Heathrow Drop-Off Zone Fees – Simple Guide for Drivers

Dec 1, 2025 - 17:59

Heathrow Drop-Off Zone Fees – Simple Guide for Drivers

If you plan to drop someone off at Heathrow Airport, it’s important to understand how the drop-off zones work, how much you need to pay, and what rules you must follow.

Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world, and its drop-off areas are used by thousands of drivers every day. To keep traffic moving smoothly, Heathrow has a drop-off fee in place at all terminals.

This simple guide explains everything you need to know in easy words, so you can avoid fines, save time, and enjoy a stress-free journey.

What Are Heathrow Drop-Off Zones?

heathrow drop off Zones are the areas right outside each terminal. These areas are made for quick drop-offs only. You can stop your car, let the passenger out with their bags, and then leave immediately. These zones are not waiting or parking areas.

Every terminal has a designated drop-off zone:

Terminal 2 Forecourt
Terminal 3 Forecourt
Terminal 4 Forecourt
Terminal 5 Forecourt

All drop-off zones work the same way, and all require a drop-off fee.

How Much Are the Heathrow Drop-Off Fees?

The current Heathrow drop-off charge is:

£5 per vehicle per drop-off

This is a fixed fee. The price does not change based on time, traffic, or terminal. Whether you stay for 30 seconds or 3 minutes, the fee is the same.

The charge applies every day:

24 hours a day
7 days a week
365 days a year

There are no free drop-off areas on the terminal forecourts.

Who Has to Pay the £5 Fee?

Most vehicles need to pay the drop-off charge, including:

Cars
Minicabs
Private hire vehicles
Black cabs
Vans
Company vehicles
Rental cars
Minibuses with fewer than 9 seats

The fee applies whether the driver is picking up or dropping off a paying customer, a family member, or a friend.

Who Does NOT Need to Pay? (Exemptions)

There are some exemptions from the Heathrow drop-off charge.

1. Blue Badge Holders

Passengers with a Blue Badge can be dropped off for free.
To use this exemption, the driver must register the Blue Badge details and the vehicle number plate online.

2. Emergency Vehicles

Police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency vehicles are exempt.

3. Airport Staff Buses

Official airport buses do not need to pay.

4. Motorcycles

Motorbikes and scooters are currently exempt from the fee.

If none of these apply, you must pay the £5 charge.

How to Pay the Heathrow Drop-Off Fee

You cannot pay at the airport. There are no ticket machines at the terminals. Payment is only available online.

You can pay through:

The official Heathrow drop-off payment website
AutoPay (for automatic payments)
Phone payment service

Key Point:

There is no cash payment option at the airport.

When Is the Deadline to Pay?

You must pay your £5 fee by:

11:59 PM the next day

Example:
If you drop someone off on Friday, you must pay by Saturday, 11:59 PM.

If you miss this deadline, you will receive a fine.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay?

If you do not pay the drop-off fee on time, Heathrow will issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) using your number plate details.

The penalty charges are:

£80 fine
£40 if paid within 14 days

The fine is sent to the registered address of the vehicle.

This makes it very important to pay the £5 fee on time.

How Does Heathrow Know You Drove Through the Drop-Off Zone?

Heathrow uses ANPR cameras at each terminal.
ANPR stands for Automatic Number Plate Recognition.

These cameras:

Record your vehicle number plate
Log the time and date
Check if the fee has been paid

If the system does not find a payment by the deadline, a fine is automatically sent.

How Long Can You Stay in the Drop-Off Zone?

The drop-off zone is for quick stops only.

You must:

Drop the passenger off
Unload luggage quickly
Leave immediately

You cannot:

Wait for the passenger
Park your car
Leave your vehicle
Circle the area
Pick up passengers (pick-ups must be done in Short Stay Parking)

Is There a Free Way to Drop Someone Off at Heathrow?

Yes. Heathrow provides a free alternative for drivers who do not want to pay the £5 fee.

Free Drop-Off Option: Long Stay Car Park

You can drop passengers at the Long Stay Car Parks, which offer:

Free parking for 30 minutes
Free shuttle bus to the terminal
Buses every 10–15 minutes

This is the best free option if:

You want extra time
You have a lot of luggage
You do not want to pay £5
You prefer no rush

The shuttle is fast and runs all day.

Alternative: Short Stay Parking (Paid)

Short Stay Parking is a good choice if:

You want to walk into the terminal
You need to assist elderly or disabled passengers
You want to spend more time with someone before their flight

Short Stay Parking is more expensive than the drop-off fee, but it allows you to stay longer.

Typical Short Stay prices start at:

£6–£8 for 30 minutes

Prices vary by terminal and time of day.

Why Does Heathrow Charge for Drop-Offs?

Heathrow introduced the drop-off fee for several reasons:

1. Reduce Traffic

The forecourt areas used to get extremely crowded. The fee helps manage traffic more effectively.

2. Lower Emissions

Reducing unnecessary car trips helps reduce pollution around the airport.

3. Support Airport Operations

The money collected helps fund airport services and improvements.

4. Follow Other UK Airports

Many airports in the UK already charge drop-off fees, so Heathrow is not alone.

Simple Tips to Avoid Problems or Fines

Here are the best tips to make your trip smooth:

Pay the fee right away so you don’t forget
Use AutoPay if you visit Heathrow often
Use the free Long Stay drop-off if you want more time
Do not wait or park in the drop-off zone
Register Blue Badge passengers to avoid charges
Avoid busy times if possible
Follow signs and airport traffic staff

These small steps help make your experience stress-free.

Advice for Minicab, Taxi, and Private Hire Drivers

If you are a minicab or taxi driver, the drop-off fee is very important. Many drivers receive fines because they forget to pay.

Here are helpful tips:

Add the £5 fee to the fare if allowed
Ask passengers if they need help with luggage before reaching the forecourt
Register for AutoPay to avoid forgetting
Keep track of number plates if you drive different cars
Keep receipts for your records and company expenses

Being organised will save you time and money.

Frequently Asked Questions (Simple Answers)

Do I have to pay even if I stop for only a few seconds?

Yes. Any stop in the drop-off zone requires payment.

Can I pick someone up from the drop-off area?

No. Pick-ups must be done in Short Stay Parking.

Can I pay at Heathrow Airport?

No. Payments must be made online.

Are motorbikes charged?

No. Motorcycles are currently free.

Is there a way to drop off someone for free?

Yes, the Long Stay Car Park offers 30 minutes free with a shuttle bus.

What happens if I forget to pay?

You get an £80 fine, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.

Do Blue Badge holders pay the fee?

No, but you must register the Blue Badge online.