Top News

If you're tired of shelling out money just to drop someone off at the airport, a Which? expert might have the money-saving answer you've been looking for. "Airport drop-off charges can sneak up on you, but there are ways to avoid paying more than you need to," she revealed in a TikTok video.

For example, a five-minute stop at Manchester Airport's Terminals 1-3 costs £5, ten minutes will set you back £6.40, whilst staying up to half an hour results in a substantial £25 charge. At London Gatwick, meanwhile, there's a minimum £10 fee for using the designated drop-off areas in both the North and South Terminals.

The majority of airports demand these payments are settled before midnight the next day.

• New rule on Wednesday for a million Brits means new passport or £589 fee
• Foreign Office issues 'stay indoors' alert for Brits heading to holiday hotspot

The Which? expert went on to say in her clip: "Something I never knew before I worked at Which? is that you don't actually have to pay to drop off someone at the airport, because most of them have free options."

She also pointed out that some airports "don't even have barriers", making it surprisingly simple to overlook that a charge has been applied - potentially resulting in a penalty notice.

"Doing so, you could face up to a £100 charge," the expert cautioned, which indeed applies at both Manchester and Gatwick.

Thankfully, all major UK airports provide free alternatives, she noted.

"Sometimes they may be a quick bus ride, other times it's just a five-minute walk," they explained. "But please make sure you plan in that extra time for your travel so you can get your loved ones to their flight without the stress or the extra charges."

Responding on TikTok, one irate user wrote: "Why should you ever have to pay to drop or pick up someone off at the airport? It is not a thing in any other country I have ever visited."

Manchester is among the UK airports to have rolled out a barrierless system. Operational since March 2025, airport bosses describe it as "just one of the many ways we are working to improve your travel experience".

According to the airport's website: "The barrierless system will streamline the drop-off and pick-up process, making it quicker, more convenient, and stress-free. You will no longer need to stop at a barrier."

It continues: "Instead, you can drive straight through a Drop Off or Pick Up area and pay your charges remotely. This change will significantly reduce waiting times, improve traffic flow, and enhance the overall passenger experience at Manchester Airport. The system is similar to those in operation at other airports and in settings like tunnels, toll roads, and bridges you may have used."

Alongside Manchester, Gatwick, East Midlands and Birmingham (BHX) have also adopted barrierless systems, utilising Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology for speedier drop-offs.

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.