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Heathrow Airport FAQ Hub

If you're passing through Heathrow soon, be sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions, on everything from Pick Ups and Drop Offs, Heathrow parking and more, so you have all the info you need for a smooth visit.

Heathrow Pick Up Parking

How do I pick someone up from Heathrow Airport?


If you're picking up someone from Heathrow airport, you have a couple of parking options to choose from:

Want the closest pick up parking? Opt for the Short Stay car parks (available at all terminals) that are just a 2 minute walk away.

Looking for a more budget-friendly option? The Long Stay car parks (available at all terminals) offer 30 minutes parking for FREE.

The parking procedures for both car parks are ultra hassle-free - simply drive to your chosen car park, take a ticket and pay at one of the pay-on-foot machines.

Heathrow Short Stay Pick Up Prices
Duration Price*
0 - 29 minutes £6.00
30 - 44 minutes £9.50
45 - 59 minutes £12.70
1 - 2 hours £16.00
Heathrow Long Stay Pick Up Prices
Duration Price*
0 - 29 minutes FREE
30 minutes - 1 hour 59 minutes £9.00
Blue badge holders are entitled to 2 hours for FREE

Address for Heathrow Short Stay car parks

    📍 Heathrow Short Stay T2 - Constellation Wy, Hounslow TW6 1EW
    📍 Heathrow Short Stay T3 - Camberley Rd, Hounslow TW6 1QG
    📍 Heathrow Short Stay T4 - Stratford Rd, Hounslow TW6 3XA
    📍 Heathrow Short Stay T5 - Wellington Rd, Hounslow TW6 2GA

Address for Heathrow Long Stay car parks

    📍 Heathrow Long Stay T2/3 - Eastern Perimeter Rd, Longford, Hounslow TW6 2SB
    📍 Heathrow Long Stay T4 - Stanwell Road, Scylla Rd, Hounslow TW6 3XL
    📍 Heathrow Long Stay T5 - Northern Perimeter Rd, Hounslow TW6 2RL

Can you pick someone up from Heathrow for free?


Yes, the Heathrow Long Stay car parks offer 30 minutes parking for FREE, perfect if you're picking up passengers.

Heathrow Drop Off Parking

Where can I drop off passengers at Heathrow airport?


There are 3 main Drop Off areas at Heathrow to consider and the procedures differ slightly, depending on what option you choose. Find out more below:

Heathrow Airport Terminal Drop Off

  • Located directly outside the terminals, your passengers can grab their luggage and be inside within moments
  • A £5.00 charge applies each time you drive into a terminal drop-off area
  • Payments can only be made by card (cash and cheque aren't accepted)
  • You can pay online or by phone on 03300085600 (automated payment line)
  • Non-payment will result in a parking charge of £80.00 (reduced to £40.00 if paid within 14 days)

Heathrow Airport Short Stay car parks

  • Perfect if you want to drop your passengers off within walking distance while having more time to say your goodbyes. Walk to the terminals in just 2 minutes
  • Prices start from £6.00 for 30 minutes
  • To pay, use one of the on-foot machines upon exit

Heathrow Airport Long Stay car parks

  • Park for FREE for 30 minutes in the Long Stay car parks
  • Passengers will need to catch a FREE shuttle bus to the terminals - transfers run every 10-15 minutes and take just 5 minutes

Is there free drop off at Heathrow?


Heathrow airport offers FREE Drop Off for 30 minutes at the Long Stay car parks, ideal if you don't mind being a little further away from the terminal buildings in order to keep costs down. Transfers run to and from the airport every 10-15 minutes and takes as little as 5 minutes.

Is Terminal 5 free to drop off?


Heathrow has dedicated Drop Off Zones outside Terminal 2, 3, 4 and 5. A £5.00 charge applies every time a vehicle enters these terminal Drop-Off areas. While there isn't a time limit in place, these areas are strictly for drop-offs, therefore you can't leave your car unattended.

For FREE drop off parking at Terminal 5, head to the Long Stay car park (TW6 2RL) where you can park free of charge for 30 minutes.

Can I pay for the Heathrow drop-off charge?


A £5.00 charge applies every time your vehicle enters the Terminal Drop Off Zone (Heathrow uses automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) to track this). Vehicles can't be left unattended and there aren't exit barriers, so in order to pay you'll need to pay online or by phone on 03300085600.

Heathrow Airport Parking

Is it cheaper to pre-book Heathrow parking?


Yes! Pre-booking your Heathrow parking is one of the easiest ways to enjoy the cheapest rates. When you book in advance with Holiday Extras, not only do you guarantee yourself a space, you can also save up to 50% off the on-the-gate prices.

Take a look at how much you can save when you book in advance compared to paying on the day.

Heathrow Turn Up vs Pre-Booked Prices
Car Park Turn Up Price* (1 week) Pre-booked Price* (1 week) Saving per day
Heathrow Long Stay £219.50 £97.00 £122.50
Heathrow Short Stay £583.10 £175.50 £407.60
Heathrow Meet and Greet £368.00 £148.00 £220.00
Purple Parking Park and Ride N/A £68.95 N/A

For more information, check out our guide to how to book airport parking to ensure you get the cheapest deal. Additionally, find out further ways to save money on your Heathrow parking.

Can I just turn up and park at Heathrow?


You can turn up and park at the following Heathrow airport car parks:

  • Long Stay
  • Short Stay
  • Meet and Greet

Please keep in mind that you will pay the premium turn up prices (listed below).

We always recommend booking in advance as it's one of the best ways to secure the cheapest rates on your Heathrow parking. When you pre-book with Holiday Extras you can save up to 50%! And remember, all of our packages are easy and FREE to amend and cancel, allowing you to take advantage of the cheaper, advance prices without worrying about being out of pocket should your travel plans change.

Heathrow Short Stay Turn Up Prices
Duration Price*
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
Heathrow Long Stay Turn Up Prices
Duration Off-peak date prices* Peak date prices*
0 - 29 minutes FREE FREE
30 - 1 hour 59 minutes £9.00 £9.00
First day £37.70 £43.20
Additional 24 hour periods £30.30 £34.50
Heathrow Valet + Meet and Greet Turn Up Prices
Duration Price*
1 day £127.50
2 days £174.00
3 days £219.20
4 days £264.50
Each additional 24-hour period, or part thereof £34.50

How much does Heathrow airport parking cost?


There are a number of factors that will affect how much it costs to park your car at Heathrow airport, such as the type of parking you choose (on-site v.s off-site, Park and Ride v.s Meet and Greet), availability, the time of year you're booking, how far in advance you pre-booked, to name just a few. At Holiday Extras, Heathrow airport parking prices start 68.95 p/w.

Heathrow Airport Parking Prices (Pre-booked)
Heathrow Airport Car Parks Price for 1 week*
Purple Parking Park and Ride £68.95 Never Beaten on Price Flextras Booking Benefit
Holiday Extras Meet and Greet £118.99 Never Beaten on Price Flextras Booking Benefit
Purple Parking Meet and Greet £118.99 Never Beaten on Price Flextras Booking Benefit
Maple Parking Meet and Greet £118.99 Never Beaten on Price Flextras Booking Benefit
MBW Meet and Greet £129.90 Never Beaten on Price Flextras Booking Benefit
Heathrow Airport Long Stay £112.70 (Not bookable here)
Heathrow Airport Business Parking £172.60 (Not bookable here)
Heathrow Airport Meet and Greet Parking £173.70 (Not bookable here)
Heathrow Airport POD Parking (T5) £178.90 (Not bookable here)
Heathrow Airport Valet Parking £213.20 (Not bookable here)
Heathrow Airport Short Stay £249.70 (Not bookable here)

Heathrow Airport General Information

How early should I get to Heathrow?


Heathrow airport recommends getting to the airport 3 hours in advance for international flights, and 2 hours before domestic or European flights.

Is the Heathrow Express train free?


Heathrow Long Stay Pick Up Prices
Ticket Class Single price* (On the day) Single price* (Pre-booked) Return price* (On the day Return price* (Pre-booked)
Express Class £25.00 £5.50 £37.00 £11.00
Business First Class £32.00 N/A £55.00 N/A

Children aged 15 years and under travel FREE in Express Class when accompanied by a paying adult, or can travel unaccompanied if they have proof of air travel e.g valid flight booking or boarding pass.

Can you walk between T2 and T3 at Heathrow?


Yes, you can walk between Terminals 2 and 3 via the pedestrian underpass. The route is well signposted and typically takes 10 minutes.

How much does it cost to park at Terminal 5?


Heathrow Terminal 5 parking prices vary depending on the type of car park booked, stay duration and time of year. Take a look at prices below:

Heathrow Terminal 5 Parking Prices
Car Park Price*
Heathrow Short Stay T5 £6.00 (for 30 minutes)
Heathrow Long Stay T5 £37.70 (per day)
Heathrow Meet and Greet T5 £127.50 (for 1 day)
Heathrow Valet Parking T5 £127.50 (for 1 day)
Heathrow Business Parking T5 £42.70 (per day)
Heathrow POD Parking T5 £53.10 (per day)
Purple Parking Park and Ride T5 £68.95 (for 1 week)
Holiday Extras Meet and Greet T5 £118.99 (for 1 week)
Purple Parking Meet and Greet T5 £118.99 (for 1 week)
Maple Parking Meet and Greet T5 £118.99 (for 1 week)
MBW Meet and Greet T5 £129.90 (for 1 week)

Is T5 POD parking working?


At the time of writing, Heathrow POD parking at Terminal 5 is operating as usual. Pods are available 7 days per week, Monday-to-Sunday, from 04:00-00:30.

Does Heathrow Terminal 3 have free parking?


Yes, park for FREE for up to 30 minutes in the Long Stay car park at Terminal 3.

Address: Long Stay Terminals 2&3, Eastern Perimeter Road, Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 2SB.

How does Heathrow car parking work?


If you book in advance with Holiday Extras, we'll take your payment via our fast and secure online booking system, or by phone if you contact our call centre. There will be no need to pay on the day - the car park's entry and exit barriers will automatically open by reading your car registration number.

If you're turning up on the day or using the Pick Up / Drop Off parking (on-airport car parks only), you'll need to use the Pay Stations located within the car park.

Heathrow parking procedures will also vary slightly depending on the type of parking option you choose. With a Park and Ride package, you choose your space and make your way to the airport via a free shuttle bus. With a Meet and Greet service, a professional driver will take care of the parking for you, allowing you to walk to (and from) the terminal in a matter of minutes.

Can Blue Badge holders park for free at Heathrow?


Blue Badge parking is free for up to 2 hours at the Long Stay car parks and Blue Badge holders can apply for a concession allowing free access to the Terminal Drop Off zones.

Standard parking rates apply for Blue Badge holders at Heathrow's other car parks.

*Prices correct at time of writing.