Birmingham Airport Parking: Compare Free Drop-Off, Pick-Up and Long-Stay Options
Birmingham Airport parking is easier when you choose by task. For example, the Drop Off car park gives you 10 minutes free, while Premium Set Down puts passengers almost beside the terminal.
Passenger pick-up needs a different plan. Therefore, Birmingham Airport recommends Car Park 5 for most collections. Meanwhile, longer trips give you several official car parks to compare.
DROP OFF
Quick Answer: Which Birmingham Airport Parking Option Is Best?
The free Drop Off car park is the best starting point for a quick passenger drop-off. Specifically, the first 10 minutes currently cost nothing.
Premium Set Down is closer to the terminal. However, it costs £8 for the first 15 minutes, so it is better when convenience matters more than price.
For arriving passengers, Car Park 5 is the airport’s recommended pick-up car park. In addition, it is roughly a 5–10 minute walk from the terminal.
Longer trips offer more choice. Therefore, compare Car Parks 1, 2 & 3, 4, 5 and 7 by the total price for your actual dates.
Birmingham Airport Parking Prices 2026
Turn-up prices are useful when you need a short stay or an emergency backup. Nevertheless, pre-booked holiday prices can be different.
Therefore, use the figures below for planning only. For a longer trip, compare the live official quote for your exact dates.
Current Useful Turn-Up Prices
| Option | Current Price | Best For | Key Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop Off | 0–10 min free | Free passenger drop-off | No return within one hour |
| Drop Off | 10–15 min £7 | Short overrun | Charges rise quickly after 10 minutes |
| Premium Set Down | 0–15 min £8 | Closest drop-off | Less than one minute to terminal |
| Car Park 1 | Up to 1 hour £12 | Close parking and pick-up | About one minute from terminal |
| Car Parks 2 & 3 | Up to 1 hour £13 | Very close parking | Multi-storey terminal access |
| Car Park 4 | Up to 1 hour £12 | Official surface parking | Check walking route before arrival |
| Car Park 5 | Up to 1 hour £12 | Passenger pick-up | 5–10 minute walk |
| Car Park 7 | Up to 90 min £2.60 | Lower-cost longer stays | Farther from terminal |
Daily Turn-Up Prices
Car Parks 1, 2 & 3, 4 and 5 currently list £67 for up to 24 hours. By comparison, Car Park 7 lists £51 for up to 24 hours.
That difference can make Car Park 7 attractive for some drivers. However, terminal access is less direct, so compare convenience as well as price.
Free Drop-Off at Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport’s Drop Off car park gives you the first 10 minutes free. Therefore, it is the main official option when you want to avoid a drop-off charge.
The terminal is around a 5–10 minute walk away through a covered route. In addition, a free wheelchair-friendly bus operates between the parking area and the terminal.
Timing still matters because a no-return-within-one-hour rule applies. As a result, do not enter too early and then expect another free 10-minute visit immediately afterward.
Drop Off Charges After 10 Minutes
The free period ends after 10 minutes. Afterward, the current tariff rises to £7 for 10–15 minutes and £8 for 15–20 minutes.
Charges increase sharply beyond that point. Consequently, this area is not suitable for long goodbyes or waiting for a passenger who is not ready.
How Payment Works
ANPR cameras record the vehicle registration on entry. If a charge is due, payment must be made within 24 hours of exit.
You can use Post Pay, an eligible AutoPay account or an onsite card machine. Therefore, keep your registration number handy.
Premium Set Down: Closest Paid Drop-Off
Premium Set Down sits directly opposite the terminal. As a result, the walk to check-in takes less than a minute.
That convenience comes at a higher price. Specifically, the current charge is £8 for the first 15 minutes.
Current Premium Set Down Tariff
The rate rises to £13 for 15–20 minutes and £19 for 20–25 minutes. Therefore, this car park works best when the passenger is fully ready to leave the vehicle.
Longer stops become expensive quickly. For example, 55–60 minutes currently costs £61.
Barrierless Payment
Premium Set Down uses ANPR rather than a traditional barrier on entry. Consequently, drivers must remember to pay correctly when a charge applies.
Payment is required within 24 hours of exit. Alternatively, a pre-registered AutoPay account can collect the charge automatically.
Picking Up Passengers at Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport recommends Car Park 5 for meeting arriving passengers. Moreover, the walk between the terminal and the car park is around 5–10 minutes.
Do Not Enter Before the Passenger Is Ready
Flight landing time is not the same as terminal exit time. For example, baggage reclaim and passport control can add a substantial delay.
Therefore, ask the passenger to message after collecting their bags. As a result, you avoid paying while they are still inside arrivals.
Car Park 5 Pick-Up Price
The current direct Car Park 5 tariff lists £12 for up to one hour. In addition, up to two hours currently costs £24.
Although Car Park 1 is closer, Car Park 5 is the airport’s specifically recommended pick-up option. Consequently, it is a sensible default for most collections.
Birmingham Airport Car Parks Explained
Each official car park serves a different type of trip. Therefore, walking distance should be considered alongside price.
Car Park 1
Car Park 1 is an official multi-storey directly opposite the terminal. In fact, the published walking time is about one minute.
The car park is open 24 hours and uses ANPR. In addition, drivers keep their keys after parking.
A 2.15-metre maximum vehicle height applies. Therefore, taller vehicles should check clearance before arrival.
Car Parks 2 & 3
Car Parks 2 & 3 also provide very close terminal parking. Moreover, current turn-up rates start at £13 for up to one hour.
ANPR and cashless payment machines are available. However, height restrictions apply, so large vehicles need extra planning.
Car Park 4
Car Park 4 is an official surface parking option. Meanwhile, accessible bus support is available for passengers who need help reaching the terminal.
The current turn-up rate is £12 for up to one hour. Likewise, the listed 24-hour rate is £67.
Car Park 5
Car Park 5 is particularly useful for passenger pick-up. In addition, it can also be booked for longer trips.
Thirty disabled bays are listed near the entrance. Therefore, eligible drivers have a clearly identified accessible area.
Car Park 7
Car Park 7 offers lower turn-up prices than the terminal-side car parks. For example, up to 90 minutes currently costs £2.60.
The 24-hour turn-up tariff is £51, while each additional day is currently £44. However, the car park is farther from the terminal.
For that reason, check the transfer arrangements attached to your booking. Pre-booked journeys can have different access procedures.
Which Birmingham Airport Car Park Fits Your Trip?
Motorcycle Parking at Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport provides a designated motorcycle area in Car Park 2. Therefore, riders should follow the signs for Car Park 2 rather than using a normal car bay.
Where Is the Motorcycle Area?
After entering Car Park 2, take the first left beyond the entry barriers. The airport describes the motorcycle section as a designated sheltered area.
Standard car spaces should not be used unless airport staff instruct you otherwise. Otherwise, the full car parking rate may apply.
Blue Badge Parking at Birmingham Airport
Accessible parking and assistance points are available across several Birmingham Airport car parks. In addition, Blue Badge users have a special Premium Set Down concession.
30 Minutes Free in Premium Set Down
Eligible Blue Badge holders, or a driver transporting the badge holder, can receive up to 30 minutes free in Premium Set Down.
However, the stay must be validated at the NCP Customer Service Cabin. The Blue Badge holder must be present for the validation process.
Help Points Around the Airport
Assisted Travel Help Points are available at Premium Set Down, Car Park 1, Car Parks 2 & 3, Car Park 4, Car Park 5 and Drop Off.
Therefore, travellers who need assistance should locate the nearest Help Point after parking. Pre-booking assistance can also make the airport journey smoother.
Booking, ANPR and Payment
Birmingham Airport allows most official car parks to be pre-booked online. Therefore, holiday travellers should compare the pre-book price before arrival.
Check Your Registration Number
ANPR systems use the vehicle registration to recognise a booking. Consequently, a typing error can create unnecessary problems at entry or exit.
Review the number plate before submitting payment. In addition, keep the confirmation email available on your phone.
Drop Off and Premium Set Down Payments
Both areas use barrierless ANPR operation. Therefore, a charge must be paid correctly when the free allowance or applicable tariff requires payment.
Post Pay can be used after leaving the area. Alternatively, drivers can use AutoPay or an onsite card machine.
Cashless Pay Machines
Birmingham Airport states that its parking payment machines are cashless. For that reason, carry a working card or use the relevant online payment method.
Do Not Stop on Birmingham Airport Red Routes
Red routes operate around the airport roads. Therefore, drivers must not stop, park or unload in those marked areas.
This rule also applies to a very quick passenger drop-off. Instead, use the official Drop Off car park or Premium Set Down.
Red Route Enforcement Charge
Birmingham Airport currently states that a vehicle breaching the red-route restriction can receive a £100 enforcement charge.
The amount is reduced to £50 when paid within 14 days. Consequently, trying to save a few minutes by stopping on the road can become much more expensive than using the proper parking area.
Driving to Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport’s main address is Airport Way, Birmingham, B26 3QJ. Therefore, use that postcode for general navigation.
From the M42
Leave the M42 at Junction 6 and join the A45. Afterward, follow Birmingham Airport signs toward the terminal area.
Follow the Car Park Name, Not Just the Postcode
Several parking products share similar access roads. Therefore, know whether you need Drop Off, Premium Set Down, Car Park 1, Car Parks 2 & 3, Car Park 5 or another option.
Sat-nav helps with the main journey. However, live airport signs should guide the final turn.
Birmingham Airport Parking Checklist
Before Leaving Home
At the Airport
Birmingham Airport Parking Map
The map below is useful for the main journey to Birmingham Airport. However, it cannot replace the airport’s live parking signs.
Therefore, use the map until you reach the airport site. Afterward, follow the sign for your exact parking product.
Airport Way • Birmingham • B26 3QJ Open Google Maps
Official Birmingham Airport Parking Links
Parking tariffs and operational details can change. Therefore, use Birmingham Airport’s own pages as the final source before entering or booking a car park.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Official Parking Prices
Birmingham Airport Parking FAQs
The answers below cover the parking questions most drivers ask. In addition, the prices use the current official published tariffs.