London Airport Drop-Off Charges in 2026
Every London airport now charges cars to stop outside the terminal. The fees have crept up year after year, and London City joined in from January 2026. If you are…
Every London airport now charges cars to stop outside the terminal. The fees have crept up year after year, and London City joined in from January 2026. If you are dropping off a relative or being dropped yourself, this is what to expect.
2026 drop-off charges at a glance
| Airport | Forecourt drop-off charge |
|---|---|
| Heathrow | £7 |
| Gatwick | £10 |
| Stansted | £7 |
| Luton | £7 |
| London City | £8 |
| Southend | £8 |
How you pay
Most airports use number-plate recognition. You pay online or by phone, usually by midnight on the following day. Miss the deadline and a penalty notice follows, which costs far more than the fee itself. Heathrow also applies a strict time limit on its forecourts.
Airport by airport
Heathrow: £7
Heathrow charges every vehicle that stops at a terminal forecourt, with a strict maximum stay on the forecourt itself. The charge applies at Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Cameras read your number plate on the way in, and you pay online or by phone afterwards. If you are dropping someone with a lot of luggage, have everything ready to unload before you pull in; the time limit is short.
Gatwick: £10
Gatwick has the highest charge of the London airports. It applies at both the North and South Terminal forecourts. The fee has risen several times since it was introduced in 2021, so check the airport’s website if you are reading this some time after publication.
Stansted: £7
Stansted’s drop-off zone sits directly in front of the single terminal building, a short walk to check-in. Payment works the same way as at Heathrow: number-plate recognition, then pay online by the deadline.
Luton: £7
Luton’s drop-off is right outside the terminal. On busy holiday mornings the approach road can queue, so allow a few minutes more than you think, especially if you are dropping someone on a Friday or Saturday in the school holidays.
London City: £8
London City introduced its forecourt charge in January 2026, the last of the London airports to do so. The terminal is small, so drop-off is quick, but the charge applies however short your stop.
Southend: £8
Southend is the smallest London airport and one of the easiest to drop off at, but it also charges for forecourt stops.
How to avoid a penalty notice
- Pay the same day if you can, rather than leaving it to the deadline.
- Save the airport’s payment page on your phone before you set off.
- Check the number plate you enter, especially in a hire car or a car you do not usually drive.
- Do not wait on the forecourt for a passenger who has not arrived yet; use the short-stay car park instead.
- If you use the airport regularly, check whether the airport offers an autopay account.
Is there a free option?
Several airports offer free drop-off in a long-stay or mid-stay car park, linked to the terminal by a shuttle bus. It saves the fee but adds time, which is not ideal with heavy luggage or an early flight.
What about taxis and private hire?
Taxis and private hire cars pay the same charges. Some operators add the fee to your fare at the end; others build it into the quote. We include airport charges in every fixed fare, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay. See the individual airport pages for terminal details.
Who actually pays the charge?
The charge is linked to the vehicle, so whoever is driving pays it. That sounds simple until a friend drops you off and forgets, or you book a taxi that adds the charge to your fare after the journey. When booking any car to the airport, ask whether the quote includes the drop-off fee. With us it always does.
Is dropping off still cheaper than parking?
For most trips, yes. A one-off drop-off charge costs far less than a week in a car park. The trade-off is that someone has to drive you there and back, which for a 5am flight or a midnight arrival is a big ask. That is where a pre-booked transfer earns its place: one fixed price, airport charges included, and nobody has to get up in the middle of the night to drive.
Pick-ups are a different matter
Collecting someone from arrivals usually means using a short-stay car park, which is charged by time. A pre-booked driver who meets passengers inside arrivals has to park too, which is why meet and greet is priced the way it is.
Blue Badge holders
Some airports offer exemptions or discounts for Blue Badge holders, usually only if you register in advance. The rules vary by airport and change from time to time, so check the airport’s accessibility pages before you travel rather than assuming the charge will be waived.
Collecting someone: tips that save money
- Wait at home until the flight has actually landed; arrivals can take an hour or more after touchdown.
- Use the short-stay car park closest to arrivals rather than circling the forecourt.
- Ask the passenger to message you once they have their bags, not when they land.
- For late or delayed flights, consider booking a car instead of waiting in a car park for hours.
Common questions
Do drop-off charges apply at night?
Generally yes. Most airports charge at all hours, so a 4am drop-off costs the same as one at midday.
Do taxis pay the drop-off charge?
Yes. Taxis and private hire cars pay the same forecourt charges as private cars. Some operators pass it on at the end; we include it in the quoted fare.
Can I drop off for free anywhere?
Several airports have free drop-off areas in their long-stay car parks with a shuttle bus to the terminal. It saves the fee but adds time.
What happens if I forget to pay?
You will usually receive a penalty charge notice by post, which costs considerably more than the original fee. Pay as soon as you can after the drop-off.
Planning a trip? See our airport pages for Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend.
How drop-off charges have changed
When Gatwick introduced its charge in 2021 it was £5. Other airports followed or raised existing fees, and London City added its own charge in January 2026. Charges are reviewed regularly, so treat any figure online, including ours, as a guide and check the airport’s own website close to your travel date. The good news for anyone booking a fixed-price transfer is that the fare already covers it, whatever the current rate.
Quick summary
- All six London airports charge for forecourt drop-offs in 2026.
- Gatwick is the most expensive at £10; Heathrow, Stansted and Luton charge £7; London City and Southend £8.
- Pay promptly online to avoid a penalty notice.
- Free drop-off is sometimes available in long-stay car parks, with a shuttle bus.
- Our fixed fares include the charge, so there is nothing to remember.
For a fixed-price airport transfer with every charge included, request a quote.