Heathrow Airport has increased its charge for dropping off passengers directly outside its terminals, just days after another major London hub confirmed it would end free drop-offs. The move means every airport serving the capital now imposes a fee on drivers.
Heathrow's Fee Rises to £7
On New Year's Day, Heathrow raised its drop-off charge from £6 to £7. Drivers are permitted a maximum stay of 10 minutes in the designated zones before facing additional penalties. The airport first introduced the charge at £5 in November 2021, citing a need to recover revenue lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce terminal forecourt congestion.
The latest increase has sparked criticism from drivers and passengers alike. Private hire taxi driver Zamir Dreni described the hike as "unjustifiable" in comments to the Metro newspaper. "How can you justify that?" he said. "Next year, is it going to increase again and again? It is a moneymaker, there is no other way to polish it. An easy scheme to make as much money as possible."
London Airports: A Complete Guide to 2026 Drop-Off Charges
Heathrow's increase is part of a wider trend across London's airports, most of which have raised their fees in either 2025 or early 2026. London City Airport is set to become the final UK airport to axe free drop-offs on Tuesday, January 6. From that date, it will cost £8 to drop someone off, with stays over five minutes charged at £1 per minute up to a maximum of 10 minutes.
Also on January 6, Gatwick Airport will raise its charge from £7 to £10, making it the most expensive London airport for this service. Drivers have a maximum stay of 10 minutes.
Here is a full breakdown of current drop-off charges at London's airports:
- Heathrow: £7 for a maximum stay of 10 minutes.
- Gatwick: £7, rising to £10 on January 6. Maximum 10-minute stay.
- Stansted: £7 for up to 15 minutes. Staying longer increases the charge to £25.
- Luton: £7 for 10 minutes, then £1 per minute thereafter. Maximum stay is 30 minutes.
- London City: Currently free. An £8 fee begins on January 6, with a £1 per minute charge after 5 minutes (max 10 mins).
- Southend: £7 for up to 5 minutes, £15 for up to 30 minutes, and £30 for up to an hour.
The End of Free Airport Drop-Offs
The universal adoption of drop-off fees marks a significant shift in passenger experience and travel costs. Airports argue the charges are essential for managing traffic flow and funding operational costs, but critics view them as a straightforward revenue generator that penalises ordinary travellers.
With the change at London City, the era of free passenger drop-offs at any London airport will officially end. Travellers are now advised to factor these additional costs into their journey budgets or to consider using designated free drop-off points in longer-stay car parks, which typically involve a shuttle bus transfer to the terminal.
