How much is parking at Bournemouth Airport?
Bournemouth Airport, near Christchurch in Dorset, offers drive-up parking only in Car Park 2, where the published tariff is £30 for 4 to 12 hours, £50 for 12 to 24 hours and £50 for each additional 24 hours. Car Park 1, Premium Car Park 1 and Car Park 3 are pre-book, pre-paid car parks only. Pre-booking is far cheaper, with Car Park 2 from about £6 to £7 a day (around £50 for a week) and Premium Car Park 1 from about £10 a day.
| Option | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Car Park 2: drive-up (pay on exit) | £8 up to 30 minutes; £15 up to 1 hour; £20 for 1 to 4 hours; £30 for 4 to 12 hours; £50 for 12 to 24 hours; £50 for each additional 24 hours | Turning up without a booking, though it is the most expensive way to park for longer stays |
| Car Park 2: pre-booked | From about £6.25 a day; around £50 for a week (example prices) | Most trips; the cheapest official option |
| Premium Car Park 1: pre-booked | From about £10 a day (example price) | Parking directly opposite the Departures building |
| Express Drop-off/Pick-up (Car Park 1) | £8 up to 30 minutes; £15 for 30 to 60 minutes; £20 for 1 to 4 hours (maximum stay 4 hours) | Dropping off or collecting passengers; the charge applies 24 hours a day |
| Car Park 3: pick-up (pre-booked) | About £6 for up to 90 minutes (reported) | Collecting arriving passengers for less than the Express area |
| Blue Badge drop-off/pick-up | Up to 4 hours for the 30-minute rate (£8) | Blue Badge holders; use the intercom so the rate is adjusted |
Pre-booked prices are examples quoted by booking sites and change with dates and demand. The drive-up prices above come from the airport's published tariff for Car Park 2 and the Express area, which can change, so check the live quote before you drive. One week of drive-up parking in Car Park 2 works out at about £350, which is why booking ahead matters here.
Use our interactive Bournemouth Airport Parking Calculator below to quickly estimate your total parking cost. Drive-up Car Park 2 is charged at £50 for every 24 hours or part thereof, and pre-booked prices are shown as daily estimates. Whether you are away for a weekend or a two-week trip, comparing your expected fees in advance can help you budget and choose the right car park.
Bournemouth Airport Parking Calculator
What is the cheapest parking at Bournemouth Airport?
The cheapest official option at Bournemouth Airport is Car Park 2 pre-booked online, from about £6 to £7 a day or around £50 for a week in examples quoted by booking sites. Turning up costs £50 for every 24 hours, so even a short break is far cheaper when booked ahead. Off-airport parking near the airport exists, but the savings reported are usually small, around £3 a day.
Ways to Pay Less for Bournemouth Airport Parking
Drive-up rates are by far the most expensive way to park, and only Car Park 2 accepts cars without a booking. Booking online in advance, particularly for stays of more than a day, can secure a price a fraction of the standard tariff, with savings of up to 70% advertised by the airport and booking sites.
For almost any trip, pre-booked Car Park 2 is the most cost-effective choice. Premium Car Park 1 costs a little more but puts you directly opposite the Departures building, which can be worth it for early starts or bad weather.
There is no free drop-off at Bournemouth Airport. The Express Drop-off/Pick-up area is £8 for up to 30 minutes and rises to £15 for up to an hour, with a charge that applies around the clock. If you are collecting arriving passengers, a pre-booked slot in Car Park 3 is reported at about £6 for up to 90 minutes. Blue Badge holders can stay up to 4 hours in the Express area and pay only the 30-minute rate, once they have used the intercom so the rate is adjusted.
Check the arrival time of your return flight against your booking. A 2-hour grace period applies either side of the booked times, but arriving early or overstaying beyond that is charged extra, and overstays are billed at the rate shown on your confirmation.
Finally, for shorter trips, it may be best to skip parking altogether. Public transport links to Bournemouth Airport are limited, so a taxi or rideshare, or a lift from a friend, can beat the cost of parking on a short break, particularly when you factor in the drop-off charge.
Not sure if you should drive or take a taxi? Use our Bournemouth Airport Parking vs. Taxi & Rideshare Cost Calculator below to compare your expected parking fees against a round-trip taxi, Uber or Bolt. A one-way ride to Bournemouth Airport commonly costs roughly £20 to £45 depending on where you start, while a multi-day parking stay can add up quickly.
Enter your trip length and your estimated one-way ride cost to see whether driving or taking a ride is the more budget-friendly option for your Bournemouth trip.
Bournemouth Airport Parking vs. Taxi & Rideshare Calculator
Bournemouth Airport Parking FAQ
Is there free parking at Bournemouth Airport?
No. There is no free drop-off or pick-up area at Bournemouth Airport. Blue Badge holders can stay up to 4 hours in the Express Drop-off/Pick-up area but are charged only the 30-minute rate of £8.
How much does it cost to drop someone off at Bournemouth Airport?
The Express Drop-off/Pick-up area in Car Park 1 costs £8 for up to 30 minutes, £15 for 30 to 60 minutes and £20 for 1 to 4 hours, which is the maximum stay. The charge applies 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Can I turn up and park at Bournemouth Airport without a booking?
Yes, but only in Car Park 2 on the standard drive-up, pay-on-exit tariff of £50 per 24 hours. Car Park 1, Premium Car Park 1 and Car Park 3 are pre-book, pre-paid car parks only, so booking ahead is strongly recommended.
Disclaimer: All parking and taxi rates are estimated, based on prices checked in October 2026, and subject to change without notice. Pre-booked prices are examples and vary by date. Always confirm current tariffs with Bournemouth Airport before you travel. We strive to keep our pricing data as accurate as possible. If you spot an updated price we missed, please contact us to let us know.
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