Airport Parking for People with Disabilities & Special Assistance requirements

Airports can be stressful enough without having to worry about where you’re going to park, how far you’ll be from the terminal or whether the car park has suitable accessible spaces.

Thankfully, most major UK airports now offer Blue Badge parking and facilities for passengers with reduced mobility. However, the rules, parking charges and drop-off concessions can vary quite a bit from one airport to another.

So, we’ve put together a guide to Blue Badge airport parking and disabled parking at some of the UK’s busiest airports, including where you can park and any useful concessions to know about before you travel.

A few points apply to most disabled airport parking:

• Don’t assume the normal Blue Badge rules apply on airport roads. At some airports, including Heathrow, Stansted and Edinburgh, the Blue Badge scheme doesn’t apply on the airport road system itself. Make sure you use the designated parking or drop-off areas.
• At many airports, you can take your Blue Badge abroad with you. If you need your badge while you’re away, airports often have a process for recording or validating it before you leave the car park.
• Blue Badge parking isn’t always free. Many airports provide dedicated accessible bays but still charge the normal parking tariff.
• Parking and Assisted Travel are separate. If you need help through the airport or boarding your flight, make sure you arrange Assisted Travel with your airline as well.
• Allow plenty of time. Even if you’ve chosen accessible parking, you may still need to use a help point, shuttle bus or assistance service to reach the terminal.

With the above in mind, let’s look at some of the UK’s airports and what they currently offer for Blue Badge and disabled parking.

Heathrow Airport

Heathrow has Blue Badge parking available across its official parking options.

Clearly marked Blue Badge spaces are available in Terminal Parking close to terminal access routes, with help points nearby if you need assistance with mobility or luggage.

Blue Badge spaces are also available in Heathrow’s Park & Ride and Priority Park & Ride car parks, close to shuttle bus stops or car park offices.

If you’re travelling from Terminal 4, be aware that the old Terminal 4 multi-storey car park is currently closed for redevelopment. Blue Badge parking is available in Park & Ride 4, Zone A, with accessible shuttle buses and assistance available.

If you need to take your Blue Badge abroad with you, you can still use a Blue Badge bay. Show your badge to the car park operator using the help point or entry machine so they can record it before you take it with you.

Heathrow Blue Badge drop-off

If you have a valid UK or EEA Blue Badge, you can apply for a 100% discount on Heathrow’s Terminal Drop-Off Charge. This applies even if somebody else is driving you or you’re arriving by taxi.

The discount isn’t automatic, so make sure the vehicle being used for your drop-off is registered for the Blue Badge concession.

Heathrow Blue Badge pick-up

Passenger pick-ups aren’t allowed from Heathrow’s terminal drop-off forecourts.

Instead, Blue Badge holders can get the first two hours free in Heathrow’s Park & Ride car parks for pick-up or drop-off. Use the car park call point and provide your Blue Badge number and vehicle registration.

Gatwick Airport

Gatwick has clearly marked Blue Badge parking bays across its official car parks, including Short Stay, Mid Stay and Long Stay.

The Long Stay shuttle buses are accessible for wheelchair and mobility scooter users, and help points are available if you need assistance getting from the car park to the terminal.

If you’re using the South Terminal and staying for under four hours, Blue Badge holders can use the Premium Parking area at the standard Short Stay rate. Press the assistance button at the barrier so the correct rate can be applied.

If you need to take your Blue Badge away with you, that’s fine too. Contact the parking operator or use the intercom so your use of the Blue Badge space can be validated.

Stansted Airport

Blue Badge parking is available at Stansted Airport in the Short Stay, Mid Stay and Long Stay car parks, as well as the Express Set Down area.

In Short Stay, Blue Badge spaces are available in the Orange and Green zones. Long Stay spaces are in Zone Q and Mid Stay spaces are in Zone L.

The Mid Stay and Long Stay shuttle buses are accessible for wheelchair users. Blue Badge holders will usually be given priority boarding, with dedicated wheelchair areas on board.

Blue Badge spaces are also available at the front of the Express Set Down area, although vehicles can’t be left unattended. The normal Express Set Down charge applies.

For security reasons, the Blue Badge scheme doesn’t apply on the roads around Stansted Airport, so make sure you use the designated parking areas.

Birmingham Airport

Blue Badge bays are available across Birmingham Airport’s on-site car parks.

Car Parks 1, 2 and 3 have accessible spaces close to the pedestrian exits, while Blue Badge spaces are also available in Car Parks 4, 5 and 7.

Normal parking charges apply in the main car parks.

Blue Badge holders can also use the Premium Set Down car park for up to 30 minutes free of charge. You’ll need to take your Blue Badge and vehicle registration details to the NCP Customer Service Cabin so the free period can be validated.

If you need to take your Blue Badge with you while travelling, Birmingham Airport can also provide a temporary permit for your vehicle after checking your badge.

Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport has Blue Badge parking in its Multi Storey car parks, JetParks and Arrivals parking.

The Multi Storey car parks are close to the terminals, while JetParks has a free accessible shuttle service. Blue Badge holders will usually be given priority boarding and seating on the transfer buses, with dedicated wheelchair areas available.

If you’re dropping off a passenger with a valid Blue Badge, Manchester Airport’s Drop-off Zone can be used free of charge for drop-off only. The passenger travelling will need to show their Blue Badge to the traffic marshal.

Pick-up arrangements vary depending on the terminal and normal parking charges may apply, so check the latest instructions for the terminal you’re using.

If you want to take your Blue Badge abroad, use the help button at the car park entry barrier so the operator can record it before you leave.

Luton Airport

All London Luton Airport car parks have designated accessible parking spaces.

For easier access to the terminal, the airport recommends Terminal Car Park 1 or Terminal Car Park 2 for Blue Badge holders and passengers using Assisted Travel.

Blue Badge holders can currently get 30 minutes free parking in Terminal Car Parks 1 and 2 after validating their parking ticket. Reduced on-the-day rates are also available for stays of less than 24 hours.

For dropping off or picking up a passenger with reduced mobility, Terminal Car Park 1 is the recommended option.

Be aware that the Blue Badge concession doesn’t apply to the Drop Off & Pick Up area on the ground floor of Terminal Car Park 2.

If you need to take your Blue Badge abroad, contact the car park operator so your details can be recorded before you travel.

Leeds Bradford Airport

Leeds Bradford Airport has dedicated Blue Badge areas across its car parks.

If you’re parking for a holiday, choose the car park that works best for your mobility needs and how close you’d like to be to the terminal.

The airport’s current Pick Up & Drop Off car park is chargeable, so don’t assume that displaying a Blue Badge automatically makes airport parking free.

If you need to take your Blue Badge abroad, check the airport’s current process before travelling so the car park team can confirm your entitlement to use the accessible bay.

Glasgow Airport

Glasgow Airport has dedicated Blue Badge spaces in its Terminal Multi-Storey Car Park.

Blue Badge holders currently receive 30 minutes free parking in the Terminal Multi-Storey Car Park.

To use the concession, present your physical Blue Badge at the exit barrier by placing the badge, with the barcode facing upwards, in the contactless payment scanner.

If you’re taking your Blue Badge away with you, use the intercom when entering the car park so the parking team can record your Blue Badge number and vehicle registration.

For picking up or dropping off a passenger who needs extra assistance, Glasgow Airport recommends using the Terminal Multi-Storey Car Park, where the 30-minute Blue Badge concession applies.

Edinburgh Airport

Vehicles carrying passengers with a Blue Badge currently get one hour of free access to Edinburgh Airport’s car parks, including the drop-off and pick-up areas.

All of the airport’s car parks except Mid Stay have wider spaces for Blue Badge holders.

Terminal Parking and the Multi-Storey have designated spaces and assistance call points nearby. Wider spaces are also available in Long Stay and Plane Parking.

For security reasons, the normal Blue Badge scheme doesn’t apply on the road system around Edinburgh Airport, so don’t leave your vehicle unattended outside the designated parking areas.

Liverpool Airport

Liverpool John Lennon Airport has accessible Blue Badge bays in its Long Stay, Short Stay Multi-Storey, Express Drop Off & Pick Up, Fast Track and Fast Track Family car parks.

Travelling passengers with a valid Blue Badge can currently claim up to 40 minutes of free parking in the Express Drop Off & Pick Up car park.

You’ll need to pay for your parking first and then contact Liverpool Airport Customer Services within 28 days to claim the refund. You’ll need evidence including your Blue Badge, boarding pass and vehicle registration, and the name on the boarding pass must match the Blue Badge holder.

The 40-minute concession only applies to the Express Drop Off & Pick Up car park. Normal longer-term airport parking isn’t generally free for Blue Badge holders.

Bristol Airport

Blue Badge and special assistance parking bays are available across Bristol Airport’s car parks.

In Short Stay, accessible spaces are positioned close to the shuttle bus area, while Blue Badge spaces in Silver Zone are located near the reception building. The Multi-Storey also has dedicated spaces.

If you’re dropping off or picking up a Blue Badge holder, Bristol Airport currently offers up to 40 minutes in its Drop Off & Pick Up Car Park for a reduced fee of £8.50.

When leaving, scan the barcode on the reverse of the Blue Badge at the exit barrier. If the Blue Badge holder needs to take the badge away with them, use the help button at the exit barrier for assistance.

There is also a dedicated Assisted Travel drop-off point in the Drop Off & Pick Up Car Park.

Newcastle Airport

All of Newcastle Airport’s car parks have disabled parking bays.

Standard parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders and the airport doesn’t currently allow accessible bays to be reserved in advance.

If you need your Blue Badge while you’re away, Newcastle Airport advises leaving a photocopy of the badge displayed in your windscreen. This allows the airport to check your entitlement to use the disabled parking space while you take the original badge with you.

Assistance is also available for passengers who need help getting from the car park into the terminal.

Do Blue Badge holders get free airport parking?

Not necessarily.

Having a Blue Badge usually gives you access to designated accessible parking spaces, but that doesn’t automatically mean the parking itself is free.

Some airports offer short free periods or discounted drop-off parking for Blue Badge holders, while others charge the normal parking tariff.

It’s always worth checking the current Blue Badge parking and drop-off arrangements for your airport before you travel.

Can I take my Blue Badge abroad with me?

At many airports, yes.

Airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow and Luton have procedures allowing you to use an accessible space and then take your Blue Badge away with you.

The process varies by airport. You may need to show the badge at the entry barrier, use an intercom or have your vehicle details recorded before you leave.

If you’ll need your Blue Badge while you’re abroad, check the airport’s process before travelling rather than leaving it displayed in your vehicle.

We hope our guide to Blue Badge airport parking and disabled parking at UK airports makes planning your journey a little easier.

Parking charges, concessions and airport layouts can change, so we’d always recommend checking the latest information from your airport before travelling. If you’re also using Assisted Travel, arrange that separately with your airline so the support you need is ready when you arrive.