What You Need to Know About Luton Airport’s Drop-off Fees
Luton airport welcomes millions of passengers every year, making it an ideal location for PCO drivers to earn a good income. However, drivers offering rides to Luton Airport are required to pay a drop-off charge when entering the designated drop-off zone.
The drop-off zone is located close to the terminal, allowing the passengers to head straight for check-in, although drivers must pay a fee to access it. For PCO drivers, this is an unwanted expense.
With fuel costs, car maintenance, and other ongoing costs on your plate, paying the Luton drop-off charges out of your own pocket is the last thing you want. These fees can add up quickly, especially if you visit the airport frequently.
In this article, we will take a look at what Luton drop-off charges are and whether there’s a way to avoid them.
What You Will Learn in this Article:
- Luton drop-off charge is a small, £5 fee that every vehicle entering the drop-off zone must pay.
- You can pay the Luton drop-off charge through the airport’s official website. It’s the only way to pay the charge.
- Luton drop-off charge is non-refundable.
- There are alternative areas where you can part to avoid paying the fee.
- The charge is applicable 24 hours, 365 days of the year.
- The airport offers no discounts for frequent users.
- You cannot drop off passengers in the pick-up zone to avoid paying the charges.
- There are several ways to avoid penalties when using Luton’s drop-off zone.
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What is Luton Drop-Off Charge?
Luton drop-off charge is a fee that every vehicle entering the drop-off zone close to the terminal must pay.
The main goal of this fee is to keep the flow of traffic moving.
It doesn’t matter if you use the drop-off zone once or multiple times, you must pay the fee every time you enter the area.
The fee is £5 for the first 5 minutes, plus £1 for every additional minute you spend in the zone.
The maximum limit is 20 minutes. You will receive a £95 penalty if you exceed this, which can be reduced to £55 if you pay it within 14 days.
For example, if you spend 21 minutes in the zone, the charge will be £5 for the first 5 minutes, plus £16 for the additional 16 minutes, totaling £21. However, exceeding the 20-minute limit results in a £95 penalty. So, your total payable amount would be:
- £76 if paid within 14 days (£21 + £55 penalty).
- £116 if paid after 14 days (£21 + £95 penalty).
How to Pay Luton Drop-Off Charge?
There is only one way to pay the drop-off charge. It’s through this Official Airport Website
You can use this link to pay the drop-off charge by midnight of the day after you use the express zone.
You can also create an account on their website, which requires you to provide your card and vehicle details. PCO drivers who have this account will automatically pay for visits they make to the Express drop-off zone. This is useful to avoid the risk of delayed payments.
Remember that only cars and minibuses with up to 9 seats are allowed in the Luton drop-off zone.
Is the Luton Drop-Off Charge Refundable?
The Luton drop-off charge is non-refundable. It’s part of the system and once you have paid it, there are no reimbursements.
This is in line with the airport policy, the airport authorities have made it clear that they will charge it from all vehicles entering the drop-off zone.
It doesn’t matter if you enter accidentally or your passengers’ plan changes at the last minute, once you are in the zone, you must pay the charge and the payment is final.
What can you do as a PCO driver?
As a PCO driver in London, it is important to discuss it with your passengers beforehand to ensure the fee is included in the fare. This way, you can avoid paying it out of your own pocket.
Are There Any Alternative Areas to Avoid Drop-Off Charges?
While the drop-off fee may seem small, it can add up quickly if you are a frequent user. As a result, many PCO drivers look for alternatives such as Mid Stay Car Park and Long Stay Car Park.
- Mid Stay Car Park: Free for up to 15 minutes.
- Long Stay Car Park: Free for up to 1 hour. After this, the fee is £7.
The Mid Stay Car Park is just a short shuttle ride away from the terminal. It is an excellent choice for PCO drivers with passengers who have some extra time.
On the other hand, Long Stay Car Park has a shuttle service that is active 24/7. The bus leaves every 20 minutes and travel time to the terminal is 10 minutes. You must discuss this with the passenger to ensure that they have enough time to reach the terminal.
Is the Drop-Off Charge Applicable All the Time?
The charge is applicable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are no off-peak hours, which means you pay the same £5 fee whenever you enter the drop-off zone.
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Are there any Discounts for Frequent Users?
There are no discounts available for frequent users of Luton airport drop-off zone. However, you can use the alternative options like the Mid Stay Car Park or the Long Stay Car Park to avoid the drop-off fee.
Can I Drop Off Passengers in the Pick-Up Zone Instead?
Dropping off passengers in the pick-up zone may seem like a clever idea to avoid drop-off charges. However, it’s not allowed. The airport authorities make sure that both the pick-up and drop-off zones are only used for the purposes they are meant to serve.
The pick-up zone has its own rules which state that it can only be used for picking up the passengers after arrival. Attempting to violate this rule will result in hefty fines.
Airport Authorities also use the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) camera to track every vehicle entering and leaving the Drop-off and Pick-up zones, ensuring the rules are being obeyed. To avoid such fines, never drop off a passenger in the pick-up zone.
Avoid Penalties When Using Luton’s Drop-Off Zone
You must pay extra attention when using Luton airport’s drop-off zone. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth experience:
- Understand the time limits.
- Make payments promptly.
- Only use official drop-off areas. Dropping off passengers outside of the designated areas may lead to fines.
- Stay informed of the policies as they are constantly changing.
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Conclusion
PCO drivers already have demanding lives. Dealing with Luton’s drop-off charges can feel like another hurdle. The best strategy is to adapt, understand the system, and plan ahead. Whether it’s avoiding express drop-off zones or adding the charge to fares, every effort counts. The policies are strict, but you can avoid penalties by staying informed and following the rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to drop off at Luton Airport for free?
If you want to avoid Luton airport’s drop-off charges, you can use Long Stay Car Park at the airport as it is free of charge for up to 1 hour.
How much does it cost to leave your car at Luton?
It depends on which car park you choose. If you select Terminal Car Park 1, you will have to pay £11 for 30 minutes, £17.50 for up to 60 minutes, and £28.50 for using the place for 1-3 hours.
If you choose Mid Stay Car Park, it costs £6 for 30 minutes and £15 for up to 60 minutes.
The most budget-friendly option at Luton airport is Long Stay Car Park as it costs only £7 for the first two hours.
How long can you stay in the drop-off zone at Luton Airport?
The maximum you can stay in the drop-off zone at Luton airport is 20 minutes. You will be charged £5 for the first five minutes and £1 per minute for the next 15 minutes.
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