Airport drop-off charges: how does yours compare?

The fee to drop passengers off at Bristol Airport has increased to £8.50, making it one of the most expensive in England.

The charge to park for 10 minutes in the drop-off area has risen a number of times in recent years, increasing from £5 to £6 in 2024 and up to £7 in 2025. Blue badge holders can stay for up to 40 minutes for the same price.

A spokesperson for the airport said the increase was due to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent budget, which said it would see the airport’s business rates bill significantly increase.

Clive Wratten from the Business Travel Association said airports were “pulling the easiest revenue lever” by increasing their parking fees.

He added that public transport was often not an alternative option, especially at airports outside London.

“Pricing people out at the kerbside does not suddenly make public transport viable – it just pushes more cost onto workers, businesses and the taxi community.

“We urgently need a more coordinated, transparent approach that puts fairness, access and real-world travel behaviour ahead of short-term revenue grabs,” he said.

Bristol Airport offers a range of parking options as well as links to public transport.

• Short Stay car park: Located eight to 10 minutes walk from the terminal. It charges £8.50 for up to 15 minutes or £10.50 for 15 to 30 minutes parking.
• Bristol Airport Flyer: £15 for an adult return from Bristol or £7 for an adult return from Weston-super-Mare.
• Free shuttle bus: Passengers can board the shuttle from the waiting zone, which offers free parking for up to an hour. The shuttle drops passengers off at the Transport Interchange which is located a short walk away from the terminal.

Parking fees cost the same at all Heathrow terminals. There are also links to public transport like the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express and free transportation between terminals.

• Drop-off area: £7 for 10 minutes parking.
• Short stay car parks: £7.50 for up to 29 minutes parking.
• Long stay car parks: Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses that run every 15 minutes. Motorists can park for up to 29 minutes for free.

From Tuesday, London Gatwick will overtake Bristol and become the most expensive for drop-off and pick-up parking when its fees increase by £3.

Parking fees are the same at both North and South terminals.

• Drop-off area: £10 for 10 minutes parking.
• Short stay car parks: £7 for up to 30 minutes parking.
• Long stay car parks: Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses. Parking is free for up to two hours.

• Drop-off area: £7 for 15 minutes parking.
• Short stay car parks: £7 for up to 30 minutes parking. Located a short walk away from the terminals.
• Long stay car parks: Free parking for up to two hours. Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses.

• Drop-off area: £7 for 10 minutes parking.
• Short stay car park: £1 per minute after 10 minutes parking. Maximum stay is 30 minutes.
• Long stay car park: Located further from the terminals, but served by free shuttle buses. Free parking for up to two hours.

London City Airport will introduce a drop-off charge for the first time from Tuesday. Blue badge holders will be exempt from the fees.

• Drop-off area: £8 for up to five minutes, then £1 per minute. Maximum stay is 10 minutes.
• Short stay car park: £6.90 for up to 20 minutes parking.
• Long stay car park: £74.90 for eight to 24 hours parking.

• Drop-off area: £8 for up to ten minutes.
• Short stay car park: £45 for one to two hours.
• Long stay car park: £65 for four to 24 hours. £65 for each additional 24 hours or part thereof.

• Drop-off area: Free for up to 10 minutes.
• Short stay car park: Ranges from £2.50 to £10.50 for up to one hour depending on car park.
• Long stay car park: Ranges from £49 to £64 for up to 24 hours, depending on car park.

• Paid drop-off area: £5 for five minutes at terminals one, two and three.
• Free drop-off area: Located in JetParks 1. Passengers can travel to the terminals for free on a shuttle bus service, with the journey taking about six minutes.
• Short stay car park: £12.80 for up to one hour.
• Long stay car park: £61.40 per 24 hours.

• Drop-off area: £5 for up to 15 minutes.
• Short stay car park: £8 for up to one hour.
• Long stay car park: from £40 for 24 hours.

Newcastle Airport scrapped its free drop-off parking in December.

• 90 minutes’ free parking at Callerton Parkway, next to the Metro station, with a free shuttle bus running every 30 minutes.
• Drop-off area: £5 for up to 10 minutes.
• Short stay 1 car park: £18 for up to one hour.
• Long stay car park: £40 for one day, £25 per day or part thereafter.

• Express drop-off area: £6 for up to 10 minutes.
• Short stay for non-booked parking: £8 for up to 30 minutes.
• Long stay for non-booked parking: £12 for up to one hour, £50 per day and £25 per day or part thereafter.

• Drop-off area: £7 for up to 10 minutes.
• Short stay for non-booked parking: £83 per day, £48 per additional day.
• Long stay for non-booked parking: £57 per day, £18 per additional day.

• Drop-off area: £2.50 for up to 10 minutes, rising to £5 for 60 minutes, and £7 per hour thereafter.
• Longer stays: £24 up to 24 hours if booked in advance, £36 for 24 hours for non-booked parking.

• Drop-off area: £6 for up to 30 minutes in car park 1.
• Longer stays: £10 for up to 4 hours in car park 2, £35 for 24 hours in car park 2.

• Drop-off area: £7 for up to 20 minutes in the short stay car park.
• Short stay: £15 for up to one hour.
• Longer stay: £60 for up to 24 hours.

• Drop-off area: £6 for up to 30 minutes in car park 1.
• Short stay: £10 for up to two hours.
• Longer stay: £40 for one day.

• Drop-off area: £6 for up to 14 minutes in car park 1, closest to the airport. Free for up to 30 minutes in car park 4, further away.
• Short stay: £10 for up to 2 hours in car park 1.
• Long stay: £45 for one day in car park 1, £30 in car park 4.

• Drop-off area: free for up to 10 minutes.
• Short stay: £7.50 for up to 2 hours.
• Long stay: £26 for up to 24 hours on the day, £20 if booked in advance.