Heathrow drop-off charge 2026: what it costs and how to avoid it
Last checked 14 November 2026 by Alpine Chauffeurs, Nottingham
Quick answer
It costs £7 every time a car enters a terminal drop-off zone at Heathrow, at Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. There are no barriers. Cameras read your number plate, and you pay online or by phone, by midnight the day after at the latest. Miss it and you'll get an £80 Parking Charge Notice, cut to £40 if you pay within 14 days.
How the Heathrow drop-off charge works
The Terminal Drop-Off Charge rose from £6 to £7 on 1 January 2026. It applies 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and taxis and private hire cars pay it too. If you drive back into the zone, you pay again.
From January 2026 Heathrow also introduced a 10-minute maximum stay in the drop-off zones. They're for drop-offs only: you can't wait there, pick anyone up or leave the car unattended.
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Charge | £7 per entry |
| Where | All terminal forecourts: T2, T3, T4 and T5 |
| When | 24 hours a day, 365 days a year |
| How to pay | Online or by phone, in advance or by midnight the day after |
| If you don't pay | £80 Parking Charge Notice, £40 if paid within 14 days |
| Picking up | Not allowed in drop-off zones. Use Terminal Parking or Park & Ride |
Checked against heathrow.com on 14 November 2026.
Is there a free drop-off at Heathrow?
Yes. Drop-off at the Heathrow Park & Ride car parks is free, and a free bus takes passengers to the terminal. Blue Badge holders get the first 2 hours free there. It adds time, so allow for the bus when you plan.
Picking someone up from Heathrow
Pick-ups must be made from the Terminal Parking car parks or Park & Ride, not the drop-off forecourts. Terminal parking is charged by time, so a delayed long-haul flight can make a pick-up expensive.
Travelling from Nottingham? The charge is on us
Our Nottingham to Heathrow fare is a fixed £220 per car, with the drop-off charge and meet-and-greet parking included. We track your flight on the way home too.
Sources
Common questions
How much is the Heathrow drop-off charge?
£7 per entry since 1 January 2026, at every terminal.
When do I have to pay the Heathrow drop-off charge?
In advance, or afterwards by midnight the day after your visit, online or by phone.
What happens if I don't pay?
Heathrow issues an £80 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.
Do taxis and chauffeurs pay the drop-off charge?
Yes. All taxis and private hire vehicles pay it. With Alpine Chauffeurs it's already included in your fixed fare.
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