THE UK’s busiest airport has announced new rules for passengers arriving by car or taxi in 2026.
Anyone heading to the drop-off area at London Heathrow will face an increase in price – and will have to be in and out in 10-minutes.
London Heathrow Airport has changed its Terminal Drop-Off price and reduced the time that cars can wait for passengers.
From January 1, 2026, the Terminal Drop-Off Charge will rise from £6 to £7.
The new charge applies each time a vehicle enters one of the terminal drop-off zones.
To use the drop-off, drivers can either pay for a single visit or pre-pay for multiple visits online or by phone.
If you forget to pay before using the drop-off area then don’t worry – but payment must be made by midnight the following day.
You cannot make a payment within the drop-off zone at any of the ticket machines.
Drivers can re-enter the drop-off zone – but each time you do this will count as a new visit and will incur another charge.
There will be fines of £80 for those who do not pay the charge which will be reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days.
The last payment increase was in December 2024 when the charge increased from £5 to £6.
Along with the payment increase, Heathrow is introducing a maximum stay time of 10 minutes.
This counts for all vehicles using the designated drop-off areas located directly outside each terminal.
Previously there was no time limit in the drop-off areas, but the 10-minute maximum stay is being introduced to ease congestion and improve traffic flow.
On the new drop-off timing rules a Heathrow spokesperson said: “We have introduced a 10-minute maximum stay to smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion.
“95% of passenger visits are under 10 minutes so we expect minimal impact.”
This makes it one of the most expensive airport charges in the UK – London Stansted currently charges £7 for drop off but has a 15 minute time window.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “This change brings Heathrow’s Terminal Drop-Off Charge (TDOC) in line with other major UK airports and plays a key role in our sustainability strategy.
“It helps reduce congestion, encourages public transport use, and ensures our forecourts are used for their intended purpose. Free drop-off and pick-up options remain available for all terminals at all our Park & Ride car parks.”
In 2025, London Heathrow moved one step closer to opening its third runway under the Government’s £29billion expansion plans.
The major new upgrade is set to be operational in the next 10 years.
This is the same estimation of costs predicted in 2014 of £14billion, when adjusted for inflation.
The new 3,500-metre runway will be in the north-west of the busy UK airport, and when fully operational could welcome up to 276,000 new flights a year.
This takes the annual flights from 480,000 to 756,000, with as many as 30 new flight routes a day.
These could be by budget airlines like easyJet who have expressed desires to launch from London Heathrow with the expansion.
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