December 17th 2024.
Passengers who are saying goodbye to their loved ones at the airport may be surprised to find themselves paying a large sum of money in fees. We all know traveling can be expensive, but even if you're not the one heading off on a trip, you can still end up spending a lot of money. It's a frustrating situation when you're just trying to do a good deed and help out a friend, family member, or even your own kids by dropping them off at the airport, only to be hit with a hefty charge.
At some airports, these drop-off fees can really add up. In fact, at certain locations, you could end up paying as much as £25 for just 15 minutes of time. And unfortunately, this is not just a problem in the UK. Even in places like New Zealand, there are strict drop-off rules, such as a three minute "hug limit" at Dunedin Airport. Many disgruntled motorists have called these fees "absolutely disgusting" and a "rip-off."
The Royal Automobile Club has also spoken out against these charges, describing them as bordering on the ridiculous. In fact, a recent analysis showed that these fees have been steadily increasing at major UK airports since the summer of 2023, with an average increase of £1 per year.
So, if you're planning on heading to an airport soon, it's important to know how much you can expect to pay at the drop-off zones of the UK's major airports. However, it's worth noting that there are some free parking alternatives available at these airports, although they may be located further away from the terminals.
Let's take a closer look at some of the specific fees and policies at different airports. Starting with London Heathrow, the drop-off charge at their terminals will be increasing from £5 to £6 on January 1, 2025. The good news is that there is no time limit for drop-offs, and customers can choose to pay for a single drop-off or pre-pay for multiple drop-offs online or by phone. There is also a long-stay car park available for free for 30 minutes, and Blue Badge holders can park for free for up to two hours.
Moving on to Gatwick Airport, the minimum drop-off charge is £6 for up to 10 minutes, with an additional £1 for each extra minute up to 20 minutes. There is a maximum daily charge of £26, and the longest stay allowed is 30 minutes. Payment can be made by midnight the following day through phone, an AutoPay account, or online. For those who want to avoid these fees, there is a free option available at the long-stay car park, with a 10-minute shuttle bus ride to the terminals.
At London Luton Airport, drop-off and pick-up charges start at £5 for up to five minutes, with an additional £1 per minute after that. The maximum stay is 20 minutes, and payment must be made online by midnight the following day. However, there is a free drop-off option at the mid-stay car park, which is just a short 10-minute walk or five-minute shuttle bus ride away from the terminal.
Stansted Airport has a drop-off charge of £7 for up to 15 minutes and £25 for any time over 15 minutes. However, there is a mid-stay car park available for free for up to 60 minutes, with a seven-minute shuttle bus ride to the terminal.
Moving on to Manchester Airport, there is a £5 charge for five minutes and £6.20 for 10 minutes at all three terminals. After that, an overstay charge of £25 will apply. However, there is a free drop-off area further away from the terminals, with a free shuttle bus available 24/7 for a quick and easy ride.
Edinburgh Airport charges £5 for up to 10 minutes and an additional £1 for every minute after that. Local residents can receive a 50% discount for the first 10 minutes by applying on the airport's website. There is also a free drop-off and pick-up area at their long-stay car park, which allows for a 30-minute stay. However, there are no shuttle buses available, so it may be about a 10-12 minute walk to the terminal.
Glasgow Airport charges £5.50 for up to 15 minutes in their drop-off zone, but there is a free long-stay car park option for the first hour, with a five-minute shuttle bus ride to the terminal.
Moving on to Birmingham Airport, the drop-off zone is free for the first 10 minutes, but charges will apply after that time limit. The fees are £5 for 10-15 minutes, £6 for 15-20 minutes, and £6 for every five minutes after that. London City Airport offers free drop-offs in front of their terminal building, but drivers must not wait in their vehicles at any time or they may receive a penalty. There are also charges for pick-ups, with prices starting at £6.90 for 0-20 minutes and rising to £24.90 for one to two hours.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport has a minimum charge of £5 for up to 10 minutes in their express drop-off and pick-up car park. For a free option, there is a drop-off area located 400 meters away with a short shuttle bus ride to the airport.
Bristol Airport has a "drop and go" area with fees starting at £6 for 10 minutes and increasing for longer stays. There is also a free "Waiting Zone" about 60 minutes away from the terminal. Finally, Aberdeen Airport charges £5.50 for 15 minutes in their express drop-off zone, but there is a free long-stay option for the first 60 minutes, with a six-minute walk or quick shuttle bus ride to the terminal.
So, as you can see, there are a variety of fees and options at different UK airports. It's important to plan ahead and know what to expect so you can avoid any surprises and make the best decision for your specific situation. And remember, if you have a story to share about your airport drop-off experience, feel free to get in touch!
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