The newly-improved airport charges £7 for a 10-minute wait
05:00, 02 Aug 2025Updated 06:21, 02 Aug 2025
Bristol Airport following the opening of the new transport hub(Image: John Ford/submitted)
Bristol Airport regulars have shared a cost-saving tip to dodge the car park fee for pick-ups and drop-offs. The airport recently unveiled its £60m transport interchange, increasing its bus and coach capacity and introducing a new ‘drop-off and pick-up’ area on top of a multi-storey car park.
Travellers using Bristol Airport in the summer holidays are being advised to take note of the “significant” alterations outside the terminal, which were unveiled two weeks ago. The airport detailed seven key changes, impacting areas such as the meet-and-greet zone, the multi-storey car park and the short-stay parking area.
The new system will see those arriving by car, bus, coach or shuttle bus entering the terminal via a covered walkway. Enhancements include an extension to the multi-storey car park, a new location for meet-and-greet services, and an expanded area for passenger drop-offs and pick-ups.
The spot designated for passenger pick-ups, which was previously situated in the short-stay car park, has now moved to the transport interchange. Additionally, there’s a newly established zone specifically for minibuses and ‘over-height vehicles’ to drop off and pick up passengers.
The £7 fee for 10 minutes matches the fee that was charged at the previous drop-off zone, which went cashless in May. Although the fee is not new, some people still think it is too much.
Commenting on Bristol Live’s story about the airport’s new interchange, Sonic Bath writes: “Charging £7 for someone to get out of a car at a drop off point is a joke.”
Airmarshall adds: “I find it quite disgraceful that you have to pay £7 just to drop someone off. It usually takes me 3-4 minutes to drop off and for that privilege you have to pay £7. Come on Bristol make drop off free for say 10mins and after that charge.”
The price rises to £9 for 20 minutes, £13 for 40 minutes and £30 for an hour. The airport recommends its short-stay car park for longer waits, which is half the price at £15 for an hour.
However, it also has an area called the ‘Waiting Zone’, which allows up to one hour free parking. BMushroom recommended this solution, writing on Bristol Live: “No one is forcing you to pay £7. Use the free drop off / pick off zone by the Silver Zone car park and bask in 60 (sixty) glorious minutes of free waiting.”
Thecookedsock agreed: “Free drop off exists just outside the airport on the roundabout entry. Quicker and easier than the Silver Zone car park drop off.”
BMushroom added: “Great to see that the free drop off/pick up point is still available for 60 (sixty) minutes, no matter how confusing it is for some people. Use the free drop off/pick up area by the [Silver] Zone car park then.”
The airport’s official website explains: “Located close to Car Rental Centre, the Waiting Zone allows up to one hour free of charge parking for those waiting for a passenger, prior to collection from the Drop Off & Pick Up Car Park (charges apply).
“There is access to a frequent bus service to the transport interchange, which is short walk to the terminal building via covered bridge. Please follow pedestrian signage to the bus stop at the car rental centre.”
Mictorveldrew recommended leaving the car at home altogether, writing: “Forget parking altogether! My last trip from BRS was £15 return for the week.
“Train from Highbridge & Burnham, then the A3 bus from Weston to the airport. Leaving the car at home doesn’t always work but compared with forking out up to £180 for a week’s parking it was a no brainer.”
What do you think of the new parking rules at Bristol Airport? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.