Quick Summary
The London City Airport drop off charge is £8 for up to 5 minutes, plus £1 per additional minute up to a maximum stay of 10 minutes. Introduced on 6 January 2026, this made London City the last of the capital's six airports to charge for terminal drop-offs — ending years of free forecourt access. The system is barrierless with ANPR cameras. Payment must be made online by midnight the following day. Blue Badge holders are exempt. Licensed black cabs are temporarily exempt pending a TfL consultation on meter integration. There is no free car park alternative — but the DLR to London City Airport station is the obvious free option for passengers. A pre-booked taxi with LondonAirport-Taxi.com handles the drop-off charge as part of the fixed fare.
What Is the London City Airport Drop Off Charge?
London City Airport introduced a drop-off charge on 6 January 2026, becoming the last major London airport to end free forecourt access. Previously, drivers could pull up directly outside the terminal doors without paying — a rare convenience among UK airports.
The charge applies in the designated drop-off area on the airport forecourt, directly outside the terminal building. The system is barrierless — there are no ticket machines or barriers. ANPR cameras record your vehicle registration as you enter, and payment must be made online after your visit.
The airport said the move is intended to encourage greater use of public transport. Around 70% of London City passengers already travel by DLR or bus — the highest proportion of any London airport.
London City Airport Drop Off Charge 2026 – Current Prices
| Duration | Charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5 minutes | £8 | Base charge |
| 6–10 minutes | £8 + £1/min (£9–£13) | Additional £1 per minute after 5 min |
| Over 10 minutes | PCN issued | Must use Short Stay car park instead |
At £8 for just 5 minutes, London City has the shortest base time of any London airport. A 10-minute drop-off costs £13 — more expensive than a 10-minute drop-off at Gatwick or Stansted (both £10). The per-minute charge after 5 minutes makes every second count.
How Does London City Compare to Other London Airports?
| Airport | Drop-Off Charge | Base Time | Max Stay | Free Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London City (LCY) | £8 + £1/min | 5 min | 10 min | None (use DLR) |
| Gatwick (LGW) | £10 | 10 min | 30 min | Long Stay (2 hrs free) |
| Stansted (STN) | £10 | 15 min | 30 min | Mid Stay (60 min free) |
| Heathrow (LHR) | £7 | 10 min | 10 min | Park & Ride + shuttle |
| Luton (LTN) | £7 + £1/min | 10 min | 30 min | Long Stay (2 hrs free) |
| Southend (SEN) | £8 | 10 min | 10 min | Long Stay (15 min free) |
London City has the shortest base time (5 minutes) and no free car park alternative — making it the least forgiving of all six London airports. For full guides, see our Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Southend drop off charge guides.
Who Needs to Pay?
The charge applies to most vehicles entering the forecourt drop-off area:
- Private cars
- Private hire vehicles (Uber, Bolt, minicabs)
- Rental and hire cars
- Electric vehicles (EVs are not exempt)
Exemptions:
- Blue Badge holders are fully exempt — but you must register your vehicle via the airport's portal or app before your visit to avoid an automated fine.
- Licensed black cabs are temporarily exempt while TfL runs a consultation on integrating the drop-off charge into the taxi meter. If approved, the £8 charge will be added to your metered fare automatically.
Drivers must not wait in their vehicle or leave it unattended on the forecourt. The drop-off zone is for immediate set-down only. If you need to wait for passengers or spend more time, you must use the Short Stay car park.
How to Pay the London City Drop Off Charge
The system is barrierless — no payment machines at the forecourt. Payment must be made after your visit:
- Online via the London City Airport drop-off payment portal
- By telephone via the dedicated payment line
- AutoPay — register your vehicle for automatic billing each time you enter the drop-off zone
Deadline: Payment must be completed by midnight on the day after your visit.
If payment is not made by the deadline, a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) is issued to the registered vehicle owner. A separate PCN may also be issued for exceeding the 10-minute maximum stay.
How to Avoid the London City Airport Drop Off Charge
DLR – The Obvious Free Alternative
London City Airport has its own dedicated DLR station — London City Airport station — directly connected to the terminal by a covered walkway. The DLR runs from Bank, Canning Town, Woolwich Arsenal, and Beckton, with trains every few minutes during peak hours. For most east and central London travellers, the DLR is the fastest and cheapest way to reach the airport.
The drawback: the DLR can be crowded during peak hours, has limited luggage space, and requires step-free access via lifts at some stations. For business travellers with a laptop bag, the DLR is ideal. For families with multiple suitcases, it is less practical.
Short Stay Car Park – More Time, More Cost
The Short Stay car park is located next to the terminal. If you need more than the 5–10 minute forecourt limit — for example, to help an elderly relative with luggage — the Short Stay car park gives you longer. Charges apply and are paid at the machines within the car park.
Pre-Booked Taxi – The Simplest Choice
A pre-booked taxi removes all drop-off complications. Your driver handles the forecourt charge as part of the fixed fare. No online portals, no midnight deadlines, no 5-minute panic.
With LondonAirport-Taxi.com:
- Direct door-to-terminal travel — no DLR, no car parks
- The driver handles the drop-off charge as part of the fare
- No risk of PCNs or missed payment deadlines
- Luggage assistance included
- Fixed fares — see our full London City taxi prices
Why London City's Charge Is Different
London City Airport's drop-off charge stands out from the other London airports in several ways:
- Shortest base time: Just 5 minutes for £8, compared to 10 minutes at Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, and Southend, or 15 minutes at Stansted.
- Per-minute overstay: Like Luton, London City charges £1 per extra minute after the base period. At Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted you pay a flat fee within the time limit.
- No free car park alternative: Every other London airport offers some form of free drop-off (Long Stay, Mid Stay, or Park and Ride). London City has none — the only free option is public transport (DLR).
- Black cab exemption: London City is the only airport currently offering a temporary exemption for licensed black cabs, pending TfL's consultation on meter integration.
- Last to charge: London City was the last of all six London airports to introduce a drop-off fee, ending free access on 6 January 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the London City Airport drop off charge in 2026?
The London City Airport drop off charge is £8 for up to 5 minutes, plus £1 per additional minute up to a maximum stay of 10 minutes. The charge was introduced on 6 January 2026 and applies to all vehicles using the forecourt drop-off area. Payment must be made online by midnight the following day. London City was the last of the six London airports to introduce a drop-off fee.
Are Blue Badge holders exempt at London City Airport?
Yes. Blue Badge holders are fully exempt from the London City Airport drop off charge. However, you must register your vehicle via the airport's official portal or app before your visit to avoid receiving an automated Parking Charge Notice. The exemption is not automatic based on displaying a Blue Badge — pre-registration is required.
Are black cabs exempt from the London City drop off charge?
Licensed black cabs are temporarily exempt from the charge while Transport for London runs a consultation on taxi fares. The proposal is to include the £8 drop-off charge within the taxi meter, so passengers rather than drivers would pay the cost. This mirrors arrangements at other London airports. Until the consultation is completed, black cabs do not pay the charge. Private hire vehicles including Uber and Bolt are not exempt.
Is there a free drop-off option at London City Airport?
No. Unlike the other five London airports, London City does not offer a free car park alternative for drop-offs. There is no Long Stay, Mid Stay, or Park and Ride option with free parking. The only way to avoid the charge entirely is to use public transport — the DLR runs directly to London City Airport station with a covered walkway to the terminal. For passengers being driven, the Short Stay car park is available but charges apply.
How long can I stay in the London City drop-off zone?
The maximum stay in the London City Airport drop-off zone is 10 minutes. The base charge of £8 covers the first 5 minutes. Each additional minute from 6–10 minutes costs £1 extra. Exceeding 10 minutes may result in a Parking Charge Notice. Drivers must not wait in their vehicle or leave it unattended on the forecourt. If you need more time, you must use the Short Stay car park.
Do taxis have to pay the London City drop off charge?
Private hire vehicles including minicabs, Uber, and Bolt must pay the £8 London City Airport drop off charge. Licensed black cabs are temporarily exempt pending a TfL consultation. When you book a pre-booked taxi with LondonAirport-Taxi.com, the driver handles the drop-off charge as part of the fixed-fare service. Passengers do not need to worry about payment portals or deadlines.
How does London City compare to other London airports for drop-off charges?
London City charges £8 for just 5 minutes — the shortest base time of any London airport. A full 10-minute stay costs £13, more expensive than Gatwick or Stansted at £10 for 10 and 15 minutes respectively. London City is also the only London airport with no free car park alternative. Heathrow charges £7 for 10 minutes, Luton charges £7 plus £1 per extra minute, and Southend charges £8 for 10 minutes. For full guides, see our Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Southend drop off charge pages.
Summary
London City Airport was the last London airport to introduce a drop-off charge, ending free forecourt access on 6 January 2026. At £8 for just 5 minutes — with £1/min after that and a strict 10-minute maximum — it has the shortest base time and no free car park alternative. For passengers who cannot use the DLR, a pre-booked taxi from LondonAirport-Taxi.com handles the drop-off charge, delivers you directly to the terminal, and costs a fixed fare with no surprises. We cover all six London airports — see our full London City, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Southend pricing pages. Book your London City taxi now for an instant fixed-price quote.
