For private hire drivers, Heathrow recommends setting up a business AutoPay account. This gives you a full record of every drop-off, which is useful for expenses and accounting. It also allows you to manage any Blue Badge exemptions for passengers.
When Do You Need to Pay By?
You must pay the Heathrow drop-off charge by midnight on the day after your drop-off.
For example:You are dropping someone off at Heathrow Airport. You drive up to the terminal. You let them out. Simple, right?
Not quite. Heathrow charges every vehicle that enters a terminal drop-off zone. Miss the payment, and you get an £80 fine. Many travellers and drivers, including non-UK residents, do not know this charge exists until the fine arrives.
This guide explains everything, including what the Heathrow drop-off charge is, how much it costs, how to pay for Heathrow drop-off, and how to avoid it completely if you want to.
What Is the Heathrow Drop-Off Charge?
If you’re going to drop someone off at Heathrow Airport, you should know how to pay the drop-off charge at Heathrow. Heathrow Airport charges a fee every time a vehicle drives into a terminal forecourt to drop off a passenger.
It applies to all vehicles. Every car. Every driver. Every terminal. Every day of the year, including weekends and public holidays, 24 hours a day.
Here are the key facts for 2026:
- Charge amount: £7 per visit (increased from £5, updated January 2026)
- Where it applies: Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, and Terminal 5 forecourts
- When it applies: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Time limit in the zone: You must exit within 10 minutes of entering
- How you are tracked: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras read your vehicle registration plate the moment you enter the zone
There are no barriers or ticket machines at the drop-off zone. You will not be stopped or asked to pay on the spot. The camera records your plate automatically, and it is your responsibility to pay afterwards.
Why Does Heathrow Charge for Drop-Offs?
The charge was first introduced in November 2021 to reduce traffic congestion around the terminal buildings. However, it sparked a question among the people about how to pay Heathrow drop-off charges if we’re going to drop off our relatives or other loved ones.
Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world. Thousands of vehicles arrive every hour. Without a charge, drivers would park in the forecourt for extended periods, blocking the road for others.
The fee encourages drivers to drop passengers quickly and move on, keeping the forecourt clear and traffic flowing.
How to Pay the Heathrow Drop-Off Charge
There are 3 ways to pay. You can pay before your drop-off, on the day, or by midnight the following day. Do not wait longer than that; missing the deadline results in a fine.
You cannot pay at the airport. There are no machines at the terminal. There is no cash payment option on site.
The 3 payment methods are:
1. Online payment. Go to Heathrow’s official drop-off payment website and enter your vehicle registration number. This is how most people pay the drop-off charge at Heathrow. It takes under two minutes.
2. Automated telephone service Call 0330 008 5600 and follow the instructions. You will need your vehicle registration number ready. This is useful if you do not have internet access.
3. AutoPay account Set up an AutoPay account on the Heathrow website and link your vehicle and payment card. Every time your vehicle enters a drop-off zone, the £7 charge is taken automatically. You do not need to remember to pay each time.
The Easiest Option: Set Up AutoPay
If you drop someone off at Heathrow more than once, or if you are a private hire driver doing regular airport runs. AutoPay is by far the simplest solution.
Here is how it works:
- You register your vehicle and payment card on the Heathrow website once
- Every time your vehicle enters a terminal forecourt, £7 is charged automatically
- You receive a record of every drop-off in your account
Setting up the account takes approximately 10 minutes. After that, you never need to think about it again.
- You drop off a passenger on Monday at 6 am
- You must pay by midnight on Tuesday
If you pay on time: £7.
If you miss the deadline, you will receive a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) for £80. This is reduced to £40 if you pay within 14 days.
Missing the payment by even one day turns a £7 charge into an £80 fine. Pay on time.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay?
If you do not pay the Heathrow drop-off charge by midnight the following day, Heathrow will issue a PCN to the registered keeper of the vehicle.
The fine structure is:
| Payment timing | Amount |
| Pay on time (by midnight the next day) | £7 |
| PCN issued (missed payment) | £80 |
| PCN paid within 14 days (reduced rate) | £40 |
| PCN ignored (enforcement escalates) | Above £80 + additional costs |
Do not ignore a PCN. Unpaid fines escalate and can lead to debt collection action.
A note on scam messages:
There has been a rise in fake text messages and emails claiming to be from Heathrow about PCNs. Heathrow will contact you by post to the registered address of the vehicle. If you receive a text or email about a PCN you do not recognise, treat it with caution and check directly on the official Heathrow website before paying anything.
Terminal Drop-Off Locations and Postcodes
Each terminal has its own drop-off zone. Make sure you know which terminal your passenger is flying from before you arrive. Entering the wrong terminal forecourt still triggers the £7 charge.
| Terminal | Drop-off postcode | Airlines (examples) |
| Terminal 2 | TW6 1EW | United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Aer Lingus |
| Terminal 3 | TW6 1QG | American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic |
| Terminal 4 | TW6 3YD | Malaysia Airlines, Korean Air, and some charter flights |
| Terminal 5 | TW6 2GA | British Airways, Iberia |
Terminal 5 is used exclusively by British Airways and Iberia. If your passenger is flying with either of those airlines, they almost certainly need Terminal 5.
If you are unsure which terminal your passenger needs, check the airline’s website or the Heathrow Airport website before you travel. Arriving at the wrong terminal and driving to the correct one means paying the drop-off charge twice. Once at each forecourt.
Free Drop-Off Options: How to Avoid the Charge Completely
If you want to avoid paying the Heathrow drop-off charge entirely, there is a free option.
Heathrow Park & Ride car parks (previously called Long Stay Parking) offer up to 29 minutes of free parking. From there, your passenger can take a free shuttle bus to their terminal.
Here is how it works:
- Drive to the Park & Ride car park instead of the terminal forecourt
- Park for free (up to 29 minutes, no charge)
- Your passenger takes the free shuttle bus to the terminal
- Shuttle buses run every 10–15 minutes, and the journey takes approximately 5 minutes
This option is completely free.
It is best suited to passengers with plenty of time before their flight and who are comfortable with a short bus transfer. For passengers with heavy luggage, mobility issues, or tight departure times, the terminal forecourt drop-off at £7 is the more practical choice.
Short Stay Car Parks: If You Need More Time
If you need to stay longer than 10 minutes at the terminal, for example, to help an elderly passenger with luggage or to wait for a delayed check-in, the Short Stay car parks are located within a 2-minute walk of each terminal.
Current 2026 Short Stay pricing:
| Stay duration | Price |
| Up to 29 minutes | £7.50 |
| 30–44 minutes | £11.00 |
| 45–59 minutes | £13.50 |
Short Stay is more expensive than the £7 forecourt drop-off for quick visits, but gives you more time and flexibility if the drop-off is not straightforward.
ULEZ: An Extra Charge for Non-Compliant Vehicles
If your vehicle does not meet the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards, you will need to pay an additional £12.50 per day charge when driving in the ULEZ area, which includes Heathrow’s terminal drop-off zones.
ULEZ applies to:
- Petrol cars older than 2006 (pre-Euro 4)
- Diesel cars older than 2015 (pre-Euro 6)
If your vehicle is newer than these dates, it is almost certainly ULEZ-compliant, and you will not pay the extra charge.
Electric vehicles are ULEZ-compliant and pay no ULEZ charge, but they are not exempt from the £7 Heathrow drop-off fee. The two charges are separate.
Check your vehicle’s ULEZ compliance on the Transport for London (TfL) website before travelling.
Are Any Vehicles Exempt from the Drop-Off Charge?
Most vehicles are not exempt. However, there are 2 specific exemptions:
Blue Badge holders: If the passenger being dropped off holds a valid Blue Badge disability permit, you can apply for an exemption from the drop-off charge. You must apply online before your journey. The exemption is not automatic. Once approved, it is linked to your vehicle registration.
Emergency vehicles: Ambulances, police vehicles, and other emergency service vehicles are automatically exempt.
Private hire vehicles (PCO drivers): Not exempt. No discount applies, even for electric vehicles. PCO drivers pay the same £7 charge as any other vehicle.
How to Pay the Drop-Off Charge at Heathrow
Here is everything in one place for quick reference:
- Charge: £7 per vehicle per visit (2026 rate)
- Pay by: Midnight the day after your drop-off
- Pay online: Heathrow official drop-off website (enter your registration)
- Pay by phone: 0330 008 5600 via automated telephone service
- AutoPay: Set up once, charged automatically every time
- Fine for non-payment: £80 (reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days)
- Free option: Park & Ride car parks, up to 29 minutes free + shuttle bus to terminal
- Time limit in zone: 10 minutes maximum
- Tracking method: ANPR cameras, no barriers, no ticket, automatic
Note:
Payments cannot be made at airport ticket machines or within the terminal drop-off areas.
Avoid the Drop-Off Charge Entirely: Go With a Pre-Booked Transfer
If you are travelling to Heathrow yourself (not dropping someone else off) a pre-booked private hire taxi handles the drop-off charge as part of the service.
With Virginia Water Cars, the £7 Heathrow drop-off charge is included in your quoted fixed fare. There is nothing extra to pay on the day, no registration to submit, and no payment deadline to remember. Your driver manages it. You focus on your flight.
Virginia Water Cars provides Heathrow airport transfers from Virginia Water, Ascot, Egham, Sunningdale, Chertsey, and the surrounding Surrey area to all 4 Heathrow terminals. From £40, fixed fare, all-inclusive.
Get an instant quote for your Heathrow transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay the Heathrow drop-off charge?
Pay online via the official Heathrow drop-off website using your vehicle registration number, by phone on 0330 008 5600, or automatically via an AutoPay account. You cannot pay on site at the terminal.
How much is the drop-off charge at Heathrow in 2026?
£7 per vehicle per visit, updated January 2026. This applies to all terminals, 24 hours a day.
What happens if I forget to pay the Heathrow drop-off charge?
You will receive a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) of £80. This reduces to £40 if paid within 14 days. Always pay by midnight the day after your drop-off to avoid any fine.
Can I drop off for free at Heathrow?
Yes. Use the Park & Ride car parks for up to 29 minutes free. A shuttle bus transfers passengers to the terminal in approximately 5 minutes. This avoids the £7 forecourt charge entirely.
Do electric cars pay the Heathrow drop-off charge?
Yes. Electric vehicles are exempt from ULEZ charges but are not exempt from the £7 drop-off charge. All vehicles entering the terminal forecourts pay the same fee.
How long can I stay in the Heathrow drop-off zone?
10 minutes maximum. If you need longer, use the Short Stay car parks located within a 2-minute walk of each terminal.
