British holidaymakers are being stung by rapidly escalating charges just to say goodbye at the airport, with new analysis revealing that airport forecourts have become some of the most expensive places to stop a car in the UK.
The Sky-High Cost of Goodbye
London Gatwick Airport now holds the dubious title of the UK's most expensive for drop-offs, after hiking its fee for a ten-minute stop from £7 to £10 – a staggering 43% year-on-year increase. The surge means a quick farewell now risks becoming a significant pre-holiday expense.
Heathrow Airport has also increased its charge, moving from £6 to £7, adding further stress for travellers who already face the threat of penalty notices for overstaying. In third place is Bristol Airport, where the fee has risen from £7 to £8.50.
The analysis, highlighted by Holiday Extras, shows the full extent of the price rises across the country:
- Belfast City: £4
- Newcastle Airport: £5
- Birmingham Airport: £6
- Leeds Bradford: £7
- Liverpool John Lennon: £6
- Glasgow: £0.50
Expert Advice to Dodge the Fees
Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, warned: "Airport drop-off fees have quietly become one of the fastest rising costs of going on holiday. What used to be a quick goodbye can now cost up to £10 – and that’s before you factor in fines if it takes a little longer than anticipated."
He urged travellers to agree on clear pick-up points close to, but outside of, charged zones. He also emphasised the importance of diligence with automatic number plate recognition systems, which issue fines if payment is not received by midnight on the same day.
To help passengers hold onto their cash, Holiday Extras has issued key recommendations for avoiding fees at specific airports:
Smart Alternatives at Major Hubs
For London Heathrow travellers, a savvy alternative is to get dropped off at Hatton Cross Tube station. It sits within the Heathrow free travel zone, so you can tap your Oyster card to reach any terminal without being charged. Drivers can use the Hatton Cross car park for a free five-minute window, provided the vehicle is ULEZ compliant.
Those flying from Gatwick can use the free drop-off areas at the Long Stay car parks and take the shuttle bus to the terminal, a journey that can also be done on foot in about five minutes.
At Birmingham Airport, drivers can head to Birmingham International station and use the free drop-off point in the Short Stay car park, before taking the free, two-minute Air Rail link to the airport.
For Liverpool John Lennon Airport, those picking up can wait at the 24-hour McDonald's in the New Mersey Retail Park, just five minutes away, or use parking spaces for shops on Western Avenue.
London City Airport passengers can be dropped off on the corner of Drew Road and Leonard Street, followed by a sub-60-second walk through a tunnel to the terminal.
Public Outrage Over 'Profiteering'
The news of these steep increases has sparked fury among the British public, with many noting that picking up loved ones can now cost more than the fuel and mileage for the journey. Social media reactions have been scathing.
On one Instagram post, a user lamented: "Honestly, is living in the UK just death by fees and fines?" Responses to a Gatwick announcement on X were equally furious, with one person branding the airport "a disgrace to the travelling public," and another accusing it of profiteering, noting the lack of viable public transport alternatives early in the morning or late at night.
As these charges continue their upward climb, planning and knowledge of alternatives have never been more critical for UK travellers hoping to start their holidays without an unwelcome financial blow.
