14 July 2023 , 11:09
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Ahead of the busy summer holiday period, motor experts are warning UK travellers of an increase in terminal drop-off prices at national and regional airports.
New research carried out by the RAC has found that seven of the UK’s busiest airports were raising parking fees this summer and one was even introducing them for the first time.
While fee rises only range between £1 or £2 across the board, passengers who call on family or friends to drop them off at the airport could find themselves out of pocket for simply doing a good deed.
At Southampton Airport, for example, drop-off fees have been increased from £4 to £6 for 20 minutes, Leeds Bradford has upped its charges from £5 to £6 for 10 minutes, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is now £5 for 10 minutes, and visitors to Birmingham Airport can now expect to pay £4 for £15 minutes.
Just getting to the airport can be costly (Getty Images/iStockphoto)In Scotland, Glasgow Airport has increased its drop-off fees from £34 to £5 for 15 minutes, with passengers to Aberdeen also seeing a £1 increase from £4 to £5 for 15 minutes.
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In London, Stansted Airport hasn't increased its prices this year but is still charging a whopping £7 for just 15 minutes, making it among the most expensive short-term parking in the UK.
Drivers tempted to drop loved ones outside the designated areas to avoid paying for parking could find themselves facing fixed penalty notices, with no-stopping rules being enforced using 24-hour security cameras.
With airports expecting to see their busiest summer season since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of sunseekers have been snapping up holidays with Tui, Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and more despite the ongoing cost of living crisis.
How to avoid airport drop-off fees
Whether you are looking forward to the holiday of a lifetime or a last-minute break on a budget, any extra expense is never welcome when it comes to getting away from it all.
UK travellers can expect to pay around £50 per person on parking fees, petrol costs or travel to and from the airport. While these are to be expected, paying to jump out of the car without even turning the engine off could really stick in your craw.
One of the most obvious ways to not worry about paying extortionate fees for the few moments it takes to remove yourself and your luggage from a family member's car is by looking at other ways to get there.
Public transport
Across the country, trains and coaches connect with most airports offering dedicated services at subsidised prices. To find out more about which trains service your local airport, visit thetrainline.com. For information on coach and bus services, check out National Express and Megabus.
Of course, many travellers choose to hire the services of a local taxi company to help them with the airport run, but increased parking charges at airports will usually be reflected in the fare.
Car hire
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Another way of driving to the airport without having to worry about paying parking fees is to hire a car to get you from A to B. For passengers who are travelling between UK airports or transport hubs, or those that simply do not have or want to use their own vehicle, companies like Enterprise will let you collect a car from your nearest location to be dropped at any of their branches at any UK airport.
You don't have to pay for any parking and Enterprise is also offering 10% off budget car hire booked up to three days in advance until July, 31.
Airport parking
Another way to ensure that you arrive at the airport in time to catch your flight is by getting there under your own steam. Driving to the airport means that you and your fellow travellers aren't reliant on public transport, and can travel in relative comfort with all your travel gear close at hand.
Thanks to a network of affordable, reliable and super convenient parking providers across the UK, long gone are the days of dodgy looking dimly lit airport car parks, that could cost you as much for a week's stay as the price of your holiday.
On average, the cost of a seven-day stay in a short-stay car park is around £90, which works out as little as 50p an hour, offering much better value for money than the drop-off rate.
For easyJet, Ryanair or Jet2 passengers hoping to keep holiday costs down, most airports offer a choice of parking providers, allowing you to choose the best price to suit your requirements. Purple Parking, Airparks, UK Meet & Greet and even NCP all offer secure off-site parking with dedicated shuttle services to and from the airport terminal.
Depending on your departure airport, the providers with spaces closest to the airport usually charge the highest rates. Short-stay parking should be booked in advance, and sites like Holiday Extras or Travel Supermarket could save savvy passengers as much as 60% on holiday parking - rates will vary by location and parking dates.