Dropping someone off or collecting passengers at Exeter Airport? The airport has several designated parking areas for drop-offs and pick-ups, including a free 30-minute option in Car Park P4 and convenient drop-off and pick-up bays in Car Park P1 opposite the Main Terminal.
Exeter Airport’s drop-off and pick-up charges vary depending on which car park you use and how long you stay. In this guide, you’ll find the latest Exeter Airport drop-off charges, pick-up charges, free parking options and Blue Badge arrangements, plus advice on choosing the right car park.
Quick answer: You can drop off or pick up passengers at Exeter Airport free for up to 30 minutes in Car Park P4. If you want to park closer to the terminal, Car Park P1 costs £8 for up to 15 minutes and has designated drop-off and pick-up bays opposite the Main Terminal.
Exeter Airport Drop-Off & Pick-Up Charges
For passengers arriving without a parking booking, Exeter Airport currently publishes the following drive-up charges for Car Parks P1, P2 and P4:
| Stay | Car Park P1 | Car Park P2 | Car Park P4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–15 minutes | £8.00 | £15.00 | FREE |
| 15–30 minutes | £15.00 | £15.00 | FREE |
| 30–60 minutes | £15.00 | £15.00 | £2.00 |
| 1–4 hours | £20.00 | £20.00 | £5.00 |
| 4–12 hours | £30.00 | £30.00 | £12.00 |
| 12–24 hours | £50.00 | £40.00 | £25.00 |
| Each additional 24 hours or part thereof | £50.00 | £40.00 | £30.00 |
Important: Car Park P3 is not included in the drive-up tariff because access to P3 is restricted to pre-booked parking only.
Prices and parking arrangements can change. The charges above were checked against Exeter Airport’s published parking information in September 2026. Always check the airport’s official website before travelling.
Is There Free Drop-Off at Exeter Airport?
Yes. Exeter Airport provides up to 30 minutes of free parking in Car Park P4 for passengers being dropped off or picked up.
This makes P4 the best option if your priority is avoiding Exeter Airport’s drop-off charge and you don’t need to park immediately outside the terminal.
- First 30 minutes: FREE
- 30–60 minutes: £2
- 1–4 hours: £5
- 4–12 hours: £12
- 12–24 hours: £25
P4 can therefore also be useful when collecting someone whose flight has landed but who isn’t yet ready to leave the terminal. Rather than entering one of the more expensive short-stay car parks too early, you can use the free period in P4.
If you remain in P4 for longer than 30 minutes, the applicable drive-up parking charge becomes payable.
Car Park P1 – Closest Drop-Off & Pick-Up to the Terminal
If convenience is more important than price, Car Park P1 is Exeter Airport’s main drop-off and pick-up location.
P1 has designated drop-off and pick-up bays opposite the Main Terminal, making it a convenient choice if you have lots of luggage, are travelling with children or simply want to get as close to the terminal as possible.
- 0–15 minutes: £8
- 15–30 minutes: £15
- 30–60 minutes: £15
- 1–4 hours: £20
- 4–12 hours: £30
- 12–24 hours: £50
Payment can be made using the card payment machine at the exit barrier or using the other payment methods available at the airport’s pay stations.
Best for: Quick drop-offs and pick-ups where being close to the terminal is more important than finding the cheapest option.
Car Park P2 – Short-Stay Parking
Car Park P2 is another short-stay option at Exeter Airport. However, if you are simply dropping someone off or collecting them from the Main Terminal, P1 or the free P4 option will generally be more relevant.
P2 currently costs £15 for any stay of up to one hour, followed by £20 for 1–4 hours and £30 for 4–12 hours.
P2 is particularly relevant for accessibility arrangements. Exeter Airport states that Blue Badge parking bays are available in P1 and P2, while drivers collecting passengers with reduced mobility may use P2 to collect passengers from Arrivals 2.
Best for: Short-stay parking and certain passenger assistance or Arrivals 2 pick-up requirements.
Can You Use Car Park P3 for Drop-Off or Pick-Up?
Car Park P3 should not be used for normal drive-up drop-offs or pick-ups. Exeter Airport states that access to P3 is restricted to pre-booked parking only.
If you’re taking someone to the airport or collecting an arriving passenger without a parking reservation, choose P1, P2 or P4 depending on your requirements.
If you’re flying from Exeter and need to leave your vehicle at the airport for several days, it’s normally better to pre-book your airport parking rather than pay drive-up rates.
You can compare and book Exeter Airport parking with APH before you travel.
Where Should I Pick Someone Up at Exeter Airport?
Where you should pick someone up depends on whether you prioritise convenience or price.
- Car Park P4: Best if you want to avoid a parking charge. You can park for up to 30 minutes free.
- Car Park P1: Best if you want to be close to the Main Terminal. Designated pick-up bays are located opposite the terminal and parking costs £8 for up to 15 minutes.
- Car Park P2: An alternative short-stay option and relevant for some passengers arriving through Arrivals 2.
If you’re collecting someone, it’s sensible to check their flight status before entering a paid car park. Even after an aircraft lands, passengers may need time to disembark, pass through the airport and collect their luggage.
Ask the passenger to contact you once they are ready to be collected where practical. This can help reduce the amount of time you spend parked and avoid unnecessary charges.
Blue Badge & Reduced Mobility Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Exeter Airport provides dedicated arrangements for Blue Badge holders and Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM).
- Blue Badge parking bays are available in Car Parks P1 and P2.
- Blue Badge holders and drivers collecting Passengers with Reduced Mobility should use Car Park P1 for drop-off or pick-up.
- Drivers collecting passengers with reduced mobility can also use Car Park P2 to collect passengers from Arrivals 2.
- Passengers who have booked Special Assistance with their airline can use the intercom call button at the P1 and P2 entry barriers to request a PRM parking bay and assistance to the terminal if required.
- Blue Badge holders using the designated arrangements can stay for up to four hours for the current 15-minute parking rate, subject to the airport’s validation procedure.
Exeter Airport currently instructs Blue Badge users seeking the reduced charge to display their Blue Badge on the windscreen and use the intercom call button at the exit for assistance with validating the applicable rate.
Can You Stop Outside Exeter Airport Terminal?
No. Stopping is not permitted on Exeter Airport’s terminal approach roads. Drivers dropping off or collecting passengers should use one of the designated car parks rather than stopping on the airport approach roads.
If you only need a few minutes, use P1 for the closest access to the terminal or P4 if you want to take advantage of the airport’s free 30-minute parking period.
Exeter Airport Drop-Off & Pick-Up FAQs
How much is drop-off at Exeter Airport?
Car Park P1 costs £8 for up to 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can use Car Park P4 free for up to 30 minutes.
Is there a free drop-off area at Exeter Airport?
Yes. Car Park P4 provides up to 30 minutes of free parking and can be used for both passenger drop-offs and pick-ups.
Where is the closest drop-off point to Exeter Airport terminal?
Car Park P1 has designated drop-off and pick-up bays opposite the Main Terminal, making it the most convenient option for terminal access.
How much does it cost to pick someone up at Exeter Airport?
You can pick someone up free of charge for up to 30 minutes in P4. For a more convenient location opposite the Main Terminal, P1 costs £8 for up to 15 minutes and £15 for stays between 15 and 60 minutes.
Can I wait for someone at Exeter Airport for free?
Yes. P4 allows you to park for up to 30 minutes free. This can be useful when waiting for an arriving passenger, although charges apply if you remain for longer than the free period.
Can I drop someone off directly outside the terminal?
Drivers should use the designated parking areas. Car Park P1 has drop-off and pick-up bays opposite the Main Terminal. Stopping on the airport terminal approach roads is not permitted.
Can I use P3 to pick someone up?
P3 is restricted to pre-booked parking only and is therefore not part of Exeter Airport’s standard drive-up drop-off and pick-up tariff.
Do I need cash to pay Exeter Airport drop-off charges?
Exeter Airport states that drivers using P1 can pay using the card payment machine at the exit barrier or other payment methods available at the airport’s pay stations.
Parking at Exeter Airport for Longer Trips
If you’re flying from Exeter rather than simply dropping off or collecting someone, pre-booking your parking is usually more appropriate than using the short-stay drive-up tariffs.
Exeter Airport’s official car parks are self-parking facilities, meaning drivers keep their car keys. The airport also states that its car parks have CCTV, security patrols and Park Mark accreditation.
Pre-booking also guarantees a space in your selected car park, although a specific individual parking bay is not allocated.
Compare your options and book Exeter Airport parking with APH before travelling.
Planning Your Exeter Airport Drop-Off or Pick-Up
The best option depends on how long you need to stay and how close you want to be to the terminal.
- Cheapest option: P4 – free for up to 30 minutes.
- Closest to the Main Terminal: P1 – £8 for up to 15 minutes.
- Longer short stay: Compare P1, P2 and P4 tariffs before entering.
- Blue Badge/PRM: Follow Exeter Airport’s P1/P2 accessibility arrangements.
- Parking while you’re away: Pre-book airport parking rather than relying on drop-off and pick-up tariffs.
Remember that airport drop-off and pick-up charges across the UK can change, so check the latest information before travelling.
Last checked: September 2026.
Disclaimer: APH does not own or operate Exeter Airport’s parking facilities, signage or pricing. This guide is based on information published by Exeter Airport and is intended to help passengers plan their journey. Parking charges, access arrangements and conditions can change, so always check the official Exeter Airport parking information before travelling.
We used long stay car park on 25-5-25 to drop off and were charged £30, why was this?
thanks for reaching out. The £30 charge sounds unusually high for a short drop-off – it’s possible that the stay exceeded the complimentary or minimum duration allowed in the Long Stay Car Park, which can result in a higher tariff. We recommend checking the specific time of entry and exit on your parking receipt or confirmation email.
If you believe this was charged in error, we’d suggest contacting Exeter Airport’s customer services or the car park operator directly with your booking reference and exact details from 25-5-25 for clarification and potential resolution.
Hope this helps!
Free drop off is NOT in P3 Long Stay, it is in P4. Got charged £5 after negotiating with assistant but lucky not to be charged £30 for 1 Day.