What this guide will help you understand
- The differences between each official car park
- Which options may suit families and other travellers
- Paid and free pick-up and drop-off choices
- Current published turn-up prices and booking guidance
Understanding the parking options
Leeds Bradford Airport offers Meet & Greet, Premium Short Stay, Short Stay, Mid Stay and Long Stay parking.
Meet & Greet is promoted as the most convenient choice and is particularly aimed at families. Premium Short Stay is the closest self-parking option and includes wider bays and Fast Track. Short Stay is within walking distance of the terminal. Mid Stay provides a balance between price and location, while Long Stay is positioned as a more budget-friendly option using a shuttle service.
Meet & Greet
Meet & Greet allows passengers to leave their vehicle near the terminal before airport staff move it to a secure on-site parking area.
Follow the Meet & Greet signs, register at the entry booth and park in the instructed drop-off lane. Leave your keys at the Meet & Greet cabin before walking to the terminal. On your return, go back to the cabin, where your vehicle should be ready for collection. This option must be pre-booked.
Premium Short Stay
Premium Short Stay is the closest self-parking option offered by the airport.
It is approximately a one to two-minute walk from the terminal based on the airport's published guidance. It includes wider parking bays and Fast Track and is promoted as suitable for business travellers and passengers prioritising convenience.
Short Stay
Short Stay offers a relatively short walk without handing over your vehicle keys.
The airport describes Short Stay as approximately a three to four-minute walk from the terminal. It may suit shorter trips or passengers willing to pay more for a closer parking location.
Mid Stay
Mid Stay is intended to balance price with a walkable location.
The published walking time is approximately six to ten minutes, depending on where you park. The airport also operates shuttle buses serving Mid Stay, Long Stay and the Car Rental Centre approximately every 15 to 20 minutes, 24 hours a day.
Long Stay
Long Stay is positioned as the airport's budget-friendly parking option.
Passengers use a shuttle service to reach the terminal. The more detailed airport information describes the Long Stay journey as approximately 10 to 20 minutes by shuttle, so allow time for waiting, loading luggage and travelling to the terminal.
Which car park may suit your journey?
The right option depends on your group, luggage, trip length and how much you value convenience.
Meet & Greet may work well for families or passengers with heavy luggage. Premium Short Stay may suit business travellers and those prioritising proximity. Mid Stay can offer a compromise between cost and walking distance. Long Stay may be appropriate when keeping the price lower matters more than reaching the terminal quickly.
Paid Pick Up & Drop Off
The paid Pick Up & Drop Off car park is the closest designated area for collecting or dropping off passengers.
It is around one minute from the terminal and does not need to be pre-booked. Cameras automatically record entry and exit times. Payment can be made at the exit using a credit card, debit card or Apple Pay.
Pick Up & Drop Off prices
The published standard tariff increases according to how long the vehicle remains inside.
At the time reviewed, the standard car price was £8 for up to 10 minutes, £10 for 10 to 20 minutes, £13.50 for 20 to 30 minutes and £16.50 for 30 to 60 minutes. Each later hour or part of an hour was also charged at £16.50. Check the official tariff before travelling because prices can change.
When should you enter the car park to collect someone?
A flight's landing time is not normally the same as the time the passenger will leave the terminal.
The airport says it usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes after landing for passengers to pass through passport control and collect checked luggage. It can take longer during busy periods. Check the flight's scheduled landing time, stay in contact with the passenger and avoid entering the paid car park too early.
Where arriving passengers leave the terminal
The arrivals area depends on where the passenger has travelled from.
Passengers arriving from Belfast use Domestic Arrivals, located inside the main terminal entrance near Greggs. Passengers arriving from Dublin, the Channel Islands and other international destinations use International Arrivals.
Temporary arrivals waiting area
Terminal improvement work may affect where people can wait for arriving passengers.
The airport currently describes a temporary covered waiting area outside the terminal. From the main terminal entrance, remain outside and follow the building to the left for approximately 50 metres. The shelter is opposite the ramp used by arriving passengers.
The One Hour Free Zone
The One Hour Free Parking Zone offers a free alternative for collecting or dropping off passengers.
It is located within the Mid Stay car park. Follow the signs for Mid Stay and One Hour Free from Whitehouse Lane. The airport describes the walk as approximately five minutes with a slight incline. Passengers must leave within one hour.
Important free-zone restrictions
The free period applies to one visit of no more than one hour.
Exceeding one hour or leaving and re-entering can cause the full applicable parking charge to apply. During busy periods, if the designated free area is full, drivers can use another available space within Mid Stay without exiting and re-entering.
Turn-up parking prices
Passengers arriving without a booking normally pay the full on-the-day price.
The published first-day turn-up prices were £57 for Long Stay, £68 for Mid Stay, £83 for Short Stay and £118 for Premium Short Stay. Additional daily charges also apply. Meet & Greet is available through pre-booking only. Always check current prices before travelling.
Should you pre-book?
The airport recommends pre-booking for stays longer than four hours.
According to the airport, booking online in advance can save up to 60% compared with turn-up rates. Pre-booking also helps guarantee a space. For stays of less than four hours, the airport suggests that the paid Pick Up & Drop Off car park may be more cost-effective.
Blue Badge parking
Designated Blue Badge spaces are available across the airport's car parks.
A valid Blue Badge must be displayed when using one of the marked bays. The airport recommends Premium Short Stay or Meet & Greet for passengers wanting the greatest proximity to the terminal.
Dropping off a Blue Badge holder
Travelling Blue Badge holders can receive additional time in the terminal-front Pick Up & Drop Off area.
The standard price is £8 for 10 minutes, but a travelling Blue Badge holder can remain for up to 60 minutes for the same £8 charge. Display the badge on the dashboard and use the help button at the exit barrier so the parking team can verify it.
Booking times
The airport recommends booking your parking arrival for approximately three hours before departure.
For the return journey, it suggests setting the exit time for around one hour after landing. Bookings include a total of four hours of flexibility around the booked entry and exit times, but additional charges may apply if the combined difference exceeds four hours.
Common parking mistakes
Stopping on access roads or attempting unsafe manoeuvres can result in enforcement action.
Do not collect or drop off passengers on airport roads. If you enter the wrong car park, continue to the nearest barrier and use the help button instead of reversing or stopping. If your number plate is not recognised, use the help button at the exit and provide your booking reference.
Check important information before travelling
Airport charges, opening hours, transport schedules and security policies can change. Confirm time-sensitive details directly with Leeds Bradford Airport, your airline or the relevant transport operator before your journey.