APH.com Reveals Sharp Rise in Airport Drop-Off and Pick-up Costs from January 2026

January 2026, London – Travellers dropped-off at some UK airports are set to face higher costs this year, as new research from Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) reveals increases to airport drop-off and pick-up charges from January 2026.  

The updated guide, available at www.aph.com/kissandfly, helps travellers understand the airport drop-off charges, short-stay parking costs, free alternatives and the other rules at major airports across the UK helping drivers avoid unnecessary charges and travel with confidence.

Also known as ‘Kiss and Fly’, dropping off and picking up family and friends from the airport will cost more than fuel and mileage with APH.com’s latest comparison revealing which of the UK’s major airports will be increasing their charges from January 2026.

Drivers dropping off or picking up passengers at London Heathrow will see the cost rise from £6 to £7 for a 10-minute stay from 1 January 2026, while London Gatwick is increasing its drop-off fee from £7 to £10 for 10 minutes from 6 January 2026. Edinburgh Airport will also follow suit on 13th January 2026 with an increase to £6 for a 10-minute stay, with additional charges applying for longer stays.

At Manchester Airport, charges start from £5 for just five minutes, with a maximum stay of up to 30 minutes. Birmingham Airport offers free drop-off and pick-up for up to 10 minutes, while drop-offs in its premium set-down areas are charged at £6 for 15 minutes. Bristol Airport also applies higher charges for longer stays beyond the initial £7 for 10 minutes drop-off period.

Blue Badge concessions also vary across UK airports, meaning eligible travellers are advised to check local arrangements in advance. At London Heathrow for example, registered Blue Badge holders can drop-off and pick-up for free when set up in advance, while Aberdeen Airport offers additional free parking time for Blue Badge users in its short-stay car park. At Cardiff Airport, Blue Badge holders must use designated disabled parking bays, with standard charges applying if vehicles are parked outside these marked areas.

Drivers should also be careful when it comes to paying these charges, normally online, as failing to pay a charge on time can result in significant penalties at some UK airports. At London Heathrow for example, drivers who do not pay the forecourt charge online by midnight the following day can receive a Parking Charge Notice of up to £80, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days. At London Stansted, drivers face a £100 charge for failing to pay the required drop-off fee, which is reduced to £60 if settled within the early payment period.

Nick Caunter, Managing Director of Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com), said: “With most UK airports seeing large increases in their overheads such as business rates, there’s inevitably been a direct impact on prices they pass on to consumers such as airport drop-off fees. However, travellers can bypass these rising costs by checking the APH guide ahead of time or through more savvy alternatives such as pre-booking airport parking.”

For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) visit www.aph.com

or call 01342 859515.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

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About Airport Parking and Hotels (APH)

Established in 1980, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is an award-winning airport parking operator and retailer, winning the ‘Best Airport Parking Company’ award at the British Travel Awards 2025 for the fifteenth year running. APH also carries Which? Recommended Provider status having been voted as one of the best services available in the airport parking industry in September 2024. In addition to APH’s own car parks serving Gatwick, Manchester and Cardiff Airports, APH also offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels.

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