London Luton Airport has increased its drop-off charge from £7 to £9 for 12 minutes, making it more expensive than Heathrow Airport's £7 fee. The change, confirmed to MyLondon, affects the airport that handled 17.5 million passengers last year and more than 5.5 million this summer.
New charges and alternatives
According to the airport's website, the Drop Off and Pick Up Zone is described as the most convenient option for passengers, located a short 5-minute walk from the terminal, costing £9 for 12 minutes. For stays exceeding 12 minutes, an additional £1 per minute applies, with a maximum stay of 30 minutes.
However, travellers have a free alternative: the Long Stay Car Park offers up to two hours' free parking. From there, a bus ride to the airport takes approximately 10 minutes from Bus Bay B, with services every 20 minutes.
Airport statement and context
A London Luton Airport spokesperson said: "London Luton Airport offers a range of parking options, including up to two hours' free in our Long Stay Car Park. Our chargeable Drop-Off and Pick-Up zone provides quick and convenient access to the terminal building. This forms part of our wider approach to managing congestion around the airport and encouraging greater use of public transport, in line with binding national and local targets to increase the proportion of journeys made by sustainable modes of transport."
The spokesperson added that LLA continues to invest in initiatives to make bus, coach and rail travel more accessible, including funding free local bus travel during August, £2 coach fares, and improvements such as the Luton Airport Express Rail service.
Comparison with other London airports
Heathrow Airport still charges £7 at each terminal. Its website states: "There is a £7 charge for vehicles entering the drop-off areas. You can pay in advance, on the day you drop-off, or by midnight the next day. You cannot pay at an airport ticket machine or in the terminal drop-off zones."
London Stansted Airport charges £10 for up to 15 minutes at its 'Express Set Down' area, increasing to £28 for over 15 minutes, with a maximum stay of 30 minutes. Short-stay car park drop-offs cost £13 for up to 30 minutes, rising to £21 for up to an hour, £25 for up to two hours, and £38 for up to four hours.
Stansted also offers a free option at its Mid Stay car park, as outlined on its website: "We have up to 60 minutes free pick up or drop off option at our Mid Stay car park. After your first free hour, you will be charged £5 for the second hour. For any time beyond this, a day rate applies."
