Heathrow pick-up charges 2026: where to collect someone at T2, T3, T4 and T5
You cannot wait or pick up on the Heathrow forecourts. This guide lists what each pick-up option costs, where it is at each terminal, and when a pre-booked meet-and-greet driver works out cheaper.
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The short answer
Picking someone up at Heathrow costs £8 for up to 29 minutes in the Terminal Parking car park at T2, T3 or T5. At T4 the Priority Pick-Up Area costs £7 for up to 10 minutes. The free option is Park & Ride, which is free for the first 29 minutes, but your passenger then has to take a shuttle bus to reach you.
The forecourts are for drop-off only. Dropping off costs £7 per entry (it rose from £6 on 1 January 2026), with a 10-minute maximum stay. Waiting or collecting on the forecourt is not allowed, and unattended cars are removed.
Heathrow pick-up charges compared (2026)
| Option | Where | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal Parking (formerly Short Stay) | T2, T3, T5, about 2 minutes' walk to arrivals | £8 for 0–29 min · £12.50 for 30–44 min · £15.50 for 45–59 min · £20 for 1–2 hrs | Meeting someone inside at arrivals |
| Priority Pick-Up Area | T4 only | £7 up to 10 min · £14 for 11–29 min · £25 for 30–60 min | A quick T4 collection |
| Park & Ride | Serves all terminals by shuttle (about every 15 min) | Free for 0–29 min, then £9.40 up to 1 hr 59 | Saving money when timing is predictable |
| T4 Park & Ride Zone A | T4 | Free up to 2 hrs | Delayed T4 arrivals |
| Terminal forecourt | All terminals | £7 drop-off only, pick-up not allowed | Drop-off only |
Tariffs are from Heathrow's published pick-up and drop-off pages (Terminal Parking rates effective 6 January 2026). Blue Badge holders can register for a drop-off exemption and get 2 hours free at Park & Ride.
Where to pick up at each terminal
Terminal 2 (the Queen's Terminal)
Arrivals are on the ground floor. Park in T2 Terminal Parking and meet your passenger at the arrivals barrier. Taxi and private-hire app collections are usually from the car park (Level 2) rather than the kerb.
Terminal 3
Use T3 Terminal Parking (Car Park 3). It is a short covered walk from arrivals. T2 and T3 share the Central Terminal Area, so allow extra time: the approach tunnel often queues on weekday evenings.
Terminal 4
T4 has no Terminal Parking. Use the Priority Pick-Up Area for a quick collection, or Park & Ride Zone A, which is free for up to 2 hours.
Terminal 5
T5 Terminal Parking is linked to the arrivals hall. Long-haul British Airways arrivals often take 45–75 minutes from landing to the arrivals hall, so the £8 slot rarely covers a T5 collection. Budget for the £12.50–£20 bands.
How to avoid paying more than you need to
- Wait off-airport until they have their bags. Ask your passenger to message you when they reach baggage reclaim, then drive in. This usually keeps you inside the first 29-minute band.
- Check the flight on arrival boards, not the schedule. Heathrow flights often land early.
- Do not circle the forecourt. Each entry to the drop-off zone triggers the £7 charge, and the penalty for not paying is £80.
- Compare with a meet-and-greet driver. After fuel, parking and the M4 or M25, a pre-booked car often costs about the same as collecting someone yourself. The driver also absorbs any flight delay.
Pre-booked pick-up: how a RushXO meet-and-greet works
Our driver tracks the flight, parks in Terminal Parking, and waits in the arrivals hall with a name board. You pay one fixed fare agreed when you book, with parking included, so a delayed landing does not change the price. Private-hire vehicles are held in Heathrow's Authorised Vehicle Area until the flight lands, which is why the driver is in place when you clear customs.
For terminal-by-terminal meeting points, see our Heathrow arrivals meet-and-greet guide. For everything else about the airport, see the Heathrow airport guide. To move between terminals, see transfers between Heathrow terminals.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to pick someone up at Heathrow?
In 2026 it costs £8 for up to 29 minutes in Terminal Parking at T2, T3 or T5, or £7 for up to 10 minutes in the T4 Priority Pick-Up Area. Park & Ride pick-up is free for the first 29 minutes.
Can I pick up from the Heathrow drop-off zone?
No. The forecourts are drop-off only, with a £7 charge and a 10-minute maximum stay. Picking up and waiting there are not allowed.
Is there a free pick-up at Heathrow?
Yes. Park & Ride is free for 0–29 minutes and T4 Park & Ride Zone A is free for up to 2 hours. Your passenger takes the shuttle bus to you.
What happens if I don't pay the Heathrow drop-off charge?
You must pay by midnight the day after you visit. Otherwise a penalty of £80 is issued, reduced to £40 if you pay within 14 days.
Where do taxis pick up at Heathrow Terminal 2?
App-booked taxis and private hire collect from T2 Terminal Parking (Level 2), not the kerb. Pre-booked meet-and-greet drivers wait in the arrivals hall.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026. Charges and timetables change, so check the operator before you travel.
