⚠ Pay by Midnight the Next Day
Manchester Airport uses a barrierless ANPR system — there are no barriers or ticket machines. Your number plate is recorded automatically when you enter the drop off zone. You must pay online at pay.manchesterairport.co.uk or by phone on 0345 901 3318 by midnight the following day. Failure to pay will result in a £100 Parking Charge Notice.
Dropping someone off at Manchester Airport is no longer free — at least not at the terminal door. Since 2019, both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 have charged drivers to use the forecourt drop off zones directly outside the departures halls. The charges start at £5 for a five-minute stop and rise steeply if you stay longer. However, there is a completely free alternative: the dedicated free drop off area at JetParks 1, served by a 24/7 shuttle bus.
This page covers everything you need to know about drop off charges at Manchester Airport — what it costs at each terminal, how to use the free zone, how to pay, what happens if you forget, and how Blue Badge holders are exempt.
If you're the one flying and need somewhere to leave your car, booking a parking space in advance can work out cheaper than asking someone to drop you off and pay the forecourt charge.
Check Parking Availability & Prices
Drop Off Charges at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3
The drop off charges are identical at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Drivers can stop directly outside the departures hall for a quick goodbye — but must pay within 24 hours via the airport's online payment portal.
| Duration | Charge (T2 & T3) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 minutes | £5.00 | Quickest drop off — enough for most passengers |
| Up to 10 minutes | £6.40 | Allows time to unload luggage and say goodbye |
| Up to 30 minutes | £25.00 | Maximum stay — significantly more expensive |
The maximum stay in the drop off zone is 30 minutes. If you need more time — for example, to help an elderly relative to check-in — you should use the Short Stay or Turn Up and Park car parks instead.
✈ Terminal 2 Drop Off
The Terminal 2 drop off is on the upper forecourt, right next to the main check-in hall. Exit the M56 at Junction 5, follow signs for Terminal 2, and take the ramp up to the forecourt. There is a dedicated drop off point in Zone 2.
Postcode: M90 5PH • Max stay: 30 mins • ANPR barrierless
✈ Terminal 3 Drop Off
The Terminal 3 drop off is directly in front of the terminal building. Follow signs for Terminal 3 past the Hilton and Clayton hotels, then navigate via two mini roundabouts to reach the forecourt area.
Postcode: M90 3EX • Max stay: 30 mins • ANPR barrierless
Free Drop Off Zone at Manchester Airport
✅ Drop Off for Free — JetParks 1
Manchester Airport offers a completely free drop off zone at JetParks 1 (postcode M90 5AZ). After you drop off your passenger, they take a free shuttle bus that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The shuttle reaches the terminals in approximately 6 minutes, with marshals on hand to assist.
The free shuttle is a one-way service from the car park to the terminal — it does not operate in the other direction, so this zone cannot be used for picking up passengers.
The free drop off zone is the best option if you want to avoid paying altogether. It is located a short distance from the terminal buildings, but the shuttle bus service is frequent and reliable. For most passengers with standard luggage, the extra few minutes on the bus is a worthwhile trade-off against paying £5–£25 at the forecourt.
Terminal Forecourt
Walk straight into departures
Max 30 mins • ANPR • Pay online
Free Drop Off (JetParks 1)
~6 min shuttle to terminal
24/7 service • Postcode: M90 5AZ
How to Pay the Drop Off Charge
Manchester Airport's drop off zones use a barrierless system powered by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). There are no ticket machines, no barriers, and no way to pay on-site. Your number plate is captured by cameras when you enter, and you must pay online or by phone afterwards.
- Drive in and drop off. Pull into the forecourt at Terminal 2 or Terminal 3. Unload luggage and say your goodbyes within the time window you intend to pay for.
- Drive out. There are no barriers — simply drive out of the drop off zone. The ANPR system has already recorded your entry time and vehicle registration.
- Pay online. Visit pay.manchesterairport.co.uk, enter your vehicle registration, and pay by debit or credit card. You can also call 0345 901 3318.
- Pay by midnight the next day. You have until midnight the day after your visit to make payment. Do not wait — set a reminder if you need to.
- Optional: Set up auto-pay. Register an account at the payment portal and add a card. Future visits will be charged automatically, so you never have to remember to pay manually.
💡 Tip: Set Up Auto-Pay to Avoid Fines
The most common reason drivers receive a £100 Parking Charge Notice is simply forgetting to pay. If you drop off at Manchester Airport regularly — perhaps for a partner who travels for work — registering for an auto-pay account is the simplest way to avoid this. Visit pay.manchesterairport.co.uk to create an account and add your payment card.
What Happens If You Don't Pay
If you do not pay by midnight the day after your visit, a £100 Parking Charge Notice will be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle. APCOA, the private parking company that manages enforcement on behalf of Manchester Airport, will use DVLA records to identify the keeper.
The charge is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days of issue. If you do not pay within 28 days, additional debt recovery fees of up to £70 may be applied. This is not a council fine or a police penalty — it is a private parking charge issued under a contract between you and Manchester Airport when you entered the zone.
If you believe the charge was issued unfairly — for example, due to a system error or unclear signage — you can appeal directly to APCOA. If your appeal is rejected, you may escalate the complaint to the relevant trade association.
Blue Badge Holders
Passengers who hold a valid Blue Badge can access the terminal forecourt drop off zones free of charge. To use this exemption, the travelling passenger must present their Blue Badge to the traffic marshals when entering the forecourt area.
This exemption applies to drop off only. For information about Blue Badge pick up arrangements, see the official Blue Badge parking page on the Manchester Airport website.
Pick Up Charges at Manchester Airport
Pick up and drop off are managed separately at Manchester Airport. You cannot pick up passengers in the drop off zone — doing so will result in an automatic £100 Parking Charge Notice. Each terminal has a designated pick up area with its own pricing.
| Terminal | Duration | Pick Up Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 | Up to 15 minutes | £6.40 |
| Terminal 3 | Up to 15 minutes | £6.40 |
| Terminal 3 | Up to 30 minutes | £8.30 |
For Terminal 2, the pick up zone is at P3 — follow the signs when you arrive. Terminal 3's pick up area is nearby but separate from its drop off zone. If you need to stay longer than 30 minutes, use the Short Stay car parks instead.
Tips to Avoid Unnecessary Charges
How to Keep Drop Off Costs Down
- Use the free zone. The JetParks 1 free drop off (M90 5AZ) with shuttle bus is the most cost-effective option and works well for most passengers.
- Be quick at the forecourt. Five minutes at £5 is enough for a standard drop off. Have luggage ready in the boot and say your goodbyes before pulling in.
- Set up auto-pay. If you use the forecourt regularly, auto-pay means you never risk a £100 charge for forgetting to pay.
- Don't pick up in the drop off zone. This triggers an automatic £100 fine — always use the designated pick up areas.
- Check the postcode before you drive. T2: M90 5PH, T3: M90 3EX, Free zone: M90 5AZ. Put the right one in your satnav to avoid circling the airport roads.
- Consider public transport. If the drop off charges feel steep, the train, bus, or Metrolink tram may be better alternatives for your passenger.
Another option to consider: if you're travelling for more than a day or two, parking at the airport yourself can cost less than a return drop off and pick up. Spaces are available from around £6 per day when booked in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drop someone off at Manchester Airport?
The forecourt drop off charge is £5 for up to 5 minutes and £6.40 for up to 10 minutes at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Staying up to 30 minutes costs £25. Alternatively, the free drop off zone at JetParks 1 costs nothing — a free shuttle bus takes passengers to the terminal in around 6 minutes.
Is there a free drop off area at Manchester Airport?
Yes. The free drop off area is at JetParks 1 (postcode M90 5AZ). A free shuttle bus operates 24/7 and takes approximately 6 minutes to reach the terminals. Marshals are on hand to assist passengers. The shuttle is a one-way service from the car park to the terminal only.
How do I pay the Manchester Airport drop off charge?
Pay online at pay.manchesterairport.co.uk or by phone on 0345 901 3318. Payment must be made by midnight the day after your visit. You cannot pay with cash, by cheque, or at any barrier — the system is entirely barrierless and uses ANPR cameras to record your registration.
What happens if I forget to pay the drop off charge?
A £100 Parking Charge Notice will be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle. This is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. After 28 days, additional debt recovery fees may apply. If you believe the charge was issued unfairly, you can appeal through APCOA.
Do Blue Badge holders have to pay to drop off?
No. Blue Badge holders can use the terminal forecourt drop off zones free of charge. The travelling passenger must show their valid Blue Badge to the traffic marshals when entering the forecourt. This exemption covers drop off only — pick up has separate arrangements.
Can I pick someone up in the drop off zone?
No. The drop off zones are strictly for dropping off passengers. Attempting to pick up a passenger in the drop off zone will result in an automatic £100 Parking Charge Notice. Use the designated pick up areas instead — Terminal 2 at P3, and Terminal 3's separate pick up zone.