| Charge | £7 per visit |
| Time limit | Up to 10 minutes, drop-off only |
| How to pay | Online, phone or AutoPay, by midnight next day |
| Penalty if unpaid | £80 (reduced to £40 within 14 days) |
| Free alternative | Long Stay car park, free 30 min, free shuttle |
| Exempt | Registered Blue Badge holders, emergency vehicles |
Charge confirmed at £7 from 1 January 2026. Last verified: 2026-06-21.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Heathrow drop-off charge?+
Heathrow charges £7 for every vehicle entering a terminal drop-off zone, applied per visit, 24 hours a day. The charge rose to £7 from 1 January 2026. There are no barriers or payment machines in the drop-off area; cameras read your number plate automatically.
How do I pay the Heathrow drop-off charge?+
You cannot pay at the airport itself. Pay online on Heathrow's official drop-off charge page, by phone, or by setting up AutoPay so it is taken automatically. Payment must be made by midnight on the day after your visit to avoid a penalty.
How do I avoid the Heathrow drop-off charge?+
Use one of Heathrow's free alternatives instead of the terminal forecourt. The Long Stay car parks (Terminals 2 and 3, and Terminal 5) are free for the first 30 minutes and have a free shuttle bus to the terminal. If you book a taxi with us, the drop-off charge is already included in your fare, so there is nothing for you to pay or arrange.
Is there a time limit for Heathrow drop-off?+
Yes. The £7 covers a stay of up to 10 minutes in the terminal forecourt. It is a drop-off zone only, so you cannot wait or park there. Cameras log your entry and exit times automatically.
What happens if I forget to pay the Heathrow drop-off charge?+
If you do not pay by midnight the day after your visit, Heathrow issues a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) of £80, usually reduced to £40 if you pay within 14 days. Because the system uses number plate recognition, an unpaid visit will be detected, so pay promptly or use AutoPay.
Who is exempt from the Heathrow drop-off charge?+
Blue Badge holders are exempt, but the vehicle must be registered for the exemption in advance on Heathrow's website; the camera will not recognise a badge automatically. Certain emergency vehicles are also exempt.
Do I have to pay the drop-off charge if I book a taxi with you?+
No. Our fixed fares already include the Heathrow drop-off charge, so there is nothing extra to pay at the terminal and nothing for you to claim back. The price you are quoted is the price you pay.
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Authoritative source: Heathrow Airport, official Terminal Drop-Off Charge page. Last verified: 2026-06-21.