If you are driving someone to their flight, the Heathrow drop off charge is worth sorting out before you set off rather than after. Since 1 January 2026 it costs £7 to pull into the forecourt drop off zone at Terminals 2, 3, 4 or 5, there is now a maximum stay of 10 minutes, and payment is due by midnight the day after your visit. Leave it later than that and a Parking Charge Notice follows.
At Wallington Cars and Couriers we have been driving passengers to Heathrow for over 40 years from Wallington, Sutton, Croydon and Carshalton. Our drivers use those forecourts daily, so this guide covers what the charge includes, how payment works, and the legitimate ways to pay nothing at all. If you would rather skip the admin entirely, ask us for a quote for your journey on our Heathrow airport transfer service and we will confirm exactly what is included before you book.
What the Heathrow Drop Off Charge Actually Is
The charge applies to any vehicle entering the designated drop off zones on the forecourts outside Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. These are the bays closest to check in and departures, which is why they carry a fee. Heathrow calls it the Terminal Drop-Off Charge, and it has been in place since November 2021.
There are no barriers and no ticket machines. Cameras using automatic number plate recognition read your registration as you enter the zone, and the charge is triggered at that moment. It makes no difference whether you stop for thirty seconds or the full ten minutes. There is no free grace period, which is the single thing that catches most drivers out.
How Much Is the Heathrow Drop Off Charge in 2026?
It is £7 per entry, at every terminal. The price does not vary by terminal, by time of day, or by vehicle size.
- Charge per visit: £7 at Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Maximum stay: 10 minutes
- Previous rate: £6, which applied through 2025
- Payment deadline: midnight the day after your visit
- Penalty for non payment: £80, reduced to £40 if you pay within 14 days
Two things changed on 1 January 2026 at the same time. The fee went up from £6 to £7, and the 10 minute maximum stay was introduced. If you have used Heathrow before and remember it differently, that is why.
One point worth knowing if you enter the zone twice. Each entry is charged separately. If you leave the forecourt and come back, for any reason, that is another £7.
How to Pay the Heathrow Drop Off Charge
You cannot pay at the airport. There is no machine in the terminal and no booth on the forecourt. Payment is online or by phone only, and card only.
- Online: through Heathrow’s official payment portal, operated by APCOA
- By phone: the automated service on 0330 008 5600
- Autopay: set up a personal or business account and the charge is taken automatically
- In advance: you can pre-pay up to 12 months ahead, and the credit is applied to your next visit
Use the official portal rather than a search result. Unofficial payment sites exist for most airport charges and they are not worth the risk.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay
Miss the midnight deadline and a Parking Charge Notice is issued for £80, reduced to £40 if you pay it within 14 days. Because the system is entirely automatic and there is nothing to sign or collect at the airport, the first many drivers hear of it is the notice arriving in the post weeks later. If you have a query or need a refund, APCOA customer services handle it on 0333 200 7459.
How to Drop Off at Heathrow for Free
There is a legitimate free option. Heathrow’s Park & Ride car parks, previously called Long Stay, allow free drop off, and passengers take a free bus transfer to the terminal doors. It costs nothing, and the trade off is time. Budget for the shuttle and the extra walk, particularly with heavy luggage, small children or an early departure.
Blue Badge holders can apply to Heathrow for a discount, though you need to register in advance rather than at the barrier. Exemptions and concessions do change, so check the current position on Heathrow’s own page before you travel.
Can You Pick Someone Up in the Drop Off Zone?
No. Pick ups and waiting are not permitted in the drop off areas, and vehicles must not be left unattended. Heathrow is explicit that unattended vehicles may be removed. For arrivals, use the Park & Ride car parks or the designated pick up areas instead.
Does the Charge Apply to Taxis and Private Hire?
Yes. Heathrow applies the £7 Terminal Drop-Off Charge to black cabs and private hire vehicles in exactly the same way as to private cars, every time they enter a drop off zone. Any operator telling you the forecourt is free for them is mistaken.
What it does mean is that the charge is one line of admin you do not have to deal with yourself. When you book a transfer, ask for the quote to confirm whether the terminal charge is included, so there is no question about it at the end of the journey.
One Extra Cost to Watch: ULEZ
Heathrow’s terminal drop off areas sit inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone. If your vehicle does not meet the emissions standards, a £12.50 daily ULEZ charge applies on top of the £7 drop off fee. Most newer cars are compliant, but it is worth checking your registration if you are unsure, because the two charges are separate and are enforced separately.
Heathrow and Gatwick Compared
If you use both airports it is worth knowing they are priced differently. Heathrow charges £7 per entry with a 10 minute limit. Gatwick charges more. We cover the detail in our guide to the Gatwick drop off charge, including how payment and penalties work there.
Common Questions
How much is it to drop someone off at Heathrow?
£7 each time your vehicle enters a terminal drop off zone, at all four terminals, with a maximum stay of 10 minutes.
Is it cheaper to get a taxi to Heathrow than to drive and pay to park?
It depends on how long the car would sit there. For a short trip, driving and paying £7 to drop off is usually the cheaper option. Once you factor in parking for a week, fuel both ways, ULEZ if your vehicle is not compliant, and two round trips to the airport rather than one, a booked transfer often works out better. Get a quote for your specific journey and compare it against the real total rather than the drop off fee alone.
Can I pay the Heathrow drop off charge after I have left?
Yes, up to midnight on the day after your visit. After that the £80 Parking Charge Notice applies.
Do I pay twice if I go round again?
Yes. Every entry into a drop off zone is charged separately, so a second loop is another £7.
Charges verified against Heathrow’s published Terminal Drop-Off Charge information on 16 September 2026. Airport charges change without notice, so please reconfirm before you travel.
Travelling from Wallington, Sutton, Carshalton, Croydon or anywhere else in South London? Get in touch for a quote and we will sort the journey, the terminal and the paperwork.