02-08-2025
How to avoid expensive airport ‘kiss and fly' charges
If you're giving someone a lift to the airport this summer, watch out for 'kiss and fly' fees – the charges airports impose for dropping passengers near the terminal.
More than half of UK airports have increased these fees since last July, with some now demanding as much as £7 for a 10-minute stop, according to research by the RAC.
Fortunately, there are ways to avoid these charges, or at least keep them to a minimum – but you may need to be prepared to walk a little further with their luggage.
Here, Telegraph Money explains how kiss and fly fees work, why they have been introduced and what you can do to keep costs down.
What are 'kiss and fly' fees?
Why have so many airports introduced kiss and fly fees?
Who pays kiss and fly fees and how much do they cost?
How can you avoid kiss and fly fees?
What are 'kiss and fly' fees?
'Kiss and fly' fees refer to the charges that airports apply when someone drops off a passenger outside the terminal, typically in a designated short-stay or drop-off zone.
In most cases, you'll be charged a flat fee simply for stopping outside the airport for five to 10 minutes. Stay longer, and you'll likely be charged even more.
On top of this, many airports are now switching to a barrier-less drop-off and pick-up system to help traffic flow more freely and reduce waiting times.
However, this means that instead of paying there and then, drivers must remember to pay for parking either online or by phone once they are home. Failing to do so could result in penalty fees of up to £100.
Why have so many airports introduced kiss and fly fees?
One of the reasons airports say they have introduced these fees is to reduce congestion at terminal entrances. However, the charges also serve as a significant source of revenue, helping airports to cover rising operational costs.
Patrick Bettle, from the aviation team at law firm Burges Salmon, said: 'Ultimately airports are businesses like any other. 'Kiss and fly' fees provide them with another valuable revenue stream, something that has become increasingly important in the wake of the disruption caused to the travel industry by the Covid-19 pandemic.
'Airports, particularly those that are subject to economic regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority, are limited in the amount of revenue they can generate through things like landing charges; 'kiss and fly' fees provide a useful non-aeronautical supplement to that.'
But the disappearance of free drop-offs at UK airports is in sharp contrast to other major European airports, says the RAC analysis. Of the top 10 airports in the EU by passenger numbers, eight airports still permit free drop-offs, including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Madrid, Frankfurt, Barcelona and Rome.
Who pays kiss and fly fees and how much do they cost?
Kiss and fly fees must be paid by anyone dropping off a passenger outside the airport terminal. This includes friends and family members, as well as taxi and private hire drivers. Taxi drivers often incorporate the fee into the overall taxi fare but be sure to check.
Drop-off charges can range anywhere from £3 to £7 for a five-to-30-minute stay.
The table below outlines how these fees can vary, depending on the airport.
Note that if you exceed the time allowed, you'll often be charged extra for each minute you stay.
You'll also need to check how and when the payments need to be made – whether that's on-site or within 24 hours online or by phone. Missing this deadline could result in penalty charges.
For drivers carrying out regular drop-offs, it may be worth setting up an auto pay account.
How can you avoid kiss and fly fees?
Some airports, including Heathrow, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Birmingham, waive drop-off fees altogether for Blue Badge holders.
For everyone else, the best tip is to plan ahead, according to Nicholas Smith, holidays digital director at Thomas Cook online travel agency.
He said: 'Ask someone to drop you off at a long-stay car park – many airports offer free or cheaper short-term access there – and then take the shuttle to the terminal.'
Most airports outline their parking options on their websites. But if you're parking further away, remember to factor in the extra time it will take to get to the terminal – either by foot or shuttle bus. This won't always be practical for those with mobility issues, lots of luggage, or anyone rushing for their flight.
Here are a number of free parking options available at some UK airports:
London Heathrow: Free parking is available for up to 29 minutes in one of Heathrow's 'park and ride' car parks (previously called long stay parking). A free shuttle bus will transfer passengers to the terminal.
London Gatwick: You can park for free in the long stay car park, provided your stay doesn't exceed two hours. The shuttle bus takes five to 10 minutes for the South Terminal and seven to 12 minutes for the North Terminal.
London Stansted: There's a free drop-off or pick-up option at the mid stay car park for up to 60 minutes. The shuttle bus takes seven minutes to get to the terminal.
Luton: You can park at Luton airport's mid stay car park for up to 15 minutes free of charge. It's then a 10-minute walk to the terminal or a five-minute shuttle bus ride. Alternatively, you can park for up to an hour free of charge at the long stay car park. From there, the free shuttle bus takes 10 minutes to get to the terminal.
Birmingham: Instead of paying to drop-off at Birmingham airport's Premium Set Down area, you can park for free at the Drop-Off zone for up to 10 minutes. It's a five- to 10-minute walk to the terminal or there is a free bus service.
Manchester: There's a free drop-off area which, according to the airport's website is clearly signposted from the M56, where passengers can take a six-minute shuttle bus ride to the terminal.
Edinburgh: You can park in the long stay car park for 30 minutes free of charge. The walk to the terminal is 10 minutes.
Cardiff: Free parking is available for the first 20 minutes in Car Park 2. It's a short walk to the terminal, or there is a special assistance vehicle for those with reduced mobility.
Belfast International: You can park free of charge for up to 15 minutes in the long stay car park. There is a six-minute walk to the terminal.
Although you may be tempted to park on a road just outside the airport, this is not advisable. As well as potentially being unsafe, many airports enforce no-stopping zones and have CCTV to catch those who don't follow the rules.
Mr Smith added: 'If you really have to drop someone off at the terminal, do so as quickly as possible to avoid racking up per-minute costs.'
Of course, you can avoid drop-off fees altogether by using public transport.
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