Heathrow drop-off charge: what it costs, how to pay and how to avoid it
The short answer: It costs £7 every time a vehicle enters a Heathrow terminal drop-off area, day or night. Pay online or by phone before you go, on the day or by midnight the next day, never at the terminal. Walking from a connected hotel, taking the train or using a Park & Ride car park avoids it.
Key takeaways
- The Heathrow drop-off charge is £7 each time a vehicle enters a terminal drop-off area, 24 hours a day.
- Pay online or by phone before your visit, on the day or by midnight the next day. You cannot pay at the airport.
- Missing the deadline brings an £80 Parking Charge, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.
- Drop-offs are free at Heathrow's Park & Ride car parks, which have a free shuttle bus to the terminal.
- A hotel you can walk from, or a train, means no car and no charge.
Heathrow charges £7 each time a vehicle enters a terminal drop-off area. The charge applies 24 hours a day, every day of the year, at Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. It is aimed at people who drive someone to the airport and leave, but it also applies to taxis and private-hire cars.
How the charge works
- It is per entry, not per passenger. The £7 covers the vehicle, however many people get out. If you leave the area and drive in again, you pay again.
- There are no barriers. The charge starts when you enter the drop-off area, so there is nothing to pay on the spot.
- You cannot pay at the airport. There is no payment at a ticket machine or in the drop-off zones.
- Card only. Heathrow does not take cash or cheques.
- No waiting. Pick-ups and waiting are not allowed in the drop-off areas, and an unattended vehicle can be towed.
How to pay
You can pay before your visit, on the day, or by midnight the following day. There are three ways to do it.
| Method | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Online as a guest | You need your email address and the vehicle registration. Guests can buy up to 20 trips at a time. |
| Personal account | Buy several trips for one vehicle, or set up autopay. Pre-paid trips expire after 12 months. |
| Automated phone line | 0330 008 5600, open 24 hours. |
The payment page is at heathrow.com/dropoff.
What happens if you do not pay
Non-payment brings an £80 Parking Charge, reduced to £40 if you pay within 14 days. The easiest way to avoid it is to pay the same day, before you forget.
Ways to avoid the charge
- Use a Park & Ride car park. Heathrow says drop-offs are free at its Park & Ride car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal.
- Blue Badge holders can get a 100% discount, but you have to register for it and Heathrow sets deadlines. Apply well before you travel.
- Go by rail. The Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line serve the terminals without a car. See our guides to the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line.
- Walk from your hotel. If you stay at a hotel connected to your terminal, there is no car to charge. The Hilton Garden Inn is attached to Terminal 2, Aerotel is inside Terminal 3, the Holiday Inn Express has a covered walkway to Terminal 4, and the Sofitel has one to Terminal 5.
Taxis and private hire
Heathrow says every black cab and private-hire vehicle pays the £7 each time it enters a drop-off area. Ask your driver or booking provider whether it is already in your fare. Our taxis and transfers guide has more on how fares work.
Terminal 4 pick-ups are different
Heathrow's page says a Terminal 4 Priority Pick-Up area was due to open on 23 June 2026, with charges based on time: £7 for up to 10 minutes, £14 for 11 to 29 minutes and £25 for 30 to 60 minutes. Terminal 4 drop-offs stay at £7.
How we checked this
We read Heathrow's drop-off charge page, its travel FAQs and the charge's terms and conditions on 14 November 2026. We have not paid the charge ourselves, so the steps above follow Heathrow's own description. Some hotel pages quote a slightly different figure for the charge: the IHG pages for the Terminal 4 Holiday Inn Express and Crowne Plaza say £7.20. We have used Heathrow's own £7, because it sets the charge. If you want the detail on how we check facts, read how we check Heathrow hotels.
If you are choosing a hotel by terminal, Airport Stay Guide has fuller comparisons.
Hotels mentioned
Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow
About 5 min, indoors
View hotel
Aerotel London Heathrow
About 5 min, indoors
View hotel
Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4
About 5 min, indoors
View hotel
Sofitel London Heathrow
About 5 min, indoors
View hotelFrequently asked questions
How much is the Heathrow drop-off charge?
£7 each time a vehicle enters a terminal drop-off area. It applies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Can I pay at the terminal?
No. You cannot pay at a ticket machine or in the drop-off zones. Pay online or by phone before your visit, on the day, or by midnight the following day.
What happens if I forget to pay?
Heathrow issues an £80 Parking Charge, reduced to £40 if you pay within 14 days.
Is there a free way to drop someone off?
Yes. Drop-offs are free at Heathrow's Park & Ride car parks, and a free shuttle bus runs from there to the terminal.
Do taxis pay the charge?
Heathrow says black cabs and private-hire vehicles pay £7 each time they enter a drop-off area. Ask whether it is included in your fare.
Do I pay again if I drive back in?
Yes. Each time a vehicle enters a drop-off area costs £7.
Sources
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