Drop-off at the Manchester Airport forecourt is not free. It costs £5.50 for 5 minutes, £6.50 for 10 minutes, and up to £25 for the 30-minute maximum stay at the T2 and T3 forecourts. There are no barriers, so cameras read your plate and you pay online by midnight the following day. A free drop-off area with a 24/7 shuttle gives you up to 60 minutes at no cost. Prices checked August 2026.
The forecourt tariff
The paid Drop-Off Zone is the forecourt directly outside each terminal at T2 and T3. It uses ANPR cameras rather than barriers or payment machines, so you must pay online afterwards.
| Time | Charge |
|---|---|
| 5 minutes | £5.50 |
| 10 minutes | £6.50 |
| Up to 30 minutes (max stay) | £25.00 |
The T2 zone uses postcode M90 5PH, and T3 pricing mirrors T2. Because there are no barriers, it is easy to drive off and forget to pay. You must pay online by midnight the following day, and non-payment results in a £100 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
The free alternative
The money-saving option is the free drop-off area, a dedicated free zone with a 24/7 shuttle bus to the terminals. The maximum stay is 60 minutes free, with a £25 overstay charge if you exceed it. It is widely reported as being at JetParks 1, postcode M90 5AZ. If you are happy with a short shuttle ride, this is the cheapest way to be dropped off or to wait for an arrival.
Picking up
Do not use the forecourt Drop-Off Zone to pick someone up. It is a drop-off zone only, and using it to collect a passenger triggers a £100 charge. For pick-ups, use the free drop-off area and its 24/7 shuttle instead, or arrange to meet in a car park. Ride-hail and private-hire pickups happen in the designated pickup area rather than the forecourt, as covered on the taxis page. If you would rather not drive at all, the public transport page covers the train, tram and coach from The Station, and longer stays are on the parking page.
Drop-off FAQs
Is drop-off free at Manchester Airport? No. The forecourt costs £5.50 for 5 minutes, £6.50 for 10 minutes, and up to £25 for 30 minutes. The free drop-off area with a 24/7 shuttle gives you up to 60 minutes free.
How do I pay the Manchester Airport drop-off charge? Online only. The forecourt uses ANPR cameras with no barriers, so you pay by midnight the following day. Unpaid, it becomes a £100 charge, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
How do I avoid the drop-off charge? Use the free drop-off area, which gives up to 60 minutes free with a 24/7 shuttle, or drop at The Station and use the train or tram.
Can I pick someone up at the drop-off zone? No. The forecourt is drop-off only, and using it to pick up triggers a £100 charge. Use the free drop-off area and its shuttle, or the designated ride-hail pickup area instead.
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Routes, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Manchester Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Manchester Airport website before you travel.