Seamus McCauley, Holiday Extras
“Airport drop-off fees have quietly become one of the fastest rising costs of going on holiday.”
Faster and smarter in the app... Open app
Top tips to avoid airport drop-off fees as prices soar in 2026
London Gatwick is now the UK’s most expensive airport for drop-off, and Heathrow has introduced penalty charges. Here’s what Holiday Extras’ analysis shows, plus practical ways to avoid fees and fines.
Short on time? Let us summarise this article for you.
Holiday Extras analysis shows airport drop-off fees are rising across the UK in 2026, with London Gatwick increasing to £10 and London Heathrow increasing to £7 alongside new penalty charges for overstays. Increases also hit airports including Bristol, Newcastle and Belfast City, while some airports have not yet confirmed any additional 2026 increase beyond the latest known charge. If you want to avoid fees, free options often exist away from the forecourt, such as using station drop-off points, long-stay car parks with shuttle buses, or nearby alternatives. Pre-booking airport parking can also reduce stress and avoid fee deadlines and fines.
12th January 2026: As increases to airport drop-off fees come into force, and debates over the justification of the hikes reach boiling point, holidaymakers are left navigating another hidden cost to jetting off, and paying a premium just to say goodbye to their loved ones.
Analysis by Holiday Extras, the UK’s market leader in airport parking, lounges and hotels, highlights this trend, showing that airport forecourts around the UK are fast becoming some of the most expensive places to stop your car.
London Gatwick becomes the UK’s most expensive airport drop-off
Among the most notable rises, London Gatwick has increased its drop-off charge to £10 for 2026, making it the UK’s most expensive airport for drop-off. Heathrow has also increased charges, and introduced penalty notices, meaning a single overstay could cost more than pre-booked parking for the whole trip.
Drop-off charges: top UK airports (2025 vs. 2026)
| Airport | 2025 charge | 2026 charge | £ increase | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick | £7 | £10 | +£3 | +43% |
| London Heathrow | £6 | £7 | +£1 | +17% |
| Bristol | £7 | £8.50 | +£1.50 | +21% |
| Belfast City | £3 | £4 | +£1 | +33% |
| Newcastle | £4 | £5 | +£1 | +25% |
| Birmingham | £5 | £6* | +£1 | +20% |
| Leeds Bradford | £6 | £7 | +£1 | +17% |
| Liverpool | £5 | £6* | +£1 | +20% |
| Glasgow | £5.50 | £6* | +£0.50 | +10% |
*Latest known charges where no additional 2026 increase has yet been publicly confirmed.
While some airports have only added a marginal increase to the cost, notable changes include:
- London Gatwick becoming the UK’s most expensive, raising the cost by +43%, and doubling since 2021.
- London Luton increasing the cost to £7, after introducing its first drop-off zone in 2025.
- London City, previously the only London airport without a charge, introducing a new drop-off fee that surges with time, costing £8 for the first five minutes and rising to £13 for a ten-minute stay.
- London Heathrow not only upping the cost, but setting penalty notices that mean a single overstay could cost more than pre-booked parking for the whole trip.
With the cost of dropping off your loved ones at the terminal more expensive than ever, it has never been more important to plan ahead. Pre-booking airport parking often works out cheaper, and a lot less stressful, than trying to beat the countdown, but there are also ways to avoid the fees at most UK airports.
“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.
“Holidaymakers should agree clear pick-up points close to the airport if possible, and where they can’t, keep in mind that automatic number plate recognition systems used by most airports will issue fines if payment is not received by midnight on the same day, so be diligent and set reminders so that you’re not caught out.
“Nobody needs the added stress of remembering the ins-and-outs of drop off fees and strict fine enforcements through, so pre-booking airport parking negates that completely. Last year, Holiday Extras customers saved an average of £150 on airport parking by booking in advance, making parking at the airport a cheaper, and more straightforward way, to arrive at the airport.”
Top tips to avoid drop-off fees and fines by airport
- London Heathrow: For a free alternative, drop-off at Hatton Cross tube station and catch the tube for free to any of the terminals. Hatton Cross is part of the Heathrow free travel zone, so you can go from there to any of the terminals. You’ll need to tap an Oyster card, but it won’t be charged. The driver will need to be comfortable with a five-minute window to get in and out of Hatton Cross car park, and be ULEZ compliant.
- London Gatwick: Drop off for free at the Long Stay car parks and take the shuttle bus to the terminal. It adds extra time but can be a good option if you are dropping off a larger group or do not want to race the clock at the forecourt. It’s also possible to walk from the Long Stay South car park to the terminal, and takes about five minutes.
- Birmingham: Drive to Birmingham International station and use the free drop off and pick up point in the Short Stay car park there, then catch the free Air Rail link to the airport. The journey takes about 2 minutes and runs from early morning until late at night.
- Liverpool: Rather than pay to wait for passengers to clear arrivals, there’s a 24-hour McDonalds five minutes from the airport at the New Mersey Retail Park, or free parking for the shops on Western Avenue also five minutes away.
- London City: Instead, get dropped off on the corner of Drew Road and Leonard Street, then head through the tunnel to the airport. The walk takes less than a minute.
For more tips and tricks on how to beat drop-off fees at more airports across the country, visit: How to avoid airport drop-off fees.
Notes to editors
- Holiday Extras is the European market leader in airport parking, airport hotels, worldwide airport lounges, destination car hire, airport transfers and holiday insurance.
- Established in 1983, Holiday Extras helps more than 11 million travellers have a better holiday every year.
- Flextras ensures it is easy and free to cancel or change bookings.
- The company has been listed eleven times in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For.
ENDS
For more information contact the GOLD79 team on [email protected].
Most-popular articles
Smarter travel, made simple
The Holiday Extras app gives you instant access to your bookings, updates, and support—anytime, anywhere.
Let's take the hassle out of your holiday.
Sign up to our mailing list for more travel advice plus exclusive money-saving offers on your holiday extras!
No need to worry about your data, we take your privacy seriously.