Knowing which terminal someone flies from is only half the job. The other half — where a car can actually stop to let them out with their bags — is the bit that catches people out, because a drop-off zone is designed for a fast in-and-out, not a leisurely goodbye, and it's billed differently from a pickup.
This is the practical, departures-side companion to our drop-off charges guide; read this one for what actually happens when the car pulls in.
Prices are estimates and may vary. We provide the journey directly with our licensed drivers.
Heathrow: check the terminal, not just the airport
Heathrow operates as separate terminal buildings rather than one shared building, and each has its own drop-off area directly serving that terminal. Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 all charge for the drop-off zone, billed automatically by number-plate camera rather than a barrier — see our drop-off charges guide for the current figure and time allowed.
Because the terminals are physically separate, arriving at the wrong one isn't a short walk to fix — it's a proper journey around the airport. Which Heathrow terminal do I need? covers how to check and why it changes on a rebooking, and it's worth confirming again on the morning of travel, not just when the flight was booked.
Gatwick: North or South, and they don't connect on foot
Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, linked only by a shuttle — there's no walking between them. Getting the drop-off at the wrong one means the shuttle transfer plus security again, which can easily cost 20–30 minutes you didn't plan for.
Which Gatwick terminal do I need? explains how to check, including the free inter-terminal shuttle if it does go wrong. Both terminals charge for their drop-off zone; again, our charges guide has the current figure.
What a drop-off zone is actually for
At both airports, the drop-off zone directly outside departures is built around a quick stop: pull in, unload, the car moves on. It is not a place to park while you come inside, and traffic officers actively keep it moving during busy periods.
If you want longer to say goodbye or to help someone inside with bags, that's a different plan from a kerbside drop, and it's worth deciding which one you need before you arrive rather than at the kerb with cars queuing behind you. A pre-booked transfer removes the decision from your hands entirely on the way there — the driver handles the approach and the stop, and any charge that applies to the vehicle is built into your estimated fare rather than billed to you separately.
The charge applies to the drop-off, not the passenger
The terminal drop-off charge at both airports is billed per vehicle entry, picked up by number-plate recognition cameras as you enter the zone — there's no ticket or barrier. It's the same whether one passenger gets out or four. Looping back around because you forgot something means a second entry, and a second charge.
Our drop-off charges guide has the exact current figures for Heathrow and Gatwick, how the billing deadline works, and the Blue Badge exemption process if it applies to you.
If you're not sure which terminal until the last minute
This happens more than people expect — codeshare flights, a rebooking after a cancellation, or an airline that's recently moved terminals. If there's any doubt:
- Check the airline's own booking confirmation or app the morning of travel, not the original booking email.
- If you're using a pre-booked transfer, update the terminal on the booking as soon as you know — a driver working from an old terminal will head to the wrong building.
- If a flight has already been disrupted, what happens when a flight is delayed or cancelled covers how a terminal change after a rebooking is handled.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is the Heathrow drop-off zone free? A: No — Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 all charge for the drop-off zone, billed automatically by number-plate camera. See our drop-off charges guide for the current figure.
Q: Can I walk between Gatwick North and South if I go to the wrong one? A: No, there's no walking route between them — only a shuttle. Confirm your terminal before you travel using our Gatwick terminal guide.
Q: How long can a car stop at the drop-off zone? A: It's built for a quick stop to unload and say goodbye, not for parking — see the exact time allowed per airport in our drop-off charges guide.
Q: Does the drop-off charge apply per passenger or per car? A: Per vehicle entry, regardless of how many passengers are inside. Entering twice — for example if you loop back — is charged twice.
Q: What if I book a transfer instead of driving myself? A: The driver handles the approach to the correct terminal and drop-off zone, and any applicable charge is built into your estimated fare rather than billed to you separately.
Need a drop-off at Heathrow or Gatwick? Get a fare estimate, or see fixed airport transfer prices for your area.