As airport drop-off fees continue to increase, holidaymakers are left to find alternative areas where they can be dropped off and picked up free of charge.
Otherwise, they may face racking up a hefty bill before they’ve even stepped foot on the plane.
According to analysis, airport forecourts are now among the most expensive places in the UK to stop your car.
Drop-off charges are most extortionate at London Gatwick, which has seen its £7 charge for a 10 minute stop rising by £3 to £10 – an increase of 43 per cent year-on-year.
London Heathrow’s £6 drop-off fee is now £7, an added stress for holidaymakers who are already at risk of being issued a penalty notice at the airport for overstays.
The UK airport falling in third place with costly drop-off fee is Bristol, where travellers must now fork out £8.50 to stop their car in comparison to last year’s £7 charge.
Belfast City was named fourth most expensive airport with £4 fees, followed by Newcastle Airport (£5), Birmingham Airport (£6), Leeds Bradford (£7), Liverpool (£6) and Glasgow (£0.50).
Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, commented: ‘Airport drop-off fees have quietly become one of the fastest rising costs of going on holiday.
Experts at Holiday Extras have revealed which major airports UK travellers could be hit hardest by rising airport drop-off costs – and it’s not looking food for those headed to Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick, which has seen its £7 charge for a 10-minute stop rise to £10 this year, has been named the UK’s costliest airport for drop-off fees
‘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.’
To help travellers hold on to their holiday cash, Holiday Extras has issued its top tips to avoid fees and fines at select airports – including making use of free airport shuttles, long stay car parks and alternative parking options in the wider area.
Passengers heading to London Heathrow are advised to get dropped off at Hatton Cross Tube station, which is a part of the Heathrow free travel zone – meaning you can tap your Oyster card to travel to any of the terminals, but it won’t be charged.
As for the driver, Hatton Cross car park allows a five-minute window for dropping off and picking up, and the vehicle must also be ULEZ compliant.
For London Gatwick travellers, it’s best to get dropped off free of charge at the Long Stay car parks and head to the terminal by jumping on the shuttle bus. The same journey from the car park can be done on foot, which takes about five minutes.
Those travelling from Birmingham Airport can cut costs by driving to Birmingham International station and making use of the free drop off and pick up point in the Short Stay car park, before boarding the free, swift, two-minute Air Rail link to the airport.
Meanwhile, those picking up travellers from Liverpool John Lennon Airport can await their arrival at a 24-hour McDonald’s restaurant situated just five minutes away at the New Mersey Retail Park, or alternatively park in spaces for shops on Western Avenue.
At London Heathrow, the £6 drop-off fee is now £7 – an added stress for travellers who are already at risk of being issued a penalty notice at the airport for overstays
To combat extortionate drop-off charges, passengers heading to London Heathrow are advised to get dropped off at Hatton Cross Tube station (pictured), which is a part of the Heathrow free travel zone
And for those travelling to and from London City Airport, they’re advised to get dropped off on the corner of Drew Road and Leonard Street, before heading through the tunnel to the airport – a walk that takes less than 60 seconds.
News of the increased drop-off fees has left Britons enraged as picking up family and friends from the airport will now cost more than fuel and mileage.
On one Instagram post, viewers commented in outrage at the news, with one saying: ‘Honestly, is living in the UK just death by fees and fines?’
On Gatwick’s X update regarding the charges, comments were furious, with one saying, ‘You are a disgrace to the travelling public!’ as another added, ‘Profiteering is alive and well. What a joke. Like there is a viable public transport alternative early in the morning or late at night’.
