Pay Heathrow Drop Off Charge – How to Pay Online & Avoid PCN

Driving to Heathrow to drop off a passenger now costs £7 per visit. The charge, which applies to all terminal drop-off zones, must be paid online or by phone before midnight the day after your journey. There are no payment machines at the terminals, and staying longer than 10 minutes can lead to a penalty.

Heathrow introduced the drop-off fee in 2021 as part of efforts to reduce congestion and vehicle emissions around its terminals. From 1 January 2026, the fee increased from £6 to £7, and a formal maximum stay of 10 minutes was introduced. The system is enforced by automatic number plate recognition cameras, and failure to pay results in a Parking Charge Notice.

This guide covers how to pay the charge at each terminal, what to do if you receive a penalty, and which free alternatives exist for dropping off passengers without entering the paid zones.

How to Pay the Heathrow Drop-Off Charge Online

The quickest way to pay is through Heathrow’s official payment portal. You can pay before your trip, on the day, or up to midnight the following day. The charge is £7 per vehicle entry and applies every time you enter a terminal drop-off area.

Key points to keep in mind when paying the charge:

• The Heathrow drop-off charge is £7 per vehicle entry, payable until midnight the next day.
• All four passenger terminals (2, 3, 4, 5) have the same charge; there is no free drop-off in the designated zones.
• The charge is enforced by ANPR cameras; failure to pay results in a PCN of £80, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.
• Pre-paying online or via the app saves time; you can also pay by phone on 0330 008 5600 or register for Auto Pay.
• From 1 January 2026, the maximum stay is reduced to 10 minutes.
• There are no payment machines at the terminal drop-off zones – you cannot pay on site.
• The charge applies to all vehicles, including taxis, black cabs, and private cars.

How to Pay the Heathrow Drop-Off Charge for Terminal 5

Terminal 5 is one of Heathrow’s busiest terminals, and the drop-off charge applies in exactly the same way as at other terminals. The fee is £7, and you must pay online, by phone, or via Auto Pay before midnight the day after your visit. The drop-off zone at Terminal 5 is clearly signposted, and ANPR cameras record your vehicle entry.

Pay Heathrow drop-off charges Terminal 5 free

There is no free drop-off at the Terminal 5 forecourt. However, Heathrow offers a free alternative: you can use the Park & Ride or Long Stay car parks and take the free shuttle bus to the terminal. This option is available at all terminals, including Terminal 5, and is the only way to avoid the £7 charge when dropping off a passenger by car.

Pay Heathrow drop-off charges Terminal 5 postcode

The postcode for Terminal 5 drop-off is approximately TW6 2GA, according to third-party sources. Heathrow’s official travel pages confirm the postcode for Terminal 4 as TW6 3XA, but do not explicitly list postcodes for all terminals on the same page. Drivers using satellite navigation should enter the terminal name rather than relying solely on a postcode, as drop-off zones are clearly marked on approach.

How to Pay the Heathrow Drop-Off Charge at Terminals 2, 3, and 4

The payment process is identical at Terminals 2, 3, and 4. Each terminal has a designated drop-off area with ANPR enforcement, a 10-minute maximum stay, and the same £7 fee. Payment can be made online via Heathrow’s official website, by phone on 0330 008 5600, or through the Auto Pay system. No on-site payment is available at any terminal.

Pay heathrow drop off charge terminal 2

Terminal 2 serves many long-haul and European flights. Its drop-off zone is located directly outside the terminal building. The approximate postcode is TW6 1EW, based on third-party information. As with all terminals, you must pay by midnight the day after your visit to avoid a PCN.

Pay heathrow drop off charge terminal 3

Terminal 3 handles a mix of long-haul and short-haul flights. The drop-off area is clearly signed from the main approach roads. The approximate postcode is TW6 1QG. Drivers should note that pick-ups are not permitted in the drop-off zone, and waiting is strictly forbidden.

Pay heathrow drop off charge terminal 4

Terminal 4 is located south of the main tunnel complex. Heathrow’s official travel by car page lists its postcode as TW6 3XA. The drop-off charge and rules are identical to other terminals. If you receive a PCN at Terminal 4, you can pay or appeal through the APCOA portal.

When Did the Heathrow Drop-Off Charge Change and What Are the Key Dates?

The drop-off charge has evolved since its introduction. Understanding the timeline helps drivers anticipate future changes and avoid penalties.

1. 2021: Heathrow introduces the terminal drop-off charge at £5 per visit to reduce congestion and emissions around the terminals.
2. Pre-2026: The fee increases to £6 and remains at that level for several years. No formal maximum stay is publicly enforced during this period.
3. 1 January 2026: The fee rises to £7 per vehicle entry. A 10-minute maximum stay is introduced across all terminal drop-off zones. Heathrow announces the change via its official website and social media channels.
4. Ongoing: Payment can be made online, by phone, or via Auto Pay. Enforcement continues through ANPR cameras managed by APCOA. Drivers are advised to monitor Heathrow’s official page for any future fee adjustments or rule changes.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About the Drop-Off Charge?

While Heathrow publishes clear information about the charge and payment process, some details are less certain or come from third-party sources rather than the airport itself.

Why Does Heathrow Charge for Drop-Offs?

Heathrow introduced the drop-off charge in 2021 as a measure to reduce congestion and emissions around its terminals. The airport processes millions of passengers each year, and vehicle traffic at drop-off zones contributed to long queues and poor air quality. The charge is in line with similar schemes at other major UK airports, including Gatwick and Stansted, which also charge for vehicle access to terminal forecourts.

The charge primarily affects private car drivers and taxis. Regular users may prepay for multiple visits or register for Auto Pay to simplify the process. Compared to alternatives, parking at short-stay car parks may offer free drop-off periods in some cases, but the official drop-off zones are always paid. For drivers looking to avoid the charge entirely, Heathrow recommends using its Park & Ride or Long Stay car parks and taking the free shuttle bus to the terminals.

If you are navigating other UK vehicle charges and penalty schemes, you may find the Bradford Clean Air Zone – Complete Guide for Drivers useful. It covers a similar pay-to-drive zone with fees, exemptions, and penalty charge notices. For broader context on rising driving costs in 2026, the Petrol Diesel Tax Hikes – UK Road Tax Changes 2026 Guide outlines the national picture.

What Do Official Sources Say About the Charge?

Heathrow Airport provides the authoritative information on the drop-off charge. The airport’s official website states clearly that the charge applies to all vehicles and must be paid by midnight the following day. APCOA, the enforcement partner, manages the penalty system for unpaid charges.

“A £7 charge applies at Heathrow every time a vehicle enters the terminal drop-off areas.”

— Heathrow Airport Official, Terminal Drop-Off Charge page

“From 1 January 2026, the Terminal Drop-Off Charge will increase to £7. We will also be introducing a maximum stay of 10 minutes.”

— Heathrow Airport, Facebook announcement

“Use this site to pay or appeal against Parking Charge Notices issued at Heathrow Drop-Off Zone.”

— APCOA PCN Payment Portal

What Should Drivers Know About the Heathrow Drop-Off Charge?

The Heathrow drop-off charge is a straightforward fee: £7 per vehicle entry, payable online or by phone by midnight the next day. There is no payment at the terminal, and a 10-minute maximum stay is enforced from 2026. All vehicles, including taxis, are subject to the charge. Blue badge holders and motorbikes may be exempt if registered in advance. For those who want to avoid the fee, free drop-off is available using the Park & Ride car parks and shuttle buses. Drivers who frequently visit the airport should consider the Petrol Diesel Tax Hikes – UK Road Tax Changes 2026 Guide for broader context on UK driving costs in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Heathrow Drop-Off Charge