Check the forecourt fee before a quick drop-off becomes a fine-shaped souvenir.
Terminal drop-off is often the fastest route and the easiest surprise charge. This page tracks the charge, the usual free alternative and what to check before you travel.
| Airport | Terminal drop-off | Free/cheaper option | Watch out | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | £7 per terminal drop-off visit | Free drop-off at Park & Ride car parks (formerly Long Stay), then free bus transfer | Card-only payment; pay in advance, same day, or by midnight next day | Official source |
| Gatwick | £10 for up to 10 mins at North/South terminal zones, then £1 per minute (max £30 / 30 mins) | Long Stay car parks are free for 2 hours with shuttle transfer | Pay by midnight the day after; short stay is better for pick-up | Official source |
| Manchester | Forecourt drop-off: £5 for 5 mins, £6.40 for 10 mins, £25 up to 30 mins | Free drop-off point on Thorley Lane, then shuttle/walk | Drop-off zones are for set-down only; do not pick up there | Official source |
| Stansted | Express Set Down: £10 up to 15 mins; higher overstay charges apply | Free set-down in Mid Stay with shuttle transfer | Express Set Down uses strict time windows and ANPR/payment rules | Official source |
| Luton | Drop Off / Pick Up Zone: £7 for 10 mins, then £1 per minute | Long Stay car park free for up to 2 hours | Cashless/barrier-free system; pay attention to route signs | Official source |
| London City | £8 for 0–5 mins, then £1 per extra minute; max stay 10 mins | Main Stay gives 1 hour free for longer pick-up/drop-off | Pay by midnight the day after to avoid additional fees | Official source |
| Birmingham | Drop Off: free 0–10 mins; £6 for 10–15 mins; £7 for 15–20 mins | Use the free first 10 minutes if you are quick | Barrierless/AutoPay/Post Pay changes mean payment rules matter | Official source |
| Bristol | Drop Off & Pick Up: from £8.50 for up to 10 mins | Waiting Zone allows up to 1 hour free before collecting | Red route enforcement applies around terminal roads | Official source |
| Edinburgh | Terminal Pickup & Dropoff: £8.50 up to 10 mins, then £1 per minute | Free drop-off/pick-up area: 30 mins free, about 10 min walk | Airport car parks are cashless; terminal zone is card/barrier controlled | Official source |
| Glasgow | Pick Up & Drop Off: £7 up to 15 mins | Long Stay allows up to 1 hour free with shuttle transfer | Use longer-stay parking if you need more than 15 minutes | Official source |
| Leeds Bradford | Closest Pick Up & Drop Off is chargeable; One Hour Free Zone is free up to 1 hour | One Hour Free Zone is 3–4 minutes’ walk from terminal | Exceeding/re-entering the free zone can trigger full daily charge | Official source |
| Liverpool | Express Drop-off/Pick-up: £6 up to 10 mins; £10 up to 20 mins | Drop Off 2 is free up to 20 mins | Express area gets expensive for longer waits | Official source |
| Newcastle | Express Pick Up & Drop Off: £6 up to 10 mins | Check Short Stay / other parking options for longer stays | Charges rise quickly after 10 minutes | Official source |
| East Midlands | Rapid/Pick Up & Drop Off: £6 up to 30 mins | Blue Badge holders: Short Stay 1 free up to 30 mins | Pay by midnight next day; unpaid visits can trigger a parking charge | Official source |
| Belfast International | Drop-off zone: £3 for 10 mins | Use official car parks if you need longer than 10 mins | Vehicles must not be left unattended in the drop-off zone | Official source |
| Aberdeen | Express Drop Off: £7 up to 15 mins; £1 per minute after; £50 flat after 30 mins | Short Stay is better if meeting arrivals or staying longer | Express Drop Off is for quick set-down only | Official source |
| Cardiff | Drop-off/Pick-up: £3 for first 10 mins, then £3 per 10 mins | Car Park 2 gives 20 minutes free pick-up/drop-off | Do not leave vehicles unattended in the drop-off/pick-up facility | Official source |
| Southampton | Pick Up & Drop Off: £7 for 20 mins | Use official short stay/parking options if you need longer | Card/cashless payment on exit; Blue Badge holders still pay standard charges | Official source |
| Bournemouth | Car Park 1 for drop-off/parking; Car Park 3 passenger pick-up pre-book from £8 for up to 90 mins | Use the official car-parking page for current Car Park 1/3 tariffs | Picking up in the wrong zone can risk enforcement; follow official signs | Official source |
Fees change often. Parking Radar shows the latest official-source guidance we could verify; always check the linked airport page before travelling.
Charges change often. Parking Radar links to official airport sources and should be treated as a planning guide, not the final tariff.
Choose an airport guide, review the parking types and check current terms with the provider.
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