Whether you’re heading off on holiday or greeting someone on their return, UK airports have become more complex and costly to access—especially by car. Knowing your options can save you money and avoid awkward fines or delays.
Parking
We have a dedicated articel on airport parking
Drop-off
Most UK airports now have “kiss and fly” charges: fees you pay simply to pull up and let passengers out near the terminal. These were introduced widely after the pandemic, often under the pretext of sustainability, but are now a significant extra cost for travellers and their drivers.
Current charges
| Airport | Charge for 10 minutes | Charge for 30 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | £5.50 | £20.50 |
| Belfast City | £4 | £20 |
| Belfast International | £3 | £10 |
| Birmingham | £6 | £23 |
| Bournemouth | £6 | £6 |
| Bristol | £8.50 | £13 |
| Cardiff | £3 | £9 |
| East Midlands | £5 | £20 |
| Edinburgh | £6 | £26 |
| Exeter | £5 | £5 |
| Gatwick | £10 | £27 |
| Glasgow | £6 | £21 |
| Glasgow Prestwick | £4.50 | £4.50 |
| Guernsey | Free for 30 minutes | Free for 30 minutes |
| Heathrow | £7 (max 10 mins) | N/A |
| Inverness | Free | £3.80 |
| Isle of Man | Free to drop off (no waiting) | N/A |
| Jersey | Free to drop off (no waiting) | N/A |
| Leeds Bradford | £7 | £12.50 |
| Liverpool | £6 | £25 |
| London City | £13 (£8 for 5 mins; max stay 10 mins) | N/A |
| Luton | £7 | £27 |
| Manchester | £6.40 | £25 |
| Newcastle | £5 | £10 |
| Newquay | Free for 10 minutes | N/A |
| Norwich | £6 | £6 |
| Southend | £8 | £16 |
| Southampton | £7 | N/A |
| Stansted | £7 for 15 minutes | £25 |
| Teesside | £2.50 | £5 |
Correct as at 7th January 2026
These charges apply just to set someone down close to the terminal and can quickly add up—often costing as much as a short taxi ride.
How to avoid them
Many airports offer free alternatives—but they usually involve a short walk or shuttle:
- Long-stay car parks with free shuttle buses (most major UK airports).
- At Heathrow, dropping off at Hatton Cross to use the Piccadilly Line can avoid charges altogether, especially if you’re coming from within Greater London.
- At other airports (e.g., Manchester, Bristol, Leeds), free or cheap short-stay areas or long-stay options can be useful if you don’t mind a bit more time.
Research free options on the airport’s website before you travel—many are not signposted clearly on arrival.
Taxis & Private Hire
Black Cabs
Black cabs can be hailed instantly from ranks outside airport terminals, making them reliable and convenient—particularly after late-night or early-morning flights. However, for longer journeys they are usually more expensive than pre-booked private hire.
Private Hire
Ride-hailing and private hire services such as Uber, Bolt, Free Now, Minicabsyer and local operators often work out cheaper than black cabs over longer distances. It’s worth comparing prices across apps (Minicabsyer is especially useful) to find the best rate. Be aware that some providers charge waiting time if your flight is delayed, so always check the driver’s policy before booking.
Public Transport
Public transport is often the cheapest and most reliable way to get to and from many UK airports.
Heathrow
- Elizabeth Line: Around £13.90 one way to central London (Zone 1), roughly 28–30 minutes.
- Heathrow Express: Faster (15–20 minutes to Paddington) but significantly more expensive—often ~£25 if bought on the day. As it is owned by Heathrow Airport, it is heavily promoted on arrival.
- Piccadilly Line: Slower, but often the cheapest rail option and well connected across London.
- Local & express buses: Useful for nearby areas.
- Superloop buses: £1.75 fare with limited stops—excellent value for southwest and northwest London, particularly early morning or evening when traffic is light.
- Coach services: National Express and other airport coach operators serve Heathrow and can be good value for longer journeys.
Gatwick
- Gatwick Express: Non-stop to London Victoria (fastest option).
- Thameslink / Southern: Usually cheaper and almost as quick, with better coverage across London and beyond.
Luton
- Luton Airport Parkway: Located downhill from the terminal.
- Luton DART: Fast and convenient, but expensive, adding a noticeable extra cost to rail journeys.
Stansted
- Stansted Express: Frequent direct trains to London Liverpool Street, but pricey if bought on the day.
- Coaches: Often cheaper, especially for early or late flights.
Manchester Airport
- Metrolink tram: Direct services to the city centre.
- Manchester Airport station: Excellent rail links across northern England.
- Local buses: Useful for nearby areas.
Newcastle Airport
- Connected by the Tyne and Wear Metro Green Line, providing easy access to Newcastle city centre, Gateshead, and Sunderland.
- Simple interchanges allow onward travel via the Yellow Line or national rail services at Newcastle Central Station.
- Local buses also serve surrounding areas.
Edinburgh Airport
- Express buses: Frequent, reliable, with luggage space and onboard charging.
- Tram: Stops directly outside the terminal and offers a fast, efficient service to the city centre and other parts of Edinburgh.
- Local buses also operate regular services.
Other Airports
Bristol, Glasgow, Birmingham, and many others have frequent train or express bus links.
Public transport is usually cheaper than taxis, but always check timetables and peak vs off-peak pricing.
Smart Tips & Value Hacks
How Many of You Are Travelling?
Some transport costs are per person, while others are per vehicle. A black cab costs the same whether one or four people are travelling, whereas public transport charges per passenger. For example, four people travelling from Heathrow to central London may find a taxi cheaper than four Heathrow Express tickets.
Advance Train Fares
If you plan to use the airport’s designated rail service, booking in advance can significantly reduce costs—especially for Heathrow Express and Stansted Express. This can also apply to services from Manchester Airport.
Only book once flights are confirmed, and remember to factor in contingency time for delays—particularly on return journeys. In some cases, paying slightly more for a flexible ticket can be worthwhile.
Contactless & Oyster
For London routes, contactless cards or Oyster are usually cheaper than paper tickets and benefit from daily fare caps. Most bank cards now support contactless—look for the symbol with four curved lines on the front.
Holiday Nerd 