Edinburgh, a little simpler.

First, check your arrival point

Confirm your airline’s latest departure information before you reserve any service. Check the walking route or transfer instructions between your arrival point and the terminal.

The drop-off charge went up sharply in May 2026

If you last flew from Edinburgh a year ago, the price you remember is wrong. The forecourt drop-off and pick-up charge rose on 18 May 2026, and the airport linked the increase to a large rise in its business rates. It's now among the highest terminal drop-off charges in the UK outside London.

The 50% electric vehicle discount was removed at the same time. EV drivers pay the standard rate now. This is worth flagging because plenty of guides written before May still mention the discount.

How the charge actually works

There's a short included window, and after that the meter runs per minute up to a two-hour maximum. Like Luton, this is a per-minute system, so a slow goodbye is expensive in a way a banded tariff isn't.

The charged zone is on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park, opposite the terminal — not on the forecourt itself. It has a 2.2 metre height limit, which rules out a lot of vans and anything with a roof box. Everything is cashless.

Picking up costs the same and uses the same zone.

The free option, and its one catch

The Long Stay car park gives you thirty minutes free. The catch is that there's no shuttle — it's a walk of around ten minutes to the terminal entrance. Free luggage trolleys are available along the route, which helps, but you are walking.

Thirty minutes is enough for a drop-off or to wait for someone arriving. It just isn't the right option if the passenger can't manage the walk, or if it's raining sideways, which in Edinburgh is a real consideration.

Two discounts worth knowing about

Blue Badge holders get an hour free in the charged zone, with badge validation. That's a substantial concession — an hour, not thirty minutes, and right by the terminal.

Local residents in listed postcode districts get a discount on the first part of the charge. If you live near the airport, check whether your postcode qualifies before paying full price.

The parking options

Plane Parking is the cheapest official option, with a free shuttle to the East Terminus. You keep your keys. It also suits EV drivers who need long-stay charging.

FastPark is the valet-style option — you hand over the keys and it's about a minute's walk. Pre-book only, and not for anyone who wants to keep hold of their own keys.

Terminal Parking covers the shorter, closer options, including a one-hour product for longer goodbyes and pick-ups that run past the quick drop-off window.

Before you book, check these five

1. Your vehicle height — the charged drop-off zone has a low limit
2. Whether the ten-minute walk from Long Stay works for your passenger
3. Your postcode, if you live locally — there's a resident discount
4. That you're not relying on the old EV discount, which has gone
5. Whether you need to keep your keys — FastPark takes them

A night near the airport

For an early departure, compare the cost of a nearby room with your preferred arrival plan. Check how you will get from the hotel to the terminal at the time you need to travel.

• Confirm room occupancy, check-in hours and any early breakfast options.
• Ask whether the shuttle is included, pre-booked or paid separately.
• A “hotel with parking” offer may cover only your overnight stay. A holiday parking package needs to cover your full trip.

Make time for the lounge

Check that the lounge is in the departure area you can access. Entry rules, opening hours, maximum stay and child policies vary. Allow time for security and the walk to your gate before choosing an entry time.

Availability shown on a general guide is not a reservation. Confirm access for your flight and travel date with the provider.

Arrange the ride, both ways

Use the exact pickup and destination addresses when requesting a quote. Include everyone travelling, the size of your bags and any child-seat or accessibility requirements.

• Check the meeting point, contact number and waiting-time allowance.
• Ask how flight delays, parking charges and additional stops are handled.
• For your return journey, allow time to clear arrivals and collect bags.

Collect a car with the details checked

Airport car hire can be convenient, but the collection desk may be in the terminal, reached by shuttle or at an off-airport location. Check where to collect and return the vehicle before paying.

• Confirm driver age, licence and payment-card requirements.
• Compare the deposit, fuel, mileage and insurance terms—not only the headline price.
• Check opening hours and what happens if your flight arrives late.