If you're driving to Heathrow Airport, there's a £5 drop-off charge you need to know about before you arrive. The Heathrow Forecourt Access Charge applies to anyone dropping off (or picking up) passengers at any of the four terminals, and there are several ways to pay — but only one way to avoid a £100 penalty.
This guide covers everything: how much it costs, how to pay, where it applies, which vehicles are exempt, and how to avoid the charge entirely. Updated June 2026.
What is the Heathrow Drop-Off Charge?
The Heathrow Forecourt Access Charge is a £5 fee for any vehicle that drops off or picks up passengers at the airport's terminal forecourts. It was introduced in November 2021 to reduce congestion and emissions, and applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across all four terminals.
Unlike most UK road charges, the Heathrow charge applies to a single visit — meaning if you drop off and then return to pick up later the same day, you pay £5 each time. The charge is operated by Heathrow Airport Limited and is separate from the London ULEZ or any council parking charges.
Which Terminals Does the Charge Cover?
The £5 charge applies to all four Heathrow forecourts:
- Terminal 2 (The Queen's Terminal) — Star Alliance carriers
- Terminal 3 — Oneworld carriers, Virgin Atlantic and Delta
- Terminal 4 — Qatar Airways, Etihad, KLM and SkyTeam carriers
- Terminal 5 — British Airways and Iberia
The charge applies regardless of how long you spend on the forecourt — even a 30-second drop-off triggers it. ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras at every entrance capture your registration plate the moment you enter the forecourt zone.
How to Pay the Heathrow Drop-Off Charge
There are three ways to pay, but only the first two avoid penalty charges:
1. Pay Online Before You Arrive (Recommended)
Pay in advance at heathrow.com/drop-off-charge. You'll need your vehicle registration. Payment can be made up to 24 hours before or after your visit. This is the simplest, cheapest way.
2. Pay Online Within 48 Hours After Your Visit
If you forget, you have a 48-hour window to pay the standard £5 fee online without penalty. After 48 hours, the price increases to £10 (the Penalty Charge Notice). Beyond that, you may receive a £100 fine.
3. Auto Pay Account
Frequent visitors can set up Heathrow's Auto Pay account which automatically charges your registered card after each visit.
You cannot pay in cash on the day — there are no payment kiosks at the forecourts. The system is entirely digital.
Who is Exempt from the Charge?
Several vehicle types and situations are exempt:
- Blue Badge holders — disabled drivers and passengers are exempt, but you need to register the vehicle with Heathrow in advance via their Blue Badge exemption form.
- Licensed black cabs and private hire vehicles — taxis like ours are exempt provided we use designated pickup/drop-off zones. This is why a pre-booked taxi is often cheaper than driving yourself.
- Buses and coaches — use the central bus station, not forecourts.
- Electric vehicles — currently not exempt, despite their low emissions.
How to Avoid the Drop-Off Charge Entirely
Two free options exist:
Long Stay Car Parks (Free Drop-Off Zone)
Park in the Long Stay car parks at any terminal and take the free Heathrow Express bus shuttle to the terminal. You'll need to pay for parking time (about £4.50 for 30 minutes), but no drop-off charge applies. This adds 10-15 minutes to your journey.
POP! Pick-Up Zone
Use Heathrow's POP! zones at the Long Stay car parks where the first 30 minutes are free. Drop your passenger and they take the shuttle to the terminal.
Book a Taxi (No Charge to You)
The simplest option is to book a pre-arranged taxi. Licensed taxis are exempt from the charge, so neither you nor we pay the £5 — you avoid the fee entirely and the inconvenience of paying online afterwards. Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead transfers start from £22-31.
What Happens if You Don't Pay?
If you don't pay within 48 hours, Heathrow issues a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN):
- £5 — paid within 48 hours of visit
- £10 — paid between 48 hours and 14 days
- £40-£100 — formal PCN if not paid within 14 days
- Court action — repeated non-payment can result in CCJs and debt collector contact
The PCN is sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle (whoever the DVLA has on record). If you rented or borrowed a vehicle, the registered keeper gets the fine and is liable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Heathrow drop-off charge in 2026?
The charge is £5 per drop-off or pick-up visit. It applies 24/7 at all four terminals and must be paid online — there are no payment kiosks on the forecourt.
Is there a way to drop someone at Heathrow for free?
Yes — use the Long Stay POP! zones (first 30 minutes free) and have your passenger take the free Heathrow shuttle bus to the terminal. Alternatively, book a licensed taxi which is exempt from the charge.
Are electric vehicles exempt from the Heathrow drop-off charge?
No. Electric vehicles are currently not exempt — the same £5 charge applies regardless of the vehicle's emissions.
What happens if I drop off twice in one day?
You pay £5 for each visit. The system uses ANPR cameras to log every entry, so two separate trips = £10.
Can I pay the Heathrow drop-off charge in cash?
No. Payment is online-only via heathrow.com or the Auto Pay account. You have 24 hours before or 48 hours after your visit to pay the standard £5 without penalty.
Book Your Heathrow Transfer
Skip the hassle of driving, parking, and drop-off charges. Get an instant quote for a fixed-price airport transfer with flight monitoring included, or call 01753 575757. We cover all four Heathrow terminals 24/7.
