The London Heathrow drop-off charge in detail
Per entry to terminal forecourt; no free period, no waiting.
How to pay: Pay by midnight the next day — heathrowdropoff.apcoa.com, phone 0330 008 5600, or autopay account.
What the London Heathrow drop-off is actually like
Heathrow's drop-off forecourts sit on a raised deck reached by a ramp at each terminal, so you drive up to the lanes outside Departures rather than dropping at street level.
Source: the airport's own directions page.
Free or cheaper alternative
Park & Ride car parks (former Long Stay) — Free drop-off with free bus transfer to terminal. Allow 15–25 extra minutes versus the barrier.
Picking up at London Heathrow
Like most UK airports, London Heathrow applies the same £7 charge to pick-ups as to drop-offs — the same area, the same tariff. It's always worth confirming on the day, as signage and enforcement can change.
If you're waiting on a delayed flight, Park & Ride car parks (former Long Stay) is usually the cheaper choice than paying at the barrier by the minute.
Where to go
London Heathrow Airport terminal. Follow the drop-off signs on site — the zone can sit a short walk from the doors.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · Get directions →
By rail — the Underground and rail stations sit directly beneath the terminals — the Piccadilly line serves all terminals, with the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express (about 15 minutes to Paddington) from Terminals 2 and 3.source
Parking & travel
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Questions about London Heathrow
How much is the drop-off charge at London Heathrow Airport?
London Heathrow Airport charges £7 for each entry, with no free period at the drop-off area closest to the terminal.
Is there a free drop-off at London Heathrow Airport?
Yes. London Heathrow keeps a free or cheaper option — Park & Ride car parks (former Long Stay): Free drop-off with free bus transfer to terminal. Allow 15–25 extra minutes.
How do I pay the London Heathrow Airport drop-off charge?
Pay by midnight the next day — heathrowdropoff.apcoa.com, phone 0330 008 5600, or autopay account.
Do you have to pay to pick up at London Heathrow Airport?
At London Heathrow, as at nearly every UK airport, the same charge applies to pick-ups as to drop-offs — £7 for the same window. Confirm on the day, as rules can change.
Has the London Heathrow Airport drop-off charge gone up?
Yes. It rose from £5 in 2023 to £7, an increase of about 40%.
Nearby & related airports
Method & corrections
Every figure on this page is checked against the airport's own published charges and stamped with the date we checked it. We re-verify the full dataset quarterly, and after any reported change.
Spotted an error? Email hello@airportdropoffcharges.co.uk — corrections are made visibly and dated. The dataset behind this page is free to reuse with attribution: JSON · CSV (CC BY 4.0).