London’s airports are increasing short-stay drop-off fees for drivers, with Gatwick Airport announcing the biggest jump. The changes mean short stays by family, friends, taxis and ride-hail cars will cost more, and in some cases be strictly time-limited.
What the charge increases mean at each airport
Gatwick Airport will raise its terminal drop-off fee by 43%, from £7 to £10, from January 6, citing a sharp rise in business rates and wider cost pressures. The airport says long-stay car parks and public transport remain free alternatives and that Blue Badge holders are exempt.
Heathrow will raise its terminal drop-off charge to £7 from Jan. 1, from the current £6, and is introducing a strict 10-minute maximum stay in the drop-off zone, with fines for overstays under the new policy.
Stansted already charges for short stops: up to 15 minutes costs £7, with higher penalties for longer stays, and a 30-minute maximum. Luton’s new covered “Express Drop-Off” costs around £7 for 10 minutes, then about £1 per extra minute, for a maximum of 30 minutes. Both airports point travellers to longer-stay car parks and shuttle services as cheaper options.
London City, voted the UK’s best airport by Condé Nast Traveller readers, and until now one of the few big UK airports to allow free terminal drop-offs, is planning a charge to cut traffic and emissions, with details and timing being finalised.
In comparison with London’s airports, many major European airports continue to allow free short-term drop-offs. Airports including Barcelona El Prat, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Madrid Barajas, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Rome Fiumicino permit free drop-off stays of around 10 to 15 minutes. Munich allows five minutes free, while Palma de Mallorca offers 10 minutes. Dublin Airport also allows free drop-offs, although the time limit is less clearly defined. Amsterdam Schiphol is an exception, charging €2.50 but allowing up to 20 minutes.
What this means for taxis
Taxi, minicab and app-based fares are likely to rise for airport trips because operators normally add legally required airport fees to the passenger fare rather than absorbing the cost themselves. Uber and Bolt guidance shows airport pick-up and drop-off fees are handled as surcharges or added costs on trips, and local minicab operators have warned the charges will be passed on to riders. That means a ride to the terminal could include the drop-off fee on top of the meter or app fare.
What travellers should know
- The fee usually covers a short window (commonly 10 minutes) and then adds a per-minute charge or penalty for overstays; missed payments can attract higher fines.
- Blue Badge holders are generally exempt but may need to register in advance at some airports.
To avoid charges, consider public transport, official shuttle buses from long-stay car parks, or official pick-up zones, but factor in luggage and mobility needs when planning. - Airports say the charges help manage congestion and fund sustainability projects. For now, if you’re being driven to a London airport, check the airport’s official drop-off page and your taxi or app provider’s airport policy so you know whether the fee will appear on your fare.
What’s your opinion on the fare increase? Let us know in the comments.
