Quick Summary
The London City Airport drop off charge is £8 for up to 5 minutes, plus £1 per extra minute to a strict 10-minute maximum — introduced 6 January 2026. The zone is barrierless ANPR: pay online by midnight the next day or receive a PCN. Blue Badge holders are exempt (pre-registration required), and there is no free car park — the DLR is the only free route in. A pre-booked taxi with LondonAirport‑Taxi.com includes the charge in your 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, and one that distinguished London City from its larger competitors for years.
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. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras record your vehicle registration as you enter the zone. Payment must be made online after your visit.
The airport said the move is intended to encourage greater use of public transport. According to London City Airport, around two-thirds of passengers already travel by DLR, bus, or other sustainable transport modes — and the charge is designed to push that figure higher. For wider context on what taxis cost across the capital, see our London taxi fares guide.
London City Airport Drop Off Charge 2026 – Current Prices
| Duration | Charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5 minutes | £8 | Base charge (£1.60 per minute) |
| 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 — £100 PCN (£60 within 14 days) |
At £8 for just 5 minutes, London City has the shortest base time of any London airport — and the highest per-minute cost at £1.60 per minute. A full 10-minute drop-off costs £13, more expensive than a 10-minute drop-off at Gatwick or Stansted (both £10 flat). However, the 10-minute hard cap means the worst-case total cost remains lower than at airports with longer extension windows.
How Does London City Compare to Other London Airports?
Every London airport now charges for terminal drop-offs. Here is the full picture for the current year:
| Airport | Drop-Off Charge | Time Limit | Free Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| London City | £8 + £1/min after 5 min | 10 min max | None — DLR recommended |
| Heathrow | £7 | 10 min | Long Stay car parks |
| Gatwick | £10 | 10 min | Up to 2 hrs at Long Stay |
| Stansted | £10 | 15 min | 60 min at Mid Stay |
| Luton | £7 + £1/min after | 10 min base | 60 min at Mid Stay |
| Southend | £8 | 10 min (strict) | 15 min at Long Stay |
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. Each airport in the table above links to its own detailed guide. For a side-by-side view of every fee, time limit and free option, see our UK airport drop-off charges compared page — and for the wider story of why every London airport raised its forecourt fees, our London airport drop-off fees explained analysis.
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. The exemption is not automatic based on displaying a Blue Badge.
- Licensed black cabs do not pay the £8 ANPR charge themselves. Following TfL's 2025/26 fares review, from 25 April 2026 black cabs instead add a £6.00 drop-off extra to the taxi meter (per the official TfL 2026 fare card) — so the cost is passed to the passenger as part of the metered fare, mirroring the arrangement at Heathrow.
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, which the airport explicitly directs drivers to for any non-immediate drop-offs.
How to Pay the London City Drop Off Charge
To pay the London City Airport drop-off charge:
- Go to the official London City Airport drop-off payment portal at londoncityairport.com, or call the dedicated payment line.
- Enter your vehicle registration — the ANPR record of your visit is found automatically.
- Pay the £8 base charge (plus any £1-per-minute extras) by card before midnight on the day after your visit. Cash is not accepted at any stage.
- Or register once for AutoPay — every future visit is billed automatically to your saved card, removing the midnight deadline risk entirely.
The system is barrierless, so there are no payment machines at the forecourt — payment can only be made after your visit, not on site.
If payment is not made by the deadline, a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) is issued to the registered vehicle owner based on the ANPR records. The PCN is £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. A separate PCN may also be issued for exceeding the 10-minute maximum stay, even if the £8 charge has been paid.
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 DLR — 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. For a deeper analysis of taxi vs public transport options see our Uber vs black cab vs minicab guide.
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. The airport explicitly recommends Short Stay for anyone collecting passengers or anticipating a longer drop-off.
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 with the drop-off charge included — check our fixed-fare London City Airport taxi prices before you book
Travelling as a group? A 7-seater taxi or minibus often beats DLR fares per head, and families can request free child and baby seats at booking through our baby seat taxi service.
Transfers also run well beyond the Royal Docks — our London City airport taxi service covers Canary Wharf, the City, and long-distance UK routes at fixed 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.
- Highest per-minute cost: At £1.60 per minute (£8 / 5 min), London City is the most expensive UK airport drop-off per minute — though its 10-minute hard cap means the worst-case total stays lower than Gatwick (£10 for 10 min) or Stansted (£10 for 15 min).
- 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.
- Black cab meter extra: Black cabs don't pay the £8 vehicle charge — since 25 April 2026 they add a £6.00 drop-off extra to the meter instead (TfL 2026 fare card), so the passenger pays it as part of the fare.
- 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 — long after Heathrow (November 2021), Gatwick (March 2021), and Luton (July 2024).
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, except Blue Badge holders (who must pre-register). Black cabs pass the cost to passengers instead, via a £6.00 meter extra in force since 25 April 2026. 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.
How do I pay the City Airport drop off charge online?
Pay via the official London City Airport drop-off payment portal at londoncityairport.com or by phone on the dedicated payment line — enter your vehicle registration and the ANPR record of your visit is found automatically. Payment must be completed by midnight on the day after your visit and cash is not accepted. Regular visitors can register for AutoPay, which bills a saved card automatically on every visit and removes the deadline risk. There are no payment machines at the forecourt — payment can only be made after your visit.
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?
Not any more. Black cabs were exempt when the charge launched in January 2026, but following TfL's fares review, a £6.00 drop-off extra is added to the taxi meter for London City drop-offs since 25 April 2026 (per the official TfL 2026 fare card). The passenger pays the extra as part of the metered fare, so black cab drivers do not pay the £8 vehicle charge. Private hire vehicles including Uber, Bolt, and minicabs pay the standard £8 charge.
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 DLR 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 (so a full 10-minute stay costs £13). 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. Black cabs add a £6.00 extra to the meter instead (since 25 April 2026), which the passenger pays. 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.
Why did London City introduce a drop-off charge?
The airport said the move is part of its wider commitment to encourage more travel via public and sustainable transport modes, which around two-thirds of London City passengers already use. By making drop-offs more costly, the airport aims to push that proportion higher, reduce forecourt congestion, and support its broader sustainability strategy. The charge brings London City in line with all other major UK airports, which have introduced drop-off fees gradually since 2021.
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 and the highest per-minute cost at £1.60. 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, Gatwick and Stansted both charge £10, and Southend charges £8 for 10 minutes. For a complete side-by-side comparison of all six London airports, see our UK airport drop-off charges compared aggregator page.
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Final Thoughts
The London City drop-off comes down to four numbers: £8 for the first 5 minutes, £1 per minute after that, a 10-minute hard cap (£13 worst case), and zero free car park alternatives. Pay online by midnight the next day, pre-register if you hold a Blue Badge, and remember black cab passengers now pay a £6 meter extra instead (since 25 April 2026).
If the DLR doesn't suit — luggage, family, early flight — a pre-booked taxi is the simplest answer: the charge is built into your fixed fare and your driver handles the 5-minute window. Check our London City Airport taxi prices for every vehicle type, or get an instant fixed-price quote now.
