Leeds Bradford Airport sits between Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate, about eight miles from the centres of Leeds and Bradford, with a single terminal that is in the middle of a major expansion. It has no railway station, and its buses usually run only from about 6am to 10pm, so for an early flight a car or taxi is often the only practical way in. This guide covers what is worth knowing before you fly from Leeds Bradford: the way in, what drop-off costs and where to stop for free, security, and which parking suits your trip.
Getting there by car
The airport is signposted from the M1, the M62 and the Yorkshire section of the A1, and its car parks are reached from Whitehouse Lane. The postcode LS19 7TU takes you to the access road for the Pick Up and Drop Off, Meet & Greet and Short Stay car parks. For any other car park, use the postcode in your parking confirmation and go straight there.
- From Leeds and the east, take the A65 towards Horsforth and Yeadon, then the A658 to the airport.
- From Bradford and the south, take the M606 into Bradford and the A658 north.
- From Harrogate and the north, come south on the A658 through Pool-in-Wharfedale.
The airport has a travel disruption page for events that may affect the roads, so check it before a busy morning. Fog has disrupted flights at Leeds Bradford before, so on a misty morning, check your flight status before you leave too.
Drop-off: there is no forecourt lane
You cannot stop outside the terminal at Leeds Bradford. There are two places to drop off instead:
- The Pick Up and Drop Off car park, about a minute's walk from the terminal: £8 for up to 10 minutes, £10 for up to 20 minutes, £13.50 for up to 30 minutes and £16.50 for up to an hour. Cameras record your time, and you pay at the exit barrier by card or Apple Pay.
- The free option is the One Hour Free Parking Zone in the Mid Stay car park, free for up to an hour. It is about a five-minute walk to the terminal, up a slight incline, and an accessible shuttle runs around every 20 minutes. Stay over the hour, or leave and come back within it, and the Mid Stay hourly rate applies.
- Blue Badge holders get up to an hour in the Pick Up and Drop Off car park for the standard £8. Display the badge and press the help button at the exit barrier.
- Electric vehicles get 50% off the £8, through the barrier intercom. EVs no longer park free.
Do not stop on the airport's access roads, which are a no-stopping zone. If you are parking rather than being dropped off, none of this applies. Our drop-off charges guide compares Leeds Bradford with every other UK airport.
Security, and the terminal works
Leeds Bradford's newer security scanners mean laptops and tablets can stay in your bag. Liquids must still be in containers of 100ml or less, but you can take as many of those containers as you like. Other airports differ, so pack the bag for home for the airport you fly back from.
The terminal is in the middle of a £100 million expansion. The first phase, with a new arrivals area and baggage reclaim, is open, and the refurbishment of the existing terminal is due to finish at the end of 2026. Until then, the way through departures can change, so follow the signs on the day.
How early to arrive
Leeds Bradford does not publish a single arrival time, so go by your airline's check-in and bag-drop times, on your booking. Then add the time from your car park:
- The car parks we sell further out: about 2 to 5 minutes by shuttle, plus the wait for it.
- The airport's Short Stay: about a two-minute walk.
Which parking suits which trip
Before You Fly lists every Leeds Bradford car park we sell in one table, cheapest first. When we compared prices for an eight-day trip booked about three months ahead, the car parks with a shuttle were close together:
- Park2Travel Outdoor was the cheapest, at around £74, with a two-minute transfer. Its indoor car park was around £82.
- The airport's Long Stay was around £79, and Sentinel Security Parking around £80, both about five minutes by shuttle.
- The airport's Short Stay, two minutes' walk from the terminal, was around £138 for the same eight days, so it is best for a day or two.
With so little between the long-stay options, pick the one with the transfer and security features you prefer. Prices move with the dates, so compare them for your trip. Whichever you pick, book the flexible rate if your dates might move. It can be cancelled up to 72 hours before arrival for a full refund; see the cancellation FAQs.
Lounge and hotels
The Six Eight One Lounge is in the newly extended terminal, with a chef-prepared buffet, a complimentary bar, free Wi-Fi and a 65-seat quiet area with workstations. Booking in advance guarantees entry; Priority Pass and DragonPass members can also walk up, subject to space. Compare it on our Leeds Bradford lounges page.
Because early buses do not run, a hotel the night before is worth pricing up for a dawn flight. The Premier Inn Leeds Bradford Airport and the Britannia Leeds Bradford Airport are among the nearby hotels. Search Leeds Bradford hotels.
Getting there by bus
FLYER buses, run by Transdev, go direct from Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate, and link with Leeds and Bradford Interchange stations, with through rail and bus tickets available. Services usually run from about 6am to 10pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays, so check the first bus against your check-in time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drop off outside the terminal at Leeds Bradford?
No. There is no forecourt lane. Use the Pick Up and Drop Off car park, about a minute's walk from the terminal, from £8 for up to 10 minutes, or the One Hour Free Parking Zone in the Mid Stay car park, about a five-minute walk.
Is there free drop-off at Leeds Bradford Airport?
Yes, in the One Hour Free Parking Zone in the Mid Stay car park, free for up to an hour. Leaving and coming back within the hour means paying the Mid Stay hourly rate.
Can I take liquids over 100ml through security at Leeds Bradford?
No. Liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less, although you can take as many as you like, and laptops and tablets can stay in your bag.
Can I get to Leeds Bradford Airport by public transport for an early flight?
Often not. The FLYER buses usually run from about 6am to 10pm, and there is no railway station at the airport. For an early departure, drive and park, book a taxi, or stay in an airport hotel the night before.
What is the cheapest parking at Leeds Bradford?
In our comparison for an eight-day trip, Park2Travel Outdoor was the cheapest, at around £74, with the airport's Long Stay only a few pounds more. Compare Leeds Bradford parking for your dates.
Sorted before you fly.
