Passengers and drivers heading to London Heathrow Airport will need to prepare for a significant change to the rules for dropping off travellers from the start of 2026. The UK's busiest airport is set to introduce its first-ever strict time limit for vehicles at terminal forecourts, alongside a small increase in the existing charge.
What Are the New Heathrow Drop-Off Rules?
The new regulations will come into force on 1 January 2026. The core changes are twofold. Firstly, the fee for dropping off a passenger directly outside a terminal in a car or private vehicle will rise from £6 to £7.
Secondly, and more notably, a firm 10-minute maximum waiting time will be enforced in these designated drop-off zones. Drivers who exceed this limit will be issued a Parking Charge Notice (PCN), which is a fine.
Why Is Heathrow Making These Changes?
Airport bosses state that the primary goal is to ease congestion in the busy areas directly outside the terminal buildings. By limiting how long vehicles can wait, they aim to keep traffic flowing more smoothly, improving the experience for everyone arriving at the airport.
A Heathrow spokesperson indicated that the 10-minute window should be sufficient for the vast majority of users, noting that 95% of current drop-offs are completed in under 10 minutes.
How to Pay and Avoid Fines
Visitors using the drop-off zones will have several payment options. You can pre-pay the £7 charge online or by phone before your journey. If you choose to pay after using the zone, you must do so before midnight on the following day.
Failure to pay by this deadline can result in an £80 penalty. It is crucial to remember that the time limit is monitored, so even if the fee is paid, overstaying the 10 minutes will still trigger a PCN.
For those wishing to avoid the charge entirely, Heathrow continues to offer a free drop-off option via its Long Stay car parks and the dedicated Park & Ride service. This involves parking in a designated long-stay car park and taking a complimentary bus transfer to the terminals, which remains available for all terminals.
These adjustments mark a clear move by Heathrow to manage its ground traffic more actively. Travellers and those collecting or dropping them off are advised to factor in these new rules for any journeys from the start of 2026 to ensure a smooth and penalty-free airport experience.
