Airport dropoff charges up by a third: the priciest
UK airport dropoff charges have risen by about a third on average since last summer, according to RAC analysis of the 20 busiest airports. Sixteen raised prices; Gatwick and Stansted now charge £10, while London City is costliest per minute at £8 for five minutes. Free alternatives often exist farther from terminals.
Key Takeaways
- Drop-off fees at major UK airports rose by a third on average, with the typical "kiss and fly" cost up £1.70 to about £7.
- Gatwick and Stansted lead at £10; Bristol and Edinburgh follow at £8.50 for 10 minutes.
- London City, newly charging this year, is the most expensive per minute at £1.60.
- None of the top 10 EU airports charge for drop-offs, the RAC found.
- Free mid- or long-stay options with shuttle buses remain common; missed "pay later" payments can trigger notices up to £100.
The RAC motoring group compared the closest terminal drop-off points at the UK's 20 busiest airports and found 16 had raised fees since last year. That surge in airport dropoff charges matters for travellers, families, and firms that rely on quick kerbside farewells before flights.
Which UK airports charge the most for drop-offs?
According to BBC reporting on the RAC findings, Gatwick tops the list at £10 for 10 minutes after a £3 rise. Stansted also charges £10 but allows 15 minutes at its express set-down.
Bristol Live reports Edinburgh and Bristol next at £8.50 for 10 minutes. London City's £8 for five minutes works out at £1.60 per minute. Birmingham is among the cheapest on a per-minute basis at £7 for 15 minutes, or about 47p a minute.
Other published rates include £8 at Bournemouth, Leeds Bradford and London City; £7 at Aberdeen, Birmingham, Glasgow, Heathrow, Luton and Southampton; £6 at Liverpool John Lennon and Newcastle; £5.50 at Manchester; £5 at Belfast International and East Midlands; £4.50 at Cardiff; and £4 at Belfast City.
Liverpool John Lennon, East Midlands, Belfast City and Southampton were the only four of the 20 not to increase charges this year. Taxi and private-hire drop-offs often pass the fee onto the passenger fare.
Why are airport dropoff charges rising so fast?
Airports UK says fees help manage congestion, local traffic and air pollution, and support climate goals that government and councils require airports to address. The Aviation Environment Federation argues charges can nudge people toward buses and trains and cut pollution linked to childhood illnesses such as asthma.
Gatwick says data suggest charges are steering passengers toward alternatives. It cites rail links, 24/7 local buses, free long-stay drop-off with a shuttle, and Blue Badge exemptions. When a second runway was approved, one condition was that 54% of passengers use public transport.
Critics disagree. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis called captive-audience "farewell fees" at odds with major airports worldwide. Business Travel Association chief Clive Wratten said justifications have shifted—from environment to congestion to funding routes—and credibility has worn thin. Conservative peer Lord Moylan has tabled a Civil Aviation Bill amendment seeking a review of drop-off charges.
How can drivers avoid unexpected airport dropoff charges?
Check fees and payment rules before you leave. Look for cheaper or free mid- and long-stay car parks with shuttle buses. Watch the clock so you do not overstay the short window.
Be careful with barrierless "park now, pay later" zones: missing signage or forgetting to pay by phone or online can bring a parking charge notice as high as £100, the RAC warned. Confirm whether a taxi includes the fee in the fare, and check Blue Badge exemptions where they apply.
Unlike many UK hubs, none of the 10 busiest EU airports charge for drop-offs, nor do hubs such as Dubai, Shanghai and Istanbul, the RAC said—one reason the UK spike has drawn such attention.