Passengers being driven to London Gatwick are waking up to a steep new cost today as the airport’s terminal drop off fee jumps to 10 pounds, the first time a UK airport has charged a double figure sum simply to set passengers down outside the terminal.

The rise coincides with the introduction of a new forecourt fee at London City Airport, underlining how Britain’s airports are increasingly turning to roadside charges to plug rising costs and manage congestion.

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Gatwick becomes UK’s costliest airport for drop offs

From January 6, 2026, motorists using the dedicated drop off lanes outside Gatwick’s North and South Terminal buildings must pay 10 pounds for up to 10 minutes, making the West Sussex hub the most expensive airport in the UK for terminal forecourt access.

The fee is collected via automatic number plate recognition, with drivers required to pay online, by phone or via an AutoPay account by midnight the following day to avoid penalty charges.

The increase represents a 43 percent rise on Gatwick’s previous 7 pound charge and means the cost of a short goodbye at the terminal has doubled in less than five years.

The airport first introduced a 5 pound forecourt fee in 2021, arguing that it would help control traffic volumes and encourage more travellers to use public transport links such as rail and coach services.

Gatwick’s new 10 pound rate places it around 3 pounds above the next most expensive major UK airport for terminal drop offs, according to recent comparative data on airport forecourt fees.

It also moves the fee into the territory of some ultra low cost airfares, prompting criticism from motoring and consumer groups who say the hike disproportionately affects families and those with limited public transport options.

London City introduces charging at the kerbside for the first time

The sharp rise at Gatwick comes in the same week that London City Airport, long seen as an outlier for keeping terminal forecourt access free, begins charging motorists for drop offs.

From January 6, 2026, vehicles entering the Docklands airport’s terminal forecourt are subject to an 8 pound fee for up to five minutes, rising by 1 pound for each additional minute up to a maximum stay of 10 minutes.

That means a full 10 minute stop at London City will cost 13 pounds, although the airport has clearly signalled that the pricing model is designed to keep vehicles moving rather than allow extended dwell times at the terminal doors.

Automatic number plate recognition cameras record entry and exit times, with charges applied automatically and issued electronically where payment is not made in the stated window.

London City’s move marks the end of an era in which it promoted quick, free kerbside access as part of its appeal to time-poor business travellers working in Canary Wharf and the City of London.

Airport managers argue that rising passenger numbers, pressure on the limited road space around the compact site and a push to reduce emissions and congestion made some form of charging inevitable.

Rising costs and environmental goals cited by airports

Gatwick has linked its decision to raise the drop off fee to what it describes as a dramatic increase in fixed costs, particularly business rates.

The airport faces a more than doubling of its rates bill over the next two financial years following changes announced in the most recent UK government budget, a hit that management says needs to be offset through a mix of commercial revenues and careful cost control.

At the same time, the airport insists that higher forecourt charges form part of a broader strategy to push more passengers onto public transport and ease pressure on its constrained road network.

Gatwick points to its extensive rail connectivity, with direct links to more than 120 stations, as well as 24 hour local bus services, as viable alternatives for many travellers who might otherwise rely on private cars or taxis.

London City is deploying a similar argument, explicitly framing its new forecourt levy as a tool to support sustainability goals and manage emissions in the densely populated Docklands area.

The airport notes that roughly two thirds of its passengers already use the Docklands Light Railway or local buses and says it wants that share to rise further, using pricing to deter unnecessary private vehicle trips to the terminal.

Passengers and industry groups push back on higher fees

The sharp increase at Gatwick and the end of free access at London City have drawn a strong response from passenger groups, motoring organisations and travel industry representatives.

The Business Travel Association has warned that repeated rises in roadside airport charges risk adding a stealth cost to business travel at a time when companies are already facing higher airfares and wider inflationary pressures.

On social media and in call in programmes, some drivers have described the 10 pound charge at Gatwick as a punitive measure that effectively taxes those who have little choice but to use a car, such as families with young children, people travelling with bulky luggage or residents in rural areas lacking frequent rail or coach services.

Others argue that airports are leaning too heavily on drop off and parking fees as a revenue source rather than spreading cost increases more evenly across commercial operations.

Airport executives counter that forecourt access remains optional and stress that alternative free or lower cost options exist for those willing to build in additional time to their journey.

They also highlight that drop off income helps fund infrastructure, public transport partnerships and environmental projects that benefit a wider pool of users, not just those arriving by car.

How Gatwick’s new system works and ways to avoid the charge

Under the revised regime at Gatwick, the 10 pound fee covers a stay of up to 10 minutes in the dedicated drop off zones directly outside each terminal.

Drivers who stay longer pay 1 pound for each additional minute up to 20 minutes, with a cap on the maximum daily charge and a strict upper limit on the permitted length of stay.

Enforcement is carried out via cameras linked to automatic number plate recognition, with penalty charge notices issued to those who fail to pay.

Passengers and drivers who wish to avoid the charge entirely can still use Gatwick’s long stay car parks, where up to two hours of parking remain free.

From there, a complimentary shuttle bus operates to and from the terminals, though this option generally requires allowing significantly more time than a direct forecourt drop off and may be less convenient for passengers with heavy luggage or mobility issues.

Gatwick emphasises that Blue Badge holders remain exempt from the drop off fee, provided they register their vehicle details through the airport’s chosen operator.

The airport recommends that families and groups consider using short stay car parks if they need more than a brief stop to say goodbye, as these facilities are priced differently and may work out better value for longer farewells or for those assisting vulnerable travellers.

What travelers should know about London City’s new rules

For London City users, the most important change is that simply entering the forecourt by car now incurs a charge, regardless of whether the driver stops or how quickly passengers exit the vehicle.

Any vehicle that passes the camera controlled entry points will be logged and billed unless it qualifies for an exemption, such as Blue Badge vehicles or licensed black cabs whose fares will incorporate the new fee.

The 8 pound base charge at London City covers the first five minutes, after which the cost climbs by 1 pound a minute.

The airport warns that the system has been deliberately structured to discourage waiting or informal parking on the forecourt, and drivers are advised to use short stay car parks for collections or any situation that could involve delays, such as waiting for luggage or clearing immigration.

As at Gatwick, all payments at London City are handled cashlessly, with online portals and automated systems guiding drivers through the process after their visit.

Failing to pay within the specified timeframe will trigger penalty notices sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle, with additional administrative fees applied if reminders are ignored.

Part of a broader UK trend in airport roadside charges

The developments at Gatwick and London City form part of a wider pattern across the UK, where most major airports now levy some form of terminal drop off or pick up fee.

Heathrow raised its own forecourt charge to 7 pounds at the start of 2026 and has imposed stricter time limits, while Bristol and several regional airports have also adjusted their tariffs upward in recent months.

Industry analysts say airport operators, facing higher operating costs, sustainability targets and post pandemic investment demands, increasingly see roadside access as a way to manage both finances and traffic flow.

With car parks and forecourt lanes some of the few areas where airports have direct pricing control, these charges have become a relatively quick lever to pull when budgets tighten or road congestion worsens.

For passengers, the effect is a patchwork of different rules, time limits and charges that can change from one year to the next.

Travel experts are advising flyers to check the latest information for both departure and arrival airports before setting off, to factor potential drop off or pick up fees into their trip budgets, and to consider public transport where practical, particularly in cities with strong rail links to airports.

What this means for travelers planning 2026 journeys

For those planning flights through London in 2026, the new charges mean that the cost of being driven directly to the terminal now varies more sharply between airports and may influence which hub some passengers choose.

Budget conscious travellers may decide that the combination of airline ticket prices, rail fares and roadside charges makes one airport more attractive than another for certain routes.

Families and groups who traditionally rely on friends or relatives for a lift are being encouraged to talk through options in advance, weighing the convenience of a forecourt drop off against the additional cost and potential stress of racing the clock at the terminal.

Some may opt to build in extra time and use long stay shuttle arrangements, particularly for early morning departures when public transport choices can be more limited.

Travel consultants also point out that ride hailing and private hire fares could creep up in response to higher airport access costs, as operators seek to recover charges passed on by airports.

Passengers booking car services for airport trips are advised to check whether drop off or pick up fees are included in quoted prices or added as extras, to avoid surprises when the final bill arrives.

FAQ

Q1. How much is the new drop off fee at London Gatwick?
From January 6, 2026, Gatwick charges 10 pounds for up to 10 minutes in its terminal drop off zones, with 1 pound added for each additional minute up to a set maximum.

Q2. When did London City Airport start charging for drop offs?
London City Airport introduced its drop off fee on January 6, 2026, ending its status as the last major London airport with free forecourt access.

Q3. What does the London City drop off fee cost?
At London City, vehicles pay 8 pounds for up to five minutes, then 1 pound for every extra minute, capped at a maximum stay of 10 minutes.

Q4. Are any drivers exempt from the new charges?
Both Gatwick and London City exempt Blue Badge holders from drop off fees, provided vehicle details are registered, and licensed black cabs at London City have the forecourt fee absorbed into metered fares.

Q5. How are the drop off fees enforced?
The airports use automatic number plate recognition cameras to log vehicles entering the forecourts, then require payment online or by phone, issuing penalty notices to those who do not pay on time.

Q6. Can passengers still be dropped off for free at Gatwick?
Yes, drivers can drop passengers for free in Gatwick’s long stay car parks for up to two hours, then use a complimentary shuttle bus to reach the terminal, though this option takes more time.

Q7. Why are airports increasing drop off charges?
Airports cite rising operating costs, including higher business rates, along with goals to reduce congestion and emissions by discouraging unnecessary private car trips to terminal forecourts.

Q8. Will these changes affect taxi and ride hailing prices?
Taxi, minicab and ride hailing operators are likely to pass on higher access costs through their fares or surcharges, so passengers may see slightly higher prices for airport trips.

Q9. How can travelers avoid unexpected drop off fees?
Travelers should check the latest fees and rules on their airport’s official channels before departure, consider using public transport where feasible, and confirm with taxi or car service providers whether airport charges are included in quoted prices.

Q10. Do these charges apply to pick ups as well as drop offs?
At many UK airports, including Gatwick and London City, similar forecourt fees or short stay parking charges apply to collections, so drivers should assume that picking up passengers directly outside the terminal may also incur a cost.