London airport chauffeur guide: Heathrow, Gatwick and London City (2026)

Updated 6 November 2026 · By the Wimbledon Chauffeur team

Short answer: At London airports, pre-booked chauffeurs usually meet arrivals inside the terminal with a name board, then walk to a nearby car park or pick-up area, because waiting is not allowed in drop-off lanes. In 2026 forecourt drop-off costs £7 at Heathrow, £10 at Gatwick and £8 at London City per entry, and private hire cars pay it too, so check it is included in your fixed quote.

London airport chauffeur guide: Heathrow, Gatwick and London City (2026)

How airport pick-ups and drop-offs work

London's airports separate drop-offs from pick-ups. Drop-off zones outside the terminals are for setting passengers down only, they are charged per entry, and drivers cannot wait or collect there. For collections, a pre-booked driver normally parks in the short-stay car park or a designated pick-up area, then meets you in the arrivals hall.

Departures: the car drops you in the terminal forecourt drop-off zone and leaves straight away
Arrivals with meet and greet: the driver waits in the arrivals hall with your name on a board, then walks you to the car
Kerbside or car park pick-up: cheaper with some operators, but you walk to an agreed car park meeting point yourself
Car park charges and drop-off fees are either built into a fixed quote or added as extras, so ask which

2026 drop-off charges at London airports

Airport	Forecourt drop-off charge (2026)	Notes
Heathrow	£7 per entry	Up to 10 minutes. Pay online or by phone by midnight the next day. Unpaid visits can lead to an £80 parking charge
Gatwick	£10 per entry	Raised from £7 in January 2026. Free drop-off at long-stay car parks with a shuttle
London City	£8 per entry	Introduced in January 2026

Taxis and private hire vehicles are not exempt from these charges. Blue Badge holders can usually get the charge waived, but at Heathrow you need to apply. Charges change, so check the airport website before you travel.

Heathrow terminals and what to tell your driver

Heathrow has four passenger terminals in use: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Terminal 1 closed in 2015. Terminals 2 and 3 share the central area, Terminal 5 is to the west and Terminal 4 is on the southern side of the airport, so going to the wrong one can cost 15 minutes or more.

Always give your flight number, not just the airline, as some airlines use more than one terminal
Terminal 5 is mainly British Airways and some partner airlines
Check your booking a day or two before travel, as airlines occasionally move terminals
For arrivals, tell the driver if you have hold luggage, which affects how long you will take to come out

Gatwick, London City, Stansted and Luton

Gatwick has two terminals, North and South, linked by a free shuttle. Your ticket or airline website will show which one you need. London City is small and compact, so passengers often come through quickly, which makes accurate flight tracking especially useful. Stansted and Luton are a long way from south west London, typically well over an hour from Wimbledon by road, so allow for M25 traffic and agree a realistic pick-up time.

Gatwick: confirm North or South Terminal
London City: expect quick exits, so the driver should be in place before landing
Stansted and Luton: allow plenty of time for the M25 and check drop-off arrangements, as both airports charge for forecourt access

Free waiting time and delays

Most chauffeur companies include a period of free waiting from the moment your flight lands, because the time needed for passport control and baggage varies. A common pattern is a shorter allowance for domestic and short-haul flights and a longer one for international long-haul arrivals. After the free period, waiting is usually charged in blocks of time.

Ask how long free waiting lasts and when it starts
Message the driver once you have collected your bags
If your bags are lost or delayed, tell the driver straight away
Flight tracking means early or late landings are handled, but tell the operator about any flight change or cancellation

Timing your departure journey

Work back from the time you want to be at the terminal. A common guide is two hours before short-haul departures and three hours before long-haul, though airlines and seasons vary. Add the typical journey time from your address, then a margin for rush hour, roadworks on the M25 or M4, and bad weather. Very early morning journeys are usually quicker, but school holiday weekends and Friday afternoons are often slow.

Check in online and know your bag drop deadline
Give the operator your flight time and terminal when you book
Confirm the pick-up time the day before
Keep passports, tickets and phone chargers in hand luggage, not the boot

Travelling with children or reduced mobility

By law, children in the UK generally need a suitable child seat or booster in private cars, but licensed private hire vehicles have some exemptions, which is why many parents still ask for seats so that children travel safely. Request the right seat type when you book, giving each child's age and weight, rather than assuming one will be in the car. If anyone in your party needs extra help, airports offer free special assistance from the drop-off point to the aircraft, which is best booked through your airline at least 48 hours before you fly. Tell the operator too, so the driver can drop you at the assistance point and allow extra time.