Heathrow drop off charge: every terminal, and how to avoid it
Ridii drives to Heathrow from Surrey all year round, so we've paid this charge more often than we've paid for lunch.
| Terminal | Charge | Pay by |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 | £7 | Midnight the day after |
| Terminal 3 | £7 | Midnight the day after |
| Terminal 4 | £7 | Midnight the day after |
| Terminal 5 | £7 | Midnight the day after |
| Free option | £0 | \- |
What are the Heathrow Terminal 5 drop off charges?
The same £7 as every other terminal, with the same 10-minute limit. T5 is British Airways' home, which means it's also where my emergency coin jar goes to die. (There is no coin jar. Heathrow takes payment online. The jar is purely emotional.)
How does drop off at Terminal 2 Heathrow work?
Follow the signs for Terminal 2 departures and pull into the drop-off zone on the forecourt. A camera reads your number plate, you have 10 minutes, and you pay online afterwards. Pull up, unload, leave. The leaving part is where people struggle. (Long hug. Second long hug. Somebody's forgotten the charger.)
How much has the Heathrow drop off fee increased?
It went up from £6 to £7 on 1 January 2026, when Heathrow also brought in a 10-minute maximum stay. [Link to: Heathrow's official drop-off page] Every time it goes up, I check the coin jar. Still imaginary. Still empty.
Is there free Heathrow parking drop-off?
Yes. Park at one of Heathrow's Park & Ride car parks and take the free bus to the terminal - just allow extra time for the bus. Free is great, until you're running for a flight with a bag that's 2kg over.
Or skip it: a taxi that handles it
When Ridii drives you to Heathrow, the charge is already in your fixed fare, and you never have to look at a payment website. I've looked at enough for both of us.
Tips for a smooth Heathrow drop-off
Check your terminal before you set off - Terminal 4 is on the south side of the airport, well away from the others. Keep it under 10 minutes, and pay the same day: miss the deadline and Heathrow issues an £80 parking charge, reduced to £40 if you pay within 14 days.
Heathrow drop off questions
- How much is the Heathrow drop off charge?
- £7 at every terminal, with a 10-minute maximum stay. Checked 30 October 2026.
- When do I have to pay?
- By midnight the day after you drop off.
- Do taxis pay the Heathrow drop off charge?
- Yes. Taxis and private hire cars pay the £7 too. With Ridii it's already in your fixed fare.
Closing link to the money page: Book a taxi to Heathrow with Ridii from Oxted, Caterham or anywhere nearby, and the forecourt becomes our problem.
Author box: Written by the Ridii Cars team at our Oxted office, who run airport transfers across Surrey 24 hours a day.
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