UK Airport Transfer Guide – Pick-Up Rules, Meet & Greet & Timing
This guide brings together the essentials for smooth airport transfers across the UK: where to meet your driver, how optional meet & greet works (paid add-on if selected), how we monitor flights to set realistic meeting times, and how to choose the right vehicle for people and luggage. You’ll also find quick links to in-depth guides for key airports and a simple checklist to avoid extra costs.
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Overview
UK airports use a mix of forecourt lanes, priority pick-up zones and short-stay car parks. On arrival days, the smoothest handovers happen when flight monitoring, baggage status and meeting points are aligned. On departure days, success is about timing your drop-off around airline requirements and any local traffic (events, roadworks, matchdays). Use this guide as your planning base, then request a tailored handover plan for your flight, party size and luggage.
Pick-up Rules & Meeting Points
Expect precise bay, level or lane details once your flight is on the ground and baggage is moving. Typical options include:
- Forecourt pick-up lanes: close to arrivals; strict time limits and number-plate controls.
- Priority/Express zones: near the terminal; charged per entry and by duration.
- Short-stay car parks: most reliable when baggage is slow; fixed bay/level and clear wayfinding.
We’ll message the exact meeting point with your driver’s name, vehicle registration and a simple walk route. If restrictions apply (closures, security alerts, event traffic), we’ll redirect to the next-best location and confirm the update immediately.
Meet & Greet (Optional)
Add Meet & Greet if you prefer an indoor handover at a set point with a name sign. It’s ideal for families, first-time visitors, guests with multiple bags or anyone who wants a simpler terminal-to-car transition. If you don’t select it, we’ll guide you to a nearby kerbside or short-stay location that balances convenience with airport rules.
Timing & Flight Monitoring
Your flight number anchors the plan. We track scheduled/actual times, taxi-in durations and baggage delivery to set a realistic meeting window that reduces waiting and missed connections. If your flight is early or delayed, we adjust. For departures, allow for airline check-in/bag-drop cut-offs, security peaks and any known congestion en route.
Indicative Arrival Windows (Guide Only)
- Domestic: meet typically 15–25 mins after gate (hand baggage only) or 20–35 mins with checked bags.
- International (short-haul): meet typically 25–40 mins after gate.
- International (long-haul): meet typically 35–60 mins after gate (immigration & baggage variability).
Drop-off & Short-Stay Charges
Most UK airports charge for forecourt drop-offs and short-stay parking, with rules that change periodically. We’ll outline likely options for your terminal and recommend a meeting point that keeps things smooth and cost-effective. Any airport-imposed fees are itemised according to our policy and confirmed where possible.
Passenger & Luggage Capacity (How We Allocate)
We allocate by people and bags (not by model name). Tell us your counts and we’ll assign the right capacity band below.
| Vehicle Band | Passengers | Large Bags | Small Bags | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | up to 3 | 2 | 2 | Instant fixed price |
| Estate | up to 3 | 3 | 3 | Instant fixed price |
| 4 Seat MPV | up to 4 | 8 | 4 | Instant fixed price |
| 5 Seat MPV | up to 5 | 8 | 4 | Instant fixed price |
| 6 Seat MPV | up to 6 | 8 | 4 | Instant fixed price |
| 7 Seat MPV | up to 7 | 8 | 4 | Instant fixed price |
| 8 Seat MPV | up to 8 | 8 | 6 | Enquiry required — contact us |
| Mercedes S Class | up to 2 | 2 | 1 | Enquiry required — contact us |
| 9–16 Seater | up to 16 | 12 | 8 | Enquiry required — contact us |
Oversize items (e.g., golf clubs, instruments, trade kits) affect capacity. Share item type, quantity and approximate dimensions so we can plan the most comfortable configuration, including split loading if required.
Families, Groups & Accessibility
Travelling with children? Tell us ages and whether you’ll bring your own child seats so we can plan fitting time and layout. For groups, share passenger numbers and bag counts early; we’ll recommend a comfortable setup and a meeting strategy that works for multi-flight arrivals.
Our saloons, estates and people carriers are not wheelchair-adapted vehicles. However, we welcome all accessibility-related enquiries and will do our utmost to accommodate specific requirements — including liaising with partner operators where appropriate — to make your journey as straightforward as possible.
What We Ask at Booking (So We Get It Right)
- Flight number and terminal (arrivals) or airline and terminal (departures)
- Passengers (adults/children) and luggage: large cases, cabin bags, oversize items
- Preferred meeting option (kerbside/short-stay or optional Meet & Greet)
- Contact number while travelling (and any special requests)
Guides for Major UK Airports
- Liverpool John Lennon (LPL) — route info & pick-up notes
- Manchester (MAN) — route info & timing windows
- Heathrow (LHR) — terminals, long-haul arrivals & handover tips
- Gatwick (LGW) — North/South terminals, charges & planning
Book / Request a Quote
Ready to plan your transfer? Share your flight number, passenger count and luggage — we’ll confirm timings, meet-points and the best capacity band in one go.
Book online — instant fixed price
Request a quote — S-Class / 8–16 seats / bespoke
Most journeys to or from airports can be booked online instantly. For S-Class, 8–16 seats or special routes, request a quote.