The UK is an outlier: nearly every major UK airport now charges for kerbside drop-off, while most big airports in continental Europe and Asia don’t.
UK (2026)
All 20 of the UK’s busiest airports now charge, after London City brought in fees for the first time. The RAC found 16 of the 20 had raised fees since last summer, with the average up by £1.70 to £7, about a third.
Typical fees are about £5–10 for 5–15 minutes. Gatwick is £10 for 10 minutes, and Stansted rose from £7 to £10 for up to 15 minutes.
Heathrow’s fee is about £7 and has a 10-minute cap. Manchester’s is around £5.50–6 for 5 minutes.
Overstaying is costly. Manchester goes to £25 once a vehicle stays beyond 15 minutes.
Sources differ slightly on some exact figures, so check the airport’s site before you travel.
Rest of the world
EU: None of the ten busiest EU airports charge for drop-off, according to the RAC’s July 2026 analysis. An earlier RAC study found eight of the ten free. Paris CDG and Orly and Ljubljana have free short-stay zones, and Milan Malpensa has a free waiting area.
Asia and Australia: A travel forum post says the practice is largely absent from major Asian and Australian airports, with New Zealand starting to charge. That’s one person’s comment rather than a survey, so treat it as indicative.
Why the UK differs: Trade body AirportsUK says the fees are part of the airport business model, and airports also cite congestion and emissions. The British Tourism Association has said the fees earn UK airports £300 million a year.
Avoiding the fee: Most UK airports have a free drop-off in a car park with a shuttle bus or a short walk. Heathrow, Bristol and Glasgow are examples. Birmingham gives 10 free minutes.
