Drivers are facing increasingly steep drop-off charges at UK airports, with fees having doubled in the past few years, according to a report from Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert. Since the pandemic, three airports—Gatwick, Heathrow, and Norwich—have introduced charges for dropping off passengers outside the terminal, while 16 others have increased existing fees.
Stansted now charges £7 for a drop-off of 15 minutes or less, up from £4, making it the most expensive in the country. Bristol has seen a 400% increase, from £1 to £5 for a ten-minute drop-off. Other airports that have at least doubled their charges include Aberdeen, Exeter, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Newcastle. London City and Newquay remain among the few airports that do not charge for drop-offs.
Oli Townsend, assistant deals and features editor at MoneySavingExpert.com, said: 'The cost of dropping people off at an airport has soared since the pandemic. Many passengers will rightly be shocked when hit with a charge as much as £7 just to set someone down outside the terminal. But the good news is that in most cases there's no need to pay anything when saying goodbye to family and friends, as almost all airports have a free area for drop-offs – as long as you're willing to take a short walk or shuttle ride to the terminal.'
To avoid charges, travellers can use free drop-off zones located away from terminals, often requiring a brief walk or a complimentary shuttle bus. Some airports also offer free long-stay car parks for short visits. Checking airport websites for details on free options can help save money.
