Prices for airport drop off and pick up is on rise in UK since last few years. For example, from 1st January 2026, Heathrow’s Terminal Drop-Off Charge has increased from £6 to £7 per visit, and a maximum stay of 10 minutes will also be introduced to the drop-off areas. Also Gatwick’s fee jumped from £7 to a whopping £10 on 6 January. Under these circumstances, it would be wise to know the ways you could save few quids while droping off or picking up your friends and family from these airports. In this article, we are going to share with you some wise options which could help you from emptying your pockets.
Free Airport Parking (Drop off or Pick Up) in United Kingdom
UK has around 54 commercial passenger airports that meets international airport standards which means those airports operate scheduled flights. As per records, 35 airports in UK serve more than 100,000 passengers per year. Let’s see drop off or pick up charges in major international airports in UK, one by one.
1. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
From January 1st 2026, Heathrow airport is charging 7£ per visit and a maximum of 10 minutes for drop off areas. Free drop off at Park and Ride (Previously long stay car park) is available (maximum of 29 minutes) and you can take free shuttle service to all terminals. More information on long stay car parks can be seen here.
2. London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
At LGW, you have until midnight the following day to pay the drop-off charge. rates are as follows: £10 for 10 minutes, £1 for each additional minute up to 20 minutes. There is a maximum daily charge of £30 and a maximum length of stay of 30 minutes. In LGW you can park in long stay car park for maximum of 2 hours free of charge. More information is available here.
3. Manchester Airport (MAN)
At MAN, Charges apply (~£6-£6.40 for 10 mins); free drop-off area (JetParks 1) with shuttle available. Manchester Airport prices and charges for drop off directly outside any terminal: Upto 5 minutes, its 5£, Upto 10 minutes, its 6.40£, upto 30 minutes, its 25£. Maximum stay is 30 minutes. Payments must be made online by midnight the following day. Also, a £100 charge will be applied to those attempting to pick up passengers in the Drop Off zone as there is different pick up zone at terminal 2 and terminal 3, with charge of 6.40£ for 15 minutes. Free drop off area is at Jetparks 1 car park, from which passengers can avail free shuttle service to all terminals taking around 6 minutes. More information available here
4. London Stansted Airport (STN)
Drop off is around 7£+ if using terminal forecourt, but free up to 60 minutes in Mid stay car park from which you can use free shuttle service or walk to the terminals. More information is available here
5. London Luton Airport (LTN)
Drop off costs around 7£, 1 £/minute thereafter, maximum of 3o minutes. In LTN long stay car park, parking is free for two hours with free bus service to terminal. More information here.
6. Birmingham Airport (BHX)
BHX has free option of drop off for a maximum of 10 minutes. But if you drop off in Premium setdown, you have to pay 6£ for first 15 minutes. For picking up, use Car park 5 with charges starting at 9.5£/hour. More information here.
7. Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
In EDI, multistorey carpark charges 30£ for upto 3 hours, terminal car park charges starts at 0 – 15minutes for 7£, For mid stay car park tariff starts at 10£ for 0 – 30 minutes. Long stay car park is free for first 30 minutes. More information here.
8. Newcastle Airport (NCL)
NCL have express, short stay 1 and short stay 2 options as well as an Airport Waiting Zone is available at Callerton Parkway and offers free parking for up to 90 minutes. For express charges start from 5£ for 10 minutes, Short stay 2 charges 3£ for 15 minutes where as short stay 1 charges at 10£ for 15 minutes. More information available here.
9. Belfast Airports (BFS and BHD)
Charges starts at 3 – 4£ for 10 minutes at teminal. Free drop off in long stay car park zones. Paid parking available at short stay and long stay car parks. More information available here.
10. Inverness Airport (INV)
In INV, free drop off and pick up is available. More information here.
11. Isle of Man and Jersey Airports (IOM and JER)
Free pick up and drop off available, but no waiting is allowed. IOM information available here. JER information available here.
12. Newquay Airport (NQY)
In NQY, drop off or pick up is free upto 10 minutes and paid parking available for longer stays. More information available here.
Free Pick Up and Drop off guide (for all major UK Airports)
Feel free to check in our free pick up and drop off guide for all major UK airports – Airport pick up drop off guide.
Blue Light Card Offers
If you are a nurse or works in any profession which can avail blue light card benefit, you are in luck. Yes, blue light card offers very good discount for long stay parking in all major airports. You just need to search for airport parking in your blue light card website after logging in. This is an excellent idea to drop off your car in the car park when you go for holidays for about 15 – 30 days. There is even valeting options available to book through blue light card.
Hope this article gives you an idea of how much it will cost you to drop off or pick up your friends or family in all major airports in UK. If you liked this article, please do share it with your friends.
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