The transport hub is hoping the increased price will discourage high volumes of people choosing to drop off and pick up
Bristol Airport has blamed Rachel Reeves’ Budget for a hike in car parking prices that will come into force on Monday (January 5). The South West transport hub confirmed the cost of using the ‘drop off and pick up’ car park – the quickest option for terminal access – would rise from £7 to £8.50 for a 10-minute stay.
Meanwhile, the short stay car park, located within a short walking distance of the terminal, will increase from £7 to £8.50 for 15 minutes and £9 to £10.50 for 15 to 30 mins.
The price is also changing in the minibus and over-height car park (vehicles up to 16 seats and over 2.5m high) from £7 to £8.50 for five minutes and from £9 to £10.50 for five to 20 minutes.
The airport said the change in fees follows the Chancellor’s November Budget which has resulted in its business rates bill more than doubling to become its single biggest non-operational cost.
“Unfortunately, like other airports, some of the cost will be passed on to consumers,” Bristol Airport said in a statement.
The transport hub said the decision to raise prices was not taken “lightly”, but it needed to balance protecting jobs with its commitment to improving the passenger journey and advancing its decarbonisation plans to achieve net zero operations by 2030.
It is understood the airport is hoping the increased price will help reduce the number of people choosing to drop off and pick up, and encourage passengers to use public transport instead.
“Drop off and pick up is the highest generator of car traffic, resulting in four journeys for those dropping off and picking up, rather than two, compared to customers who use public transport or other car parks,” the airport said.
“Part of the airport’s surface access strategy is a focus on increasing the number of customers using public transport and reducing emissions caused by transport to and from the airport.
“Customers have a choice of using a free option at the waiting zone for up to one hour to pick up or drop off. This includes a free shuttle bus every 15 minutes to the terminal from the adjacent car rental facility.”
Passengers who are dropping off family and friends, who have a Blue Badge, will continue to be able to use the ‘drop off and pick up’ car park for an extended stay of 40 minutes, but the price will also increase from £7 to for £8.50. Blue badges should continue to be scanned at the exit barrier, the airport added.
Bristol Airport has spent £60m on a Public Transport Interchange facility, which opened in July 2025, and has invested in a fleet of 21 new electric buses for its A1 Bristol and A3 Weston-super-Mare Airport Flyer services.
