Flying this summer? The airport where a drop off costs £13

Several major UK airports now charge £10 or more for a brief stop outside departures, with one airport charging £13 for just 10 minutes.

Travel experts at Ski Famille compared airport forecourt fees with the cost of staying at The Ritz London, where a Deluxe King room starts from £1,075 a night - equivalent to around 75p per minute.

Shockingly, some airport drop-off zones now cost up to £1.30 a minute, making them even more expensive than one of Britain's most luxurious hotels.

The UK's most expensive airport drop-offs

London City Airport tops the list after increasing its drop-off charge to £13 for up to 10 minutes - the equivalent of £1.30 every minute.

That's nearly twice the per-minute cost of staying at The Ritz.

Other expensive airports include:

• London City – £13 for 10 minutes (£1.30 per minute)
• Gatwick – £10 for 10 minutes (£1 per minute)
• Stansted – £10 for 10 minutes (£1 per minute)
• Edinburgh – £8.50 for 10 minutes (85p per minute)
• Bristol – £8.50 for 10 minutes (85p per minute)
• Bournemouth – £8 for 10 minutes (80p per minute)
• Leeds Bradford – £8 for 10 minutes (80p per minute)
• Norwich – £8 for 10 minutes (80p per minute)
• Southend – £8 for 10 minutes (80p per minute)

One airport can charge £27 if you stay too long

While Luton Airport initially charges £7 for the first 10 minutes, costs rise sharply after that.

Drivers pay an extra £1 for every additional minute, meaning anyone staying for the full 30-minute maximum could face a £27 bill.

That works out at an average of 90p a minute – still more than staying at The Ritz.

Families could be hit hardest

Parents travelling with young children, prams, car seats or lots of luggage are among those most likely to overstay the short time limits.

Alex Dyer, Managing Director of Ski Famille, said: "Airport drop-off is one of those costs people often forget until they are already at the terminal.

"If you're travelling with children, bags and bulky kit, five or 10 minutes can disappear very quickly.

"It's worth deciding before you leave home whether you're paying for the terminal forecourt or using the free car park and shuttle."

He urged families to check their airport's rules before travelling, including time limits, payment deadlines and whether free alternatives are available.

Could you avoid the charge altogether?

Many airports offer free drop-off areas, although they're usually located in long-stay or mid-stay car parks rather than directly outside the terminal.

Examples include:

• Gatwick – free long-stay drop-off with shuttle bus.
• Stansted – free mid-stay parking for up to one hour.
• Luton – free long-stay drop-off for up to two hours.
• Edinburgh – free long-stay drop-off for up to 30 minutes.
• Bristol – free waiting zone for up to one hour.
• Leeds Bradford – free one-hour parking area within walking distance.

The downside is that passengers may need to take a shuttle bus or walk to the terminal, potentially adding 10 to 20 minutes to the journey.

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Don't forget to pay

Some airports now operate barrier-free, cashless systems, meaning drivers must remember to pay online after leaving.

For example, Heathrow's £7 terminal drop-off fee must be paid by midnight the following day, with drivers who fail to pay facing an £80 parking charge, reduced to £40 if settled within 14 days.

Experts also warn motorists not to stop on airport approach roads, where cameras and enforcement vehicles can issue penalties of up to £100 for illegal stopping or parking.

With airport charges continuing to rise, a little planning before setting off could save families from paying more for a quick goodbye than a stay at one of London's most famous luxury hotels.