Starting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, the cost of using the “Drop Off & Pick Up” car park at Bristol Airport (BRS), England, UK, will increase from £7 to £8.50 for a 10-minute stay, the airport announced on Jan. 2.
What else will cost more?
Bristol Airport’s Short Stay car park, the closest to the terminal and meant for drivers who need to park for more than 10 minutes, will also be affected. Stays of 15 minutes will rise from £7 to £8.50, while 15-30-minute stays will jump from £9 to £10.50.
For vehicles over 2.5 meters high, the Minibus/Over Height car park will also see prices rise from £7 to £8.50 for five minutes and from £9 to £10.50 for five to 20 minutes.
The airport’s website states that customers with a Blue Badge will still be able to use the “Drop Off & Pick Up” car park for an extended 40-minute stay, but the cost will increase from £7 to £8.50.
Why?
When announcing the increased fees, Bristol Airport cited:
“The recent budget delivered by the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, which will result in the Airport’s business rates bill more than doubling to become the Airport’s single biggest non-operational cost,” adding that, “Unfortunately, like other airports, some of the cost will be passed on to consumers.”
The UK Treasury responded by saying it had delivered a £4.2bn support package to cap business rates and that airports should follow consumer law when justifying their charges, the BBC reported.
Airport officials added that the higher fees were also intended to:
“Help discourage high volumes of customers choosing to drop off and pick up, and instead encourage greater use of more sustainable transport options, including public transport.”
Rising business rates at regional airports
The announcement comes only 10 months after the fees were last increased at Bristol Airport, in March 2025, when they rose from £6 to £7.
An analysis of government data by PA Media, released at the end of 2025, found that regional airports were among the worst-affected sectors by increases in business rates in the UK. Bristol Airport ranked second, with its business rate bill likely to rise by £1.2 million to £5.2 million in 2026.
Will you be affected by the rise in the parking fees? Are you a frequent traveller at Bristol Airport? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
