Drop-off fees are continuing to rise, with Brits forced to pay for just short amounts of time at the airport. To avoid the cost, more are turning to alternative areas.

Research says airport forecourts are now among the most expensive places in the UK to park your car. Drop-off charges are extortionate, with some airports having heftier fees than others. At London Gatwick, a £7 charge for a 10 minute stop has increased to £10 – for just 10 minutes. This is an increase of 43% year-on-year. Not only this, but at London Heathrow, its £6 drop-off fee is now £7.

In third place is Bristol Airport, where people will pay £8.50, up from £7 last year.

Blue Badge holders are able to use the drop-off car park for an extended stay of 40 minutes, but that will also increase from £7 to £8.50.

In fourth place is Belfast City, which was named as the most expensive airport with £4 fees, followed by Newcastle Airport (£5), Birmingham Airport (£6), Leeds Bradford (£7), Liverpool (£6) and Glasgow (£0.50).

In response to the news, Clive Wratten from the Business Travel Association said airports were “pulling the easiest revenue lever” by increasing their parking fees.

He added public transport was often not an alternative option, especially at airports outside London, reports BBC.

“Pricing people out at the kerbside does not suddenly make public transport viable – it just pushes more cost onto workers, businesses and the taxi community,” he says.

Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, says: “Airport drop-off fees have quietly become one of the fastest rising costs of going on holiday.

“What used to be a quick goodbye can now cost up to £10 – and that’s before you factor in fines if it takes a little longer than anticipated.

“Holidaymakers should agree clear pick-up points close to the airport, if possible – and where they can’t, keep in mind that automatic number plate recognition systems used by most airports will issue fines if payment is not received by midnight on the same day – so be diligent and set reminders so that you’re not caught out.”

Holiday Extras has issued its top tips to avoid fees and fines at select airports.

Passengers heading to London Heathrow are advised to get dropped off at Hatton Cross Tube station, reports Daily Mail.

This tube stop is part of the Heathrow free travel zone – meaning you can tap your Oyster card to travel to any of the terminals, but it won’t be charged.

Hatton Cross car park allows a five-minute window for dropping off and picking up, and the vehicle must also be ULEZ compliant.

For London Gatwick travellers, you can get dropped off, free of charge, at the Long Stay car parks and head to the terminal by taking the shuttle bus.

If you are travelling from Birmingham Airport, you can cut costs by driving to Birmingham International station and making use of the free drop off and pick up point in the Short Stay car park, before boarding the free Air Rail link to the airport.

If you are travelling from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, you can get dropped off at a 24-hour McDonald’s restaurant just five minutes away at the New Mersey Retail Park.

Finally, if you’re travelling from London City Airport, you are advised to get dropped off on the corner of Drew Road and Leonard Street, before heading through the tunnel to the airport – a walk that takes less than a minute.