How to avoid the London Heathrow drop-off charge
To avoid the £7 London Heathrow drop-off charge, use the Park & Ride (formerly Long Stay) — free for 30 minutes — which saves you £7 per drop-off.
- Free alternative: Park & Ride (formerly Long Stay) (30 min free)
- Forecourt charge avoided: £7 per drop-off
- If you do use the forecourt, pay by: Midnight the day after your visit (can also pay in advance or on the day)
- Penalty for an unpaid forecourt visit: £80
How do I avoid the drop-off charge at London Heathrow?
London Heathrow charges £7 to use the terminal drop-off forecourt, but you can avoid it: park in the Park & Ride (formerly Long Stay), which gives you 30 minutes free. Up to 30 minutes free in Park & Ride car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal doors every 15 minutes That saves the full £7 per drop-off. If you do use the forecourt and don't pay, the penalty is £80.All figures are official, date-stamped snapshots read from the airport's own published page and verified 2026-06-10.
The free alternative: Park & Ride (formerly Long Stay)
Step by step
Use the Park & Ride (formerly Long Stay)
Up to 30 minutes free in Park & Ride car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal doors every 15 minutes You get 30 minutes free, avoiding the £7 forecourt charge.
Check Blue Badge exemption
Blue Badge holders can apply for a 100% discount using the vehicle registration number, up to 3 months in advance, during the trip, or by midnight the day after
If you do pay, don't miss the deadline
If you can't avoid the forecourt, London Heathrow lets you pay by Midnight the day after your visit (can also pay in advance or on the day) — missing it risks a £80 penalty. £80 Parking Charge Notice for non-payment, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days
If you can't avoid the forecourt
Pre-book London Heathrow parking
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Frequently asked questions
How do I avoid the London Heathrow drop-off charge?
Use the Park & Ride (formerly Long Stay) — free for 30 minutes, which avoids the £7 forecourt charge. Up to 30 minutes free in Park & Ride car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal doors every 15 minutes (Verified 2026-06-10, per the official London Heathrow page.)
Is there a free way to drop someone off at London Heathrow?
Yes — the Park & Ride (formerly Long Stay) gives you 30 minutes free. Up to 30 minutes free in Park & Ride car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal doors every 15 minutes
Are Blue Badge holders exempt from the London Heathrow drop-off fee?
Blue Badge holders can apply for a 100% discount using the vehicle registration number, up to 3 months in advance, during the trip, or by midnight the day after
If I use the London Heathrow forecourt, when do I have to pay?
Pay by Midnight the day after your visit (can also pay in advance or on the day). Otherwise you risk a £80 penalty. £80 Parking Charge Notice for non-payment, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days
Full London Heathrow drop-off charge breakdown →
Parking vs drop-off at London Heathrow: which is cheaper? →
Blue Badge drop-off at London Heathrow: is it free? →
How to avoid the charge at every UK airport →
Latest at London Heathrow
Sources & method
- Official London Heathrow drop-off page — verified 2026-06-10
Every figure — the forecourt charge, the free-alternative allowance and the penalty — is read from the airport's official page and re-verified on the date shown. We never republish unverified prices.
Independent: we are not owned by any airport, network or booking site. Any affiliate links are labelled Ad and earn us a commission — this never affects the figures we publish or which option we show as cheapest.