Civil Aviation Authority) and fill it up for free once airside. In fact, airports are increasingly installing water fountains and refill stations to help passengers save money and reduce plastic waste. Back in 2017, more than half of the UK’s international airports had no free water fountains at all, but by 2025, many have added refill points thanks to consumer pressure and a push for sustainability.

Below we’ve compiled updated, airport-by-airport info on where you can find free drinking water after security in UK airports. We include the latest official details and real traveller tips, from hidden fountain locations to workarounds if a fountain is hard to find or out of service. Fill your bottle and fly hydrated!

Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Gatwick has multiple free water fountains in both the North and South Terminals, and every restaurant or bar will also fill your bottle on request. Here’s where to look once you’re through security:

• North Terminal: Two fountains immediately after security on the right side of the World Duty Free entrance. There’s also a fountain near the downstairs toilets by WHSmith, and another upstairs by Wagamama.
• South Terminal: One fountain on the upper level, next to the Grain Store café and the toilets, and another on the lower level by the Harrods store at the entrance to the toilets.

Traveller tip: Gatwick’s fountains are clearly signposted, but if you’re struggling to spot one, just ask staff at any food outlet, they’ll happily provide tap water for free.

Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Heathrow has gone above and beyond with its water facilities. There are over 100 water fountains across Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, generally located near or inside the toilet areas and marked with signage. In practice, you’re never far from a refill station at Heathrow:

• Locations: After security, simply head toward the nearest restroom in your terminal; most have a drinking fountain or bottle refill tap nearby. Heathrow’s interactive terminal maps (and the Heathrow app) can also help you pinpoint the closest one.

One traveller noted that in Terminal 5 the two fountains immediately past security were once out of order, but “there are far more than 2 water fountains at T5… mostly near the toilets in all of the T5 A, B and C gate areas”. In other words, if the first fountain you see is busy or broken, don’t worry, walk a little further into the departures lounge or towards the gates, and you’ll find another. You can always ask any café/bar staff for a water refill as a backup. With Heathrow’s extensive network of fountains, you can fill your bottle and avoid paying £3+ for bottled water with ease.

Belfast International Airport (BFS)

Belfast International Airport offers two free water fountains after security. The first is located near Gate 14, and the second is along the corridor on the way to Gates 21–29 in the international departures area. Keep an eye out as you head toward your gate; the fountains are wall-mounted and labelled for drinking water. If you happen to be at the opposite end of the departure lounge or don’t spot the fountain, you can also approach any café or bar; staff will fill your bottle from the tap. One traveller reported that the bar next to “The Kitchen” restaurant refilled a 500ml bottle with no fuss, so this is a handy fallback if you’re not near Gate 14 or 21–29.

Birmingham Airport (BHX)

Birmingham Airport has introduced multiple water refill points for passengers after security. Once you’re through to the departures lounge, you can find fountains at the following locations:

• Main Departures: One fountain is tucked behind the Bottega Prosecco Bar & Café, and another is adjacent to the toilets behind the No1 Lounge (look for signage near these areas).
• International Pier: There are fountains by the departure gates, for example, around Gate 47 and Gate 52, useful if you’re heading to those far-end gates.
• Bus Gates Area: The pier bussing lounge (where you might wait for remote stand flights) also has a water fountain available.

If you’re still landside, note that there is even a water tap in the OCS special assistance area before security, and arriving passengers will find a fountain in the north baggage reclaim hall. But for most travellers, the post-security fountains in the main lounge and piers will be most convenient. Pro tip: As elsewhere, any food outlet in BHX will give you tap water if you ask, so you’ll have no trouble staying hydrated for free while you wait for your flight.

Bournemouth Airport (BOH)

Bournemouth Airport, unfortunately, does not yet have dedicated drinking fountain units for passengers. However, you can still refill your bottle for free here. The key is to head to the airport’s single café-bar in departures (The Olive Tree). After security, you’ll find The Olive Tree restaurant in the departures hall, on the counter, where they have water taps/jugs available for travellers to use. The staff are very friendly about it; in fact, one flyer noted the Olive Tree team “approached us” to offer water refills without even being asked!

Do be aware of the restaurant’s opening hours. If you have an early morning flight before the café opens or a very late departure, there may be no other refill option once airside (aside from asking an employee). In such cases, consider filling your bottle at a landside café or the water tap in the pre-security café (Joe’s) before going through security. While Bournemouth lacks a fancy refill station, a polite request at the bar for tap water will do the job, and as always, it’s free of charge.

Bristol Airport (BRS)

Bristol Airport now provides several water refill points for travellers. The main one to know is located in the departures lounge mezzanine, en route to Gates 7–16 (next to the SOHO Coffee Co. shop). Many departing passengers will pass this area as they head to their gates, so watch for the fountain near the café and seating area. It’s marked on the airport’s terminal map and usually signposted as a refill station.

In fact, Bristol Airport has announced that there are five water refill stations throughout the terminal (including arrivals). For those flying out, the mezzanine-level fountain by Gates 7–16 is the easiest spot to top up your bottle. If you’re arriving or happen to be in baggage reclaim, you’ll also find fountains near Immigration and opposite baggage carousel 5. But for departing travellers, simply remember the SOHO Coffee / Gates 7-16 fountain. And of course, any café or bar in Bristol Airport should also oblige if you ask them for a free water refill.

East Midlands Airport (EMA)

At East Midlands Airport, you’ll find a free water fountain immediately after security, essentially at the back of the security hall as you enter the departures area. Many passengers miss it because they rush straight through to duty-free, but if you look around just after the security screening area, you should spot the refill point (often near the exit from security, sometimes by the seating where you re-pack your bags). Fill up your bottle there before exploring the rest of the lounge.

If, for some reason, you miss the fountain right after the scanners, don’t worry: you can also ask at any airside café or restaurant, and they will fill your water bottle for free. EMA staff are used to this request. But generally, remember to fill up as soon as you’re through security, where the dedicated fountain is provided; it’s convenient and will save you hunting around later.

Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

Edinburgh Airport has a free drinking water fountain conveniently located in the departures lounge. After you go through security and the duty-free shop, turn left just as you leave the World Duty Free area. The water fountain is on the left-hand side, there, not far from the restrooms. Many travellers walk past it on the way to the gates without noticing, so keep your eyes peeled in that first section of the departures hall.

There have been reports in the past of passengers failing to find the fountain. One traveller, for instance, didn’t spot it and ended up paying £3.75 for a bottle of water at a shop. Don’t let that be you! The fountain is there (by the duty-free exit), but if you can’t locate it, simply ask an airport staff member or a shop assistant to point you in the right direction. With that quick refill, you can save a few pounds and avoid single-use plastic at Edinburgh.

Exeter Airport (EXT)

Exeter Airport has joined the refill initiative by installing a drinking water fountain for passengers. It’s located in the departures area, specifically in the corridor leading to the boarding gates. This is a change from a few years ago, when Exeter had no fountain; back then, the only option was asking staff at the café/bar. Now, as you walk from the main lounge toward your gate, look for a water fountain unit in the hallway (near the toilets) and top up your bottle there.

In case you have any trouble finding the fountain or if it’s temporarily out of service, the old method still works: the Fed and Watered Wine & Dine restaurant/bar in Departures will happily fill your water bottle for free. Many travellers have used the bar for refills prior to the fountain being installed, and the staff remain willing to help. So, whether via the new fountain or the friendly bar staff, you can get free drinking water at Exeter Airport without issue.

Glasgow Airport (GLA)

Glasgow Airport now offers several water refill stations after security, far more than it used to. You’ll find fountains across different parts of the terminal:

• Main Departures Lounge: There are at least two fountains here, one next to the Caledonian Bar, and another opposite Starbucks by the restrooms. These are central and convenient for most passengers after security.
• Departure Piers: Glasgow has multiple piers (domestic and international). Each pier has water points as well. For example, on the central pier, there’s a fountain opposite WHSmith and another by a bar/café; on the West Pier, there’s one near the Tennent’s Bar, and on the East Pier, one near the Mozzo Coffee house. Essentially, as you head toward your gate, you’re likely to encounter a drinking water station near a seating area or café on that pier.
• Other Areas: There is even a fountain in what’s known as “Terminal 2” (the check-in annexe for certain airlines) next to the old Ryanair desk. And for completeness, Glasgow has provided fountains in the domestic and international baggage halls for arriving passengers, too.

For departing travellers, the key takeaway is that Glasgow has at least 5-6 free water fountains airside, so you shouldn’t have to go far to find one. They might not all be signposted, but look around near toilets and near popular bars/restaurants on your way to the gates. If you’re uncertain, airport staff can direct you. With Glasgow’s commitment to hydration (the airport even boasted on social media about adding 8 new fountains to a total of 10 in 2024!), you can definitely refill without spending money on bottled water.

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)

Leeds Bradford Airport has a free water fountain in its departure lounge. After security, head to the ground floor of Departures (before going upstairs to the gates area). The fountain is located towards the outdoor smoking area on the ground floor. In practice, this means once you’re through security, look for signs towards the smoking area or ask a staff member, and you’ll find the refill point nearby. It’s a single fountain unit, but it’s there and available for all passengers to use at no charge.

If, for any reason, you miss the fountain or don’t want to trek over to that side, any bar, café or restaurant in LBA will also provide free tap water. The airport explicitly states that all their food and drink outlets will fill your bottle if you ask. So whether you use the designated fountain or just pop into a café for a top-up, you can easily avoid buying a water bottle at Leeds Bradford. (The airport’s motto here might as well be: “refill not landfill!”)

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL)

Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport was once criticised for lacking fountains, but it has since added two free water fountains for passengers. They are located at opposite ends of the departures area:

• One fountain is near Gate 3, close to a little picnic seating area by some food outlets. This is toward the beginning of the departures lounge.
• The other fountain is near Gate 30, at the far end of the terminal (by the gates used for many departures to Ireland and Europe).

Because of the layout, if your gate is a low number, you’ll be nearer the first fountain; if it’s a higher number, you’ll be closer to the one by Gate 30. Do note that some travellers have found the Gate 30 water station a bit hidden and not well signposted; it’s next to a stairwell and easy to overlook. So if you’re in that area, take a moment to look around corners or ask a staff member if you don’t immediately see it.

Aside from the fountains, free tap water is available from all eateries at Liverpool Airport on request. So you could always walk up to, e.g. a Pret or Starbucks and politely ask for a bottle refill. Between the two fountains and cooperative staff, staying hydrated at LPL is much easier than it was a few years ago.

London City Airport (LCY)

London City Airport, serving the Docklands and City of London, now provides a water bottle refill station after security. Once you’ve passed through the security checkpoint, look for the refill point near Gates 7 and 8 in the Departures area. It’s essentially a water fountain/dispenser labelled for drinking water, and it’s free to use. LCY is a smaller airport, so it only needs the one dedicated station, but it covers the bases.

In addition, any of the food and drink concessions at London City will refill your bottle if you ask. The airport actively encourages passengers to bring reusable bottles, and even the bars and coffee shops airside will top you up with tap water at no charge. The fountain by Gates 7-8 is convenient for most departures (LCY’s gates are all in close proximity), so we’d recommend using that first. But if you’re in a rush, grabbing a quick refill from a café counter works too. Either way, you won’t need to spend £2-3 on bottled water at LCY, just refill for free and fly out hydrated.

London Luton Airport (LTN)

Luton Airport offers free water fountains for passengers, located just after security in the departures area. As you leave the security screening zone and enter the main departures hall, look for the lifts (elevators) that take you up to the lounge/shopping level. There are water fountains situated right beside those lifts. This means you can fill your bottle immediately upon clearing security. Many travellers use these refill points before exploring the shops or heading to their gates.

In addition to the fountains, most of Luton’s food outlets will fill your bottle with tap water on request. So if you’re wandering in the terminal and your bottle’s empty, you could stop by a Pret, Costa, etc., and simply ask for a refill. They are used to it and won’t charge you. LTN has improved its offerings in recent years, so make the most of the free water and avoid paying for pricey drinks, a quick refill stop by the lifts, and you’re good to go.

Manchester Airport (MAN)

Manchester Airport has free water fountains available in all three terminals, and also makes free tap water available at all bars and restaurants on site. Here’s a breakdown by terminal to help you find the fountains:

• Terminal 1: After clearing security, if you exited via Security Area A, there is a fountain on the left side of the corridor as you walk out. If you came through Security Area B, you’ll encounter the same fountain as you enter the corridor leading into the main departure concourse. Essentially, in T1, keep an eye out in the hallway immediately after security; the water station is mounted on the wall there.
• Terminal 2: There is a water fountain just beyond security, in the corridor that leads toward the departures hall. After you go through the scanners and checks, as you head onward, you should see the fountain available. (T2’s security exit area isn’t too large, so the fountain is fairly easy to spot on the way to the lounge.)
• Terminal 3: The fountain is located in the departure lounge area, specifically in the walkway between the Trattoria Milano restaurant and the Lion & Antelope pub. So once you’re through T3 security and you enter the combined shopping/boarding area, look for those eateries; the refill station is in the corridor connecting them.

Manchester Airport’s website also reiterates that you can ask any restaurant or bar airside for a free water refill if needed. So if you don’t pass directly by a fountain, just pop into the nearest café with your empty bottle. Staff will fill it up for you, no purchase necessary. Between the designated fountains and cooperative venues, you have plenty of options to get water without paying at MAN. (Tip: Considering Manchester’s terminals can involve a lot of walking to gates, definitely top up your water so you’re comfortable en route to your flight.)

Southampton Airport (SOU)

Southampton Airport provides a free water fountain in its departure lounge for passengers. To find it, go through security and as soon as you exit the World Duty Free shop, turn left into the main seating area. The water fountain is located next to the ground-floor toilets. There should be signage (or an obvious water tap symbol) near the restroom indicating its presence. Essentially, it’s right at the start of the departures hall, by the facilities, so you can fill your bottle early on.

Southampton is a smaller regional airport, so it only has the one fountain after security, but it’s centrally placed and easy to access once you know where to look. The airport even published a little map for travellers showing the fountain’s spot (marked with an orange arrow), a sign that they want you to use it and stay hydrated. If you have any trouble, just ask an airport staff member near the duty-free area or a shop employee, and they’ll point it out. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of it; it’ll save you from paying airport prices for a drink.

London Stansted Airport (STN)

Stansted Airport has multiple free water points available after security, spread throughout the terminal. Here’s where to find them:

• Main Departures Area: There is a water fountain in the main departure lounge, in the toilet corridor near Pret A Manger. In practice, once you’re through security and in the big lounge, head toward/into the food court area, by the restroom entrances close to Pret (and perhaps near Burger King/Coast to Coast), you’ll find a drinking fountain.
• Gate Zones: Stansted’s gates are split into two clusters (Gates 1–19 and Gates 40–59, with the train to satellite gates in between). In each gate area, you will find water fountains as well. So if you’re in the Gate 1-19 pier, look around the hallway for a fountain (often near the toilets there). Likewise, in the Gates 40-59 pier, there is one or two fountains in the corridor by those gates. These are great to use right before boarding if you want a full bottle for the flight.

Additionally, arrivals at Stansted have water fountains in the passport control hall and baggage reclaim, which is good to know for the return journey. And remember, if you’re in the departure lounge and don’t see a fountain nearby, any bar or restaurant will fill your bottle for free, just ask at the counter. The airport has even set up some self-service water stations with “honesty boxes” requesting a £1 donation per bottle, but you are not obliged to pay to refill. (As one might say, water should be honestly free!) So whether via the official fountains or simply asking a friendly staff member at Pret or Wetherspoon’s, you can stay hydrated at STN without opening your wallet.

Newcastle Airport (NCL)

Newcastle International Airport is one of the few UK airports that still does not have dedicated water fountains as of 2025. Don’t let this deter you from bringing an empty bottle, though; you can get it refilled for free at Newcastle, it just requires asking at an outlet. All the cafés, bars and restaurants in the departure lounge will gladly provide you with tap water if you ask. In fact, airport management has stated this as their solution: any catering outlet will fill up your bottle at no charge.

Regular flyers from Newcastle report doing this for years. One traveller mentioned they have been asking the airport’s bars and restaurants for bottle refills “for the last couple of years” and staff are always happy to help. So, while you won’t find a shiny “refill station” machine at NCL, the moment you want water, simply approach a pub or coffee shop in the lounge with your empty bottle. Geordie hospitality won’t let you go thirsty! Hopefully, Newcastle will install official fountains in the future, but in the meantime, the free tap water is there; you just have to ask for it.

George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)

Belfast City Airport, which had been cited in the past for not offering free water, has listened to passenger feedback and installed a fountain in its departures lounge. The new water refill station is available right after security in the main Departures area. It’s located opposite the House of Ireland gift store and the Born and Bred shop, near the corridor to the restrooms. Look for a modern-looking fountain or tap on the wall around that spot.

This addition (put in around 2019) means you can now easily top up your bottle at BHD for free. The airport itself has promoted this as an eco-friendly move to help reduce plastic waste, a win-win for travellers and the environment. If you have any trouble finding the fountain, just ask one of the staff in the departure lounge shops; they’ll know where it is. And as always, if for some reason you can’t get to the fountain, the airport cafés will also give you tap water if you ask. But with the fountain conveniently placed by the shops, Belfast City flyers can finally refill without hassle before hopping on their flights.

Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)

Aberdeen Airport now provides free drinking water facilities for passengers after security. There are actually a couple of water refill points in the departures lounge. Notably, one water fountain is located in the upper departures area, just past “The Distilling House” bar, by the toilets between Gates 5 and 6. This fountain was added around 2019 and marked the airport’s first official refill station. If you’re in the main lounge or heading toward gates 1–10, keep an eye out near the restrooms for this bottle filler.

According to the airport’s map, additional water refill stations may be present elsewhere in the terminal; so far, the one by Gates 5-6 is the most prominent. The good news is that you no longer have to rely solely on asking restaurant staff (though of course, that remains an option too; any café will still fill a bottle if needed). Aberdeen’s addition of fountains is a welcome improvement, making it easy for travellers to grab some free water on the way to their gate. If in doubt, ask a staff member to point out the nearest “water refill station”; they’ll know exactly where it is, now that the airport officially highlights this service to passengers.

Cardiff Airport (CWL)

Cardiff Airport has made huge strides in providing free water to travellers; in fact, it now boasts six water fountains around the terminal. This is a big improvement from years past when Cardiff had none. Here’s where they are:

• Departure Lounge: Two fountains in the main departures area (the central seating/shopping hall). These are likely near restroom areas or pillars. Keep an eye out for signs or ask staff if you don’t see them straight away.
• Departure Piers: Cardiff has two small departure piers off the main lounge, and there is one fountain on each pier. So as you walk down the corridor to your gate, you’ll come across a refill station on that wing. This ensures that even when waiting near the gates, you have access to water.
• Arrivals: Additionally, Cardiff has provided fountains in the landside arrivals area (for anyone who’s just landed and is before customs) and in the baggage reclaim hall. While these aren’t directly useful for departing passengers, it’s great to know the airport has covered all bases; you can even refill after your return flight before leaving the terminal.

For departing travellers, with four fountains spread between the main lounge and piers, you should find it very straightforward to fill up your bottle at CWL. The airport, backed by the Welsh government’s Refill Cymru initiative, installed these to help cut plastic use and serve customers better. They’re clearly marked, but if you don’t see one, just ask an employee; there will be one nearby. In short, Cardiff went from zero to hero on water fountains, so take advantage and fly out with a full bottle (and a fuller wallet)!

London Southend Airport (SEN)

London Southend is another smaller airport that has responded to passenger needs by adding a free water refill station. As of the latest update, there is a water fountain directly after security, at the top of the escalator that leads into the departures area. In other words, when you come out of the security checkpoint (Southend uses an escalator to take you up into Departures), you should see the fountain right there or immediately nearby. Fill up your bottle as you enter the lounge, and you’re all set.

Southend’s management emphasises that “drinking water is also readily available in our food and beverage outlets”, so any café or restaurant can provide tap water too if you prefer. But with the fountain conveniently placed at the security exit, it’s very easy to help yourself. Don’t be shy, it’s there for you to use, free of charge. This is a welcome development because a few years ago, Southend had no fountains and passengers had to rely on asking at cafes. Now, you have that dedicated refill point to ensure you stay hydrated without paying. Whether you’re jetting off from Southend on a summer holiday or a business trip, remember to top up your water bottle after security; your wallet (and the planet) will thank you.

Airports Without Water Fountains: What to Do

As of 2025, the vast majority of UK airports do provide at least one free water fountain or refill station to passengers. However, a handful of smaller airports still haven’t installed any. Notable examples include Cornwall Airport Newquay, City of Derry Airport, Teesside International, Glasgow Prestwick, and Norwich Airport, none of which have dedicated drinking fountains yet. If you’re flying from one of these, don’t worry: you can still get free water, you’ll just need to ask for it.

In airports without fountains, simply ask at a café, bar or restaurant in the departure lounge for a bottle fill-up. Staff at these outlets are generally very used to such requests (even if you’re not buying anything), and they will give you tap water gladly. It’s actually a stated policy at many of these airports that their concessions will provide free water on request. For example, Bournemouth and Newcastle, which we covered above, fall into this category, and their eateries will help you out. The same goes for Newquay, Derry, Teesside, Prestwick, Norwich, and other small terminals.

So, if you don’t see a fountain, don’t be shy: walk up with a smile and an empty bottle and ask, “Could I possibly have some tap water, please?” You’ll quench your thirst without spending a penny. And by refilling rather than buying a new bottle, you’re also cutting down on plastic waste, a win-win for you and the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

The information in this guide is correct to the best of our knowledge as of 2025, based on official airport sources and verified traveller reports. Airport facilities can change without notice, so refill stations may be moved, temporarily unavailable, or replaced. We recommend checking your airport’s official website or asking staff on the day of travel for the most up-to-date information. APH accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies or inconvenience caused. Always allow yourself extra time at the airport and carry a reusable bottle for best results.

Help Us Keep This Guide Updated

Airports are continually improving their facilities, and we travellers are the first to notice changes. If you’ve passed through a UK airport and found new water fountains, changes in location, or any issues (like a fountain out of service or hard to find), please let us know! We strive to keep this guide accurate and up-to-date so it can help everyone.

Feel free to share your latest observations or tips in the comments below. Did a restaurant go above and beyond in helping you refill? Have you spotted a shiny new hydration station that we haven’t mentioned? We’d love to hear about it. Your on-the-ground updates will help fellow travellers stay informed and hydrated.

Together, we can ensure that no one has to pay ridiculous prices for water at the airport ever again, and that we all do our bit to reduce single-use plastic. So keep that reusable bottle in your hand luggage, spread the word about free water sources, and let us know if you discover something new. Thanks, and happy travels from all of us at APH!