Heathrow Drop-Off Charge Rises to £7: What It Means for Passengers and Transfer Operators
From 1 January 2026, Heathrow's Terminal Drop-Off Charge increased to £7, with a new 10-minute limit. Find out who pays, who's exempt, how to avoid the charge, and why a pre-booked airport transfer is often the easiest and most cost effective option.
If you have dropped off a passenger at Heathrow recently and noticed the charge has gone up, you are not imagining it. From 1 January 2026, Heathrow Airport's Terminal Drop-Off Charge (TDOC) rose from £6 to £7 per visit — a 17% increase — and a new 10-minute maximum stay was introduced for all vehicles using the terminal forecourts.
Here is everything you need to know.
What Is the Heathrow Terminal Drop-Off Charge?
The Terminal Drop-Off Charge applies to any vehicle that enters the designated drop-off areas directly outside Heathrow's terminals. It covers all four terminals — T2, T3, T4, and T5 — and is active 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The charge is enforced by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. There is no barrier, no ticket, and no option to pay on-site. Every vehicle that enters the forecourt is logged automatically.
What Changed on 1 January 2026?
Two changes came into effect at the start of 2026:
1. Price Increase: £6 → £7
The charge increased from £6 to £7 per visit. This follows a rise from £5 to £6 in January 2025, meaning the fee has risen 40% in the space of two years.
For context, Heathrow's previous £6 charge was actually below that of several other major UK airports. From January 2026 it aligns with Gatwick and Stansted, both of which already charged £7.
2. New 10-Minute Maximum Stay
A maximum stay of 10 minutes has been introduced in all terminal drop-off areas. Previously, there was no specified time limit, though Heathrow encouraged brief stops.
Exceeding the 10-minute limit can now result in a Parking Charge Notice (PCN).
How Does Enforcement Work?
ANPR cameras record your number plate when you enter and exit the drop-off zone. Each entry counts as a separate visit and triggers a separate charge.
Non-payment results in an £80 PCN, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days. A PCN is limited to one per visit regardless of whether the issue is non-payment or exceeding the time limit.
Payment can be made online, by phone, or via an AutoPay account linked to your number plate. Payment by midnight on the day following your visit is the deadline if you do not pay in advance.
Who Is Exempt?
The following vehicles are either fully exempt or receive a 100% discount:
- Blue Badge holders — fully exempt from both the charge and the 10-minute time limit. Blue Badge details must be registered before your visit or by midnight the following day.
- Emergency service vehicles in the course of their duties
- Military vehicles on official business
- Official Heathrow vehicles
- DVLA-registered roadside recovery vehicles
- Two-wheeled motorbikes
Is There a Free Drop-Off Alternative?
Yes. Heathrow offers free drop-off at its Long Stay (Park & Ride) car parks. Passengers can be dropped here and take a free transfer bus to the terminal, which runs approximately every 15 minutes.
This adds journey time, so allow at least 20–30 extra minutes depending on the terminal. For passengers with heavy luggage or tight connections, this may not always be practical.
How Does Heathrow Compare to Other UK Airports?
| Airport | Drop-Off Charge | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | £7 (from Jan 2026) | 10 minutes |
| Gatwick | £7 | 10 minutes |
| Stansted | £7 | 15 minutes |
| Luton | £5 | — |
| Manchester | £5–£6 | 5–10 minutes |
| Birmingham | £6 | — |
Heathrow now matches Gatwick at £7, making London's two busiest airports equally expensive for drop-offs.
How a Pre-Booked Transfer Can Help
For professional taxi and private hire operators, the maths on drop-offs has changed. A £7 charge per trip — on top of fuel, time, and congestion — needs to be factored into airport pricing.
At CabMatch, every quote from our licensed operator network already accounts for airport access costs. When you book a Heathrow airport transfer through CabMatch, your driver knows exactly where to go, exactly how long they have, and the cost is included in the price you see.
There are no hidden extras, no last-minute parking surprises, and no scramble to pay a charge online while managing luggage.
Get a Heathrow airport transfer quote →
Key Facts at a Glance
- Charge: £7 per visit (up from £6)
- Time limit: 10 minutes maximum
- Effective from: 1 January 2026
- Terminals covered: T2, T3, T4, T5
- Enforcement: ANPR cameras, 24/7
- PCN for non-payment: £80 (£40 if paid within 14 days)
- How to pay: Online, by phone, or AutoPay — by midnight the following day
- Blue Badge: 100% discount, no time limit applies
- Free alternative: Long Stay Park & Ride with free terminal bus
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the Heathrow drop-off charge if I just drive past the terminal? No. The charge only applies if your vehicle enters the designated drop-off forecourt. Driving past the terminal on the perimeter road does not trigger a charge.
Can I pay the charge in cash at the airport? No. There is no on-site payment option. All payments must be made online, by phone, or via AutoPay before or by midnight the day after your visit.
What if I need more than 10 minutes to help a passenger? Exceeding 10 minutes may result in a PCN. If you need more time, Heathrow recommends using the short-stay car parks, which charge by the minute.
Does the charge apply to coaches and minibuses? Yes, all vehicles entering the terminal forecourts are subject to the charge unless specifically exempt.
How do I register a Blue Badge for the exemption? Visit the Heathrow website and register your Blue Badge details before your visit, or by midnight on the following day. Keep your badge visible in the vehicle.