Love might be in the air, but it also touches down, especially in the airport drop-off zones, or Kiss & Fly zones as they are also called, and the general airport parking areas. These often are filled with heartfelt farewells and tender moments, when travellers are parting ways. At KAYAK, we're passionate about assisting you in planning and managing your travels effectively. So we evaluated 112 airports in Europe to see where you'll need to make your goodbyes short and sweet – and where you'll have all the time in the world.
In some instances, fees are imposed for drop-offs or even accessing the airport's Kiss & Fly zone. Heathrow airport in the UK, for example, levies a £5 charge per entry, while several airports in Sweden also seem to require payment for parking to bid a swift farewell.
Hover over the hearts on the map to see how much free time each airport allows in their Kiss & Fly zones and/or long-term parking areas.
The cost of saying goodbye at UK airports.
Whether you're a pragmatic traveller or a hopeless romantic, you can see how much UK airports charge for the price of love in our analysis.
London Gatwick Airport steals the spotlight in the UK ranking as the perfect airport for those seeking an extended farewell. It offers generous 120 minutes in long-term parking to say goodbye, which is longer than some relationships last. London Luton Airport joins the league with 15 free minutes of free Kiss & Fly time and 1 hour in long-stay parking. Birmingham Airport secures the third spot, providing 10 minutes of free Kiss & Fly and a 60-minute reprieve in long-term parking.
While many UK airports offer from 30 to 60 minutes of free parking in their long-term parking areas, they do not provide the option for quick goodbyes closer to the terminal.
As we navigate through the ranking, it's important to note that not all airports share the same commitment to matters of the heart. Some prioritise efficiency over emotional connection, as seen with Belfast International Airport, which, despite its Irish charm, offers a modest 15 minutes in a parking area at a distance from the terminal, with paid drop-off parking available closer for £3 per 10 minutes.
Paid alternatives are included for extra context. The information was sourced from each airport's respective website as of January 15th, 2024. Prices may vary with time.
