Flying from a UK airport? Don’t get caught out by luggage trolley charges. Costs range from free at some airports (like Heathrow and Glasgow) to £2 non-refundable at others (Bristol, Luton, and now Edinburgh). Most airports still use a £1 coin deposit system; you’ll get your £1 back when you return the trolley, but a few require payment that you won’t get back. In recent years, several airports have changed their policies: for example, Edinburgh introduced a £2 contactless-only fee in 2024, and Birmingham now charges £2 via card instead of the old £1 coin deposit. Meanwhile, others like Aberdeen and Bournemouth have scrapped trolley fees altogether, making trolleys free to use on-site. Always bring a £1 coin (or equivalent) just in case, but note which airports take card payments. Below we’ve compiled a comparison table of luggage trolley costs at major UK airports, followed by detailed drop-down style info for each airport.
Luggage Trolley Cost Comparison at Major UK Airports
Find out what coin you’ll need, if any, and whether you can pay by card to hire a luggage trolley at all major UK airports. (All information is current as of October 2025.)
| Airport | Coin needed | Card payments | Refunded on return |
| Aberdeen Airport | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Birmingham Airport | £2 | Yes (contactless only) | No |
| Bournemouth Airport | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Bristol Airport | £2 or €2 | Yes | No |
| Cardiff Airport | £1 or €1 | No | Yes |
| Doncaster Sheffield Airport | Closed (no service) | N/A | N/A |
| Teesside (Durham Tees) Airport | £1 | No | Yes |
| East Midlands Airport | £1 | No | Yes |
| Edinburgh Airport | £2 | Yes (contactless kiosks) | No |
| Exeter Airport | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Gatwick Airport, South | £1 or €1 | No | Yes |
| Gatwick Airport, North | £1 or €1 | No | Yes |
| Glasgow Airport | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Heathrow Airport | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Leeds Bradford Airport | £1 | No | No |
| Liverpool Airport | £1 or €1 | No | Yes |
| Luton Airport | £2 or €2 | Yes | No |
| Manchester Airport | £1 or €2 | No | No |
| Newcastle Airport | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Prestwick Airport | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Southampton Airport | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Southend Airport | £1 or €1 | No (coin only) | Yes |
| Stansted Airport | £1, €1 or $0.25 | No | Yes |
(Key: £ = UK Pound, € = Euro, $ = US Dollar. “Refunded on return” refers to whether you get your coin or payment back when you return the trolley.)
Simply find your airport in the list below to see full details of trolley locations, costs, payment methods, refunds, and other notes. We’ve also noted recent changes where applicable. Never start your trip scrambling for change, use this guide to come prepared!
Aberdeen Airport
Details: All baggage trolleys at Aberdeen are now free to use, with no coins or fees required. (They were previously coin-operated, but that system has been removed.)
Where: Trolleys are available in key areas such as the car parks, forecourt, drop-off zone, and baggage reclaim halls. Simply grab one from a designated trolley bay.
How much: Free, no coin deposit needed. Just take a trolley and go.
Are credit/debit cards accepted: Not applicable (no payment needed).
Is the fee refunded: Not applicable, trolleys are free (just remember to return the trolley to a bay).
Need change: No, no change needed at Aberdeen now. (Previously, a £1/€1 coin was required, but “trolleys are freely available” now.)
Birmingham Airport
Details: Birmingham Airport offers “high-quality modern trolleys” at various convenient points. Recently, the airport switched to contactless payment vending points for trolleys.
Where: Luggage trolleys can be found at multiple vending points: the Drop & Go car park (two points), Car Park 1 (one point), Car Park 3 (one point), Car Park 5 by the bus stop (one), public transport bus stops (one), and throughout the arrivals baggage halls.
How much: £2 per trolley (non-refundable). Note: This increased from £1; the fee is now £2, in line with some other UK airports.
Are credit/debit cards accepted? Yes, contactless only. Birmingham now only takes contactless cards or mobile payments at the trolley vending machines (coins are not accepted). An old £1 coin will not work anymore.
Is the fee refunded? No. The £2 is a flat fee (not a deposit), so you will not get it back when returning the trolley.
Need change: No coin needed (and cash not accepted). You’ll need a contactless bank card or smartphone to pay. Tip: Have a contactless payment method ready, as there is no coin slot now.
Bournemouth Airport
Details: Good news, Bournemouth now provides luggage trolleys free of charge for passengers. This regional airport on the south coast no longer requires any coin deposit.
Where: Trolleys are available in key areas: in the car park and at the front of the terminal building, for both departures and arrivals. Just pick one up as needed and return it to a bay when finished.
How much: Free. No fee or coin required to use a trolley at Bournemouth.
Are credit/debit cards accepted? Not applicable, there’s nothing to pay.
Is the fee refunded? Not applicable (no fee at all).
Need change: No, trolleys are free, so you won’t need any coins or change on hand.
Bristol Airport
Details: Bristol Airport provides modern baggage trolleys, but note that it charges the joint-highest fee in the UK for their use. Be prepared with the correct coin or a card.
Where: Trolleys can be obtained from vending machines located around the terminal: about ten trolley points, including the Drop & Go car park, International Arrivals hall (several points), Domestic Arrivals, near the Departures entrance, and by the Car Hire building. Signs in the terminal will direct you to trolley vending machines.
How much: £2 or €2 coin is required per trolley. (Using an old €2 coin will also work and might save a few pence, given exchange rates.) This £2 is a non-refundable charge; Bristol’s trolleys do not give your coin back.
Are credit/debit cards accepted: Yes. If you don’t have a £2 coin, you can pay by card at the trolley vending machines. No additional admin fee applies for card payments (it’s £2 either way).
Is the fee refunded? No, the £2 is a fee for use, not a deposit. Once paid, you won’t get money back upon returning the trolley.
Need change: It’s wise to have a £2 coin or a €2 coin handy. If you arrive without one, you can use a card or find a cash machine or change machine in the terminal. (Bristol has change machines in the baggage halls and other areas.)
Cardiff Airport
Details: All baggage trolleys at Cardiff are free to use, but they do require a £1/€1 deposit. Essentially, Cardiff brought back supermarket-style coin locks, so you get your coin back.
Where: Trolleys are available at practical locations throughout Cardiff Airport, both landside and airside. Look for them in car drop-off areas, the terminal entrance, and baggage reclaim. They’re placed wherever passengers might need to move luggage.
How much: £1 or €1 coin deposit is needed. Insert the coin to unlock a trolley; your coin is refunded when you return and re-lock the trolley. (Cardiff used to charge a £2 fee years ago, but now only the refundable £1 deposit is required.)
Are credit/debit cards accepted? No. The trolley system is coin-operated; cards are not used for trolley deposits here. Make sure to carry a pound or euro coin.
Is the fee refunded? Yes. As long as you return the trolley to a docking bay and plug the chain back in, your £1/€1 will pop back out (100% refund).
Need change: Bring a £1 coin (or a €1 coin). If you don’t have one, find the nearest shop or ATM in the terminal for change. Cardiff has ATMs that dispense GBP and EUR. (There are no change machines specifically for trolleys, so having a coin ready is best.)
Teesside International Airport (Durham Tees)
Details: Teesside (formerly Durham Tees Valley Airport) provides luggage trolleys for passenger use, operating on a small coin-deposit system to encourage returns.
Where: Trolleys can typically be found at the terminal entrance (landside) and in the baggage reclaim area for arriving passengers. Since Teesside is a smaller airport, trolley availability is limited to key areas where passengers need them (car park, front of terminal, arrivals hall).
How much: £1 coin (or a branded airport trolley token of equivalent size) is required to unlock a trolley. Inserting the £1 releases the trolley from the stack. Euro €1 coins are usually accepted as well if needed (the coin slot is the same size).
Are credit/debit cards accepted? No. The trolley system here is old-style and coins only; there are no card payment kiosks.
Is the fee refunded? Yes. Your £1 coin is a deposit, so when you’re done, you just return the trolley to a bay and reconnect it to retrieve your coin. This makes the service effectively free as long as you return the trolley.
Need change: You will need a £1 coin. If you arrive without any change, check for an ATM or ask an airport staff member if they can exchange a note for a £1 coin. (Teesside is a small airport, so plan ahead and bring a coin with you.)
East Midlands Airport
Details: East Midlands uses the standard £1 coin deposit trolley system, a refundable deposit rather than a fee. This ensures trolleys are returned to the right areas.
Where: Trolleys are available in both departures and arrivals areas. You’ll find them in the car parks, at the terminal entrance, and in baggage reclaim. Essentially, wherever you might need to haul luggage (from the parking lot into check-in, or from baggage belt out to pick-up), there should be trolleys.
How much: £1 coin required. Insert a £1 (or a €1 coin, which is roughly the same size) to unlock a trolley.
Are credit/debit cards accepted? No. It’s a simple coin-operated system; no card payment option is available.
Is the fee refunded? Yes. The £1 is refunded when you return the trolley and clip it back into a trolley bay lock. You’ll get your coin back, so using a trolley is effectively free, so long as you return it.
Need change: Make sure you have a £1 coin handy. If you don’t, East Midlands Airport has cash machines and shops in the terminal where you could get change. (There are also change machines in the baggage reclaim halls for coins if needed.)
Edinburgh Airport
Details: Edinburgh Airport introduced a new fleet of luggage trolleys in July 2024 with a contactless payment system. This marked a change from being free to now charging for trolleys (a move similar to other UK airports). Passengers requiring special assistance, however, can request a trolley free of charge.
Where: Trolleys can be collected from trolley bays located across the airport campus. You’ll find trolley bays in prominent areas: arrivals halls, car parks, drop-off and pick-up zones, near the tram and bus stops, and other key points. Essentially, any place you might need a trolley, there should be a bay nearby.
How much: £2 charge per trolley. This is a flat fee (non-refundable) for use. The £2 can be paid at the automated kiosks next to the trolley bays, no coin required, as payment is via card/tap. (When first launched, the charge was £1, but it increased to £2 by 2025 in line with rising costs.)
Are credit/debit cards accepted: Yes, card only. Payment is made by contactless credit or debit card at the trolley bay kiosks. (Apple Pay/Google Pay are also accepted.) Coins are NOT accepted in Edinburgh’s new system; you must tap a card or phone.
Is the fee refunded? No. The £2 is a usage fee, not a deposit. Once you pay and take a trolley, that £2 is not returned when you give the trolley back. (All trolleys are free to use for Special Assistance passengers. If you have booked mobility assistance, speak to OCS staff to get a trolley without paying.)
Need change: No coins needed, but ensure you have a contactless payment method ready. If you don’t have a contactless card, look for an airport staff member for help. (Travellers with disabilities who have arranged assistance can get free trolley access on request.)
Exeter Airport
Details: Exeter Airport keeps it simple; trolleys are free for passengers, with no deposit or fee required. Exeter is one of the smaller airports that does not charge for luggage trolleys (well done, Exeter!).
Where: Free luggage trolleys are available throughout the airport for both departing and arriving passengers. Look for them in the drop-off area, around the check-in hall, in the baggage reclaim area, and other key spots. They should be readily on hand wherever you’d naturally need one.
How much: Free. No coin or payment needed, just grab a trolley. (There might still be coin slots on some trolleys from older days, but they should be unlocked.)
Are credit/debit cards accepted: N/A, there’s nothing to pay.
Is the fee refunded: N/A, no fee, no refund necessary.
Need change: No, you don’t need any change at Exeter Airport for trolleys. Feel free to take a trolley and return it when done, hassle-free.
Gatwick Airport (South Terminal)
Details: Gatwick’s South Terminal trolleys operate on a coin-lock deposit system, very much like a supermarket trolley. You’ll need to insert a coin (or token) to release one, but you get your coin back when you return it. Important: Gatwick does not offer free trolleys; you must have a coin, but it’s refundable.
Where: Trolleys can be picked up from multiple points in the South Terminal, including the drop-off area, baggage reclaim halls, and other key areas of your journey. They are available both landside (for departing passengers) and airside in arrivals (baggage reclaim). Note, you cannot take trolleys through security. Look for designated trolley stacks near entrances and exits. Change machines are available throughout the terminal in case you need coins.
How much: £1, €1 or US$0.25 coin (or a trolley token of equivalent size) is required per trolley. The new 12-sided £1 coin is accepted, as are €1 coins and even US quarter-dollar coins (25¢) in Gatwick trolleys. This £1/€1 is only a deposit; it is refunded when you return the trolley.
Are credit/debit cards accepted: N/A (No), Gatwick has no card payment for trolleys because they don’t charge a fee, only a coin deposit. Make sure you have an appropriate coin on hand.
Is the fee refunded? Yes. As long as you return and chain the trolley back in a bay, your coin will be released back to you. In other words, it costs nothing in the end if you return the trolley. (If you abandon it, you’ll lose your coin.)
Need change: Plan to have a £1 coin ready (or a €1 coin, or even a 25-cent coin). If you arrive without one, Gatwick has change machines in the South Terminal, including one by the APH off-airport shuttle drop-off stop, and various kiosks where you can break a note. Many vending machines in the terminal also give change if you buy something small.
Gatwick Airport (North Terminal)
Details: The North Terminal at Gatwick uses the same coin-deposit system as the South. You will need a coin to unlock a trolley, which you’ll get back upon return. Gatwick North’s trolleys are interchangeable with South’s, and both terminals charge the refundable £1 deposit.
Where: Luggage trolleys can be found at convenient locations throughout the North Terminal: at drop-off points, in the baggage reclaim hall, and near other passenger areas on both departure and arrival sides. Essentially, wherever passengers might need to carry bags (parking areas, arrival corridors, etc.), you’ll see trolley bays. The North Terminal also has change machines scattered about for those needing coins.
How much: £1, €1, or $0.25 USD coin required. The North Terminal trolleys accept the same coins as the South Terminal; the mechanism fits a pound coin, a one-euro coin, or a US quarter. £1/€1 is the standard deposit.
Are credit/debit cards accepted: No, coin only. No card kiosks since it’s a refundable deposit system.
Is the fee refunded? Yes. Plug the trolley back into any trolley bay at the end of your use to get your £1/€1 coin returned. It’s a full refund, effectively free usage if returned properly.
Need change: Bring a £1 coin or similar. If you don’t have one, look for a change machine or service desk. Gatwick North has change machines throughout the terminal, so you should be able to obtain a £1 coin if necessary.
Glasgow Airport
Details: Glasgow Airport is among the few that provide luggage trolleys completely free of charge. There’s no coin deposit or fee, just grab a trolley when you need one. This makes the passenger experience smoother (and cheaper!).
Where: Trolleys are available from designated areas in the car parks and terminal at Glasgow. You’ll find them at the terminal forecourt, in the baggage reclaim hall, and at other handy spots for both departures and arrivals. Glasgow ensures there are plenty of trolleys on hand where passengers tend to need them.
How much: Free, no coins or payments required. Simply take a trolley. (They may still have locking chains to keep them orderly, but they won’t need a coin to release.)
Are credit/debit cards accepted: Not applicable (there’s nothing to pay).
Is the fee refunded: Not applicable (since it’s free, no deposit involved).
Need change: No need for change. All trolleys are free, so you won’t be scrounging for a £1 coin in Glasgow. Just remember to leave the trolley in a bay when you’re finished, for the next passenger to use.
Heathrow Airport (All Terminals)
Details: Heathrow is the UK’s busiest airport, and it provides luggage trolleys completely free for all passengers. No deposits, no fees, a very passenger-friendly policy. Heathrow has thousands of trolleys and doesn’t charge for their use (one of the few remaining major airports to be fully free).
Where: Baggage trolleys are provided in key areas throughout all terminals (T2, T3, T4, T5). For arriving passengers, there are plenty of trolleys in each baggage reclaim hall, and you can take them from the reclaim all the way to the car parks, bus stations, or rail station access points. For departing passengers, trolleys are available on the departures concourses and drop-off zones. Note that they cannot be taken through security or beyond into departure gates. Essentially, you’ll find trolleys wherever you might need to transport luggage before check-in or after landing.
How much: Free, no coin required. Heathrow’s trolleys have no coin locks; you can simply pull one from the queue.
Are credit/debit cards accepted: N/A, as there is no cost.
Is the fee refunded: N/A (no fee). You don’t have to pay, so nothing to refund.
Need change: No, Heathrow trolleys are free. You won’t need any coins or cards. Just grab a trolley and go. (This is handy for international visitors arriving without UK currency, one less hassle at Heathrow!)
Leeds Bradford Airport
Details: Leeds Bradford (LBA) unfortunately charges for its luggage trolleys, and unlike many airports, the charge is not refundable. This essentially means it’s a paid service. LBA introduced this to cover costs, but it’s been criticised as a “rip-off” by some travellers. Be prepared to lose your coin here.
Where: Trolleys can be found in designated areas accessible to both arriving and departing passengers. Look near the car park areas and terminal entrances for stacks of trolleys, as well as in baggage reclaim for arriving flights. LBA’s terminal is small, so trolley bays are few; ensure you return it to the right spot.
How much: £1 coin (or €1 coin) is needed to release a trolley. However, unlike a deposit system, you will not get your £1 back at LBA; it’s a £1 usage fee per trolley. (In the past, some reported it being £2, but currently it’s £1 per trolley, still non-refundable.)
Are credit/debit cards accepted? No. The trolleys use a simple coin mechanism. There are no card payment facilities for trolleys at Leeds Bradford.
Is the fee refunded? No, not at Leeds Bradford. This is crucial: when you return the trolley, the coin does not come back out. The £1 goes to the machine operator/airport. So consider it a paid service (like a luggage cart rental).
Need change: Yes, a £1 coin. Make sure to have a pound coin available. If you arrive short on change, you can try to get a coin from an airport shop or ATM. (Because it’s non-refundable, some travellers use cheap trolley tokens or even improvisations, but a genuine £1 coin is simplest.)
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Details: Liverpool Airport uses a £1 coin deposit system for its luggage trolleys. The good news is it’s refunded on return, so effectively it’s free if you put the effort into returning the cart.
Where: Trolleys are available in car parks, the drop-off area, and inside the terminal at designated bays. At arrivals, you’ll find them in the baggage reclaim hall and just outside customs. In departures, look near the entrance and check-in hall. Basically, any key transition point (parking-to-terminal, baggage hall-to-exit) will have trolleys.
How much: £1 or €1 coin required. Insert a £1 coin to unlock a trolley; the mechanism will also accept a €1 coin if needed (helpful for European visitors).
Are credit/debit cards accepted: No, coin only. Liverpool’s system doesn’t support card payments since it’s a simple deposit scheme.
Is the fee refunded? Yes. When you return and re-chain the trolley, your £1/€1 coin is ejected back to you. So as long as you return it properly, there’s no cost to use a trolley at Liverpool.
Need change: Have a £1 coin ready (or a €1). If you lack change, look for a nearby shop or vending machine; Liverpool’s terminal has ATMs and shops where you can break a note. (Also, there are usually plenty of stray trolleys around, but if you take one that hasn’t been plugged in, it might still have someone else’s coin in it, which isn’t yours to keep!)
Luton Airport
Details: Luton Airport charges for its baggage trolleys, a £2 fee, but provides multiple payment options, including card. Luton was one of the first UK airports to introduce a trolley charge (back in 2008), and it remains a £2 non-refundable charge today. Ensure you have the right coin or a contactless card to unlock a trolley.
Where: Trolleys can be found at trolley stations throughout the terminal and car parks. Look in the parking areas (especially the multi-storey Car Park 1 and near drop-off/pick-up zones), at the terminal entrances, and in baggage reclaim. Trolley vending machines are placed at these locations for you to pay and retrieve a cart.
How much: £2 or €2 per trolley. You can insert coins (£2 coin, or 2×£1, etc., or €2 in Euro coins) or pay by card, the cost is the same. Note: This £2 is a flat fee (not returned), so effectively it’s a rental charge. (In the past, it was £1, but it doubled to £2 some years ago.)
Are credit/debit cards accepted? Yes. Luton’s trolley dispensers accept contactless debit/credit card payments, as well as Apple Pay/Android Pay on your phone. So if you don’t have coins, you can tap your card. Cash-wise, the machines will take £2 in various coin combinations if you prefer (and they accept Euro coins too).
Is the fee refunded? No. £2 is the price to use a trolley at Luton. When you return the trolley, you do not get any refund (the coin slot isn’t a returnable deposit; it’s just a payment mechanism). Essentially, you’re buying the convenience for £2.
Need change: Not necessarily, since the card is accepted. If you do want to pay cash, have £2 in coins ready (machines can often accept two £1 coins or even multiple smaller coins totalling £2). There are change machines and ATMs in the terminal if needed. But the easiest way is just to tap your card/phone at the trolley kiosk and go.
Manchester Airport (All Terminals)
Details: Manchester Airport, like many others, charges £1 for luggage trolleys, and this is a non-refundable fee (not a deposit). Manchester moved to this model years ago, citing the costs of providing trolleys. So, expect to pay £1 for the convenience at each terminal.
Where: Trolleys are available throughout all three terminals (T1, T2, T3) for both departures and arrivals. You’ll find them in the car parks and drop-off areas, at terminal entrances, and plenty in the baggage reclaim halls for arriving passengers. Essentially, wherever you would need to carry luggage, trolleys will be nearby. Do note, you can’t take trolleys past security or outside of airport grounds.
How much: £1 coin (or a €2 coin) per trolley. The mechanism accepts a £1 coin; it also takes a €2 coin if you have no pound (though €2 is a higher value, around £1.70, so that’s a pricy trade unless it’s leftover change). The key point: this £1/€2 is a fee, not a deposit, you won’t get it back.
Are credit/debit cards accepted? No. Manchester’s trolleys are coin-operated only. While the airport has experimented with card-operated machines in some areas, generally, you should assume coin-only for trolley release. Bring physical £1 coins for certainty.
Is the fee refunded? No. Unlike deposit-based airports, Manchester does not refund your £1 when you return the trolley. The coin slot actually just swallows your coin as payment. So each trolley use will cost you £1. (Manchester has acknowledged this is unpopular, but they maintain it due to cost reasons.)
Need change: Yes, bring a £1 coin (or a €2 coin in a pinch). If you arrive without coins, you can try to get change inside the terminal; there are plenty of shops and also information desks. There are rumours of some card-operated kiosks, but don’t count on it; have a pound coin ready to avoid any hassle. Manchester’s baggage halls may also have signs for change machines if available.
Newcastle Airport
Details: Good news for Geordie travellers, Newcastle Airport provides its luggage trolleys free of charge. They scrapped the coin deposit system a few years back, so you can freely grab a trolley when needed without hunting for a pound coin.
Where: Trolleys can be found at various locations, both inside and outside the terminal. Outside, look in the car parks and drop-off areas; inside, they are near the entrances and in baggage reclaim for arriving flights. Newcastle ensures trolleys are available where heavy bags are likely (parking, check-in hall, arrivals hall, etc.).
How much: Free. No coin or payment required at Newcastle. The trolley bays no longer have coin locks engaged; just pull one out and you’re good to go.
Are credit/debit cards accepted: N/A, there’s no fee to pay.
Is the fee refunded: N/A (no fee). Just return the trolley when done so others can use it.
Need change: Not needed. Save your coins for the vending machines; at Newcastle, trolleys won’t cost you anything.
Prestwick Airport
Details: Glasgow Prestwick Airport (in Ayrshire, Scotland) offers luggage trolleys for free to all passengers. There is no charge or coin deposit required; simply take a trolley as needed. Prestwick is a smaller airport and keeps things passenger-friendly in this regard.
Where: Trolleys are available throughout the airport and in the car parks. You’ll find them near the terminal entrances, in the parking areas (so you can trolley your bags from car/taxi/bus to the terminal), and in baggage reclaim for arriving passengers.
How much: Free, no coins, no fees. The trolleys are usually chained together just to keep them orderly, but they should pull apart without any coin.
Are credit/debit cards accepted: Not applicable (nothing to pay).
Is the fee refunded: Not applicable (no cost).
Need change: No. Prestwick’s trolleys don’t require any change at all. Just grab one and go, and kindly return it when finished.
Southampton Airport
Details: Southampton Airport provides free luggage trolleys for passengers. Like a few other regional airports, they have done away with coin deposits, meaning you can use the trolleys at no cost. This is very convenient for travellers with lots of bags (and aligns with Southampton’s generally customer-friendly approach).
Where: Trolleys are available throughout the car parks, pick-up and drop-off areas, and on the terminal forecourt. Essentially, you’ll spot trolley bays in the parking lots, near the terminal entrance (forecourt), and by the taxi/bus drop-off zones. Additionally, they are located in various bays inside the terminal near the entrances/exits. For arriving passengers, trolleys await just as you exit baggage reclaim into the public area.
How much: Free. No coin required, no fee. Southampton’s trolleys are unlocked and ready to roll.
Are credit/debit cards accepted: N/A, there’s nothing to buy or rent.
Is the fee refunded: N/A (no fee or deposit). Just return the trolley to a bay when you’re done.
Need change: No. You do not need any change at Southampton for trolleys. This can be a relief if you’re arriving from abroad with no UK coins on hand.
Southend Airport
Details: London Southend Airport (in Essex) uses a £1 coin deposit system for its luggage trolleys, with the deposit refunded on return. Southend’s policy is similar to many medium airports, essentially free to use if you return the trolley, but you need a coin to unlock it.
Where: Trolleys are available at convenient points such as the terminal entrance, car park, and arrivals area. Since Southend is a compact airport, look for the trolley bay right outside the main doors and in the baggage reclaim area for arriving passengers. Signage or staff can also direct you if needed.
How much: £1 or €1 coin required. Insert a coin to take a trolley; €1 works as well for those arriving from Europe.
Are credit/debit cards accepted? The system is coin-operated only (no card payments for trolleys at Southend).
Is the fee refunded? Yes. Your £1/€1 is refunded when you return the trolley to a docking point. Provided you plug the chain back in, you’ll get your coin back, making it a free service for conscientious users.
Need change: Bring a £1 coin or have a euro coin if you’re coming from abroad. If you arrive without any coins, there is an ATM in the terminal and a few shops; you might ask a shop or café to change a note for a £1 coin. Also, Southend Airport’s terminal information (maps, etc.) can help locate any change machines if they have them.
Stansted Airport
Details: Stansted Airport charges a £1 refundable deposit for luggage trolleys. You’ll need a coin (or suitable substitute) to unlock one, but you will get it back on return. Stansted’s system also interestingly accepts US quarters, due to historically accommodating American passengers. Overall, the cost is essentially zero if you return the trolley, but travellers must come prepared with change.
Where: Trolleys are available in arrivals (baggage reclaim halls) and departure areas, as well as the terminal forecourt and coach station. Specifically, you’ll find trolley bays in the international and domestic baggage reclaim zones, at the terminal entrances/exits, and in the bus/coach area outside. Also, the car parks have trolley points so you can fetch one on your way in. Stansted is well stocked with trolleys, given its size.
How much: £1, €1 or $0.25 coin deposit. Yes, you read that right, the trolley locks accept GBP £1, Euro €1, or US 25¢ coin. (The quarter-dollar is an odd inclusion, but useful if you have no pounds on hand, though its value is only about 20p.) Inserting the coin releases a trolley, and you’ll get the coin back upon return.
Are credit/debit cards accepted? No, only coins. Stansted does not have card-enabled trolley machines; it relies on the old coin mechanism.
Is the fee refunded? Yes. When you return and re-chain the trolley in a bay, your coin (whichever one you used) is returned to you. So effectively, trolley use is free as long as you don’t walk off with it.
Need change: Yes, have a suitable coin. Ideally, a £1 coin, but if you just landed from abroad with no pounds, a €1 coin or a US quarter will also do the trick at Stansted. There are change machines in the baggage reclaim halls, on the forecourt, and in the coach station specifically to help passengers get coins for trolleys. If you only have paper money, use those machines or an ATM to obtain coins.
Frequently Asked Questions about Airport Trolleys in the UK
Several UK airports provide completely free baggage trolleys with no deposit or fee. Notably, Heathrow, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Exeter, Prestwick, and Southampton all offer trolleys free of charge to passengers. (In these airports, you can just grab a trolley without needing a £1 coin.) Edinburgh used to be free, but introduced a charge in 2024. Most other large airports require a refundable deposit or a small fee.
It depends on the airport. Many airports still use coin-operated trolleys (typically a £1 coin or sometimes £2), for example, Gatwick, Stansted, Cardiff, East Midlands, etc., all require coins. However, a few have moved to card/contactless payment systems. Birmingham and Edinburgh are prime examples: both now have contactless card kiosks only (no coin slots). Luton also allows card payment in addition to coins. So, at most airports you’ll want a coin handy, but at a handful you can tap a debit/credit card or phone instead of cash. Always check the signs on the trolley machines: if there’s a contactless symbol or card slot, you’re good to pay by card; if not, you’ll need a coin.
Sometimes, if it’s a deposit. Many airports operate on a deposit-refund system, meaning you get your coin back when you return the trolley. For instance, at Gatwick, Stansted, Cardiff, Liverpool, East Midlands, etc., the £1 coin is refunded upon returning the trolley to the bay. In these cases, using a trolley is effectively free so long as you return it. However, some airports charge a non-refundable fee. Airports like Bristol, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Leeds Bradford do not give any refund; the payment is a one-time charge. For example, if you pay £2 at Bristol or £1 at Manchester, that money is gone (no coin pops out on return). Always check the signage: if it calls it a “deposit” or mentions refund on return, you’ll get it back; if it’s labelled as a flat “charge” or the coin doesn’t unlock, then assume it’s non-refundable.
Trolleys are generally placed in high-need locations. You will almost always find them in or near the car parks and drop-off zones (so you can load up right after parking or being dropped off). They are also positioned at the terminal entrances before check-in, and crucially in the baggage reclaim halls for arriving passengers. In short, look for trolley bays at terminal forecourts, parking areas, outside arrivals exits, and baggage claim areas, basically anywhere passengers have luggage and need to cover some distance. For example, at Heathrow, trolleys are in baggage reclaim and can be taken to car parks and stations; at Manchester and other airports, they’re throughout arrivals and departures halls. Just follow the signs with a trolley icon; airports usually mark the spots. If in doubt, ask an airport staff member where the nearest trolley bay is.
Don’t worry, airports are aware of this issue and usually have solutions. Many airports have change machines located near trolley areas or in baggage halls. These will change banknotes into £1 coins or similar. You can also stop by an ATM (cash machine) and withdraw a small amount; some ATMs at airports dispense £5 or £10 notes, which you can then break at a shop. Speaking of shops, any airport shop or cafe will usually help change money if you buy something or politely ask for change, since they know travellers often need coins for trolleys. Another trick: some airports like Gatwick and Stansted accept foreign coins (e.g. €1, US 25¢) in the trolley slot, which can save you if you have no pounds. And finally, at a few airports, you might not need coins at all because they accept card payments (e.g. Edinburgh, Birmingham); in that case, just use your card. Worst case, ask an airport information desk; they can usually direct you to the nearest source of change or even lend a token. Planning ahead by keeping a pound coin or two in your wallet before travel is the best strategy to avoid any hassle.
Disclaimer: The information in this guide is accurate as of October 2025, but policies can change. Trolley fees and systems at airports may be updated at any time (for example, some airports could change from coin deposit to card payments, or adjust fees). It’s always wise to verify with your airport or its official website ahead of travel for the latest info. We recommend downloading our handy infographic and PDF summary of UK airport trolley fees for quick reference, and checking airport customer service if in doubt. Safe travels, and may you never be left scrambling for a £1 coin at the airport!
I am travelling by taxi to Heathrow terminal 3 for departure with Virgin Atlantic. Are trolley’s available at taxi drop off point before crossing to Virgin Atlantic check in