The cost of dropping off friends and family at UK airports has surged, with average fees rising by a third compared to last summer, according to RAC research. More than three-quarters of the UK’s busiest airports have raised or introduced charges for drivers dropping off passengers directly outside terminal buildings.
In this article, we reveal the UK's 10 most expensive airports for passenger drop-offs and provide some tips on how you can avoid the fee altogether.
Airport drop-off fees are increasing
The study by the RAC looked at 20 major UK airports and found that 16 have increased their terminal drop-off charges, often referred to as "kiss and fly" fees, over the past year. Gatwick and Stansted top the list as the most expensive, charging drivers £10 for passenger drop-offs.
London City Airport, which was previously the only major UK airport in the survey to allow free drop-offs outside its terminal, now charges £8 for a five-minute stay. Additionally, the scrapping of half-price electric vehicle discounts at airports like Edinburgh means EV drivers now face a 183% price surge. In contrast, only four airports surveyed - Liverpool John Lennon, East Midlands, Belfast City, and Southampton - froze their drop-off fees this year.
The 10 most expensive UK airports for drop-off fees
The table below outlines the top 10 most expensive UK airports for dropping off passengers near terminal buildings, based on standard charges.
| Airport | Standard Drop-Off Fee | Time Allowed |
| London Gatwick | £10.00 | 10 minutes |
| London Stansted | £10.00 | 15 minutes |
| Bristol | £8.50 | 10 minutes |
| Edinburgh | £8.50 | 10 minutes |
| London City | £8.00 | 5 minutes |
| Bournemouth | £8.00 | 30 minutes |
| Leeds Bradford | £8.00 | 10 minutes |
| London Heathrow | £7.00 | Per drop-off |
| London Luton | £7.00 | 5 minutes |
| Birmingham | £7.00 | 20 minutes |
(Source: RAC. Note: Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Southampton airports are also tied at £7.00 for drop-offs.)
The RAC highlighted that the practice of imposing airport drop-off charges is largely confined to the UK. None of the 10 busiest airports in the European Union, nor major international hubs such as Dubai, Shanghai, or Istanbul, impose terminal drop-off fees on motorists.
In response, industry body AirportsUK noted that drop-off charges help manage local traffic congestion, reduce environmental pollution, and support private airport business models that operate without state subsidies.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: "It's disappointing to see so many airports charging so much for what many regard as a simple act of kindness in dropping off family and friends. Having a captive audience should be no excuse for these farewell fees - especially when they're completely at odds with how major airports around the world operate. Of course, airports need to manage the limited space they have carefully, but if free, convenient drop-off zones work at many other international airports, then why not here? Those that drop off but miss the signage or forget to pay soon afterwards can face a parking charge notice as high as £100 - a fee that feels distinctly disproportionate to the contravention."
Is there a way to drop off passengers for free?
Yes, most airports offer alternative drop-off options; however, these are usually farther from the terminals and may require travellers to walk or take a shuttle bus. Additionally, many UK airports offer more convenient drop-offs for Blue Badge holders, but you'll need to check the official website of the specific airport for details.
Below, we provide a summary of the free options for dropping off at UK airports:
| Airport | Free option |
| Aberdeen | Free for an hour at Long Stay, a six-minute walk or two-minute shuttle bus ride |
| Belfast City | Ten minutes free parking in Long Stay Car Park, located five minutes from terminal |
| Belfast International | 15 minutes free in Long Stay |
| Birmingham | Free (for 10 mins) drop-off a 5-10 minute walk away from the terminal |
| Bournemouth | No official free drop-off option |
| Bristol | One hour free at Waiting Zone, shuttle bus from the terminal |
| Cardiff Wales | 20 minutes free pick up and drop off in Car Park 2, short walk from the terminal |
| East Midlands | Free pick-up or drop-off option at Long Stay car park. Free for up to 60 minutes. 15-20 minute walk or a shuttle bus from terminal |
| Edinburgh | Free drop-off at Long Stay car park, 10-minute walk away |
| Glasgow | One hour free at Long Stay car park, shuttle bus to terminal |
| Leeds Bradford | One Hour Free Parking Zone, located within the Mid Stay car park. Five-minute walk to the terminal |
| Liverpool John Lennon | Free 20 minutes at Drop Off 2, a 10-minute walk from the terminal |
| London City | No official free drop-off option |
| London Gatwick | 2 hours free at Long Stay, a free shuttle bus ride from terminals |
| London Heathrow | At park and ride car parks, a shuttle bus ride away from terminals |
| London Luton | Free for two hours in Long Stay car park, bus ride from terminal |
| London Stansted | Free drop-off at Mid Stay car park, free shuttle from terminal |
| Manchester | Free drop-off area at JetParks 1, a free shuttle from terminals |
| Newcastle | Airport Waiting Zone, located at Callerton Parkway, which provides free parking for up to 90 minutes. Shuttle bus operates to the terminal |
| Southampton | No official free drop-off option |
(Source: RAC)
How to avoid high airport drop-off fees
While airport drop-off fees continue to rise, drivers can take steps to avoid or minimise these extra travel costs:
- Use free long-stay or mid-stay car parks – Most UK airports offer free drop-off zones located in their mid-stay or long-stay car parks. These typically include free shuttle bus transfers directly to the terminal building.
- Pay promptly on barrierless zones to avoid penalties – Several airports operate barrier-free 'park now, pay later' systems that use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). Ensure you pay online or by phone within the specified deadline to avoid penalty charges of up to £100.
- Check for electric vehicle discounts – While some airports have scaled back green incentives, certain terminals still offer discounts or free drop-off periods for fully electric vehicles. Check the official website of the specific airport before travelling.
- Explore public transport options – Depending on your route, using local bus, coach, or rail services to reach the terminal can eliminate parking and drop-off fees entirely.
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