As Heathrow Airport will be firmly situated within the ULEZ zone, there is no way to drive in and out of the airport with a non-compliant vehicle without incurring a charge. However, there are a couple of ways you can reach Heathrow without paying the charge.

Yes, you generally have to pay the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge to drive to Heathrow Airport if your vehicle does not meet specific emissions standards. Since August 2023, the ULEZ expanded to cover all London boroughs, including Hillingdon where Heathrow is located. This means that any vehicle entering the airport grounds—whether for departures, arrivals, or parking—must be compliant (typically Euro 4 for petrol and Euro 6 for diesel) or the driver must pay a daily charge of £12.50. It is important to note that the ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day. Even if you are just dropping someone off at the terminal, the cameras will detect your registration. If your car is older or non-compliant, you might consider taking the Elizabeth Line or the Heathrow Express, or checking your vehicle on the Transport for London (TfL) website before you travel to avoid a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), which can be quite expensive.