What are the free and paid options for picking someone up at Belfast City Airport?
At Belfast City Airport, the published free option is up to ten minutes in the Long Stay car park. The Express Drop-Off & Pick-Up area costs from £4 for up to ten minutes, while Short Stay starts from £13 for up to one hour.
Local car park, route and access details
The Long Stay car park is described as around five minutes from the terminal. The airport lists £7 for up to an hour in Long Stay if you go beyond the ten-minute free period. Express Drop-Off & Pick-Up is closer to the terminal—less than three minutes—but is paid and uses ANPR ticketless entry and contactless payment on exit. Drivers using the free Long Stay option should note that leaving and quickly re-entering can trigger a minimum charge under the airport’s re-entry rules.
What to check before travelling
Do not stop on airport approach roads or in marked no-stopping zones to avoid the charge: the airport warns that enforcement operates in those areas. Check the airport’s current pricing before travelling and allow enough time to use the particular car park you select.
