Quick Summary
The Dartford Crossing charge (Dart Charge) is £3.50 per crossing for a car, or £2.80 with a pre-pay account, charged 06:00–22:00 every day in both directions. There are no toll booths: cameras read your number plate, and you must pay on the official GOV.UK Dart Charge service or on 0300 300 0120 by midnight the day after you cross, or face a £70 penalty (£35 if paid within 14 days). Crossing between 10pm and 6am is free, and motorcycles never pay.
The Dartford Crossing carries the M25 over and under the Thames between Dartford in Kent and Thurrock in Essex: northbound traffic uses the two tunnels and southbound traffic the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. It is the main route between Kent and Stansted, Southend or Luton airports, and between Essex and Gatwick. This guide sets out the 2026 Dart Charge prices, when you pay, every official way to pay and what happens if you forget.
Dart Charge Prices 2026
The charge is per crossing, so a return trip is two charges. Prices went up on 1 September 2025, the first rise since 2014, and are unchanged in 2026:
| Vehicle | One-off or Pay As You Go | Pre-pay Account |
|---|---|---|
| Cars, motorhomes and minibuses up to 9 seats (incl. trailers) | £3.50 | £2.80 |
| Vans and goods vehicles with 2 axles | £4.20 | £3.60 |
| Goods vehicles with more than 2 axles | £8.40 | £7.20 |
| Motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes | Free | Free |
Prices are set by the government and published on GOV.UK. Only the pre-pay account is cheaper; a pay-as-you-go account costs the same as a one-off payment.
When You Have to Pay
- 06:00 to 22:00, every day, including weekends and bank holidays.
- Free between 22:00 and 06:00, so a late-night or early-morning airport run crosses at no charge.
- Every crossing, in either direction: north through the tunnels and south over the bridge.
- Deadline: midnight the day after you cross. You can also pay up to 12 months in advance.
How to Pay the Dart Charge
There are no barriers or payment booths at the crossing. Pay only through the official service, which is free to use:
| Way to Pay | Where | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Online, one-off | Pay after crossing (by midnight the next day) or up to 12 months ahead; no account needed | |
| Pay as you go account | Your card is charged automatically at midnight the day after you cross | |
| Pre-pay account | Top up in advance and save up to 20% (£2.80 instead of £3.50 for a car) | |
| Phone | Dart Charge contact centre, 8am to 8pm every day | |
| Cash | Payzone outlets | Pay in shops that show the Payzone sign |
What Happens If You Forget to Pay?
If the charge is not paid by midnight the day after you cross, a Penalty Charge Notice of £70 is sent to the registered keeper. It is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days and rises to £105 if it is not paid within 28 days. You still have to pay the original crossing charge on top. Details are on the GOV.UK fines page.
Discounts and Exemptions
- Motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes cross free.
- Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax because of a disability cross free; the exemption is checked automatically.
- Local residents of Dartford and Thurrock can join the residents’ discount scheme: £25 a year for unlimited crossings, or £12.50 a year for 50 crossings.
- Pre-pay account holders save up to 20% on every crossing.
The Dartford Crossing and Your Airport Taxi
Many Kent to Stansted, Southend and Luton transfers, and Essex to Gatwick transfers, use the Dartford Crossing. With a pre-booked LondonAirport‑Taxi.com transfer you never pay the Dart Charge yourself: crossing charges are included in the fare we quote, anything not covered is agreed with you before your booking is confirmed, and the driver handles the crossing. Other London road charges work differently; see our guides to the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnel charges and the London Congestion Charge.
Crossing the Thames to the Airport?
Book a fixed-fare airport taxi and let the driver deal with the crossing, the route and the airport drop-off.
- Fixed fares agreed at booking
- Flight tracking on every pickup
- 60 minutes free waiting at airports
- Kent and Essex to every London airport
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Dartford Crossing charge in 2026?
A car, motorhome or minibus with up to 9 seats pays £3.50 per crossing, or £2.80 with a pre-pay account. Two-axle vans pay £4.20 (£3.60 pre-pay) and larger goods vehicles £8.40 (£7.20). Motorcycles are free. Prices rose on 1 September 2025.
What times do you pay the Dartford Crossing?
The Dart Charge applies from 06:00 to 22:00 every day, including weekends and bank holidays. Crossing between 22:00 and 06:00 is free.
How do I pay the Dart Charge?
Pay on the official GOV.UK Dart Charge service, by phone on 0300 300 0120 (8am to 8pm every day), in cash at a Payzone outlet, or set up a pay-as-you-go or pre-pay account so it is paid automatically. A one-off payment must be made by midnight the day after you cross.
Can I pay the Dart Charge in advance?
Yes. A one-off payment can be made up to 12 months before you cross, and a pre-pay account lets you top up in advance and pay less per crossing.
What happens if I forget to pay the Dartford Crossing charge?
You receive a £70 Penalty Charge Notice, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days and increased to £105 if not paid within 28 days. The original crossing charge must still be paid as well.
Do you pay the Dartford Crossing both ways?
Yes. The charge applies to every crossing between 06:00 and 22:00, whether you travel north through the tunnels or south over the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.
Do I pay the Dart Charge in a taxi?
Not with a pre-booked LondonAirport-Taxi.com transfer. Crossing charges are included in the fare we quote, and if anything is not covered we agree it with you before the booking is confirmed, so there are no extra charges after you book.
