Rising drop-off fees at UK airports are costing passengers up to £25. Discover free alternatives and tips to save on your airport journey.
It starts with a simple plan. A lift to the airport. A quick hug. Done. But now, that quick stop comes with a price. And not a small one.
Outside London Heathrow Airport, the clock starts immediately. Five minutes. £5 gone. Stay a bit longer because the suitcase is heavy or the goodbye takes time, and suddenly it’s £25. People notice it. They hesitate. Some even argue inside the car. Should we stop here or not?
At London Gatwick Airport, it’s the same feeling. At least £10. Just to stop. No barriers. No tickets. Just cameras watching. The ANPR systems record everything quietly. You drive in. You drive out. And if you forget to pay later, a £100 penalty arrives. Unexpected. Frustrating.
Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, stated:
"Airport drop-off charges… they sneak up on you. Really, they do. But, hey, there are ways to dodge paying more than you need. Just gotta know where to look."
Because of this, behaviour is changing. You can see it. Taxis stopping further away. Friends dropping passengers at free zones. People walking with suitcases. Long walks sometimes. Not ideal. But cheaper.
Some travellers now choose taxis differently too. They ask questions. They compare prices. They plan earlier. Nobody wants surprises at the terminal anymore.
It adds pressure. Extra thinking. Extra timing. Something that didn’t exist before.
The airport journey hasn’t changed. But also, it has.
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