The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and the Congestion Charge are two different things that sometimes apply at the same time. Mix them up and you can either overpay or, worse, miss a charge and get a penalty. Let's separate them cleanly.
01 / THE TWO CHARGESSide by side
02 / ULEZThe clean-air charge
ULEZ is about emissions, not congestion. If your vehicle doesn't meet the required clean-air standard, it's £12.50 a day — and the zone now covers all of Greater London (not the M25 itself), 24 hours a day, every day. Most newer petrol and diesel cars, and all fully electric vehicles, meet the standard and pay nothing; older, higher-polluting vehicles pay. Because it's based on the vehicle, ULEZ is something the car either triggers or doesn't.
03 / CONGESTION CHARGEThe central-London charge
The Congestion Charge is about traffic, and it applies only in the central London zone. As of 2 January 2026 it rose to £18 a day (from £15), charged Monday to Friday 7am–6pm and weekends and bank holidays 12pm–6pm. It applies regardless of how clean your vehicle is — and since 2026, even electric vehicles pay (with a discount via Auto Pay). It's a flat daily fee no matter how many times you enter the zone that day.
04 / HEATHROWWhich applies to your airport journey?
This is the part visitors most want to know:
- ULEZ: Heathrow is within it, because ULEZ covers all Greater London. A compliant or electric vehicle pays nothing; an older vehicle would owe £12.50.
- Congestion Charge: Heathrow is outside it. You'd only encounter the Congestion Charge if your journey continues into central London during charging hours.
So a Heathrow-to-central-London trip in a non-compliant car on a weekday afternoon could touch both; in a clean or electric car, only the Congestion Charge would apply for the central leg.
The easy way out: if you travel by a licensed taxi or pre-booked transfer rather than driving yourself, you don't deal with any of this. Operators run ULEZ-compliant vehicles, and any applicable charge for your route is typically built into the fare. With a Rushxo fixed fare, tolls and charges are included — there's nothing extra to pay and nothing to work out.
05 / IF YOU DRIVE YOURSELFDon't get caught out
Hiring a car? A few essentials:
- Check the vehicle's ULEZ status by its registration before you drive — the hire firm should know, but verify.
- Know the Congestion Charge hours and zone if you're heading central; the daily fee applies even for a brief trip in.
- Pay on time — charges are paid via TfL by the deadline; miss it and penalties apply, to visitors as well as residents.
- Rules change — rates, discounts and zones are reviewed periodically, so check TfL close to your trip.
06 / FAQFrequently asked questions
What's the difference between ULEZ and the Congestion Charge?
ULEZ is an emissions charge — £12.50/day for non-compliant vehicles — covering all Greater London, 24/7. The Congestion Charge is a separate £18 daily fee for central London during charging hours, whatever the emissions. You can pay both on the same day.
Is Heathrow inside the ULEZ or Congestion Charge zone?
Heathrow is within ULEZ (all Greater London) but outside the Congestion Charge zone (central only). You'd only meet the Congestion Charge if your journey continues into central London during charging hours.
Do I have to pay these charges as a visitor?
If you drive or hire a car yourself, yes — the rules apply to visitors the same as residents. By licensed taxi or pre-booked transfer, a compliant vehicle avoids ULEZ and any charge is typically in your fare.
How much is the Congestion Charge in 2026?
From 2 January 2026 it's £18 per day, up from £15, in central London Monday–Friday 7am–6pm and weekends and bank holidays 12pm–6pm. Always check TfL for the latest before driving.
Are electric cars still exempt?
From ULEZ, yes — EVs remain exempt. From the Congestion Charge, no longer fully: since 2026 EVs pay a reduced rate via Auto Pay. Check TfL for current discounts.
Does a Rushxo fare include these charges?
Yes — Rushxo quotes a fixed fare with tolls and applicable charges included, so there's nothing extra to pay or work out for your route.
Time Matters
Skip the charges and the admin
Travel by fixed-fare transfer and ULEZ, tolls and any charges are handled in your price. One number, nothing to calculate. Confirmed before you ride.
Should we drive in London? Congestion charge and ULEZ explained
A common question from visitors hiring a car is whether to drive in London. Most locals will say don't, at least not in the centre. Traffic is slow, parking is expensive, and two daily charges catch rental drivers out.
| Charge (2026) | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Congestion Charge (central zone) | £18 a day, or £21 if paid by midnight on the third day after | Mon-Fri 7am-6pm; weekends and bank holidays 12pm-6pm; not Christmas Day |
| ULEZ (all London boroughs since 29 August 2023) | £12.50 a day for vehicles that don't meet the standards | Check TfL for times |
If you don't pay the Congestion Charge in time, you get a £180 penalty, cut to £90 if paid within 14 days. Nobody reminds you at the roadside, so it's easy to miss. Rental firms usually pass fines on with an admin fee. Most recent hire cars meet ULEZ standards, but check your car's number plate on TfL's vehicle checker.
The common advice is to pick up a hire car on your way out of London, not before.
For the airport run, a pre-booked car makes more sense: no charges to pay yourself, a fixed fare agreed at booking and the airport drop-off charge included.
Q: How much is the London Congestion Charge in 2026?
A: £18 a day if paid in advance or on the day, or £21 if paid by midnight on the third day after. It applies 7am to 6pm on weekdays and 12pm to 6pm at weekends and on bank holidays.
Q: Do rental cars have to pay ULEZ?
A: Only if the car doesn't meet the ULEZ emission standards, in which case it costs £12.50 a day. Most recent hire cars comply, but check the number plate on TfL's checker.