Airport Drop Off Charges in London: A Complete Guide
From holiday goers to people on business trips, there will always be plenty of PCO work when it comes to London airport drop off jobs. As a PCO driver, are you aware of the airport drop off charges and how to pay them?
With drop off jobs becoming increasingly rife within the PCO community, Rapid PCO has seen an increase in Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) from PCO drivers failing to pay the airport drop off charges in time, especially at Heathrow and Gatwick.
To combat drivers’ earnings being wasted on PCNs, we have put together an in-depth guide covering all the London airport drop off charges and the different ways you can pay them.
Table of contents
- Heathrow Airport drop off charge
- Gatwick Airport drop off charge
- Luton Airport drop off charge
- Stansted Airport drop off charge
- London City Airport drop off charge
Please note that Rapid PCO does not register your PCO vehicle details with any London Airport, and you will need to upload the details yourself.
Heathrow Airport drop off charge
What is the drop off charge at Heathrow?
The Heathrow terminal drop-off cost is £5 whenever you enter either of the 4 terminal drop off areas in front of the terminal buildings.
If you enter any terminal drop off areas more than once a day, you will be charged for each time you do so.
How to pay the Heathrow drop off charge?
The Heathrow drop off charge can be paid online, with auto pay, or by phone (0330 008 5600).
You can pay the Heathrow drop off charge in advance, on the day, or by midnight the day after.
Rapid PCO would strongly recommend setting up an auto pay account to avoid getting any PCNs.
This automatic payment option allows you to upload your vehicle and card details so that automatic payments are made whenever you enter the Heathrow drop off zones.
If you do not already have an auto pay account, you will need to register your PCO vehicle with Heathrow through a business account to set one up.
What happens if you do not pay the Heathrow drop off charge?
Failure to pay the Heathrow drop off charge by midnight the next day will result in a PCN of £80.
This can be reduced to £40 if you pay the PCN within 14 days.
Have you received a PCN for failing to pay the Heathrow drop off charge?
You can pay your Penalty Charge Notice here.
Are there any free drop off options available at London Heathrow Airport?
Heathrow Park & Ride, previously known as Long Stay Parking, Heathrow’s free drop off option is now called Heathrow Park & Ride and is the cheapest of their official parking options.
You can park your car for free at the Heathrow Park & Ride for up to 30 minutes.
Passengers can take a free bus transfer to the terminal.
You can find out more information about the Heathrow Park & Ride here.
Please note that due to time constraints, this may not be as convenient for passengers as the drop off zones.
Gatwick drop off charge
What is the Gatwick drop off charge?
The North and South Gatwick Airport Terminals charge a fee of £6 for 10 minutes.
The £6 charge will apply to every vehicle that makes its way through the drop off terminals.
Charges:
- £6 for 10 minutes
- £1 for any extra minute up to 20 minutes
- A maximum charge of £26 (the maximum length of stay is 30 minutes)
To avoid receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), you must pay the London Gatwick drop off charge by midnight the day after your visit.
How to pay the Gatwick drop off charge?
The Gatwick drop-off charge can be paid in three ways: two are online payment options, and the third is over the phone.
You will not be able to pay the drop off charges at the terminals.
Payment options:
- Autopay – Autopay allows you to register your vehicle and car details and pay automatically whenever you enter the Gatwick drop off terminals.
- Pay Online – Using this link, you can enter your vehicle registration details and pay for the Gatwick drop off charge.
- Over the phone – If you would like to pay over the phone you can call the automated payment line on 0330 174 4503.
What happens if you fail to pay the Gatwick drop off charge?
Failing to pay the Gatwick drop off charge will result in a PCN charge of £100.
This can be reduced to £60 if you make payment within 14 days.
Received a Gatwick drop off PCN?
You can pay a Penalty Notice Charge via this link.
To avoid getting a PCN for not paying the London Gatwick drop off charge, we strongly recommend setting up an Autopay account with your vehicle registration and bank details.
If you make multiple trips to drop off passengers at London Gatwick airport, this account will automatically cover the drop off charge each time.
Can you drop off passengers for free at London Gatwick?
When dropping passengers at London Gatwick, you can use Long Stay Parking for up to 2 hours for free.
Directions to London Gatwick’s Long Stay Parking are available here.
Simply take a ticket at the barrier when entering and use it to exit.
Free shuttle buses to the airport from the Long Stay Car Park are available for passengers but can take up to 20 minutes.
This option is less popular with passengers due to its distance from the terminal.
London Stanstead drop off charge
What is the Stansted drop off charge?
The Express Set Down Zone prices are:
- £7 for up to 15 mins
- £25 if you go over the 15 mins of allotted time
With passenger check-in just minutes from the Express Drop Off Zone at Stansted Airport, it is incredibly convenient for passengers.
Worth noting: If you are to re-enter the car park within 30 minutes of your initial entry, you will be charged a fee of £20.
How to pay the Stansted drop-off charge?
- Automatic Ticket Machines: You can pay at ticket machines located around the terminal building using your credit or debit card.
- At the Barrier: When exiting, use the ticket you received upon entering and pay with your debit or credit card.
The Express Set Down zone is strictly drop off only.
Are there free drop off options at London Stansted Airport?
At Stansted Airport, there is a free drop-off option at the Mid Stay car park.
You are allowed up to 60 minutes of free parking time. If you stay longer than 60 minutes, the prices are as follows:
Next hour – £5.00
After 2 hours – Day rate (£45.00)
More information can be found on London Stansted Airport’s Turn Up & Park page.
Luton Airport drop off charge
What is the London Luton Airport drop off charge?
London Luton Airport has implemented a new Express Drop Off option.
Luton Express drop off charges:
- £5.00 for five minutes
- £1.00 for every additional minute up to a maximum of 20 minutes
Please note that the Luton Express Drop Off may be restricted during peak times.
How to pay the London Luton Drop Off charge?
The Luton Express Drop Off can be paid only by using this link.
Using the link above you can:
- Pay for every trip you make into the Express Drop Off Zone (By midnight the day after).
- Register an account: After registering your vehicle and card details, you can automatically pay the Luton Express Drop Off zone drop off charge.
- Review the Terms and Conditions and privacy notice.
Vehicles such as cars and minibuses (with a maximum of 9 seats) are permitted in the Luton Express Drop Off Zone.
If the 20-minute time limit is exceeded, a £95 penalty will be imposed on drivers.
This fee can be reduced to £55 if paid within 14 days.
Are there any alternative free drop off options at Luton Airport?
There are two free drop off options at Luton Airport
Mid Stay Car Park (Free Drop Off Zone)
- Parking is free for up to 20 minutes.
Free drop off at the Long Stay Car Park
- The Long Stay Car Park option is free for up to one hour. This is located 10 minutes away from the terminal by bus or car.
Please note that opting for these free alternative drop off options may inconvenience passengers, as they may be required to walk further or take another form of transportation, like a shuttle bus, to the terminal entrance.
View the locations of the drop off options here.
Help with directions to London Luton Airport can also be found here.
London City Airport drop off charge
What is the London City Airport drop off charge?
You’ll be happy to hear that in the event you do drop someone of at London City Airport, it is free.
Please click here for more information on dropping passengers off at London City Airport.
London City Airport drop off fine
At London City Airport, you are instructed not to leave your vehicle unattended or wait in your vehicle after you have dropped off your passengers.
To monitor the traffic passing through London City Airport, they use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
You may receive a Penalty Charge Notice if you do not follow the rules.
London City Airport’s website does not specify the amount of the PCN. To save your hard-earned money, we recommend that drivers minimise their time in the drop-off zone.
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