Airport Drop Off Charges Taxi & Private Hire
A fixed-fare private hire transfer of distinction. Saloon, Executive Mercedes/BMW, People Carrier, V Class, 9-Seater — every class a fixed quote. Confirmed at booking. Never altered en route. Zero night surcharge. Discreet, courteous, immaculate.
UK Airport Drop-Off Charges 2026 — Full Comparison
Every major London airport now charges to use the forecourt drop-off zone, and the fees rose sharply in 2026. Here is the current picture, verified against official airport sources, with the free alternative at each:
| Airport | Drop-off charge (2026) | Time | Free alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow (all terminals) | £6 | Forecourt | Long Stay / pick-up car parks |
| Gatwick (N & S) | £10 | up to 10 min | Long Stay — 2 hrs free + shuttle |
| Stansted | £10 | up to 15 min | Mid Stay — 1 hr free + shuttle |
| Stansted (15–30 min) | £28 | 15–30 min | Use Short Stay instead |
Gatwick and Stansted are now the joint most expensive at £10, both raised from £7 in early 2026. Heathrow remains lower at £6. The key trap: at every airport, the forecourt zone is barrier-free with ANPR cameras, and you must pay online by midnight the day after or face a Parking Charge Notice (£100, reduced to £60 within 14 days).
How to Pay Each Airport's Drop-Off Charge
- Gatwick: online at the official post-pay page, or by phone on 0330 174 4503, by midnight next day. AutoPay available.
- Stansted: online via the official APCOA portal, or by phone on 03450 175046, by midnight next day. AutoPay available. A £20 fee applies if you re-enter within 30 minutes.
- Heathrow: online via Heathrow's official drop-off payment page, by midnight the day after.
Disabled & Blue Badge Drop-Off
Blue Badge holders can usually drop off free, but most airports require you to register in advance (Gatwick via the NCP/ZAT permit process). Without registering, the charge applies and must be reclaimed — so sort it before you travel.
The Way to Avoid the Charge Entirely
A pre-booked fixed-fare transfer folds the drop-off charge, tolls and any extras into one price agreed at booking — your driver takes you door-to-terminal with nothing to pay on the forecourt and no midnight deadline to remember. Get an instant fixed quote for your airport.
Charges shown are indicative 2026 figures from official airport sources, correct at the time of writing. Airport fees change frequently — confirm the current rate on the airport's official website before travelling.
Distance, Duration &
All Fixed Fares
Vehicles of Distinction
From the discreet saloon to the executive Mercedes, every vehicle is presented to the highest standard. Professionally maintained, TfL-licensed, available 24/7.
Saloon
The most requested vehicle on this route. Professionally maintained executive saloon. Ideal for individuals, couples and small families.
Executive
Latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class or BMW 5 Series. Suited chauffeur, complimentary water, phone charging, climate-controlled cabin.
People Carrier
Large MPV accommodating six passengers and luggage. Per head, significantly more economical than two saloons.
V Class Minibus
Spacious V Class minibus for groups of seven. Per head, the most economical group option on this route.
9-Seater Minibus
Full-capacity 9-seat minibus. Per-head value for eight sharing. All luggage accommodated in a single vehicle.
One Price.
Confirmed in Writing.
The phrase "fixed price" is used widely — and means rather different things from different providers. With Rushxo, the meaning is precise: the fare displayed at the moment of booking — the saloon fare, MPV, V Class — is the exact total charged upon arrival at your destination.
Motorway traffic, road closures, weather diversions — none alter the fare. A 3am departure, a 5am collection, a Sunday afternoon return — the figure is identical. Bank holidays, New Year's Eve, match days — one fixed price. The booking confirmation email is the contract.
Confirmed at Booking — Never a "Quote"
Rushxo does not issue indicative quotes liable to change. The saloon fare confirmed at booking is the final total. No additions for luggage, traffic, night travel, or any other circumstance.
Meet & Greet —
Included as Standard
For airport arrivals, your chauffeur waits within the arrivals hall holding a personalised name board. No searching, no remote car parks, no kerbside confusion.
Chauffeur Inside Arrivals
Your driver waits at the designated greeting point holding your name. Immediately visible upon clearing customs.
Luggage Attended
The chauffeur assists with luggage from arrivals through to the vehicle. No trolleys to manage alone.
60 Minutes Complimentary
An hour of complimentary waiting from your landing time — not the scheduled arrival. Baggage delays are covered.
Flight Tracked
Your flight is monitored from the departure airport. The chauffeur's arrival is automatically adjusted.
Any Hour — Same Fare
Meet & greet at 3am is charged the same as at 3pm. Zero night surcharge regardless of arrival time.
Standard Inclusion
Meet & greet is part of every Rushxo journey to or from an airport. No supplement, no additional booking.
One Vehicle.
One Fare. All Together.
For parties of five or more, our minibus options offer significantly better value than two saloons — and the considerable benefit of the entire group travelling as one.
| Option | Capacity | Travel Together |
|---|---|---|
| Two Saloons | 8 | — Split across two cars |
| People Carrier (MPV) | 6 | ✓ All together |
| V Class Minibus | 7 | ✓ All together |
| 9-Seater Minibus | 8 | ✓ All together |
Fares last reviewed June 2026. Fixed at booking, tolls included.
One Price.
At Every Hour.
Budget flights routinely depart at 4–6am from Stansted, Luton and Gatwick. Rushxo charges identically at four in the morning as at four in the afternoon — every day.
Reserve Well in Advance
For early-morning airport departures, the soundest practice is to reserve as soon as the flight is booked. Your chauffeur is allocated at booking — never on the day of travel. No last-minute cancellations.
Rushxo vs the Alternatives
| Feature | Rushxo | Uber / Bolt | Metered Minicab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed price confirmed | ✓ At booking | — Surge applies | — Metered |
| Night surcharge | ✓ Zero — always | — Often 1.5–3× | — +20–30% |
| Event day pricing | ✓ Same fare | — Heavy surge | — Higher |
| V Class available | ✓ Fixed fare | — Not available | — Varies |
| Meet & greet | ✓ Standard | — Kerbside only | — Extra charge |
| Flight tracking | ✓ From origin | — Not available | — Not standard |
| TfL licensed | ✓ All drivers | PHV licensed | Licensed |
Executive Service —
Fixed Fare
The latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class or BMW 5 Series. Suited chauffeur. For business travellers, corporate clients and guests of distinction.
Mercedes E-Class · BMW 5 Series
Latest model executive saloon. Immaculate leather interior, climate control, privacy glass throughout.
Suited Chauffeur
TfL-licensed, DBS-checked, medically assessed. Discreet, courteous, professional.
Complimentary Amenities
Chilled water presented onboard. USB-A and USB-C charging. WiFi hotspot.
Airport Chauffeur
Meet & greet within arrivals hall. Name board displayed. Flight tracked from origin.
Verified Patrons.
Licensed. Insured. One Promise.
Our consistent rating reflects a single guarantee: the fare at booking is the fare at destination, and the chauffeur is professional, punctual and courteous.
Contractual Fixed Price
The fare at booking is the total charged. Confirmed in writing in your booking email.
Chauffeur Pre-Allocated
Your driver is confirmed at booking — never on travel day. Name and registration in your confirmation.
Zero Night Rate
The 3am fare is the 3pm fare. Always. No exceptions.
TfL Licensed
Every chauffeur holds a TfL Private Hire Vehicle licence. DBS checked, medically assessed.
Complete Fleet
Saloon, Executive, MPV, V Class, 9-Seater — all fixed price, all 24/7, all for this route.
60-Second Reservation
Reserve at rushxo.co.uk in under a minute. All cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay. Instant confirmation.