Heathrow Airport Drop Off How to get Dropped off for FREE
Heathrow Airport Drop Off
Getting dropped off for free at Heathrow Airport can be challenging as the airport charges a fee of £5 for drop-off services. However, there are a few ways to get around the Heathrow airport drop off charge.
- Use public transportation: You can use public transportation to get dropped off at Heathrow Airport for free. The Heathrow Express, Piccadilly Line, Elizabthean Line and National Express coach services all provide drop-off points at the airport. There are also buses that stop regularly at Heathrow.
- Arrange for a drop-off at a nearby location: There are several nearby locations, such as business parks or hotels, that offer free shuttle services to Heathrow Airport. You can arrange for a drop-off at one of these locations and then take the shuttle to the airport.
- Share with friends or family: If you have friends or family members who are also travelling to the airport, you can carpool and split the cost of the drop-off fee and fare.
- Use ride-sharing services: Some ride-sharing services, such as Uber, offer drop-off services at Heathrow Airport. While you will have to pay for the ride, it may be cheaper than the drop-off fee charged by the airport. They do however put a service fee on top of the ride to pick you up.
It’s important to note that if you are dropping off someone who has a disability, you can apply for a blue badge exemption, which will allow you to drop them off for free. See below tab Heathrow drop off blue badge.
Heading to Stansted Airport? here is how you can get dropped off at Stansted Airport for free.
Heathrow Express
If you’re coming from central London, the fastest and most direct way to get to the airport is by using the Heathrow Express train service. It takes just 15 minutes from London Paddington Station to the Heathrow terminals. This is more expensive than the tube however it is a direct route if you are in a rush.
Hop on the tube to Heathrow Airport
Tube (also known as the underground) has two networks that go to Heathrow. These are the Piccadilly Line and the new Elizabethan Line. Be aware that although these tube lines take you straight to the terminal, they can be quite long in duration as the tube stops at every station on the way. Heathrow is also the very end of the Piccadilly and Elizabethan line. If you are going from east to west London (where Heathrow is located) it can take you well over an hour. This is however the cheapest option to get to Heathrow Airport.
Uber London Heathrow
Getting an Uber is the easiest way to get to Heathrow Airport but at a cost. This is the most expensive way to get to Heathrow however it can be cost effective if you are sharing with friends or family. It is very convenient but do be aware that Uber does add an additional fee when you use Heathrow drop off to cover the costs.
If you get in an Uber from Heathrow they will meet you in the short-stay car park. They will add this fee to the cost of the Uber fare. Uber Heathrow is still the most convenient and a cost-effective way if you are travelling with more people.
Driving to Heathrow
Heathrow Airport Drop off for Terminals 2 and 3
To get to Heathrow airport Exit the M4 (junction 4) or M25 (junction 15) and follow signs for Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3.
Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 drop off postcode: TW6 1EW
Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 Drop off postcode: TW6 1QG
Heathrow Terminal 4 Drop Off
At junction 14 on the M25, take the A3113 exit to Heathrow Airport/Terminal 4 and then follow the relevant signposts to terminal 4.
Terminal 4 postcode: TW6 3XA
Heathrow Terminal 5 Drop Off
Directions to Terminal 5
The terminal is on the Western Perimeter Road and has its own separate access road, reached from junction 14 of the M25. If you’re coming from the M4, exit at junction 4b and follow the M25 south to junction 14.
Terminal 5 postcode: TW6 2GA
Heathrow Terminal 5 Parking Charges Short Stay
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 0 -2 hours | £16.60 |
| 2 – 5 hours | £30.60 |
| 5 – 9 hours | £66.90 |
| 9 – 24 hours | £94.70 |
| Each additional 24-hour period, or part thereof | £94.70 |
Heathrow Airport Drop Off Payment
If you are dropping off people frequently at Heathrow Airport you can set up an account here. Here you can add your vehicle, pay for a single drop-off, pre-pay for multiple drop-offs, set up autopay and review your trip history.
Heathrow Drop Off Charge
Heathrow Airport drop off charges £5 per vehicle every time you enter the drop-off zone. This means if you do leave just for one minute and enter again, you will be charged an additional £5! Also, note that there are no airport ticket machines at the drop-off zones. To pay you will need to go online here or pay by automated telephone service, this is the number: 0330 008 5600
Heathrow airport drop off charges apply 24/7, 365 days a year so there is no way of getting around this. You will then have until midnight on the day after your visit to pay the Heathrow drop off cost.
Heathrow Drop Off Blue Badge
Suppose you hold a valid UK European Economic Area (EEA) Blue Badge. In that case, you can indeed apply for a 100% discount on the terminal drop-off charge at Heathrow Airport, regardless of whether you drive or own a vehicle. This discount applies to the vehicle that drops you off at the terminal, whether it’s a taxi, a friend’s car, or any other vehicle.
To apply for the Blue Badge discount, you can click here and enter your vehicle registration and provide them with your Blue Badge details. They will then provide you with further information.
This offers you 2 hours of free parking at Heathrow Airport Long Stay Car Park instead of the up to 30 minutes free for the rest of the public.
Forgot to pay Heathrow drop-off charge
If you forget to pay Heathrow Airport drop off charge you will need to pay:
- £80, reduced to £40 if paid within two weeks.
Heathrow Airport Short Stay Parking
Another alternative to Heathrow Airport Drop Off is the short stay car park. This is just two minutes from the terminal if you prefer to meet your guest in person.
Please note that payments to Heathrow Airport Short Stay car park are done by foot at the machines by the lifts and NOT done online.
Heathrow Car Park Charges
| Duration | Pay at machine rates |
|---|---|
| 0 – 29 minutes | £6.00 |
| 30 – 44 minutes | £9.50 |
| 45 – 59 minutes | £12.70 |
| 1 – 2 hours | £16.00 |
Heathrow Drop Off PCN
PCN stands for Parking Charge Notice. If you do not pay your Heathrow airport drop off parking charge you will be charged £80 or £40 if paid within 14 days.
How to avoid the Heathrow Drop off Charge
Now I have gone through all the options of how to get to Heathrow airport drop off here is how you can get dropped off for free by car.
Simply head to the Long Stay Car Park at Heathrow Airport.
For drivers, the first 30 minutes is completely FREE! which makes it the cheapest way to get dropped off. When you leave the barriers will read your ticket or registration number allowing you to exit.
Please note that re-entry to the Long Stay car park will then be prohibited in the following 24 hours and this facility is not available to private hire and trade vehicles
For passengers, the long-stay car park at Heathrow offers a convenient service with shuttle buses running every 10-15 minutes to all terminals. The transfer can be as short as 5 minutes.
For Blue Badge holders, the first 2 hours of parking are free at Heathrow Airport Long Stay Car Park. Please use the call point on entry and state your Blue Badge number and registration to the operator, on exit please use the call point and state your registration to exit. Only valid for UK and EEA blue badge holders.
| Duration | Off-peak dates | Peak dates* |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 29 mins | Free | Free |
| 30 mins – 1 hr 59 mins** | £9.00 | £9.00 |
| First day | £37.70 | £43.20 |
| Additional 24 hour periods | £30.30 | £34.50 |
Heathrow Drop Off.apcoa/contact us
The Customer Services phone number is 0333 200 7459. The automated telephone payment line is 0330 008 5600. General Enquiries: generalenquiries.heathrowdropoff@apcoa.com.
Gatwick Drop Off Charge
If you are heading to Gatwick and want to know more information about the Gatwick drop off charge and how you can get dropped off at Gatwick for free, click here.
