Drivers have been warned of new cost hikes in January after the UK’s largest airport announced it will increase its drop-off fees and introduce new maximum stay times.
Heathrow Airport is set to raise its drop-off fees from £6 to £7 from January 1, 2026, as well as introduce new 10-minute stay windows, in a huge blow to drivers.
The move will align the airport with other London drop-off prices, with Gatwick also charging drivers £7 for a 10-minute window, while London Luton charges drivers £7 for 10 minutes with an additional £1 for every minute thereafter.
The hike will make the UK’s busiest airport, now among the most expensive for drivers travelling to, which will soon have a knock-on effect of increased taxi prices.
Heathrow Airport shared on X: “From January 1, 2026, the Terminal Drop-Off Charge will increase to £7. We will also be introducing a maximum stay of 10 minutes in the drop-off area.
“Blue Badge holders get a 100 per cent discount and are exempt from the maximum stay limit. Free drop-off options remain available at Park & Ride car parks.”
The increase hopes to encourage passengers to travel to the airport by other transport options such as trains or buses. The raised price also hopes to deter passengers from arriving at the airport by car.
Last year, the airport revealed that roughly 83.9 million passengers travelled through Heathrow’s terminals. It explained that the new charge applies every time a vehicle enters the terminal drop-off areas.
The airport said that Blue Badge holders and certain vehicle users would be exempt from paying the charge
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PA/GETTY/HEATHROW AIRPORT
These designated areas are located outside each terminal, making for the easiest and quickest way to drop off passengers.
A Heathrow Airport Spokesperson told GB News: “This change brings Heathrow’s Terminal Drop-Off Charge 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.
“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.”
All taxis, including black cabs and private-hire vehicles, must pay the terminal drop-off charge each time they enter the terminal drop-off zones, with many providers including the fee as part of the overall cost of the journey. But the London Cab Ranks Committee warned that due to the increase, the association will have to raise its fees from April 2026.
The price hike by the airport could lead to more expensive taxi journeys for passengers
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PAThe airport maintained that Blue Badge holders will keep their 100 per cent discount if they hold a valid UK or European Economic Area badge.
Other vehicles which can be exempt from the charge include roadside recovery vehicles, two-wheeled motorbikes, and some buses or coaches.
The airport added: “The charge, which was proposed in 2020, is part of our updated Surface-Access and sustainability plans. The scheme helps to prevent a car-led recovery and to reduce airport-related traffic.
“Income from the charge contributes to new sustainable transport initiatives at the airport, with additional revenue helping lower overall airport charges.”
Heathrow warned that the pandemic severely affected the airport, with the charge allowing Heathrow to continue investing in congestion-reducing projects as well as protecting jobs.
However, the increase has not been welcomed by everyone. Clive Wratten, CEO at Business Travel Association, warned that the hike was “another example of hitting the very people who keep our economy moving”.
He added: “Business travellers are being penalised the moment they arrive at the airport. There’s next to no justification for this. These charges do nothing to improve the passenger experience or reliability of access to Heathrow.
“All it does is simply raise costs for individuals and businesses already facing higher travel taxes and regional connectivity challenges.”