Are you worried about paying for drop-off parking at Heathrow and avoiding all those needless fines? Heathrow has 2, 3, 4 and 5 distinct terminals. Each terminal comes with a little surprise when it comes to parking. Well, it’s not easy to figure out how to actually pay that drop-off charge. It can be confusing, especially with all the different payment options available. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to prevent forgetting and getting hit with that penalty and save yourself.
Read on to find out how to pay for Heathrow drop-off parking and have the most seamless experience.
Everything You Need To Know About Heathrow Drop-Off Charges
All vehicles dropping off passengers at the terminal forecourts must pay a drop-off fee of £5, initiated in November 2021. The charge is automatically incurred by an ANPR camera as soon as the vehicle enters the drop-off area. This is applicable throughout the year, 24 hours a day, and for all vehicles including private hire.
How can you pay the Heathrow drop-off charge?
There are three different options for paying the Heathrow drop-off charge:
Book Online
By visiting the official Heathrow website or downloading their app, the user is allowed to pay either before or on the same day of travel. Booking early always gets you its perks. You can visit our website and compare your parking deals to find out about discounts, coupons, and much more before paying parking fees.
Automated phone payment
With automated phone service, a customer can make payments 24 hours a day. Call 03300085600 to use the automated service.
Automatic Payment
An individual can also sign up for autopay if he is a frequent user, ensuring that this charge will be automatically paid each time he uses the drop-off zones.
Recurring drivers
Private hire drivers can set up a personal or business account to add vehicles, pre-pay for multiple drop-offs, enable autopay, and track trip history for convenience.
Paying Payment Process at Terminal 2:
This is where the drops are very close to the entrance to The Queen’s Terminal (Terminal 2).
Web Payments
Through the airport official website or through the airport app; alternatively, you could use the automated phone service.
Payment by Deadline
Payment should be made at most by midnight the following day after drop-off to avoid penalization.
Drop-off Parking Payment at Terminal 3
Both passengers traveling from Terminal 3 can find drop-off space right outside the main departure area.
Payment Options
Types of payments include paying through automated machines near the terminal or online payment if one seeks absolute convenience.
One could register for direct debit for convenience, especially for those who usually uses the site.
Convenient Payment Methods at Terminal Five
The largest, Terminal 5 is a significant British Airways point of contact and has a simple payment solution for drop-off parking.
Payment Options: Either payment can be made online, on the phone, or through one of the automated machines placed near the terminal.
Important Tip: Have correct vehicle registration details so as not to fall into error during payment.
What Happens if I Don’t Pay the Drop-off Fee?
Failure to pay the drop-off fee of £5 by midnight the next day would result in an immediate Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £80. However, if the charge is paid within 14 days, it is reduced to £40.
You Can Even Avail Free Options For Drop-Off At Heathrow Airport
Most drop-off places charge fees, and therefore the airport offers some free ones. Book your Long Stay Car Parks offers free drop-offs, but allows you to go through with taking a free bus transfer to the terminals. This is a pretty good option for those who are not in a hurry and want to avoid £5.
Heathrow Pick-Up for Passengers
The catching of passengers in their terminal forecourts is strictly not permitted by Uber drivers as they have to pick customers up from designated Short Stay car parks. Take note, therefore, not to be caught up in unknowingly picking up in unauthorized areas and be subject to fines.
Are PHVs entitled to discounts?
No, private hire vehicles under which Uber drivers fall are subject to the full drop-off charge at Heathrow. All vehicles pay the £5 fee on drop-off at terminal forecourts: you guessed it.
So, perhaps picking up passengers from the airport will never be on the cards for Uber. The thing is that Uber drivers are really not allowed to pick up passengers directly from the terminal forecourts. Instead, their designated place is in the Short Stay car park where they need to go and pick up passengers.
This is a hard law just to avoid fines for picking up in unauthorized areas.
Do Private Hire Vehicles (PHV) Get Discounts?
Unfortunately, even Uber does not exempt private hire vehicles from the Heathrow drop-off charge.
Oh yes! All vehicles must pay this £5 fee to drop their clients off at the terminal forecourts.
Key Takeaways
Fare: £5 for using all vehicles for dropping off passengers at the terminal forecourts.
Payment Methods: Online payment, by phone, or set up autopay for frequent visits.
Free Drop-Off: Free drop-offs can be done at the Long-Stay car parks, which transfer by bus to the terminals.
Penalties: £80 fine applied if the charge has not been paid by midnight the next day, which decreases the fine to £40 if paid within fourteen days.
A Comprehensive Guide to Airlines Available on Each Terminal
Terminal two – Access via Heathrow Express, Piccadilly Line, or car (1,340-space parking available). The nearest airlines to avail is Star Alliance members, Air Canada, and Air China.
Terminal three – Connected by Heathrow Express, Piccadilly Line, or private airport car (drop-off area and plaza). The nearest airlines available is British Airways, Virgin Atlantic SkyTeam airlines like Delta and China Airlines.
Terminal four – Access via Heathrow Cargo Tunnel, Piccadilly Line, or car. The nearest airlines available are KLM, Air France Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines.
Terminal five -Dedicated station for Heathrow Express, Piccadilly Line, and M25 motorway link. Exclusively British Airways and limited American Airlines connections.
Conclusion:
The use of Heathrow drop-off car parking can confuse people, leading to many fines because it was not done correctly. Because one could use the online payment system, automated phone service, or autopay, payments can be handled and the guarantee of penalties avoided at a very simple level. With these easy options, one can have a drop-off experience without fretting about fines or missed payments. Plus do checkout Compareyourparkingdeals.co.uk to find out the best in all discount rates.