<p>Heathrow's official car parks now come in three tiers: Terminal Parking (renamed from Short Stay), Park & Ride (renamed from Long Stay) and Priority Park & Ride (renamed from Business Parking). On the day, Terminal Parking starts at £8 for up to 29 minutes, Park & Ride is free for the first 29 minutes and £46.80 for a first day, and Priority Park & Ride is a flat £47.90 per day. Checked 2026.</p>
<h2 id="the-renames-explained">The renames explained</h2>
<p>Heathrow renamed its parking products in two stages. Long Stay Parking became Park & Ride on 16 September 2024, and Short Stay Parking became Terminal Parking, with Business Parking becoming Priority Park & Ride, on 29 September 2025. Signage around the airport still uses the old names, and Heathrow's own site confirms these signs should still be followed, so do not worry if you see "Short Stay" or "Long Stay" signposted; the car parks themselves have not moved.</p>
<h2 id="the-three-options-compared">The three options compared</h2>
<div class="table-wrap"><table>
<thead><tr><th>Product</th><th>Former name</th><th>Location</th><th>First day price</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td>Terminal Parking</td><td>Short Stay Parking</td><td>2-minute walk from terminal doors</td><td>£98.00 for 12-24 hours</td></tr>
<tr><td>Park & Ride</td><td>Long Stay Parking</td><td>Free shuttle bus, every 10 to 15 minutes</td><td>£46.80</td></tr>
<tr><td>Priority Park & Ride</td><td>Business Parking</td><td>Airfield perimeter, on-demand shuttle, max 10 minute wait</td><td>£47.90 (flat daily rate)</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p>Terminal Parking is the right choice if you are being met or are meeting someone and want to walk straight in, or if your stay is only a few hours. Park & Ride is Heathrow's own "best value" option for anything longer than a day. Priority Park & Ride sits between the two: it costs about the same as one day in Park & Ride, but the car park is closer to the terminal and the shuttle is on-demand rather than running to a fixed schedule.</p>
<h2 id="terminal-parking-full-price-table">Terminal Parking: full price table</h2>
<p>These are the on-the-day, pay-at-machine rates, effective from 6 January 2026. Pre-booking online for stays over 24 hours works out cheaper than the drive-up rate.</p>
<div class="table-wrap"><table>
<thead><tr><th>Duration</th><th>On the day</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td>0 to 29 minutes</td><td>£8.00</td></tr>
<tr><td>30 to 44 minutes</td><td>£12.50</td></tr>
<tr><td>45 to 59 minutes</td><td>£15.50</td></tr>
<tr><td>1 to 2 hours</td><td>£20.00</td></tr>
<tr><td>2 to 3 hours</td><td>£24.00</td></tr>
<tr><td>3 to 4 hours</td><td>£28.00</td></tr>
<tr><td>4 to 5 hours</td><td>£35.00</td></tr>
<tr><td>5 to 6 hours</td><td>£44.00</td></tr>
<tr><td>6 to 9 hours</td><td>£63.00</td></tr>
<tr><td>9 to 12 hours</td><td>£78.00</td></tr>
<tr><td>12 to 24 hours</td><td>£98.00</td></tr>
<tr><td>Each additional 24-hour period</td><td>£98.00</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<h2 id="park-and-ride-full-price-table">Park & Ride: full price table</h2>
<div class="table-wrap"><table>
<thead><tr><th>Duration</th><th>Price</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td>0 to 29 minutes</td><td>Free</td></tr>
<tr><td>30 minutes to 1 hour 59 minutes</td><td>£9.40</td></tr>
<tr><td>First day</td><td>£46.80</td></tr>
<tr><td>Each additional 24-hour period</td><td>£37.40</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p>Park & Ride is the cheapest way to leave a car at Heathrow for more than a day, since the day rate drops from £46.80 to £37.40 for every 24 hours after the first. Blue Badge holders get the first 2 hours free in Park & Ride, whether they are dropping off, picking up, or parking for longer. For the full picture on disabled parking, see our <a href="/articles/heathrow-blue-badge-parking-rules-cost-and-where">Blue Badge parking guide</a>.</p>
<h2 id="priority-park-and-ride-business-parking">Priority Park & Ride (Business Parking)</h2>
<p>Priority Park & Ride is available at Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 5 only, not at Terminal 4. It costs a flat £47.90 per day regardless of how many hours you actually use, which makes it slightly more expensive than one day of standard Park & Ride, but the car park is closer to the terminal and shuttles run on demand with a maximum wait of around 10 minutes, rather than the 10 to 15 minute fixed interval on standard Park & Ride buses. It suits business travellers on tight schedules more than it suits holidaymakers looking for the lowest possible price.</p>
<h2 id="how-to-pick-the-right-one">How to pick the right one</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Dropping off or picking up in under 30 minutes:</strong> Park & Ride is free for the first 29 minutes; Terminal Parking charges £8 immediately.</li>
<li><strong>Staying a few hours, want to walk to the terminal:</strong> Terminal Parking.</li>
<li><strong>Staying more than a day, want the lowest total cost:</strong> Park & Ride, booked online in advance rather than paying the drive-up rate.</li>
<li><strong>Staying a day, on a business trip with a tight connection:</strong> Priority Park & Ride.</li>
</ul>
<p>Whichever you choose, Heathrow's online "get a parking quote" tool almost always beats the drive-up price for stays of a day or more, since drive-up rates are deliberately set higher to encourage advance booking. For a wider comparison including meet and greet and off-airport parking, see our <a href="/articles/heathrow-meet-and-greet-parking-is-it-worth-the-price">meet and greet parking guide</a> and the <a href="/parking/">parking hub page</a>.</p>
<h2 id="cancellations-and-changes">Cancellations and changes</h2>
<p>All three products can be cancelled up to 2 hours before your booked arrival slot for a refund. If your travel dates change after booking, see our dedicated <a href="/articles/heathrow-parking-cancellation-and-refunds-explained">parking cancellation and refunds guide</a> for the current process.</p>
<h2 id="frequently-asked-questions">Frequently asked questions</h2>
<p><strong>What happened to Heathrow Short Stay and Long Stay parking?</strong> Short Stay was renamed Terminal Parking and Business Parking was renamed Priority Park & Ride on 29 September 2025. Long Stay was renamed Park & Ride on 16 September 2024. The car parks themselves have not moved, and old signage is still valid.</p>
<p><strong>How much is Heathrow Park & Ride for a week?</strong> The first day is £46.80, then £37.40 for each additional 24-hour period, so a week works out to £46.80 plus six lots of £37.40 at the drive-up rate. Booking online in advance is usually cheaper than this.</p>
<p><strong>Is Heathrow parking free for the first 30 minutes?</strong> Only in Park & Ride, where the first 29 minutes are free. Terminal Parking charges £8 from the moment you take a ticket.</p>
<p><strong>What is Priority Park & Ride and is it worth it?</strong> It is the renamed Business Parking product, a flat £47.90 a day with an on-demand shuttle and a location closer to the terminal than standard Park & Ride. It suits business travellers more than budget-conscious holidaymakers.</p>
<p><strong>Do Blue Badge holders get free parking at Heathrow?</strong> Blue Badge holders get 2 hours free in Park & Ride car parks. Charges apply after that, and Terminal Parking does not offer the same free period.</p>
<p><strong>Can I still find Short Stay and Long Stay signs at Heathrow?</strong> Yes. Heathrow has confirmed that existing signage referring to the old names remains valid and points to the same car parks.</p>