Dropping someone at a London airport is no longer free. Every major London airport now charges for using the terminal forecourt, and several raised their prices in January 2026. Miss the online payment deadline and a quick goodbye can turn into an £80 penalty. This guide compares the 2026 drop-off charges at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend, explains how to pay, and shows the free alternatives.
Quick answer: In 2026, Heathrow charges £7 per drop-off, Gatwick £10, Stansted £7 for 15 minutes, Luton £7 for 10 minutes, London City £8 for 5 minutes and Southend £7 for 5 minutes. Most airports offer free drop-off in a long-stay or park and ride car park with a shuttle bus.
London Airport Drop-Off Charges 2026 at a Glance
| Airport | Drop-off charge | Time / payment | Free alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | £7 per entry | Pay by midnight the next day | Free drop-off at the Park & Ride car parks, with a free bus |
| Gatwick | £10 per visit | Pay online after your visit | Free drop-off in the long-stay car parks, with a shuttle |
| Stansted | £7 for up to 15 minutes | £25 if you stay longer than 15 minutes | Mid Stay car park, free for a short stay, with a shuttle |
| Luton | £7 for 10 minutes, then £1 per minute | Up to 30 minutes | Free drop-off in the Long Stay car park, with a shuttle |
| London City | £8 for up to 5 minutes, then £1 per minute | Maximum 10 minutes | Check the airport’s Blue Badge exemption scheme |
| Southend | £7 for up to 5 minutes | £15 for 5 to 30 minutes | Check the airport website for current options |
Charges checked in October 2026. Airports change their fees and rules, so always check the official airport website before you travel.
Heathrow Drop-Off Charge 2026
Heathrow’s Terminal Drop-Off Charge rose to £7 from 1 January 2026. It applies every time a vehicle enters a terminal forecourt, 24 hours a day — so if you go round twice, you pay twice. There is no waiting or picking up in the drop-off zones.
- How to pay: online, by automated phone line or through a personal or business account with autopay. Card payments only — you cannot pay at the terminal.
- Deadline: by midnight the day after your visit.
- Penalty: an £80 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.
- Exemptions: emergency and military vehicles. Blue Badge holders can register in advance for a 100% discount. There is no discount for electric cars.
- Free alternative: drop off at a Heathrow Park & Ride car park and take the free bus to the terminal.
Comparing ways to get to Heathrow? See our guide to chauffeur vs black cab vs Uber to Heathrow.
Gatwick Drop-Off Charge 2026
Gatwick increased its forecourt drop-off charge to £10 in January 2026, making it the most expensive standard drop-off among the London airports. The charge covers both the North and South Terminals. To avoid it, you can drop off for free in the long-stay car parks and use the shuttle bus to the terminal.
Stansted Drop-Off Charge 2026
Stansted’s Express Set Down zone costs £7 for up to 15 minutes. Stay longer than 15 minutes and the charge rises to £25. The Mid Stay car park offers a free short-stay drop-off, with a shuttle bus to the terminal.
Luton Drop-Off Charge 2026
Luton’s Drop Off & Pick Up zone costs £7 for the first 10 minutes, then £1 for every extra minute, up to a maximum of 30 minutes. Drop-off in the Long Stay car park is free, with a shuttle to the terminal.
London City Airport Drop-Off Charge 2026
London City introduced a forecourt charge in January 2026: £8 for up to five minutes, then £1 per minute, with a maximum stay of 10 minutes. Blue Badge holders should check the airport’s exemption scheme before travelling.
Southend Airport Drop-Off Charge 2026
Southend charges £7 for up to five minutes and £15 for five to 30 minutes in its drop-off area.
How to Avoid Airport Drop-Off Charges
- Use the free car park option. Most London airports offer free drop-off in a long-stay or park and ride car park, with a shuttle bus. Allow extra time for the transfer.
- Register a Blue Badge. Heathrow and other airports offer discounts for Blue Badge holders, but you usually need to register in advance.
- Set up autopay. If you drop off often, an autopay account means you never miss the payment deadline.
- Book a chauffeur. Your chauffeur handles the drop-off and the airport’s payment system, and takes you straight to the terminal door.
What About Picking Someone Up?
Drop-off zones do not allow waiting, so collecting a passenger normally means paying for the short-stay car park and walking to arrivals — often more than the drop-off charge itself, especially if the flight is delayed. A chauffeur with flight monitoring and meet & greet waits inside the terminal, adjusts to delays and helps with luggage. See our airport transfer service.
Travelling With a Heylux Chauffeur
With Heylux, you never need to remember a payment portal or a deadline. Every journey is priced as a fixed quote before you travel, so you know the full cost upfront, and your chauffeur takes care of the airport drop-off or meets you in arrivals. We cover Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend, 24 hours a day. Before you book any airport transfer, read our 5 things to check before hiring an airport chauffeur.
Popular airport vehicles include the Mercedes S-Class, E-Class, V-Class for families with luggage, and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS for VIP arrivals.
Airport Drop-Off Charges: FAQs
How much is the Heathrow drop-off charge in 2026?
Heathrow charges £7 each time a vehicle enters a terminal drop-off zone. You must pay online, by phone or through an autopay account by midnight the day after your visit, or you may receive an £80 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.
Which London airport has the highest drop-off charge?
Gatwick has the highest standard charge among the London airports in 2026, at £10 per visit. London City charges £8 for up to five minutes, with extra charges after that.
How can I avoid airport drop-off charges in London?
Most airports offer free drop-off in a long-stay or park and ride car park, with a shuttle bus to the terminal. Blue Badge holders can often register for an exemption. Alternatively, book a chauffeur so you never have to deal with forecourt payment systems yourself.
Do electric cars pay the Heathrow drop-off charge?
Yes. Heathrow does not offer an exemption or discount for electric vehicles. Exemptions apply to emergency vehicles, and Blue Badge holders can register for a 100% discount.
Can I wait in the drop-off zone to pick someone up?
No. Drop-off zones are for setting down passengers only, with no waiting. To pick someone up you normally need to use the short-stay car park, or book a chauffeur with meet and greet in the arrivals hall.
Book Your Airport Chauffeur
Skip the forecourt charges and the car park shuttle. Book online, call +44 7956 453332 or WhatsApp us for a fixed airport transfer quote.
