More than half of the UK’s biggest airports have raised their pick-up parking fees, new research by the RAC has found.

RAc says check parking fees and time limits well before setting out for an airport this summer

A total of 13 airports have hiked their pick-up parking prices, with London Luton having raised its prices by more than any other this year. It now costs £8 for a stay of up to 30 minutes at Luton; up by £1 on 2017 when the minimum permitted stay was 40 minutes.

In terms of airports which have increased their prices the most, Southampton tops the table by doubling its initial fee from £1 to £2, although drivers can now stay for up to 15 minutes rather than the previous 10.

Although there fewer price rises when it comes to using drop-off zones, the RAC said the costs still remain sky-high at some airports.  London Stansted has the most expensive initial charge for dropping off, at £3.50 for a stay up to 10 minutes. But Manchester charges the highest per minute fees, with a five-minute stay costing £3; the charges were introduced this year after the airport scrapped its previous free drop-off zone.

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis added: “Drivers should also be aware of just how high some charges can be if they inadvertently stay longer picking up or dropping off than they originally meant to. We advise doing some research before heading to the airport and seeing if there are any cheaper parking options available.”