Birmingham is one of the few big UK airports that still has a free drop-off. The Drop Off car park gives you up to 10 minutes free, with a covered walk of about 5 to 10 minutes to the terminal. If you want to pull in right by the doors, the kerbside Premium Set Down is about £7 for the first 15 minutes. Prices checked August 2026.
The free option: the Drop Off car park
The Drop Off car park gives up to 10 minutes free, connected to the terminal by a covered walkway of roughly 5 to 10 minutes on foot. It is the money-saving choice if you have a few minutes to spare and do not mind the short walk. Birmingham is noted as one of the last major UK airports still offering a genuinely free drop-off period, so it is worth using.
The kerbside option: Premium Set Down
Premium Set Down is a barrierless ANPR car park right by the terminal, the closest place to set down. It costs around £7 for the first 15 minutes, rising in tiers for longer stays, for example around £12 for 20 to 25 minutes. Cameras read your number plate, and you pay online within 24 hours or risk a parking charge notice, so do not forget to pay after you leave.
Tariff at a glance
| Option | Price | Walk to terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Drop Off car park | up to 10 min free | Covered walk ~5 to 10 min |
| Premium Set Down (first ~15 min) | ~£7 | Kerbside, closest |
| Premium Set Down (~20 to 25 min) | ~£12 | Kerbside, closest |
Note: Premium Set Down and Drop Off tariffs rose by £1 from 09:00 on 6 August 2026. Exact longer-stay tiers can change, so check the airport's own signage or website before you travel.
Picking someone up
For a pick-up, the same options apply. If the flight is delayed or bags are slow, avoid running up kerbside charges: use the free Drop Off car park's 10 minutes, or wait nearby until your arriving passenger is actually through the terminal. If they can walk out to meet you, the covered walkway from the Drop Off car park keeps the cost at nothing.
If you would rather not drive at all, the free Air-Rail Link and a train are covered on the public transport page, and metered taxi fares are on the taxis page.
Drop-off FAQs
Is there a free drop-off at Birmingham Airport? Yes. The Drop Off car park gives up to 10 minutes free, with a covered walk of about 5 to 10 minutes to the terminal. Birmingham is one of the few big UK airports that still offers this.
How much is the kerbside drop-off? Premium Set Down is about £7 for the first 15 minutes, rising in tiers for longer, for example around £12 for 20 to 25 minutes. Tariffs rose by £1 from 6 August 2026.
Do I have to pay Premium Set Down at a barrier? No. It is a barrierless ANPR car park that reads your number plate. You pay online within 24 hours, or you risk a parking charge notice.
What is the cheapest way to be picked up? Use the free Drop Off car park, which gives up to 10 minutes free, and have your passenger walk out to meet you via the covered walkway rather than waiting kerbside.
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Routes, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Birmingham Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Birmingham Airport website before you travel.