The cheapest way to leave a car at Heathrow is the Park & Ride long-stay, from around £37 to £47 a day at drive-up rates and cheaper when you pre-book. Short-stay "Terminal Parking" is far dearer for a full day, starting at £8 for up to 29 minutes and rising to £98 for 24 hours. Prices checked August 2026.
Car parks and prices
| Car park | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Short-stay Terminal Parking, 0 to 29 min | £8.00 | For quick visits, close to terminals |
| Short-stay, 30 to 44 min | £12.50 | Drive-up band |
| Short-stay, 45 to 59 min | £15.50 | Drive-up band |
| Short-stay, 1 to 2 hours | £20.00 | Drive-up band |
| Short-stay, up to 24 hours | £98.00 | £107.80 for Fast Track or overheight |
| Park & Ride, first 29 min | Free | Free pickup window, shuttle to terminals |
| Park & Ride, 30 min to 1h59 | from £9.40 | Cheaper than the £7 forecourt for short waits |
| Park & Ride long-stay | from ~£46.80 first day, ~£37.40 per further 24h | Cheapest for leaving the car; pre-book to save |
Pre-book versus drive-up
Pre-booking always beats the drive-up rate, so if you know your dates it's worth booking online. Heathrow markets its parking in tiers: short-stay Terminal Parking for quick visits, Park & Ride for pickups and longer stays, and pre-booked Long Stay for holidays. Stays of 9 hours or more can be pre-booked up to 99 days ahead. The short-stay car parks are the closest to the terminals but the most expensive per day, so they suit brief visits rather than leaving a car while you fly.
Parking for pickups and drop-offs
If you're only stopping to collect or drop someone, the Park & Ride is the money-saver: the first 29 minutes are free, with a shuttle to the terminals every 15 minutes or so. That avoids the £7 forecourt drop-off charge entirely. The short-stay car parks are also where Uber, Bolt and FreeNow drivers meet passengers, so if you're being picked up by app you'll head into Terminal Parking rather than the kerb. For the full rundown of forecourt charges and the free alternative, see the drop-off and pick-up page.
Parking FAQs
What's the cheapest parking at Heathrow? The Park & Ride long-stay, from around £37 to £47 a day at drive-up rates and cheaper when pre-booked. Short-stay is far more expensive for a full day.
How much is short-stay parking at Heathrow? It starts at £8 for up to 29 minutes and rises through £20 for 1 to 2 hours to £98 for 24 hours (£107.80 for Fast Track or overheight vehicles).
Is there free parking at Heathrow? The Park & Ride gives you the first 29 minutes free, which is the way to collect or drop someone without paying. Longer stays are charged.
Should I pre-book Heathrow parking? Yes if you can. Pre-booking always beats the drive-up rate, and stays of 9 hours or more can be booked up to 99 days ahead.
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Drop-off, Routes, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Heathrow Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Heathrow Airport website before you travel.