Record high fees at airport drop-off zones
Ahead of the busy summer travel period, drivers taking relatives and friends to the airport should brace themselves for record terminal drop-off prices.
Ahead of the busy summer travel period, drivers taking relatives and friends to the airport should brace themselves for record terminal drop-off prices with seven of the UK’s 21 busiest airports* putting up fees and one introducing them, new RAC research reveals.
The biggest jumps were at Southampton Airport which has increased its drop-off fees to £6 for 20 minutes (was £4 for 20 minutes in 2022) and Belfast International, which has put the charge up by £2 to £3 for 10 minutes.
Drivers heading to Glasgow Airport pay £5 for 15 minutes (up from £4 for 15 minutes in 2022) while at Aberdeen the initial rate also sits at £5 for 15 minutes (up from £4 for 10 minutes in 2022).
Leeds Bradford has upped its charges to £6 for 10 minutes (from £5 for 10 minutes), Liverpool John Lennon is now £5 for 10 minutes (up from £4 for 10 minutes) while Birmingham has increased its fee to £4 for 15 minutes (from £3 for 15 minutes).
Belfast’s other airport, Belfast City, has now introduced a charge of £3 for 10 minutes, having previously not charged for dropping off.
Despite not increasing its fee this year, London Stansted continues to top the drop-off charges table with an initial charge of £7 for 15 minutes.
Fortunately, six of the busiest UK airports are among the 13 airports that have frozen drop-off charges since last summer.
Alongside Stansted holding its prices are London Heathrow and London Gatwick which charge £5, Manchester is £5 for five minutes, London Luton is still asking for £5 for 10 minutes and Edinburgh costs £4 for 10 minutes.
More encouragingly, there are still three airports where relatives and friends can be dropped off without any charge as Cardiff, London City and Inverness airports all have a free option at the terminal forecourt.
RAC top tips to avoid stress and high airport parking charges
Do your research
Check out the drop-off facilities on the airport’s website to understand fees, payment options and stay times. Terminal forecourt drop-off areas are likely to be the most expensive.
Have your payment ready
Once you have found out how to pay, ensure you have payment ready to hand, whether that is adequate change, a debit or credit card or pre-programmed the payment number into your mobile. Some airports allow you to pay online.
Say your goodbyes before travel
Say your farewells before you get to the airport – if you don’t they might prove expensive, particularly if you go over the initial time limit for drop-offs.
Check your taxi fare includes a drop-off fee
If you’re booking a taxi to take you to the airport, check to see whether the fare includes or excludes any drop-off fees to avoid any nasty surprises upon arrival.
