Ulez Zone: Does Heathrow Airport Fall Within It?

As of 29 August 2023, Heathrow Airport is included in London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This means that all vehicles entering the airport must meet certain emissions standards to avoid paying a daily charge of £12.50. The ULEZ charge only applies to older diesel and petrol cars that do not meet the emissions standards. Public transport such as coaches or the underground is exempt from the ULEZ charge.

Heathrow Airport is in the ULEZ zone

As of 29 August 2023, Heathrow Airport is included in London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This means that all vehicles entering the airport must meet certain emissions standards to avoid paying a daily charge. The ULEZ daily charge for non-compliant vehicles is £12.50 for most vehicles, including cars, vans, and motorcycles. This charge is in addition to any other fees or charges associated with entering the airport, such as the £5 drop-off charge and parking fees.

If your vehicle does not meet the emission standards, you can avoid the ULEZ charge by using alternative methods to get to and from the airport. Public transport options include the Heathrow Express from Paddington, the Piccadilly Line, the Elizabeth Line, bus, and coach. You can also take a taxi or minicab, but the ULEZ charge will be incorporated into the fare.

It is important to note that the ULEZ charge only applies when a vehicle is driven within the zone and does not apply to stationary vehicles, including parked cars at Heathrow. The charge also does not apply to heavy goods vehicles, vans, and other specialist vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight, as well as buses, minibuses, and coaches over 5 tonnes that meet the Euro VI (NOx and PM) standards.

The ULEZ expansion has been controversial, but it is part of an initiative by Transport for London (TfL) to reduce air pollution in the city. The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, except for Christmas Day.

ULEZ charge is £12.50 per day

Heathrow Airport is within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London, which means that all vehicles entering the airport must meet the emission standards or be prepared to pay a non-compliance charge of £12.50 per day. This daily charge applies to cars, motorcycles, vans, specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes), and minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes). It is important to note that the charging day runs from midnight to midnight, and you can pay up to 90 days in advance or by midnight on the third day following your journey.

If your vehicle does not meet the emission standards, you have alternative options for travelling to and from Heathrow Airport without paying the ULEZ charge. Public transport such as the underground, Heathrow Express from Paddington, the Elizabeth Line, or the Piccadilly Line does not incur the ULEZ charge. Additionally, local taxis, airport taxi services, and dedicated airport transfer services are available and can be more convenient as you won't need to worry about paying the ULEZ fee separately.

To make payments for the ULEZ charge easier, you can download apps such as the official Transport for London (TfL) app or the Caura app, which allow you to set up Auto Pay for multiple vehicles or make fast payments by storing your contact, vehicle, and payment details. These apps can help you manage your ULEZ charges and avoid Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for late payments.

It is worth noting that some vehicles are exempt from ULEZ charges, including electric vehicles until 25 December 2025, taxis, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and vehicles registered with disabled driver or disabled passenger tax benefits until 25 October 2027. Additionally, there is a grace period for vehicles registered under a person receiving specific benefits.

Exempt vehicles don't pay the charge

Heathrow Airport is within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This means that vehicles entering the airport must meet the emission standards to avoid paying a non-compliance charge of £12.50. However, some vehicles are exempt from this charge.

The ULEZ charge was designed to reduce the number of high-polluting vehicles on the road and improve air quality in London. It serves as a penalty for those who continue to drive heavily polluting vehicles. Therefore, vehicles that meet certain emission standards are exempt from the ULEZ charge. Petrol cars must meet Euro 4 standards, which generally applies to any petrol car made after January 2006. Diesel cars that meet Euro 6 standards are also exempt, which generally applies to any car made after September 2015. Fully electric cars are also exempt from the ULEZ charge.

Some other vehicles that are exempt from the ULEZ charge include:

• Classic cars that fall into the historical vehicle tax class, generally those over 40 years old.
• Vehicles used for commercial purposes that are over 40 years old, such as food trucks and coffee vans.
• Blue Badge holders whose vehicles are registered with the DVLA as having a 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class.
• Vehicles registered outside the UK during a grace period.
• London-licensed taxis.
• Designated wheelchair-accessible PHVs (private hire vehicles) until 24 October 2027.
• Minibuses that meet the ULEZ emissions standards.

It is important to note that even if your vehicle is exempt, you may still be charged if you fail to inform TFL that your vehicle is ULEZ-compliant. Additionally, if you are flying from Heathrow and your trip spans across midnight, you will be charged twice as the charging day runs from midnight to midnight.

Public transport to Heathrow is charge-free

From 29 August 2023, Heathrow Airport is included in London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This means that all vehicles entering the airport must meet certain emissions standards to avoid paying a daily charge of £12.50. However, public transport to Heathrow is charge-free.

If you are travelling to Heathrow Airport, you can avoid the ULEZ charge by taking public transport such as the underground, the Heathrow Express from Paddington, the Elizabeth Line, or the Piccadilly Line. Heathrow Airport has its own underground stop, which you can reach from any other tube stop in London. The Heathrow Express takes as little as 15 minutes, and the tube runs regularly from Paddington.

You can also take a bus or coach to Heathrow Airport without paying the ULEZ charge. The airport is served by numerous local buses that operate throughout the day. Taking a taxi or minicab to the airport is another option, but the ULEZ charge will be incorporated into the fare.

For those who live nearby, local taxis may be an option to avoid the ULEZ charge when travelling to Heathrow Airport. Alternatively, you can arrange a dedicated airport taxi service if you are coming from further away.

In addition to public transport and taxis, cycling or walking to Heathrow Airport will also help you avoid the ULEZ charge. However, please note that the ULEZ zone covers all London boroughs and the City of London, as well as roads within Greater London, those at Heathrow, and parts of the M1 and M4.

Heathrow parking services and extra charges

Heathrow Airport offers a variety of parking services to its customers, with options available for different budgets and preferences. The airport's official parking services include:

Park & Ride (formerly Long Stay parking)

This is the cheapest official parking option at Heathrow, with prices starting from £5.85 per day. Free buses are available to drop passengers off at the terminal doors.

Park & Ride Plus (formerly Business parking)

This option offers high-frequency, free shuttles to the terminal doors.

Meet & Greet

Meet & Greet is a hassle-free parking experience, where passengers can get themselves and their luggage directly to the terminal entrance without the need for a transfer. Prices for Meet & Greet start from £84.99 for eight days of parking.

Valet Parking

Valet parking is available right outside the chosen terminal, offering convenience and ease for passengers.

Pod Parking

Heathrow also offers unique, driverless, on-demand Pods that transport passengers from the Pod car park to Terminal 5.

Hotel and Parking Packages

For those looking for a peaceful night's sleep before an early morning flight, Heathrow provides hotel and parking packages at all terminals.

In addition to these parking services, Heathrow also offers parking options for specific terminals, such as the Purple Parking Multi-Storey car park for Terminal 4, and the Multi-Storey car park for Terminal 5.

It is important to note that Heathrow Airport does not currently provide EV charging facilities in any of its car parks. Therefore, customers with electric vehicles are advised to adequately charge their cars before arriving at the airport.

Moreover, as of 2023, Heathrow Airport is included in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This means that drivers with non-compliant vehicles will have to pay a daily charge of £12.50 when entering the airport. This charge is applicable for each day of entry into the ULEZ zone, and it is separate from the parking charges at Heathrow.

To avoid additional charges, it is recommended to book parking in advance, as online prices are often cheaper than those available on the day of arrival. Additionally, Heathrow Rewards points can be earned and redeemed when purchasing Official Heathrow Airport Parking products.

Frequently asked questions