Airport Pick Up

[tali1]

Friend of mine claimed he avoided parking charges at Manchester Airport by waiting in a service station 30 mins away and getting his passengers to phone him when they were waiting outside Terminal.This was a few years ago though.I don't think this can be done now unless it is taxi ?

[naomi24]

Why not? Anyone can use a service station.

[sunny-dave]

You are correct - it is no longer possible to pick someone up without paying a fee - like most other large airports, Manchester are money-grabbing thieves :

https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/parking/pick-up-and-drop-off/

[sandyRoe]

Same at George Best airport in Belfast. Drivers have to pay even if they're only there for a minute.

[elliemay1]

At Belfast International I think you only have to pay £1 to pick someone up

[naomi24]

I assumed you meant paying for what could be a long wait rather than just a 15 minute or so pick up charge.

[sunny-dave]

Assumptions are frequently wrong ...

It seemed obvious to me that 'avoided parking charges' meant not having to pay to use the Short Term Car Park - and Manchester has now removed any other option for meeting an arrival in your own car (in the old days you could circulate past arrivals for free for 15 minute).

Whether you define the Car Park charge as 'pickup' or 'parking' is irrelevant.

[naomi24]

No need to be rude, SD. I was trying to help.

[sunny-dave]

To address your help then, Naomi - you can also get a nasty charge at the Service Stations near the airport.

If you don't use the facilities and/or stay more than a certain time (it used to be 90 minutes, but is now less I think) you get a parking notice from the company that runs the parking concession there.

[naomi24]

Yes, I know about charges for overstaying the allotted time at service stations. I expect the OP does too. We can all read the signs.

[tali1]

Best option seems pre -book at T1 car park for £15 (it gives essentially 6hrs).You can cancel with full refund no questions asked even just 1hr before.

[barry1010]

That's how I used to pick friends and relatives up from the airport - park up somewhere nearby and free until I got the phone call that they landed.
Haven't been able to do that for a few years though because of the charges for picking up

[davebro]

Last time I used it at B'ham it was £1 in the ticket machine for a short pick up (max 10 mins?). I parked in a side street about 2 miles away until my friends called.

[Hopkirk]

Some airports like Luton and Stansted allow free pick ups in one if the car parks (mid stay for those two)
The passengers just get the free bus to the car park.