Heathrow Airport Drop-Off PCN

With the introduction of a drop-off charge in November 2021, this makes Heathrow the last major UK airport to have such a charge. The drop-off zones at Heathrow Airport are operated by APCOA Parking, and done via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. If you do not pay the drop-off charge, you will receive a Parking Charge Notice from APCOA. They request that you must pay the Heathrow Airport drop-off PCN within 28 days. You can receive a reduced payment if you pay within 14 days.

Heathrow Airport Drop-Off Payment

As of January 2023, the current Heathrow airport drop-off payment charge is £5. This charge applies to every vehicle that enters one of the drop-off zones (discounts and exemptions apply).

How Long Can You Stay In Heathrow Airport Drop-Off?

There doesn’t seem to be a specific time limit in Heathrow Airport’s drop-off zones. However, the section 2.2 of their Terminal Drop-Off Charge Terms And Conditions its specifically states:

Payment of the charge does not permit you to wait in the terminal drop-off zone before or after dropping off a passenger

Terminal Drop-Off Charge Terms And Conditions

And Section 6.4 of their Terminal Drop-Off Charge Terms And Conditions, which related to Parking Charge Notices, specifically states:

In the event of a breach of these terms and conditions, we (via our trusted third party) may use the vehicle registration details to request and obtain details of the vehicle’s registered keeper from the DVLA

Terminal Drop-Off Charge Terms And Conditions

As your vehicle registration is captured by ANPR as it enters the drop-off zone, if you are captured waiting before or after dropping off a passenger, you will likely receive a Parking Charge Notice for a breach of section 2.2.

How To Pay The Drop-Off Charge

You have up until midnight the next day to pay the fee, or you can pay it in advance. There is nowhere physically at the airport to pay, so payment must be done via their automated telephone service, by automatic auto-pay or online.

What Happens If You Forget To Pay The Heathrow Drop-Off Charge?

As of January 2023, if you don’t pay the £5 drop-off charge, you will receive a Heathrow Airport Drop-Off PCN. This will be issued by APCOA and will be for the charge of £80. However, if you pay within 14 days, a reduction to the charge is applied bringing it to £40.

Appeal Heathrow Airport Drop-Off PCN

You can view, appeal and/or pay the Heathrow Airport Drop-Off PCN through the APCOA Parking Portal. You could attempt to appeal the penalty due to Schedule 4 of The Protection Of Freedoms Act (POFA). However, also be aware of land that is covered by byelaws, which some airports are, as the appeal may not be as straight forward. Professional legal help is always recommended if you are unsure.

Is There A Drop-Off Point At Heathrow Terminal…

If you plan to be, or are dropping someone off, at Heathrow Terminal 2, 3, 4 or 5, this is to be done in the designated drop-off zones at those locations. You can stop to unload baggage, but waiting is not permitted. These area a patrolled by airport staff, the Police and monitored by an ANPR system. So if you are caught waiting, you will be asked to moved and may receive a Parking Charge Notice.

How Can I Avoid Paying My Heathrow Drop-Off Fee?

You can drop-off passengers for free at the Long Stay car parks. From there they can get a free bus transfer to any of the terminals. You can’t pick up passengers from a drop-off zone, so there is no charge to do pick-ups from the Short Stay car parks for the first 30 minutes.

Is Blue Badge Parking Free At Heathrow?

Blue Badge holder can apply for free drop-off charge by going to Heathrow’s Blue Badge Discount Application page.

When being dropped off or picked up, there is two hours free parking available for Blue Badge holders in Heathrow’s Long Stay Car Parks. Just use the call point at the entrance to the car park, state the vehicle registration and Blue Badge number, and the same again when you exit.

Other Heathrow Drop-Off Discounts

If you have one of the following vehicles recorded with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) as one of these categories, you will get a 100% discount on the Heathrow drop-off charge:

• Roadside Recovery vehicles;
• Buses or coaches;
• Two-wheeled motorbikes.

If you have used Heathrow’s Valet Parking you will also be eligible for a 100% discount on the Heathrow drop-off charge.

These discounts will be applied to your vehicle automatically. You don’t have to apply for them.

Electric vehicles are not currently eligible for any exemptions or discounts.

Heathrow Airport Short Stay Car Park Charge

It is recommended that to avoid a Heathrow Airport drop-off PCN to use one of their dedicated car parks. The current 2023 rates for the Short Stay Car Park are:

Duration	On The Day
0 – 29 minutes	£6.00
30 – 44 minutes	£9.50
45 – 59 minutes	£12.70
1 – 2 hours	£16.00
2 – 3 hours	£19.40
3 – 4 hours	£23.30
4 – 5 hours	£29.30
5 – 6 hours	£37.70
6 – 9 hours	£51.40
9 – 12 hours	£67.30
12 – 24 hours	£83.30
Each additional 24 hour period	£83.30

Pre-booking is recommended as savings on the rate can be applied. You can pre-book up to 2 hours before arrival. The booking is also flexible allowing you to cancel for free up to 2 hours before arrival.

Heathrow Airport Long Stay Car Park Charge

You can also avoid a Heathrow Airport drop-off PCN by using the 30 minutes free parking at the Long Stay Car Park. The current 2023 rates for the Long Stay Car Park are:

Duration	Off Peak dates	Peak dates*
0 – 29 mins	Free	Free
30 mins – 1 hr 59 mins**	£9.00	£9.00
First day	£37.70	£43.20
Additional 24 hour periods	£30.30	£34.50

Sources used to write this article:

• Heathrow Terminal Drop-Off Charge Terms & Conditions
• Schedule 4 – Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• APCOA Parking Heathrow Drop-Off PCN Portal
• Heathrow Airport Short Stay Car Park Charges
• Heathrow Airport Long Stay Car Park Charges
• Heathrow Drop-Off Charge