Heathrow Drop Off And Pick Up Guide
Heathrow charges £7 each time a vehicle drops off by the terminals no matter if you are here to pick up or dropping off. This is right outside the terminal buildings. Remember, you must follow the rules and not leave your car alone. Breaking the rules can get your car taken away.
This charge helps Heathrow with its traffic and environment plans. The money raised supports green transport projects. Heathrow aims to make drop-off fair and manageable for all drivers.
If you don't pay, you might get a PCN of £80, reduced to £40 if you pay within 14 days. Heathrow aims to make parking easy and fair for everyone.
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Heathrow Drop Off Options
At Heathrow Airport, you have lots of parking options for dropping off friends or family. You can park close to the terminal for quick goodbyes or choose longer stay options. Every choice is there to make your life easier when dropping off passengers. There is no on-site payment — you must pay online or by phone, either before your visit or by midnight on the day after.
1 -Drop Off Zone
The Drop-Off Zone gives you direct access to the terminal doors and is perfect when you're in a hurry. Each visit costs £7, paid online or by phone. Non-payment brings a PCN of £80 (£40 if paid within 14 days).
If your vehicle does not meet ULEZ standards (Euro 4 for petrol, Euro 6 for diesel), you will also pay an additional £12.50 per day. Check your vehicle's compliance on the TfL website, or compare our non-ULEZ Heathrow car parks to avoid the charge.
2- Terminal Car Park
Planning a quick visit or a short meeting? The Terminal Car Park (formerly short stay) is just right. It's just a 2-minute walk to the terminal.
There is £8.00 fee for the first 29 minutes for all travellers. This means you can be in and out with very little hassle and no extra cost.
You can find more information at Official Heathrow terminal car park page.
3- Park And Ride Car Park
The Park And Ride Car Park (formerly long stay) lets you drop off for free, then take a free bus to the terminal — ideal if you want to avoid the £7 forecourt charge altogether.
Everyone gets 30 minutes free, and Blue Badge holders can park for the first 2 hours at no cost. See our Official Heathrow park and ride car park page for full details.
| Parking Option | Key Features | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Drop Off Zone | Immediate terminal access | £7 per entry; non-compliant vehicles pay £12.50 |
| Short Stay Car Park | 2-minute walk to terminals,2 hours free for Blue Badge holders | Standard Short Stay Rates |
| Long Stay Car Park | Complimentary drop-offs, free bus to terminals | 30 minutes free parking |
Cheaper Alternatives to the £7 Drop-Off Charge
If you want to avoid the forecourt fee entirely, these options let you drop off or collect passengers without triggering the charge:
- Long Stay car park — free for the first 30 minutes. Park, drop off or pick up, and leave before the free period ends. There's a free shuttle bus, so allow extra time for the transfer.
- Meet & Greet parking — from £59.90 for 8 days. A driver meets you at the short stay car park, takes your car, and you walk to the terminal — no drop-off charge involved and no shuttle wait.
- Public transport — Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line and National Express coaches all serve the terminals with no drop-off fee.
How To Pay Drop off Charges
Heathrow Airport charges £7 for each vehicle in the drop-off zones. There is no payment option on-site. Pay online, by phone or via Auto Pay — before your visit or by midnight on the day after.
Pay Online
Use Heathrow's online portal to pay drop-off charges. It's easy and can be done before or after you drop someone off. You'll get a confirmation email right away. Your prepaid drop-off funds last for 12 months.
Pay By Phone
You can also pay by phone if you don't want to pay online. It's simple and secure, even if you're busy travelling. Tel: 0330 008 5600
Auto Pay by Sign-Up
For those at Heathrow often, sign up for Auto Pay. It's great for regular travellers because it saves time and prevents fines. With this, you won't need to worry about missing payments. Blue Badge holders get a 100% discount on drop-off fees. Just provide the right info online. For any issues or refunds, contact APCOA. They offer different ways to help you.
