London City Airport Drop-Off Charge: How to Pay and Exemptions
London City Airport has introduced an £8 charge for using the terminal forecourt. If you plan to do airport runs for LCY, you need to know how this charge works to avoid fines.
From private hire drivers on a PCO car hire plan to someone dropping off a family member, the charge applies to every vehicle that enters the terminal forecourt. This rule matters a lot for PCO drivers, as it can eat into your profits if you make several airport runs daily.
Let us explore how the London City Airport drop-off charge works and if there’s a way to avoid it.
Article Highlights
This article covers:
- LCY drop-off charge
- How to pay
- Fines for violating the rules
- Exemptions
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How Much Is the London City Airport Drop-Off Charge?
The charge is £8 for five minutes. You can stay for 10 minutes in the zone. However, every extra minute after the first five costs £1. Staying the full ten minutes will cost you £13.
Black cab drivers currently do not pay the LCY terminal charges, but the rules may change later. So, black cab drivers should keep an eye out for TfL announcements.
There are no exceptions for private hire drivers.
How Long Can I Stay in the LCY Drop-Off Area?
The maximum stay limit is 10 minutes. Exceeding this limit will result in a £100 fine. This charge is in addition to any drop-off charge already owed. However, it’s reduced to £60 if you pay it within 14 days after receiving the notice.
Also Read: Heathrow Drop-Off Charge (£7): How to Pay, Deadlines & Avoid Fines (2026)
How to Pay the LCY Drop-Off Charge?
You can pay the drop-off charge online through the official London City Airport website. It requires you to enter your vehicle registration number. The system then checks its database to calculate what you owe based on your stay’s duration. You pay by card and finish the process.
This method is best for occasional airport users. For regular users of London City Airport, there’s a more convenient option for the LCY drop-off charge payment.
You can create an account through the airport’s payment portal. After registration, you add your card and vehicle details. The system then charges automatically every time you enter the zone. You no longer need manual payments after visits.
This saves time for drivers making multiple daily trips and prevents the risk of missing deadlines.
How to Avoid the London City Airport Drop-Off Charge
The simplest way to avoid LCY drop-off charge is to use the Main Stay car park instead of the drop-off zone. It allows you one full hour of free parking at just a short walk from the terminal.
What Happens if You Don't Pay the LCY Drop-Off Charge?
If you fail to pay the £8 charge by midnight the next day, you will get a £100 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Pay it within 14 days for a 40% discount.
Private hire drivers on a PCO car hire plan face extra complications from PCNs. Fleet operators monitor fines closely, and multiple PCNs can damage your standing with them. In addition, ignoring the £100 penalty can lead to court proceedings. Therefore, you must always pay your drop-off charge on time to stay safe.
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What Is the Blue Badge Exemption at London City Airport?
A Blue Badge allows disabled people and their drivers to use designated parking spaces. It also provides them with certain parking concessions.
At London City Airport, a valid Blue Badge allows a full drop-off charge exemption. However, this exemption does not apply automatically. You must register for the exemption in advance. Here’s how to register for the Blue Badge exemption at London City Airport.
- Go to dropoff.londoncityairport.com
- Choose “Register for an Account”, then click “Sign Up Now”
- Provide your email address and click “Send Verification Code”
- You will receive a code in your email. Type it into the required box.
- Click “Verify Code”
- Fill out all required fields and click “Create”
- Once the account is ready, choose “Register your Blue Badge”
- Enter your Blue Badge expiry date.
- Click “Upload Files” to attach photos showing both the front and back of your Blue Badge.
- Click “Submit Application”
Please remember that the account confirmation may take up to 5 days. The exemption will only apply after your account has been confirmed.
Also Read: Importance of an Auto Pay Account for Private Hire Drivers in London
How Does the Blue Badge Exemption Work at LCY?
Once your Blue Badge is approved and your account becomes active, the ongoing process is much simpler. However, the LCY drop-off exemption doesn’t apply automatically. Before each airport visit, or by midnight the following day, you need to log into your Blue Badge account and enter the date of your drop-off. You must also enter your vehicle’s registration number.
The system checks this information against ANPR camera records and then applies the exemption. Blue Badge holders can also use the pick-up area for 60 minutes of free parking.
LCY Drop-Off Charge Table
Charge Type | Amount / Fine | Conditions / Notes |
Standard drop-off charge | £8 | Covers the first 5 minutes in the terminal forecourt |
Additional time charge | £1 per extra minute | Applies after the first 5 minutes |
Maximum stay cost (10 minutes) | £13 | £8 + £5 for additional minutes |
Maximum allowed stay | 10 minutes | Exceeding this triggers a £100 fine |
Reduced overstay fine | £60 | If paid within 14 days of notice |
Late/non-payment drop-off fine (PCN) | £100 | If the £8 charge is not paid by midnight the next day |
Reduced PCN payment | 40% discount | If paid within 14 days |
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Conclusion
The London City Airport drop-off charge includes enough small details to catch out even experienced drivers. You must pay attention to these details from the moment you arrive.
Cameras start recording as soon as you enter the drop-off zone, and you must pay the charge for every entry. There is no grace period for repeat visits.
Private hire drivers and regular airport users can benefit from automated payment accounts. However, you still need to manage time carefully. Never assume the system will overlook mistakes. Negligence in paying the charge can be costly, especially for drivers who have to pay their weekly PCO car hire fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the London City Airport drop-off charge?
The standard London City Airport drop-off charge is £8 for the first five minutes in the terminal forecourt.
How long can I stay in the London City Airport drop-off area?
You can stay for a maximum of 10 minutes. Exceeding this limit results in a £100 fine.
How do I pay the London City Airport drop-off charge?
You can pay online through the official London City Airport payment website by entering your vehicle registration number and paying by card.
When is the deadline to pay the LCY drop-off charge?
You must pay the drop-off charge by midnight the day after your visit to avoid receiving a Penalty Charge Notice.
What is the fine for not paying the LCY drop-off charge?
Failure to pay the £8 charge by the deadline results in a £100 Penalty Charge Notice, reduced by 40% if paid within 14 days.
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