A £8 drop-off fee is being introduced at a UK airport that is the last remaining to implement the charge, with additional fees for stays of more than five minutes
The last remaining UK airport that doesn’t charge for a drop-off is set to introduce an £8 fee.
From Tuesday, 6 January 2026, travellers dropped off at London City Airport by car will be charged £8 for a stay of up to 5 minutes. Stays exceeding five minutes will incur a charge of £1 per minute, up to a maximum stay of 10 minutes.
The change aims to encourage more people to utilise public transport when travelling to the airport. Blue badge holders are exempt from this charge. London City Airport has proposed that the drop-off fee be incorporated into taxi meters, ensuring drivers aren’t burdened with the fare, which will be included in Transport for London’s (TfL) annual public consultation on fares.
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The initiative aims to promote the use of public transport among passengers, two-thirds of whom already opt for this mode of transport, according to London City Airport. The Docklands Light Railway is the main public transport route to the London airport, while the Elizabeth line is another alternative route near the terminal.
Alternatively, passengers can be dropped off directly in front of the terminal building on the forecourt. The drop-off charge will be a significant change for London City Airport, as it joins major UK airports in implementing the fee.
Recently, Heathrow’s Terminal Drop-Off Charge has risen from £6 to £7 per visit. Those keen to avoid the fee can be dropped off in the long-stay car park and then take a free shuttle bus.
Gatwick, Luton and Stansted also impose a minimum charge of £7 to use the designated drop-off zones, with the duration varying.
While it’s convenient to be dropped off close to the check-in desk, the ‘kiss and fly’ tax is an additional expense many would rather swerve. Thankfully, nearly all UK airports have alternative areas where you can be dropped off for free.
One of the most convenient options is to be dropped off at one of the airport’s long-stay car parks, many of which offer a free 10-minute stay. Typically, you can walk to the terminal from these car parks, or alternatively, hop on one of the free shuttle buses.
Even if other car parks are a bit further from the terminals, such as short or mid-stay, you can still utilise the complimentary shuttle service, even without parking your vehicle there. Another clever way to avoid extra charges is by getting dropped off at a nearby hotel, as many are conveniently situated near major airports, offering a quick walk to the terminal
You might even manage to get dropped off at a nearby train station or a safe spot just before entering the airport grounds. Some airports also offer a designated free drop-off zone, or a ‘free waiting area’, which can range from 15 minutes up to a generous hour.
Since each UK airport has different zones, charges, and time limits for free drop-offs, it’s essential to check directly on the airport’s website. Naturally, you can use the same strategy when returning to the UK, as long as the person picking you up knows your exact location.
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