Is there a charge to drive to Heathrow Airport?

Yes, there are. Depending on the type of vehicle you are driving and where in London you are driving to, you may need to pay the Congestion Charge, Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and/or the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charges.



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Before driving into London you should check whether you'll need to pay the ULEZ charge using the TfL vehicle checker. You should also check if your destination falls within the expanded ULEZ using TfL's postcode and map search tool. This will also tell you if you have to pay the Congestion Charge.

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The charge will be in addition to any other fees or charges associated with entering the airport. The charge only applies when a vehicle is driven within the ULEZ zone, and does not apply to stationary vehicles including when cars are parked at Heathrow.

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Diesel cars and vans that do not meet Euro 6 standards (those typically bought new before 2015) do not comply. Nor do petrol cars and vans that are not Euro 4 or better (those typically bought new before 2006). Drivers can check their car's status by going to TfL's vehicle checker and inputting the registration.

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Exemptions. You don't have to pay the Terminal Drop-Off Charge if you are driving a Heathrow permitted operational vehicle or a vehicle recorded at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in either of these categories: Emergency service vehicles, such as police, ambulances and fire engines. Military vehicles.

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Heathrow Airport is in Zone 6 of London's zoned transport system. To understand the zone system which is the basis for all fares on the London Underground, read our using the London Underground page.

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Who doesn't have to pay congestion charges?
  • Blue Badge holders.
  • Roadside recovery vehicles.
  • Accredited breakdown vehicles.
  • Vehicles with nine or more seats.
  • Cars that emit 75g/km or less of CO2.
  • Zero-emission vehicles (Fully electric vehicles and any other zero emissions vehicles)


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Drive a lower emission car if possible. Electric cars are exempt from the London Congestion Charge. If you're only visiting for the day, consider parking outside the zone and using public transport for the rest of your journey.

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Diesel cars that meet the ULEZ standard are generally those first registered with the DVLA after September 2015, while compliant petrols tend to be vehicles first used after 2006. Owners of vehicles that don't meet the following emissions standards have to pay the daily ULEZ charge.

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Accordingly, the boundary of ULEZ expanded to the whole of Greater London (within the M25) as planned, charging drivers of non-compliant vehicles to enter the capital. Read on to find out how the expansion might affect you, and what you can do to avoid having to pay the daily charge of £12.50.

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Here's a run-down of what you can do to avoid the ULEZ charge:
  1. Buy a petrol car. ...
  2. Buy a diesel car. ...
  3. Buy a classic car. ...
  4. Buy an electric car. ...
  5. Buy a motorbike. ...
  6. Other ways to avoid paying the ULEZ charge. ...
  7. Other ULEZ exempt vehicles. ...
  8. Yet more ways to not pay ULEZ charges.


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Meet and Greet parking is one of the most convenient, hassle-free ways to park your car at Heathrow. Just drive your vehicle to our Short Stay car park, leave your keys with us and our highly-experienced and professional team will do the rest.

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If you'd prefer not to pay the drop-off charge, Heathrow offers a free drop-off option at the Long Stay car parks. Once you've dropped your passengers off, they will just need to take the free transfer bus to the terminal.

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