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 (pre-registration required). Licensed black cabs are temporarily exempt pending a TfL consultation on meter integration. At £1.60 per minute, London City is the most expensive UK airport drop-off per minute — though the 10-minute hard cap limits the worst-case total. There is no free car park alternative — but the DLR direct to London City Airport station is the obvious free option for passengers. For a side-by-side comparison of all six London airports' drop-off charges in one place, see our UK airport drop-off charges compared aggregator. The simplest option is to book a pre-booked taxi with LondonAirport‑Taxi.com — your driver handles everything 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, 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 pricing transparency on alternative options see our London taxi fares 2026 guide or our taxi fare calculator.
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 |
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 as of 2026:
| 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 | 60 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 | Mid Stay (60 min 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 an authoritative side-by-side comparison of all six London airports in one place, see our UK airport drop-off charges compared aggregator pillar. For individual airport deep-dives 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. The exemption is not automatic based on displaying a Blue Badge.
- Licensed black cabs are temporarily exempt while TfL conducts its annual public consultation on taxi fares. The proposal is for the £8 charge to be formally included in the taxi meter, so passengers — rather than drivers — would pay the cost. This mirrors arrangements at other London airports. Until the consultation concludes, black cabs do not pay the charge.
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
The system is barrierless — no payment machines at the forecourt. Payment must be made after your visit:
- Online via the official 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, removing the midnight deadline risk
Deadline: Payment must be completed by midnight on the day after your visit. Cash is not accepted at any stage.
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. 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 — see our full London City taxi prices or the broader London City airport taxi hub
For larger groups our 7-seater taxi and 12-seater minibus hire services are available, and for families with young children, free baby and child seats are available — see our taxi with baby seat London page. For long-distance UK transfers from London City see our long-distance UK taxi pricing page, and for Heathrow pickups specifically see our Heathrow airport pickup service.
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 consultation: London City is currently the only London airport with a temporary black cab exemption pending TfL's consultation on integrating the charge into the taxi meter.
- 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 — 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, with the exception of Blue Badge holders (who must pre-register) and licensed black cabs (temporarily exempt pending a TfL consultation). 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 (TfL) runs its annual public 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 TfL consultation is completed, black cabs do not pay the charge. Private hire vehicles including Uber, Bolt, and minicabs 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 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. Licensed black cabs are temporarily exempt pending the TfL consultation on meter integration. 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, of 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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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 highest per-minute cost (£1.60/min) of any UK airport. The lack of any free car park alternative makes it uniquely strict among London airports. Blue Badge holders are exempt (with pre-registration), and licensed black cabs remain temporarily exempt while TfL consults on integrating the charge into the meter. For a complete side-by-side comparison of every London airport drop-off charge in one place, see our UK airport drop-off charges compared aggregator. 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.
