Southampton Airport drop-off charge
£10 for 20 minutes. Here's how to pay it, what happens if you forget, and the free way to drop off or pick up at Southampton Airport.
The charge
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 20 minutes | £10.00 |
| Up to 60 minutes | £18.00 |
| Up to 90 minutes | £30.00 |
| Up to 4 hours | £60.00 |
This is the price table on Southampton Airport's pick-up and drop-off page. The same page's text still mentions a £7 fee for 20 minutes, so check the sign at the barrier.
How to pay Pay before you leave
- Credit or debit card or contactless at the exit barrier (no card fee)
Don't stop on the airport roads
Stopping outside the car parks to drop off or pick up brings an £80 enforcement charge, cut to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Free drop-off and pick-up
Southampton doesn't currently offer free pick-up or drop-off, because its Long Stay car park is closed.
Picking someone up at Southampton
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 20 minutes | £10.00 |
| Up to 60 minutes | £18.00 |
For waits over 20 minutes, Southampton recommends the Short Stay car park, a 1–3 minute walk, paid at the exit barrier.
Blue Badge holders and discounts
Blue Badge holders arriving in a commercial vehicle such as a taxi should tell the car park team on entry or exit so their 30 minutes are validated.
Where to go
Follow the car park signs, not your sat nav: some sat navs send drivers onto the airport forecourt, which is restricted.
Lift or park: which is cheaper?
Being dropped off and picked up means your driver does the trip twice each way: four journeys. This adds that up using Southampton's own charges.
15p a mile is a starting point; change it to suit your car. Parking prices change by date, so get a quote from the airport's own parking site.
Questions
How much is the drop-off charge at Southampton Airport?
£10 for 20 minutes in the Pick up & Drop Off, ground floor of the Short Stay car park (1-minute walk). This is the price table on Southampton Airport's pick-up and drop-off page. The same page's text still mentions a £7 fee for 20 minutes, so check the sign at the barrier.
How do I pay to drop off at Southampton Airport?
Credit or debit card or contactless at the exit barrier (no card fee).
Is there free drop-off at Southampton Airport?
Southampton doesn't currently offer free pick-up or drop-off, because its Long Stay car park is closed.
Do Blue Badge holders pay to drop off at Southampton Airport?
Blue Badge holders arriving in a commercial vehicle such as a taxi should tell the car park team on entry or exit so their 30 minutes are validated.
Where do I pick someone up at Southampton Airport?
Pick up & Drop Off (Short Stay ground floor) (up to 20 minutes: £10.00). For waits over 20 minutes, Southampton recommends the Short Stay car park, a 1–3 minute walk, paid at the exit barrier.
Sources
Checked on Southampton Airport's own website on 15 October 2026. Airports change these charges often, so check the signs on the day. Spotted a change? Email hello@airportdropoff.co.uk.