There’s no barrier at Heathrow’s drop-off zones, no ticket machine, and no one waving you down. So it feels free.
It isn’t. A camera reads your plate the moment you pull in. Because there’s no barrier to stop you entering, the bill still follows by post if you skip payment.
Since 1 January 2026, that charge is £7 a visit, at every terminal. So here’s exactly how it works, and how to avoid getting caught out.
How the charge actually works
ANPR cameras record your number plate the moment you enter a terminal forecourt. Because there’s no barrier, nothing stops you driving in — but the £7 charge applies regardless.
It’s a flat fee per entry, not a per-minute rate. So a 30-second goodbye costs exactly the same as the full ten minutes.
Since January 2026, there’s also a 10-minute maximum stay. Payment is due online, by phone, or via autopay, by midnight the following day. But cash isn’t accepted, and there’s nowhere in the terminal to pay in person.
What happens if you forget
Miss the deadline and the £7 charge becomes an £80 Parking Charge Notice. Pay within 14 days and it drops to £40. But forgetting isn’t accepted as grounds for appeal, so it’s worth paying the moment you’re through security.
| Situation | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Standard drop-off, paid on time | £7 per visit |
| Missed the payment deadline | £80 fine (£40 if paid within 14 days) |
| Free alternative: Long Stay / Park & Ride | Free for the first 29 minutes, then normal parking rates |
| Blue Badge holders | Exempt, once registered via a free Blue Badge Account |
Figures reflect Heathrow’s published Terminal Drop-Off Charge as of January 2026. Rates and rules are set by Heathrow Airport, not by DirectAirportTaxi.com — check heathrow.com for the current terms before you travel.
Legal ways to avoid it
The Long Stay and Park & Ride car parks are free for the first 29 minutes. A shuttle bus runs straight to the terminal from there.
Or drop at Hatton Cross station instead. Your passenger can then ride the last stop into the terminal on the Piccadilly line, free of charge.
The simplest option, though, is not driving in yourself at all. So book a pre-arranged transfer instead, and the charge is never your problem.
So what should you actually do?
Dropping someone off yourself? Then pay the £7 online the same day, well before the midnight deadline.
Want to avoid the charge entirely? Use Park & Ride, or the Hatton Cross Tube trick, if you’ve got the extra time to spare.
Would rather not think about it at all? Book a fixed-price transfer instead — every fare through DirectAirportTaxi.com already includes the drop-off charge, so there’s nothing extra to pay.
Skip the charge altogether
Every fixed-price Heathrow transfer includes the drop-off charge — no separate payment, no deadline to remember.
Get a quoteFrequently asked questions
How much is the Heathrow drop-off charge?
It’s a flat £7 per visit, the same at Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. It rose from £6 on 1 January 2026.
Does the drop-off charge apply to taxis and private hire vehicles?
Yes. All vehicles entering a terminal forecourt are charged, including taxis, minicabs and private hire cars. But with a pre-booked, fixed-price transfer, that cost is already built into your fare.
What happens if I forget to pay?
The £7 charge becomes an £80 Parking Charge Notice. So pay online, by phone, or via autopay before midnight the day after your visit. Do that within 14 days of the fine and it drops to £40.
Is there a free way to drop someone off at Heathrow?
Yes — Long Stay and Park & Ride are free for the first 29 minutes, with a shuttle bus to the terminal. Dropping at Hatton Cross and riding one stop on the Piccadilly line is free too.
Does the drop-off charge also apply when picking someone up?
No. The Terminal Drop-Off Charge only covers the forecourt drop-off zones. So for picking someone up, use the free waiting time at the Long Stay or Park & Ride car parks instead.
Do Direct Airport Taxi fares include the drop-off charge?
Yes. Every fixed-price fare already includes Heathrow’s terminal charges, so you’re never billed separately, and there’s no deadline to remember.
Ready to book a Heathrow transfer with no extra charges?
Get a fixed price for your exact pickup address, with every airport fee already included — no card required.
Disclaimer: DirectAirportTaxi.com is a free travel information and marketing website. We do not accept taxi bookings directly, and we do not operate any vehicles. When you click to check prices or book a journey, you are securely transferred to a fully licensed UK Private Hire Operator to complete your trip.