RAC research shows rising cost of airport pick-ups

Research by the RAC has found more than half of the UK’s biggest airports have raised their fees for drivers picking up friends or family members this summer.

In all, 13 airports have put up their pick-up parking prices with the biggest rise at London Luton. 

Luton recently closed its short-stay car park, so drivers have to use its new multi-storey for terminal pick-ups and it now costs £8 for a stay of up to 30 minutes, £1 more than in 2017 when drivers were allowed to stay for 40 minutes.

London Stansted is the second most expensive airport, with charges of £5.50 for a stay of up to half an hour, followed by Birmingham where the fee is £5.10 for stopping for up to an hour . The airports have raised their prices by 50p and 20p respectively this year.

Four airports share fourth spot with initial pick-up charges of £4, but in real terms Edinburgh is the most expensive as its fee only gives drivers15 minutes, while Heathrow and Gatwick which give motorists a more generous 30 minutes parking.

Belfast, Liverpool John Lennon and Leeds Bradford are the only three major airports in the UK that still permit free short-stay pick-ups, although in Belfast drivers only get 10 minutes free.

The RAC study found fewer airports charge for drop-offs, but London Stansted charges £3.50 for a stay up to 10 minutes. 

Manchester introduced drop-off charges for the first time in 2018 and a five-minute stay costs £3

London Heathrow, Gatwick, City and Cardiff all offer free drop-offs.

But the RAC warned drivers to be very wary of overstaying in any drop-off zones, with fees quickly rocketing after the maximum stay.

Leeds Bradford charges £9 for stops of between 30 and 60 minutes, while those overstaying at London Luton, London Stansted and East Midlands are effectively put on a meter after the maximum stay is exceeded – each charge a whopping £1 for every additional minute.

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: "As we enter the summer holiday season, the UK’s airports are about to see some of their busiest weeks of the year. With thousands of motorists driving to airports to pick up and drop off friends and family members many will unfortunately find themselves shocked by some of the extortionate parking tariffs operated by some airports.

"Our advice is to check parking fees and time limits well before setting out for an airport this summer so as to avoid a nasty shock.

"Drivers should also be aware of just how high some charges can be if they inadvertently stay longer picking up or dropping off than they originally meant to. We advise doing some research before heading to the airport and seeing if there are any cheaper parking options available; some airports offer more affordable spaces further from the terminal building, and some better rates for reserving a space online."

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