Are you planning to drop off your best mate at Heathrow? Or maybe you’re the designated driver for your family’s Gatwick getaway? Whatever the case, London’s airport drop-off charges can sneak up on you like a rainy day in June—unexpected and annoying. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about drop-off charges, free alternatives, and how to dodge those pesky fines. Let’s make sure your goodbye hug doesn’t cost you £100!
Quick Comparison: Drop-Off Charges at London Airports
(Because time is money, right?)
Airport | Drop-Off Fee | Free Option? | Fine for Non-Payment | Key Tip |
Heathrow | £5 per vehicle | Long Stay Car Park (30 mins free + shuttle) | £80 (£40 if paid in 14 days) | No pay stations—pay online ASAP or risk a fine! |
Gatwick | £5 for 10 mins, then £1/min (max £25) | Long Stay Car Park (free shuttle) | £100 (£60 in 14 days) | Park in short-stay for pickups—it’s cheaper than the drop-off zone. |
Luton | £5 for 10 mins, then £1/min (max £25) | Mid Stay Car Park (15 mins free + walk) | £80 (£40 in 14 days) | Use Mid Stay for free; save the £5 for a post-flight coffee instead. |
Stansted | £7 for 15 mins, then £25 (!) | Mid Stay Car Park (1 hour free + shuttle) | £80 (£50 in 14 days) | Set a timer! 15 mins goes fast when you’re unloading suitcases. |
London City | £5 flat rate | None—every drop-off is charged | £200 (yikes!) | Take the DLR or Tube—it’s cheaper and faster. |
Southend | £5 for 10 mins, then £1/min | Long Stay Car Park (15 mins free + shuttle) | £100 (£50 in 14 days) | Practice your speedy goodbye—10 minutes is shorter than you think! |
Why Airports Charge for Drop-Offs?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: why are airports charging just to say “see ya later” at the curb? Officially, it’s to reduce traffic and emissions. Unofficially? Let’s just say Heathrow made over £150 million from drop-off fees in 2022 alone. Ouch.
But hey, knowledge is power.
Here’s how to outsmart the system.
London Airport Drop-Off Charges Explained
1. Heathrow Airport
- Fee: £5.
- How to Pay: Online, via autopay, or by phone. No cash, no kiosks—you have until midnight on the day to pay.
- Free Hack: Drive to the Long Stay Car Park. You get 30 minutes free + a 5-minute shuttle ride to the terminal. Pro tip: Add 10 mins to your journey time for the shuttle.
Forgot to pay?
That’s an £80 fine (halved if you pay quickly). Heathrow issues over 500 fines a day—don’t be a statistic!
Casual Tip: My mate Dave learned the hard way. He dropped his mum off, forgot to pay online, and ended up funding Heathrow’s next carpet upgrade. Don’t be like Dave.
2. Gatwick Airport
- Fee: £5 for 10 mins, then £1/minute. Max £25 (so don’t get stuck in traffic!).
- Free Hack: Use the Long Stay Car Park (free shuttle every 10 mins).
- Payment: Gatwick’s ANPR cameras scan your plate—pay online within 48 hours.
The 10-minute limit starts as soon as you enter the zone. If you’re stuck behind a slow-moving minivan, you’re paying for it.
3. Luton Airport
- Fee: £5 for 10 mins.
- Free Hack: Mid Stay Car Park offers 15 mins free. It’s a 10-minute walk or a 2-minute shuttle ride.
- Fine: £80, but Luton’s ANPR system is ruthless. Over 30% of fines here are from drivers who “swore they only took 9 minutes.”
Fun Fact: Luton’s drop-off zone made headlines in 2023 when a driver argued his £25 fee in court… and lost.
4. Stansted Airport
- Fee: £7 for 15 mins, then a jaw-dropping £25.
- Free Hack: Mid-Stay Car Park gives you 1 hour free (yes, 60 mins!). The shuttle takes 7 minutes.
- Payment: Use Stansted’s app to pay—it’s faster than their security lines.
The 15-minute window includes waiting for your passenger to find their passport in their bag.
5. London City Airport
- Fee: £5 flat rate.
- No Free Option: This airport’s tiny, so they’re strict. Even 30 seconds cost £5.
- Fine: £200 (!). The highest on our list.
Smart Move: Jump on the DLR. The station is inside the terminal.
6. Southend Airport
- Fee: £5 for 10 mins.
- Free Hack: Long Stay Car Park (15 mins free + shuttle).
- Fine: £100, but Southend’s drop-off zone is quieter—great for a speedy exit.
A Secret: The free zone’s shuttle runs every 8 mins. Time it right, and you’ll beat the fee-paying crowd.
5 Hacks to Avoid Drop-Off Charges Entirely
- The “Free Zone Shuttle” Trick
Every airport (except London City) has a free lot. Yes, it adds 5-10 mins, but that’s £5 saved for a Pret sandwich. - Public Transport FTW
- Heathrow: Elizabeth Line (20 mins from Paddington).
- Gatwick: Thameslink (30 mins from London Bridge).
- Luton: Thameslink to Luton Parkway + 10-min shuttle.
- Pre-Book Parking for Longer Stays
Need to help with bags? Pre-book 1 hour in short-stay parking. It’s often cheaper than the drop-off fee (e.g., Heathrow short-stay is £6.50 for 1 hour). - Become a Midnight Dropper
Some airports, like Stansted, waive fees between 12 AM and 4 AM. Check their websites! - Hire a Chauffeur
Sounds fancy, but hear us out: Many chauffeur services include airport drop-off charges in their rates. No stress, no fines, and your passenger arrives like a VIP.
But What If I Forget to Pay?
First: Don’t panic. Most fines are reduced if paid within 14 days. Here’s what to do:
- Check the Airport’s Portal – Enter your plate number and pay ASAP.
- Appeal If You Have Proof – Receipts or bank statements showing payment can help.
- Set Reminders – Add a calendar alert for drop-off day.
Final Thoughts
London’s airport drop-off charges are like parking tickets—annoying but avoidable. Use free zones, embrace public transport, or treat yourself to a chauffeur. And next time you’re at Heathrow, wave at Dave’s £80 fine… from the free shuttle.
Got Questions? Drop us a comment below! Or book a chauffeur with us—no fees, no fuss, just smooth rides.