It seems that the costs associated with holiday travel are on the rise, including expenses related to flights and airport parking. One lesser-known fee that is increasing at airports across the UK is the charge for dropping off passengers near the terminals.
While opting for a drop-off by a friend or family member might seem convenient and cost-effective compared to booking airport parking, many airports now impose fees for stopping briefly to let passengers out near the terminal. In London, for example, one airport charges £1 per minute for unloading luggage at the curb.
A recent study by Motorpoint revealed that the average cost of dropping off someone at the airport has risen to £7.66, up from £5.51 last year. Approximately 28% of people rely on lifts from friends and family to reach the airport, especially for early morning or late-night flights when public transportation may be limited. The research focused on the drop-off points nearest to the terminal that are commonly used by travelers for convenience.
Notably, certain airports have significantly increased their drop-off fees. London City Airport, which previously offered free drop-offs, now charges £8. London Gatwick has raised its prices by £4, making a 10-minute drop-off cost £10, while Stansted now charges £10 for up to 15 minutes.
Airports that have not increased their drop-off fees for 2026 include Manchester, Liverpool, East Midlands, Glasgow Prestwick, Cardiff, Teesside, and Cornwall Airport Newquay, which offers 10 minutes of free parking in a designated drop-off/pick-up zone.
Ben Custard, a motoring journalist at Motorpoint, advised travelers to check airport websites for free drop-off areas slightly farther from the terminal. He emphasized the importance of using official airport drop-off points to avoid fines, cautioning against dropping off passengers in unauthorized areas near airports.
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