You cannot pick up passengers on the Heathrow Terminal 4 forecourt. Since June 2026, all Terminal 4 passenger parking has moved to Zone A of the Terminal 4 Park and Ride car park, connected to the terminal doors by a free shuttle bus running roughly every 15 minutes — and parking there is free for the first 29 minutes. This guide covers exactly where to go, what changed, and what it costs if you stay longer.
Can you pick up at the Terminal 4 forecourt?
No. Heathrow does not allow passenger pick-ups or waiting on any terminal forecourt, including Terminal 4. The set-down areas directly outside the terminal are for dropping off only, with a 10-minute limit and a £7 charge, and they are monitored by number-plate cameras.
Every legitimate Terminal 4 collection now happens from the Park and Ride car park.
What changed at Terminal 4 in 2026
Terminal 4's former multi-storey passenger car park closed on 23 June 2026 for redevelopment. All passenger parking — including pick-ups — moved to Zone A of the Terminal 4 Park and Ride car park. If you've collected from T4 before and remember walking straight from a nearby multi-storey, that option no longer exists; the Park and Ride shuttle and the new Priority Pick-Up area (below) are now the only routes in.
Priority Pick-Up — the paid fast-track option
Alongside the car park closure, Heathrow opened a Priority Pick-Up area at Terminal 4 — a paid alternative for drivers who want to collect a passenger without the Park and Ride shuttle. It's reached via Salisbury Road from the Terminal 4 roundabout, staying in the right-hand lanes, and has no barriers or ticket machines.
| Time | Cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | £7.00 |
| 11-29 minutes | £14.00 |
| 30-60 minutes | £25.00 |
| Over 60 minutes | £25.00 per additional hour |
| Daily maximum | £200.00 |
Priority Pick-Up is designed for brief collections only — vehicles must not be left unattended in this area. Payment is due by midnight the day after your visit, the same deadline as the £7 forecourt drop-off charge. For most travellers the free Park and Ride option is the better choice; Priority Pick-Up suits anyone who wants to skip the shuttle bus and is happy to pay for the convenience.
Where is the Terminal 4 pick-up point?
Park in Zone A of the Terminal 4 Park and Ride car park, then take the free shuttle bus, which runs approximately every 15 minutes to and from the terminal doors. Agree a meeting point with your passenger by text before they board the shuttle out to you, or wait for them to bring your car to the shuttle drop-off if you're the one flying.
Pay on exit by card at the barrier, or at a pay-on-foot machine before you leave. Always check the live tariff on the official Heathrow passenger pick-up page before you travel, as arrangements can change.
Terminal 4 pick-up charges in 2026
| Time parked | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| 0-29 minutes | Free |
| 30 minutes to just under 2 hours | ~£9.40 |
The free 29-minute window makes Terminal 4 one of the easier Heathrow terminals for a no-cost pick-up — but remember to build in the 15-minute shuttle interval at each end when timing your visit, so the clock doesn't run out before your passenger even reaches the car park.
Picking up in an Uber, Bolt or taxi
The forecourt rule applies to ride-hailing and private hire vehicles too. An Uber or Bolt driver cannot collect you from outside Terminal 4 — the apps direct the driver to the Park and Ride car park, and any parking fee is added to your fare.
A pre-booked private hire transfer works differently. The driver waits in the approved car park, and any car-park fee is built into the fixed price you agreed when you booked, so there's nothing extra to settle at the airport.
Step by step: meeting an arrival at Terminal 4
- Check the flight first. Confirm the landing time before you set off, and allow 25 to 40 minutes after landing for immigration and baggage.
- Drive to Zone A of the Terminal 4 Park and Ride car park and park in a bay.
- Agree a meeting point with your passenger by text, timed around the 15-minute shuttle interval.
- Stay under 29 minutes to avoid a charge, or budget ~£9.40 if you expect a longer wait.
- Pay on exit by card at the barrier, or at a pay-on-foot machine.
A simpler option: book a meet and greet transfer
If you're arranging a collection for someone flying into Terminal 4, a pre-booked transfer removes the car-park and shuttle-timing admin entirely. The driver tracks the flight, waits in the approved car park, and meets the passenger inside arrivals with a name board. Any car-park fee is already inside the fixed price.
For passengers heading home to Buckinghamshire, our Aylesbury to Heathrow taxi service covers T4 collections at a single fixed price alongside every other Heathrow terminal.
How this differs from the drop-off charge
Drop-off uses the terminal forecourt and costs a flat £7 per visit with a 10-minute limit. Pick-up is not allowed on the forecourt at all, so you pay the Park and Ride tariff instead — free for the first 29 minutes at T4. For the full breakdown of the set-down fee, see our Heathrow drop-off charge guide.
Not sure which terminal you're collecting from? Our Heathrow terminals guide lists which airlines use T2, T3, T4 and T5.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pick someone up from Heathrow Terminal 4?
Does Terminal 4 have a pick-up point?
Is there a pick-up charge at Heathrow Terminal 4?
Can you pick up for free at Terminal 4?
What changed at Terminal 4 in 2026?
How long should I allow after the flight lands?
What is Terminal 4 Priority Pick-Up?
Can I pick someone up from Terminal 4 at any time of day?
Book a fixed-price Heathrow Terminal 4 collection from Aylesbury →
Heathrow drop-off charge explained →