Payment deadlines
Some airport drop-off schemes require payment online by a deadline. Missing it can turn a small fee into a penalty.
Drop-off charge guide
London airport drop-off charges
A planning table for terminal drop-off fees, payment rules and common penalty risks across London airports.
Quick answer
Most London airports charge for terminal drop-off. Always check payment deadlines, blue badge rules, free alternatives and terminal-specific restrictions before driving.
| Airport | Terminal drop-off fee | Payment rule | Important detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow Airport | GBP 7 per entry | By midnight the next day | GBP 7 per entry Payment: By midnight the next day. Alternative: Park & Ride car parks with free bus transfer. No pick-ups or waiting in terminal drop-off zones. |
| Gatwick Airport | GBP 10 for 10 minutes | By midnight the day after use | GBP 10 for 10 minutes Payment: By midnight the day after use. Alternative: Long Stay car parks up to 2 hours free with shuttle. Unpaid drop-off charges can become a Parking Charge Notice. |
| Stansted Airport | GBP 10 for Express Set Down | 23:59 the day after visit | GBP 10 for Express Set Down Payment: 23:59 the day after visit. Alternative: Mid Stay free drop-off area with shuttle, recheck duration before publishing. Barrierless ANPR charging means you must pay after using the zone. |
| London Luton Airport | GBP 7 for 10 minutes | Online by midnight the following day | GBP 7 for 10 minutes Payment: Online by midnight the following day. Alternative: Long Stay car park up to 2 hours free, 10-minute shuttle every 20 minutes. Blue Badge concessions are not in the main drop-off area; use the advised car park route. |
| London City Airport | GBP 8 for first 5 minutes | Check LCY/APCOA payment portal | GBP 8 for first 5 minutes Payment: Check LCY/APCOA payment portal. Alternative: Use DLR where practical; no standard free forecourt alternative recorded. Very short base time compared with other London airports. |
| London Southend Airport | GBP 8 for up to 10 minutes | Online by midnight the following day | GBP 8 for up to 10 minutes Payment: Online by midnight the following day. Alternative: No free express lane; compare paid Mid Stay and Short Stay options. Terminal is not open 24 hours. |
Free alternatives
Many airports have free or lower-cost car park alternatives, but they may require a shuttle or longer walk.
Accessibility
Blue Badge and accessibility exemptions vary by airport and often require registration or specific payment steps.