UK Airport Parking for Motorbikes - Motorcycle Parking

Airport Parking for Motorbikes

  • 13 Jan, 2014
  • Alice Fowler
  • 128 Comments

Find out which UK airports have free motorcycle parking

We get it, people don’t just drive cars to the airport; plenty of you have motorcycles too and often have the question of “Is parking for motorbikes free at my airport?”

The answer differs depending on the airport. Some have dedicated motorcycle parking, some charge the same as cars, while others offer free or discounted parking for motorbikes.

We’ve pulled together the latest information we can find on motorcycle parking at UK airports, including whether there’s a charge and, where possible, where you’ll find the dedicated motorbike parking.

Airport parking arrangements can change, so it’s always worth checking directly with the airport before you travel, particularly if you’re planning to leave your bike for several days.

Simply select your airport from the list below to be taken to the information we have.

Aberdeen | Belfast City | Belfast International | Birmingham | Bournemouth | Bristol | Cardiff | Dublin | East Midlands | Edinburgh | Exeter | Gatwick | Glasgow | Heathrow | Humberside | Inverness | Leeds Bradford | Liverpool | London City | Luton | Manchester | Newcastle | Norwich | Prestwick | Shannon | Southampton | Southend | Stansted | Teesside

Aberdeen Airport

Aberdeen Airport has a dedicated covered area for motorcycle parking near the car park exits.

As the airport’s current parking information doesn’t clearly list a separate motorcycle tariff, we’d recommend checking the latest details before you travel.

Belfast City Airport

Motorcycles can use Belfast City Airport’s parking facilities, although there isn’t currently a separate motorcycle parking product clearly listed online.

If you’re planning to leave your bike while you travel, it’s worth checking the latest parking arrangements and charges before you arrive.

Belfast International Airport

Older guidance listed free motorcycle parking underneath the canopy beside the car park office in the main car park.

However, clear current motorcycle parking instructions aren’t easy to find on Belfast International Airport’s public parking pages, so we’d recommend checking with the airport before travelling rather than relying on the older information.

Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport has a dedicated sheltered motorcycle parking area in Car Park 2.

Follow the signs for Car Park 2 and take the first left after the entry barriers. Make sure you use the designated motorcycle area rather than a normal car parking bay, as you may be charged the full parking rate if you park elsewhere.

There are currently no anchor points in the motorcycle area.

Bournemouth Airport

Motorcyclists have previously been directed to the bicycle shelter outside the terminal building, accessed via the airport’s main entrance.

As current motorcycle-specific pricing isn’t clearly published, we’d recommend checking the latest arrangements with Bournemouth Airport before travelling, particularly if you’re leaving your bike for a longer stay.

Bristol Airport

Motorcycle parking at Bristol Airport costs £12.50 per day.

There is a dedicated covered motorcycle parking area on Level 0 of the Multi-Storey Car Park.

Bristol Airport recommends booking your motorcycle bay in advance. You can pay on arrival, but if the motorcycle area is full and you haven’t pre-booked, you may be turned away.

There are ground anchors available so you can secure your bike, and a limited number of helmet storage lockers. You’ll need to bring your own padlock if you want to use a locker.

Cardiff Airport

Cardiff Airport previously confirmed that free motorcycle parking was available near the pick-up area.

However, we haven’t been able to find clear current motorcycle parking instructions on its public parking pages, so we’d recommend checking directly with Cardiff Airport before travelling rather than relying on the older information.

Dublin Airport

Older guidance allowed motorbikes to park free of charge in the short-term parking areas at Dublin Airport.

However, motorcycle parking isn’t currently explained particularly clearly on Dublin Airport’s public parking pages. If you’re planning to leave your bike at the airport, we’d recommend confirming the latest motorcycle parking arrangements before your trip.

East Midlands Airport

Motorcycle parking is available at East Midlands Airport, but you’ll need to arrange your booking directly rather than using the normal online parking journey.

The airport asks motorcyclists to contact its parking team to find out which parking options and prices are available for their dates.

Older information referred to a 50% motorcycle discount, but this isn’t currently advertised as a standard offer, so we’d check the price when booking.

Edinburgh Airport

For motorcycle parking at Edinburgh Airport, the same booking options and prices apply as they do for cars.

This means you can choose from the airport’s available parking options and either book ahead or, where available, pay the appropriate turn-up rate.

As prices vary depending on the car park and your travel dates, it’s worth checking the available options before you travel.

Exeter Airport

Motorcycles can be parked at Exeter Airport free of charge.

The airport asks motorcyclists to make arrangements with the Airport Car Park Customer Service Office before travelling.

There is currently no facility for motorcycle helmet storage.

Gatwick Airport

There are dedicated motorbike parking bays at Gatwick Airport in the Short Stay car parks.

Make sure you use the dedicated motorcycle bays rather than a normal car parking space. Gatwick warns that bikes parked outside the designated areas may be removed for security reasons.

There aren’t currently any anchor points in the motorbike bays.

Glasgow Airport

Glasgow Airport has dedicated motorbike spaces on the ground floor of Car Park 2, its Short Stay car park.

The airport’s current parking information doesn’t clearly list a separate motorcycle tariff alongside this, so check the latest parking charges before you travel.

Heathrow Airport

Motorcycle parking at Heathrow Airport is free, with dedicated motorbike parking available at all four terminals.

  • Terminal 2 – on Cessna Road, next to the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel.
  • Terminal 3 – at the back of Terminal Parking Car Park 1A, to the right of the exit. Access is via Chester Road.
  • Terminal 4 – on Salisbury Road, opposite the Arrivals forecourt.
  • Terminal 5 – next to Terminal Parking, on the left on Widgeon Road.

Motorcycles aren’t permitted in Heathrow’s multi-storey car parks, and bikes left anywhere other than the designated motorcycle spaces may be removed for security reasons.

Humberside Airport

The older version of this guide listed free motorcycle parking at Humberside Airport.

As clear current motorcycle parking instructions aren’t easy to find online, we’d recommend checking directly with Humberside Airport before travelling rather than relying on the older information.

Inverness Airport

Motorcycles can use Inverness Airport’s car parks and normal parking tariffs apply.

As there isn’t a separate free motorcycle rate, choose the parking option that best suits your trip and check the current price before travelling.

Leeds Bradford Airport

Motorcyclists can book a space in Leeds Bradford Airport’s two-wheel-friendly car parks.

Motorcycles aren’t exempt from the normal parking tariffs and you’ll need to park in a full parking bay.

Meet & Greet isn’t available for motorcycles.

Liverpool Airport

Older guidance allowed motorbikes to park in Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s Express Drop Off area without charge.

As dedicated motorcycle parking information isn’t currently prominent on the airport’s public parking pages, we’d recommend checking the latest arrangements before travelling.

London City Airport

Motorbike parking at London City Airport is free.

The airport provides dedicated parking information for motorbikes and bicycles. Check the latest access information before travelling so you know where to leave your bike when you arrive.

Luton Airport

Motorcycle parking at London Luton Airport is free for up to 14 days.

Use the dedicated motorcycle bays in the Mid Stay Car Park, which is around a 10-minute walk from the terminal.

You don’t need to pre-book motorcycle parking. Ride up to the barrier, take a ticket and use the designated motorcycle bays.

If you stay for longer than 14 days, the normal daily parking tariff applies.

The Mid Stay motorcycle area is uncovered and, although the airport car parks are monitored, riders are advised to lock and disable their bikes where possible.

Manchester Airport

There are a couple of different options for motorcycle parking at Manchester Airport.

Public motorcycle parking is available outside the railway station. The airport states that other public bike and motorcycle parking areas around the campus are restricted to staff.

If you’re travelling and want to leave your motorbike in one of Manchester Airport’s official car parks, motorcycles can also be booked into options including Multi-Storey, Mid Stay, JetParks and Long Stay. You’ll need to arrange a motorcycle booking by phone rather than through the standard online booking journey.

Newcastle Airport

Newcastle Airport recommends using the Long Stay Car Park for motorcycle parking if you’re leaving your bike for 24 hours or more.

For shorter visits, including picking up or dropping off passengers, the airport’s standard parking charges apply.

Norwich Airport

Norwich Airport has four dedicated motorcycle bays close to the exit of Car Park 1, its Short Stay car park.

When you enter, ride along the first lane beside the pick-up and drop-off area. The motorcycle parking is on the corner opposite the accessible parking bays.

Prestwick Airport

Older information said Glasgow Prestwick Airport couldn’t accommodate motorcycles because of its ANPR parking system.

The airport’s current public parking pages don’t clearly confirm the latest motorcycle parking arrangements, so we’d recommend checking directly with Prestwick Airport before travelling rather than relying on the older information.

Shannon Airport

Clear current information specifically for motorcycle parking isn’t easy to find on Shannon Airport’s public parking pages.

Older guidance allowed motorcyclists to use the airport’s normal parking facilities, but we’d recommend confirming the latest arrangements with the airport before you travel.

Southampton Airport

Motorcycle parking at Southampton Airport is free of charge.

Motorbikes can use the designated motorcycle parking area in the Short Stay Car Park, and the airport confirms that its barriers are motorcycle-friendly.

Make sure you use the designated area, as motorbikes parked elsewhere may be removed for security reasons.

Southend Airport

Older information listed free motorcycle parking in Long Stay 3 at London Southend Airport.

However, clear up-to-date motorcycle parking information isn’t currently easy to find on the airport’s public parking pages, so we’d recommend checking with Southend Airport before you travel rather than relying on the older arrangement.

Stansted Airport

Motorcyclists currently receive a 50% discount on pre-booked parking at London Stansted Airport.

Motorcycle parking is available in the Short Stay Orange car park and Long Stay Zone Q.

You’ll need to book your motorcycle parking through Stansted’s contact centre rather than through the standard online booking system.

Alternatively, you can book Stansted Easy Motorbike Parking through Airport Parking Shop if it’s available for your dates.

Teesside Airport

Motorcycles are allowed at Teesside International Airport, but they need to be parked in a designated motorcycle bay.

The airport’s current parking terms specifically state that motorcycles shouldn’t be left elsewhere in the car park, so make sure you follow the designated parking signs when you arrive.

Check the latest parking tariff before travelling, as a separate motorcycle rate isn’t clearly published.

The above information has been updated to the best of our knowledge using the latest information available. Airport motorcycle parking arrangements can change, so we’d always recommend checking directly with the airport before you travel. If you’re aware of any changes, please let us know!

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128 responses to “Airport Parking for Motorbikes”

    • Hi there, unfortunately London Southend advise that motorcyclists should take a normal space at the car park. They didn’t specify costs however I would assume this would mean paying the same as a car. Hope that helps!

      • Thats really unacceptable from Southend Airport. Recently re-developped airport costing millions and they haven’t even provided any motorcycle parking, which by the way should be free not 50% of a car price.

  1. I parked my Vespa GTS 300 at Heathrow T4 in the short stay area outside arrivals for an hour yesterday. When I came out one of the front indicators had been stolen – unscrewed, wire cut. I only discovered this on the way home when I stopped for fuel. Does anyone know if there are CCTV cameras in that area, and where I would report this?

    • Hi Andrew, I’m sorry this has happened to you! It’s probably best to contact Heathrow Airport direct in this case, as they will be able to assist you.

  2. Hi. Am looking at leaving my bike at Gatwick while I go away for the weekend. How up to date is the information on this site as I have spoken to the Gatwick Parking call centre monkeys and they have told me I MUST pay to use the car park. I feel however £60 for 2 days is overpriced! I would go on the information here and risk it but don’t want to get stung if they have recently changed their motorbike rules.
    Thanks.

    • Hi. Just found this site. Very useful! East Midlands doesnt have any bike parking and will charge full amount. It used to be free but they have changed the exit barriers so bikes are stuck and forced to pay. Hope that helps.

  3. Stansted have changed their motorcycle parking. It’s still in Zone A, but during the works people started leaving their bikes in car spaces by the entrance. Stansted have now started putting notices on the bikes warning of tow away (at your charge). Trouble is that the official bike parking isn’t really big enough, so not sure what to do if I turn up and it’s full.

    Also, you are supposed to get your ticket validated (free) to exit, but the left hand barrier is short enough to ride around, so nobody seems to bother.

  4. Does anyone know if you can leave a motorbike at Luton airport free of charge and if so what car park. Thanks

    • Hi! There is free parking for motorbikes available behind the empty building at the front of the Short Term Car Park if you are parking for up to 7 days, but if you are parking for longer than that you will need to park in the Mid Term Car Park (free up to 21 days).

      • For leaving my bike at Luton (for 15 days > Mid-term car Park) do you know if I need to register anywhere, or just have to leave my bike there? Thank you.

  5. flying out of bournemouth airport for few days. Does anyone know if there is turn up and park for motorbikes at Bournemouth?- there website has no info on this. I ve always been able to do this at other uk airports. cheers for any info

  6. I am working at Birmingham airport and want to start using my motorbike to travel to work, is there anywhere to park for free?

    • Hi! This is what Newcastle Airport say that motorcycle parking is allowed in all car parks, other than the Express Car Park. The tariffs are the same as car parking. Hope that helps!

  7. Anyone knows how to park at stansted, what the procedure is? Can I leave my bike in the short stay for 14 days? Thank you!

    • Hi Oliver, unfortunately Stansted have not gotten back to us to clarify the procedure, all we know is that free motorcycle parking is available in the Red Car Park in Short Stay as well as zone Q in the Long Stay Car Park.

  8. Hi, I need to leave my bike at Heathrow T5 soon. 2 years ago I was able to park on the ground floor in the short term car park right by the terminal entrance, at the bottom of the down ramp next to the exit barriers (just drove around barrier when leaving, did not need to use ticket). I am not sure if this area was specifically dedicated to bikes but there were around 40-50 bikes there. Does anyone know if that area is still there?
    Many thanks

    • Hi John,
      Currently the only information that Heathrow provide is that it is next to the short stay car park for T5. This sounds similar to what you are describing, but might be worth contacting the airport directly! Thanks for your comment.

    • Hi there,

      Unfortunately Edinburgh airport do not currently have parking for motorcycles, but apparently they are looking into it for the future!

    • Hi, there are some (5 or6) motorcycle spaces available just outside of multistorey car park ( on right side just after entering barier) available now in Edinburgh airport. Was told they are free of charge. Hope it helps. G.

  9. Hi, i am travelling from Stansted airport, will be parking my bike at airport parking. Does anyone know how it works at arrival to the parking, do I have to take the ticket from the barrier machine, and uppon arrival how do I leave the parking and whot to do with the ticket, as far as I know it is free parking for bikes. Thanks

    • Hi there! It is free to park a motorcycle at Stansted. Unfortunately I don’t know about the ticket situation – I have tried to ask the airport but they have not been forthcoming! It is probably best to try to contact them yourself. Sorry not to be of more use!

      • I read somewhere (no link but will risk it myself) that you pick up a ticket at the Short Stay, which is only req’d to get in. On exit press the intercom button & you are freed 🙂

        I’m still unsure about the parking – believe you can cable to something – not sure what? I have a naff old scoot, which I’ll try & cover (ordered a bit late) & chain my naff old helmet too.

        With any luck someone will pinch it 🙂

  10. I’d like to park my scooter at Stansted Short Stay for 10 days (14-24/May). I read somewhere that I need my exit ticket validated – I arrive back at 11pm, so can I do this on departure day?

    I called the airport on their exorbidant rates only to end in an endless loop.

    Thanks in advance for any info!

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