Free drinking water is available at most major UK airports, so you usually do not need to buy an expensive bottle after security. Bring a reusable bottle, follow the liquid rules at your departure airport and refill it once you reach the departures area.
Last updated: July 2026. We reviewed official airport guidance, terminal information and recent passenger updates. Water-point locations can change, so check the airport map or ask a member of staff if you cannot find the refill station listed below.
Can you refill a water bottle at UK airports?
Yes. Most large UK airports have free drinking-water fountains or bottle-refill stations after security. Where a dedicated refill point is unavailable, a café, bar or restaurant may be able to provide tap water on request.
- Reusable bottles are permitted in hand luggage.
- Your bottle may need to be empty when you pass through security.
- Liquid limits now vary between UK airports, so check your airport’s current security guidance before travelling.
- Refill points are commonly located near toilets, security exits, food courts and boarding gates.
- Ask airport staff or check the official terminal map if a fountain is difficult to find.
Important: check the liquid rules at your airport
Security technology is not identical at every UK airport. Some airports allow larger liquid containers to remain inside cabin bags, while others continue to apply a 100ml container limit. Follow the instructions published by your departure airport and airline. Taking an empty bottle remains the simplest option when you are unsure.
UK airport water fountains at a glance
| Airport | Free refill available? | Best place to look |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Yes | Departures, near toilets between Gates 5 and 6 |
| Belfast City | Yes | Main departures area after security |
| Belfast International | Yes | Near Gate 14 and towards Gates 21-29 |
| Birmingham | Yes | Main lounge, Gates 1-20 and Gate 49 bussing lounge |
| Bournemouth | Ask an outlet | Departures café or bar |
| Bristol | Yes | Multiple locations, including opposite World Duty Free and near SOHO Coffee |
| Cardiff | Yes | Main departure lounge and gate piers |
| East Midlands | Yes | Shortly after security |
| Edinburgh | Yes | Departures after security; follow terminal signage |
| Exeter | Yes | Corridor leading towards the boarding gates |
| Gatwick | Yes | Multiple points in North and South Terminals |
| Glasgow | Yes | Main lounge and departure piers |
| Heathrow | Yes | More than 100 fountains, mainly near toilets |
| Leeds Bradford | Yes | Departure lounge |
| Liverpool | Yes | Near the lower- and higher-numbered gate areas |
| London City | Yes | Departures after security |
| Luton | Yes | Departures after security |
| Manchester | Yes | All terminals; outlets also participate in free refills |
| Newcastle | Ask an outlet | Airside cafés, bars and restaurants |
| Southampton | Yes | Near the toilets after World Duty Free |
| Southend | Yes | Immediately after security |
| Stansted | Yes | Main departures lounge and gate areas |
Quick tip: airport refurbishment work can temporarily move or close a refill point. If the listed location is unavailable, search the airport’s official map for “water fountain” or “water refill”, or ask at an information desk.
Find your airport
Aberdeen | Belfast City | Belfast International | Birmingham | Bournemouth | Bristol | Cardiff | East Midlands | Edinburgh | Exeter | Gatwick | Glasgow | Heathrow | Leeds Bradford | Liverpool | London City | Luton | Manchester | Newcastle | Southampton | Southend | Stansted
Where to refill your water bottle at Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport provides free water-refill points throughout the North and South Terminals. The airport encourages passengers to bring reusable bottles, and its current security system permits liquids in containers of up to 2 litres to remain in cabin baggage. Always recheck the airport’s security page before travelling because rules can change.
- North Terminal: look immediately after security near the World Duty Free entrance and around the toilet areas in the departure lounge.
- South Terminal: refill points have been available near the upper- and lower-level toilet areas, including the main departures shopping zone.
Best advice: use Gatwick’s terminal maps or ask staff for the nearest refill point. Food and drink outlets may also be able to provide tap water.
Where to refill your water bottle at Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport has more than 100 water fountains across Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. They are clearly signposted and are commonly positioned beside or inside toilet areas before and after security.
- Use Heathrow’s interactive map and search for “water fountain” or “water bottle refill station”.
- Check the toilet areas in the main departure lounge and near your gate.
- If the first station is busy or temporarily unavailable, continue towards the gate areas because there are multiple fountains in each terminal.
Heathrow is one of the easiest UK airports for free bottle refills. Fill up before walking to satellite gates, particularly in Terminal 5, where the journey to B or C gates can take additional time.
Where to refill your bottle at Belfast International Airport
Belfast International Airport has offered free drinking-water points after security, including near Gate 14 and along the route towards Gates 21–29. Look for wall-mounted drinking-water units and airport signage as you walk towards your gate.
If a fountain is unavailable, ask a café or bar in the departure lounge whether staff can refill your bottle with tap water.
Where to refill your water bottle at Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport has several free water fountains throughout the terminal. Current official locations include:
- Before security: opposite the SPAR store on the ground floor.
- Main departure lounge: near the Assisted Travel Desk.
- Gates 1–20: to the right of the entrance.
- International Pier bussing lounge: near the toilets at Gate 49.
- Arrivals: North Baggage Reclaim.
Birmingham Airport also advises passengers that tap water can be requested from food and catering outlets. Empty metal bottles and flasks before reaching security, then refill them airside.
How to get free water at Bournemouth Airport
Bournemouth Airport has not consistently advertised a dedicated airside water fountain. The most reliable option is to ask a café, bar or restaurant in departures to fill your reusable bottle with tap water.
Opening hours can depend on the flight schedule, so passengers on very early or late departures should ask airport staff about the available water facilities after security.
Where to refill your water bottle at Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport now lists 13 water-refill stations across the terminal and transport interchange. Useful locations for departing passengers include:
- Departure Lounge: opposite the World Duty Free exit.
- Departure Lounge mezzanine: beside SOHO Coffee and on the route to Gates 7–16.
- Ground floor: near WHSmith in Arrivals.
- Transport Interchange: near M&S Food.
- Arrivals: on the route to Immigration and opposite Carousel 5 in Baggage Reclaim.
Because Bristol Airport is undergoing continuing terminal development, use its official terminal map if your usual route has changed.
Where to refill your bottle at East Midlands Airport
East Midlands Airport has provided a drinking-water point shortly after security. It can be easy to pass while reorganising your hand luggage or entering the shopping area, so look around the security-exit zone before moving deeper into departures.
If you miss it, ask the nearest airside café or an airport team member for the closest refill option.
Where to refill your water bottle at Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport provides drinking-water facilities after security. Refill points have been located around the main departure lounge, close to the duty-free exit and toilet areas.
The airport’s retail layout has changed over time, so follow current terminal signs rather than relying only on older directions. Ask an airport ambassador or information-desk colleague if you cannot see the fountain.
Where to refill your bottle at Exeter Airport
Exeter Airport has provided a drinking-water fountain in the departures area, on the route from the main lounge towards the boarding gates. Look near the corridor facilities and toilets.
If the fountain is temporarily unavailable, ask at the airside restaurant or bar for a tap-water refill.
Where to refill your water bottle at Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport has installed several refill points across the terminal. Passengers have found water stations in the main departure lounge and along the domestic and international piers, commonly near toilets, cafés and seating areas.
- Check the central departure lounge near the main food-and-drink outlets.
- Look for additional refill points as you walk along the departure piers.
- Use the airport map or ask staff because individual units may move during terminal works.
Where to refill your bottle at Leeds Bradford Airport
Leeds Bradford Airport provides a free drinking-water facility in the departure lounge. Previous directions placed it on the ground-floor side of departures, near the route towards the outdoor smoking area.
As Leeds Bradford continues to develop its terminal, check current airport signage or ask a member of staff for the nearest refill point. Food-and-drink outlets may also refill bottles on request.
Where to refill your bottle at Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Liverpool John Lennon Airport has offered water fountains at opposite ends of the departure area, including around the lower-numbered gates and towards the higher-numbered gate zone.
Some refill points can be easy to overlook near corridors or stairways. Check the route to your gate and ask staff before buying bottled water. Airside food outlets may also provide tap water.
Where to refill your water bottle at London City Airport
London City Airport provides a bottle-refill facility after security in the compact departures area. A refill point has previously been located around Gates 7 and 8.
Because the terminal is relatively small, airport staff should be able to direct you quickly if the unit has been moved. Cafés and bars may also provide tap water on request.
Where to refill your water bottle at London Luton Airport
London Luton Airport provides free drinking-water facilities after security. Refill points have been positioned around the route from security into the main departure lounge, including near the lifts.
Fill your bottle before walking to the gate, particularly if your flight departs from one of the more distant boarding areas. Use the terminal map or ask airport staff if you cannot locate a refill station.
Where to refill your water bottle at Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport supports free bottle refills across its terminals. Its cafés, bars and restaurants participate in the Refill scheme, so passengers can ask for tap water even when a dedicated fountain is not nearby.
- Terminal 1: check the corridor leading from security into the main departure area.
- Terminal 2: look around the route from security to the upper departure lounge and use the interactive terminal map.
- Terminal 3: check the central departure lounge and the corridors near food-and-drink outlets.
Manchester’s terminal layout has changed during its transformation programme, particularly in Terminal 2. Follow current airport maps and signage rather than relying on an older outlet name as a landmark.
Where to refill your bottle at Southampton Airport
Southampton Airport has provided a water fountain in the departure lounge near the ground-floor toilets. After leaving World Duty Free, look around the main seating and facilities area.
The terminal is compact, so ask a member of staff near duty free if you cannot immediately see the refill point.
Where to refill your water bottle at London Stansted Airport
London Stansted Airport has free drinking-water facilities in the main departure lounge and gate areas. Look near toilet corridors and food outlets after security, then check again close to your gate if you need another top-up.
- Main departures: check the toilet corridors around the central food-and-shopping area.
- Gate areas: additional facilities may be available in the boarding piers and satellite-gate zones.
- Arrivals: fountains have also been available around passport control and baggage reclaim.
A voluntary donation point or paid bottled-water display is not the same as a tap-water refill. Ask airport staff to direct you to the free drinking-water facility.
How to get free water at Newcastle Airport
Newcastle International Airport has historically directed passengers to its cafés, bars and restaurants for free tap-water refills rather than relying on clearly advertised public fountains.
Bring an empty bottle through security and ask politely at an airside outlet. Confirm the latest arrangements with airport staff because facilities may have changed since your previous visit.
Where to refill your bottle at Belfast City Airport
George Best Belfast City Airport has a water-refill station in the departures area after security. It has previously been positioned near the shops and the route towards the toilets.
Follow the current terminal signage or ask a shop colleague if the refill point is not visible from the main lounge.
Where to refill your bottle at Aberdeen Airport
Aberdeen Airport provides free drinking water in the departures area. A prominent refill point has been located in upper departures, near the toilets between Gates 5 and 6 and beyond the main bar area.
Check the airport map for the latest location, particularly if retail units or gate routes have changed.
Where to refill your water bottle at Cardiff Airport
Cardiff Airport has installed multiple drinking-water fountains around the terminal. These have included points in the main departure lounge, on the departure piers and in arrivals or baggage reclaim.
- Look near the main departure-lounge facilities after security.
- Check the pier leading to your boarding gate.
- Ask airport staff if a fountain is temporarily out of service or has been relocated.
Where to refill your bottle at London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport has provided a free water-refill point directly after security, near the entrance to the departures area. Food-and-drink outlets may also provide drinking water if the fountain is unavailable.
What to do if an airport has no water fountain
Some smaller airports do not clearly advertise a dedicated refill station, while others may have a fountain temporarily unavailable because of maintenance or terminal work. You can still try the following:
- Ask at the airport information desk for the nearest drinking-water point.
- Ask a café, restaurant or bar whether staff can refill your bottle with tap water.
- Check the airport’s website or interactive terminal map.
- Fill your bottle before boarding rather than waiting until you reach a remote gate.
- For medical or accessibility needs, speak to airport staff or your airline in advance.
Legal note: premises licensed to sell alcohol in England, Wales and Scotland generally have conditions relating to free potable water for customers. This does not necessarily mean every outlet must fill a bottle for every non-customer, so ask politely and follow the venue’s hygiene policy.
How much can you save by refilling your bottle?
Airport drink prices vary, but refilling a reusable bottle can save several pounds per passenger. For a family or group travelling together, the saving can quickly become meaningful, especially on a return journey.
| Option | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Refill your own bottle | Free |
| Buy one bottle at the airport | Price varies by retailer and bottle size |
| Family or group purchase | Multiple individual bottle prices |
Refilling also reduces the number of single-use plastic bottles used during your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Reusable plastic, metal and insulated bottles can normally be taken through security. Emptying the bottle before screening is the simplest approach because liquid rules vary between airports.
It depends on the airport and the security equipment in use. Some UK airports allow larger liquid containers, while others continue to apply the 100ml container limit. Check the official guidance for your departure airport before travelling.
Most major UK airports provide free fountains or bottle-refill stations after security. At airports without a clearly advertised fountain, ask airport staff or an airside food-and-drink outlet about tap-water refills.
Common locations include toilet corridors, the exit from security, departure lounges, food courts and boarding-gate areas. Search the official airport map for water fountain or water refill station.
Airport fountains marked as drinking water or bottle-refill stations are intended to provide potable water. Do not drink from a tap marked as non-drinking water, and tell airport staff if a unit looks damaged or unhygienic.
Look for another refill station near the toilets or gate areas, ask at the information desk, or request tap water from an airside café, bar or restaurant.
Yes, reusable metal and insulated bottles are normally permitted, but they may need to be empty for screening. Follow the instructions displayed at your departure airport.
Related airport travel guides
- UK airport security and hand-luggage rules
- UK airport information and terminal guides
- Gatwick Airport parking
- Heathrow Airport parking
- Manchester Airport parking
- Birmingham Airport parking
- Bristol Airport parking
- Luton Airport parking
- Stansted Airport parking
How we update this guide
APH reviews official airport websites, terminal maps, security guidance and recent passenger information. Where an airport does not publish a precise fountain location, we describe the most recently reported area and advise passengers to confirm it on the day.
Disclaimer
This guide was updated in July 2026 and is provided for general travel-planning purposes. Airport security rules, terminal layouts, retailer policies and refill-station locations can change without notice. Always follow instructions from your departure airport, airline and security staff. APH cannot accept responsibility for a facility being moved, unavailable or out of service.
Help us keep this guide updated
Have you recently used a water fountain at a UK airport? Share the airport, terminal and exact location in the comments. Please also tell us if a listed refill point has moved or was out of service. Your update could help another traveller avoid buying unnecessary bottled water.
Before your next flight, pack a reusable bottle, check the current security rules and refill it after screening. It is a simple way to save money, stay hydrated and reduce single-use plastic.