The Heathrow drop off price is £7 per visit. This charge applies every time a vehicle enters a terminal forecourt drop-off zone, and it runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are no barriers at the entrance because Heathrow uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to record every vehicle entering the airport. The charge is applied automatically, and payment must be made by midnight on the day after your visit.
For drivers who want to avoid the charge entirely, Heathrow offers a free drop-off alternative at its Park and Ride car parks, where a bus transfer takes passengers directly to the terminals.
What Is the Heathrow Drop Off Charge?
The Heathrow drop off charge is a fee applied to every vehicle that enters a designated terminal forecourt drop-off zone. It was introduced to manage traffic flow around the terminal areas and reduce congestion on the forecourts.
The charge is not a parking fee. Vehicles are not permitted to wait, park, or leave passengers unattended in the drop-off zones. The Terminal Drop Off Charge covers the act of entering the zone itself, regardless of how long the vehicle remains inside it.
If a vehicle enters the zone more than once on the same day, each visit is charged separately at £7 per entry. Heathrow’s ANPR cameras record every entry, so there is no way to enter the forecourt without the charge being applied.
The drop-off charge applies equally across all terminals. Whether a passenger is being dropped at Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, or Terminal 5, the standard fee of £7 per visit remains the same.
What Is the Heathrow Drop Off Price in 2026?
The Heathrow drop off price in 2026 is £7 per visit. Heathrow increased the charge from £6 to £7 on January 1, 2026. This increase applies across all terminal forecourt drop-off zones without exception.
For drivers who have not visited since before January 2026, it is worth noting that the previous £6 charge no longer applies. Any visit to a terminal drop-off zone from January 1, 2026, onwards is subject to the updated £7 fee.
How to Pay the Heathrow Drop Off Charge
Heathrow offers three ways to pay the drop-off charge. Drivers can pay online through the Heathrow website, by automated telephone service, or by setting up autopay in advance. All payments are card only. Heathrow does not accept cash or cheques, and there is no option to pay at a machine inside the terminal or in the drop-off zone.
Paying online is the most straightforward option for most drivers. After entering the drop-off zone, drivers can visit the Heathrow website, enter their vehicle registration number, and complete the payment using a debit or credit card.
Paying by automated telephone is available for drivers who prefer not to use the website. The automated service guides callers through the payment process and accepts card payments over the phone.
Autopay is the most convenient option for regular users. Drivers register their vehicles in advance, and the charge is applied automatically after each visit, with no manual action required. This is particularly useful for taxi drivers, private hire drivers, and business travellers who frequently use the terminal forecourts.
Heathrow Drop Off Payment Deadline
The payment deadline for the Heathrow drop off charge is midnight on the day after the visit. This means drivers have until the end of the following day to complete their payment, whether they pay online, by phone, or through autopay.
Paying in advance is also permitted. Drivers who know they will use a terminal drop-off zone can pay in advance to avoid the risk of missing the deadline.
If payment is not made by the deadline, Heathrow may issue a Parking Charge Notice of £80. This is reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days of the notice being issued. Missing the payment deadline is therefore a significantly more expensive outcome than paying the original £7 charge on time.
Heathrow Terminal 2 Drop Off
The Heathrow Terminal 2 drop off zone is located off Constellation Way. Drivers follow the up ramp to reach the terminal forecourt, where passengers can be dropped directly outside the departure entrance.
The Terminal 2 drop-off zone follows the same charging structure as all other terminals. Each visit costs £7, and payment must be made online, by phone, or through autopay by midnight.
Terminal 2 serves a range of airlines, including Star Alliance carriers, and it is one of the busiest drop-off points at the airport. For passengers with heavy luggage or reduced mobility, the forecourt drop-off is the closest option to the terminal entrance. For passengers who need more time at the kerbside, the Park and Ride alternative avoids the forecourt charge while still providing a direct bus transfer to the terminal.
Heathrow Terminal 3, 4 and 5 Drop Off
While Terminal 2 has its own specific road layout via Constellation Way, the drop-off zones at Terminals 3, 4, and 5 each have their own access routes but follow the same charging rules.
Terminal 3 serves a large number of long-haul and international carriers. The drop-off zone is accessible from the central terminal area road, and the £7 charge applies to every entry.
Terminal 4 is located on the southern perimeter of the airport and has a separate road approach from the other terminals. Drivers heading to Terminal 4 should allow additional travel time as the route differs from the main terminal cluster. The same £7 drop-off charge applies.
Terminal 5 is Heathrow’s largest terminal and serves as British Airways’ primary hub. The Terminal 5 drop-off zone is well signposted from the M25 and the airport’s main approach roads. As with all other terminals, each entry to the forecourt is charged at £7 per visit.
Heathrow Drop Off Exemptions and Free Alternatives
Heathrow applies the Terminal Drop Off Charge to the vast majority of vehicles, but a number of exemptions and discounts are available for specific categories.
Blue Badge holders are entitled to a 100 per cent discount on the drop-off charge. This applies to eligible UK and EEA Blue Badge holders and must be registered in advance through the Heathrow website.
Automatic exemptions apply to certain vehicle types, including emergency service vehicles, military vehicles, motorcycles, buses, and coaches. These vehicles are not subject to the Terminal Drop Off Charge when entering the forecourt zones.
Electric vehicles do not receive an exemption or discount. Despite some drivers assuming otherwise, Heathrow confirms that electric vehicles are subject to the same £7 charge as all other private vehicles.
Taxis and private hire vehicles must pay the drop-off charge each time they enter a terminal forecourt, unless an approved discount arrangement is in place. Drivers operating under an approved scheme should confirm their eligibility directly with Heathrow before relying on any discount.
The free Park and Ride alternative is available at Heathrow’s car parks. Drivers can drop passengers at Park and Ride without entering the terminal forecourts, and a free bus transfer takes passengers directly to their terminal. Heathrow states that Park and Ride drop-off is free for the first 29 minutes, after which exit charges apply, making it a practical option for anyone who wants to avoid the £7 forecourt fee entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Heathrow drop off?
The Heathrow terminal forecourt drop-off charge is £7 per visit. The charge applies each time a vehicle enters a terminal drop-off zone, regardless of how long it remains there.
How to pay Heathrow drop off charges?
Heathrow drop off payment can be made online through the Heathrow website, by automated telephone service, or through autopay. All payments are card only. Payment must be completed by midnight on the day after the visit.
What is the Heathrow drop off charge in 2026?
The Heathrow drop off charge in 2026 is £7 per visit. The charge increased from £6 to £7 on 1 January 2026 and applies across all terminal forecourt drop-off zones.
When did Heathrow increase the drop off charge to £7?
Heathrow increased the drop-off charge from £6 to £7 on 1 January 2026. The updated charge applies to all visits from that date onwards.
Can I drop off at Heathrow for free?
Yes. Free drop-off is available at Heathrow’s Park and Ride car parks. A free bus transfer takes passengers to the terminals. Park-and-Ride drop-off is free for the first 29 minutes; after that, exit charges apply.
What happens if I do not pay the Heathrow drop off charge?
If the charge is not paid by the midnight deadline, Heathrow may issue a Parking Charge Notice of £80. This is reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days of the notice being issued.
Summary: Heathrow Drop Off Price at a Glance
The Heathrow drop off price is £7 per visit across all terminals. ANPR cameras automatically record the charge and must be paid online, by automated phone, or via autopay by midnight the following day—drivers who miss the payment deadline risk receiving a Parking Charge Notice for £80. Blue Badge holders are entitled to a full discount, and a free drop-off option is available at Park and Ride for passengers who want to avoid the forecourt charge entirely.
For anyone travelling by Heathrow taxi, understanding the drop-off charge in advance removes any uncertainty on the day and ensures the payment deadline is not missed.
