Do I have to pay the ULEZ at Gatwick, Heathrow and other London airports?

The London Ultra Low Emission Zone is expanding to cover all of Greater London from August 29, 2023 - and many passengers travelling from London Airports such as Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, London City and Luton are asking if they will need to pay it. 

Here motoring journalist and expert Pete Barden looks at each London-prefixed airport to help UK travellers - and international tourists - to see if the ULEZ charge will be payable for their trip to the terminal from the end of August. 

Do you need to pay the ULEZ if driving a car to park, drop-off, or pick-up at UK airports?  (Credit: Pixabay.com)

What is the London ULEZ charge?

The London is a daily charge for vehicles that do not meet certain emission standards. The charge applies to cars, vans, motorcycles, and heavy goods vehicles that enter the ULEZ area.

The ULEZ area currently covers all areas within the North and South Circular roads, but will be expanded to cover all of Greater London on August 29, 2023.

If your vehicle does not meet the ULEZ emissions standards, you can pay the daily charge to drive in the zone.

The daily charge is £12.50 for most non-compliant vehicles.

What cars are non-compliant for the ULEZ?

To avoid having to pay the £12.50 daily charge, vehicles will need to meet the following standards. There are some exemptions but most non-compliant vehicles will need to pay.

• Petrol cars must meet Euro 4 emissions standards. This means that most petrol cars registered after January 2006 are compliant.
• Diesel cars must meet Euro 6 emissions standards. This means that most diesel cars registered after September 2015 are compliant.
• Hybrid cars and mild hybrids must meet Euro 4 or 6 emissions standards, depending on their fuel type.
• Fully electric cars are exempt from the ULEZ charge.

If your vehicle does not meet these standards, you will need to pay the charge. Some people who live in London will be able to get money towards a new compliant vehicle through the London Scrappage scheme, but currently, those who live outside the M25 will not get help.

Check if your car is ULEZ-compliant - or pay a charge

Use the government checker to see if your car needs to pay charges such as the ULEZ.  As well as checking your car, you can also  pay any charges on the Gov.UK clean air zone page here.

Will I have to pay the ULEZ charge at London airports?

Here we look at each London airport and if travellers or those dropping off loved ones will need to pay the charge. 

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Will I have to pay the ULEZ from August 29 at London Heathrow Airport?

Yes. London Heathrow is situated within the western side of the M25 and within Greater London. 

The £12.50 charge will be payable both on your arrival and departure from the airport if it is on a separate day from the one you arrived on. For example, if you dropped someone off at 23.50pm on one day, and left the airport to return home 15 minutes later at 00:05 the following morning, you would need to pay a charge of £25 - on top of any drop-off charge.

If parking on-site at the airport, non-compliant cars would also be charged for the trip to the car park and again on your return journey back home from the car park. 

What other charges are there for drivers at Heathrow Airport?

All terminals have the same £5 drop off charges. This must be paid by phone or online and there is no option to pay at the airport. The charge must be paid every time a vehicle enters the drop off zone. 

The charge must be paid by midnight on the day after your visit. Failure to pay could mean an £80 penalty, cut to £40 if paid within 14 days.

How can I beat the ULEZ charge at London Heathrow Airport?

The best way for drivers to beat the charge if they are driving to the airport and parking while away, is to look for an off-site parking firm that is outside of the M25 – meaning you will not need to pay the £25 charge if driving an non-compliant car. Remember to check you are parking with a reputable and Park Mark Safer Parking registered car park. You can find out more about Park & Ride Parking and if it is safe here.

If you are being dropped off at the airport, you could also try to find someone with a compliant car to save yourself the £25 (drop-off and pick-up) charge that will be payable if it is not.

London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Will I have to pay the ULEZ from August 29 at London Gatwick Airport?

Travellers departing from Gatwick Airport will not need to pay the ULEZ – unless they are travelling from within the zone in a non-compliant car. The airport is situated on the M25 in Sussex and far from the current outer limits and planned extension of the ULEZ.

What other charges are there for drivers at London Gatwick?

The Drop Off zone charges for both the North and South terminals are paid through entering your registration online after your visit - so turn up and drop off, but don't forget to pay afterwards. Charges are £5 for 10 minutes and £1 added for each additional minute up to 20 minutes. A maximum charge of £25 is charged for stays exceeding 30 mins. Unattended cars could be towed away.

London Stansted Airport (STN)

Will I have to pay the ULEZ from August 29 at London Stansted Airport?

Despite being known as London Stansted Airport, the site is actually located around 20 miles from the edge of the ULEZ charging zone. As a result passengers driving to, being dropped off, or picked up will not have to pay the ULEZ if in a non-compliant vehicle.

What other charges are there for drivers at London Stansted Airport?

Drop off at this airport is £7.00 for up to 15 minutes in the Express Set Down, with more than 15 minutes being charged at £25.00. There is also a £20.00 charge if a vehicle re-enter the zone within 30 minutes of leaving. The Express Set Down will be closed due to works from 9th of November 2021 from 08:00 – 12:00. The Mid Stay car park is free for up to 60 minutes. See the table below for more.

London Luton Airport (LTN)

Will I have to pay the ULEZ from August 29 at London Luton Airport?

London Luton Airport is, in fact, located outside the M25 motorway, meaning that non-compliant vehicles will not face any charges related to the ULEZ – providing they do not travel to through the zone when heading to the airport that is located in Bedfordshire.

What other charges are there for drivers at London Luton Airport?

Drop off charges for Luton Airport as follows. Mid Stay car park free for up to 15 minutes, and £4.00 for 30 minutes - a bus transfer is required to the terminal. Long stay is free for up to 60 minutes, also with a bus transfer. The closer Drop off zone is £5.00 for 10 minutes, with £1 per minute thereafter. More info in table below.

London City Airport (LCY)

Will I have to pay the ULEZ from August 29 at London Luton Airport?

It has a convenient location in the centre of London, but it also means that anyone flying from this Docklands airport will need to pay the ULEZ charge if heading to the terminals in a non-compliant car – potentially adding a £25 charge to the journey. There is also the possibility of collecting a Congestion Charge bill for the nearby zone when operational.

What other charges are there for drivers at London City Airport?

Find free drop off on the forecourt next to the terminal. Short Stay car park offer up to 10 minutes' parking for £3.80. More below in the table.

London Southend Airport (SEN)

Will I have to pay the ULEZ from August 29 at London Southend Airport?

Despite the title, London Southend Airport is around 25 miles away from the M25 and the ULEZ expansion from August 29. This means passengers heading to the airport, or the people driving them should not be troubled by the £12.50 charge for non-compliant cars.

What other charges are there for drivers at London Southend Airport?

Expect to pay up to £5.00 for 10 minutes' parking in Short Stay, with Long Stay 3 free for the first 15 minutes. More information below.

 

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