Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off is on the Departures Level (Level 4), in the left-hand lane outside the terminal. Each visit costs £7. Pickups have moved to a Priority Pick-Up lane on the Arrivals Level (Level 1), from £7 for up to 10 minutes. The free option is Park & Ride Zone A, with a shuttle bus.
Terminal 4 changed this summer. Heathrow closed the Terminal 4 multi-storey car park on 23 June 2026, so a lot of older advice online is now wrong. This guide sets out the current Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off and pickup rules. It also covers how long the drive from Cambridge takes, and how 24/7 Airport Express gets you there door to door, with fares from £137.
Key Facts at a Glance
These are the current Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off and pickup facts, taken from Heathrow's own pages in October 2026.
- Drop-off: Departures Level 4, left-hand lane, £7 per visit.
- Pickup: Priority Pick-Up, Arrivals Level 1, right-hand lane, from £7 for up to 10 minutes.
- Free alternative: Park & Ride Zone A, with up to 2 hours free and a shuttle bus about every 5 minutes.
- Closed: the Terminal 4 multi-storey car park and Meet & Greet Parking, since 23 June 2026.
- Taxis and private hire: still operating at Terminal 4 as normal.
- From Cambridge: about 80 miles, usually 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes by road.
Rules change during building works, so check Heathrow's Terminal 4 changes page before you travel.
Where Is Terminal 4 at Heathrow?
Terminal 4 sits on the south side of the airport, away from Terminals 2, 3 and 5. That matters, because satnavs and drivers sometimes head for the central area by mistake. Getting from the central terminals to Terminal 4 by road takes extra time through the airport tunnel. So make sure you're heading for the Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off, not the central area.
Terminal 4 is home to many SkyTeam airlines, along with carriers such as Qatar Airways, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Gulf Air and KM Malta Airlines. Airlines sometimes move between terminals, so always check your booking.
Flying from Terminal 5 instead? Read our Terminal 5 door-to-door guide.
For Terminals 2 and 3, see our Terminals 2 and 3 pickup and drop-off guide.
Heathrow Terminal 4 Drop Off: How It Works
The Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off zone is still open, even with the building works. Follow the signs for Terminal 4 Departures, then keep to the left-hand lane on Level 4.
- Drive up to the Departures Level, Level 4.
- Stop in the left-hand lane, close to your check-in zone.
- Unload quickly. The car must not be left unattended.
- Pay the £7 charge online, by phone or by autopay, by midnight the next day.
The charge applies every time a car enters the zone, 24 hours a day. Unpaid charges lead to an £80 Parking Charge, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days. Full rules are on Heathrow's Terminal Drop-Off Charge page.
With a 24/7 Airport Express transfer, your driver handles the Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off for you. [CONFIRM: is the £7 drop-off charge included in the fare?]
Heathrow Terminal 4 Pickup After the 2026 Changes
Pickups have changed far more than the Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off. Drivers must not collect passengers from the Departures drop-off lanes. Instead, there are two official options.
| Pickup option | Where | Cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Pick-Up | Arrivals Level 1, right-hand lane | £7 up to 10 minutes; £14 for 11–29 minutes; £25 for 30–60 minutes | Quick collections once bags are in hand |
| Park & Ride Zone A | Off-site, free shuttle from bus stops 5, 6 and 7 | Free for up to 2 hours | Friends and family willing to wait |
| Pre-booked private hire | Agreed meeting point at Terminal 4 | Included in your fare [CONFIRM] | Long-haul arrivals heading straight home |
The free shuttle runs about every 5 minutes, from 04:00 to 23:30. Priority Pick-Up can be paid online only, so have a phone with data ready. Taxis and private hire vehicles still operate at Terminal 4 as normal, for both drop-off and pickup.
Cambridge to Heathrow Terminal 4: Your Travel Options
A Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off is just one part of the trip. Here is how the main options from Cambridge compare.
| Option | Approx. cost | Approx. time | Changes | Door-to-door | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked transfer | From £137 per vehicle (saloon) | 1 hour 45 minutes – 2 hours 30 minutes | None | Yes | Families, heavy luggage, early flights |
| Train via London, then the Elizabeth line | Varies; check National Rail | Often 2 hours 15 minutes or more | Two or more | No | Solo travellers with light bags |
| National Express coach | Varies; check National Express | Often 2 hours 30 minutes or more | Check if your coach serves Terminal 4 or only the central bus station | No | Budget travellers in no hurry |
| Drive and park in Zone A | £46.80 for the first 24 hours, plus fuel | About 2 hours, plus the shuttle | Shuttle bus | No | Short trips with pre-booked parking |
The Elizabeth line serves Terminal 4 directly, and trains between Heathrow terminals are free. Even so, the full journey from Cambridge usually means at least one change in London, carrying all your luggage.
The Route from Cambridge to Terminal 4
To reach the Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off, most journeys head south on the M11, then anticlockwise on the M25 to Junction 14, before following the signs for Terminal 4. It's about 80 miles from central Cambridge. Our guide to the M25 or M11 route explains how drivers choose on the day.
Weekday mornings from 06:30 and Friday afternoons are the slowest times on the M25. Early-morning and late-evening journeys are usually much quicker.
When to Leave Cambridge for a Heathrow Terminal 4 Flight
Most Terminal 4 flights are long-haul, so plan to arrive about 3 hours before departure. These suggested pickup times allow for normal traffic on the way to the Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off.
| Flight departs Terminal 4 | Suggested pickup from Cambridge |
|---|---|
| 07:00 | 01:45–02:00 |
| 10:00 | 04:45–05:00 |
| 14:00 | 08:30–09:00 |
| 20:00 | 14:15–14:45 |
For pickups from Ely, Huntingdon or St Neots, add 15–30 minutes. Ask us when you book, and we'll suggest a time.
Example: A Family of Four from Trumpington on a 10:00 Flight
The Ahmeds are flying long-haul from Terminal 4 at 10:00, with four large cases and a six-year-old. They book an Estate for 04:45 and add one child seat at £18.
The M11 and M25 are quiet at that hour, so they reach the Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off lane at about 06:50. That gives them three hours before departure, with nobody hunting for a parking space or a shuttle stop.
Choosing the Right Vehicle for Terminal 4
Long-haul trips mean more luggage to unload at the Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off. Our guide to travelling to Heathrow with luggage has more packing tips.
| Your group | Luggage | Suggested vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 travellers | Light to moderate | Saloon (up to 4 passengers) |
| Business traveller | Light | Executive (up to 4 passengers) |
| Family of up to 4 | Large cases | Estate (up to 4 passengers, extra luggage space) |
| 5–8 travellers | Mixed | Multi Seater (up to 8 passengers) |
What Affects Your Fare to Heathrow Terminal 4
Heathrow transfers with 24/7 Airport Express start from £137 one way in a saloon. Fares currently include a temporary fuel surcharge, so get an exact quote online.
- Vehicle type: Executive, Estate and Multi Seater cost more than a saloon.
- Your address: towns further out, such as Ely or Huntingdon, cost more.
- Very early pickups: an early-morning surcharge applies to very early departures.
- Waiting time: 7 minutes free at home, then £6 per 15 minutes; 30 minutes free at the airport, then £7 per 15 minutes.
- Child car seats: £18 per seat, per journey.
- Holiday dates: a surcharge applies on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
What to Ask Before Booking an Airport Taxi
- Does the fare include the £7 Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off charge?
- For the return trip, does it include Priority Pick-Up charges?
- Where will the driver meet me at Terminal 4 after the 2026 changes?
- How much free waiting time do I get after landing?
- Are the driver and vehicle licensed for private hire?
- Can you supply child seats, and what do they cost?
Safety and Child Seats
Book only licensed, pre-booked private hire vehicles for airport journeys. Children follow special seat rules in taxis and minicabs, set out in the GOV.UK child car seat rules. A proper child seat is safer for a two-hour motorway trip, so add one when you book.
Travelling with children? Our family guide to Heathrow transfers covers seats, space and bags.
Why Choose 24/7 Airport Express
- A local Cambridge company, based at 29 Sheppard Way, Teversham.
- Pre-booked, door-to-door transfers, available 24/7.
- Fixed fares, quoted online before you pay.
- Saloon, Executive, Estate and Multi Seater vehicles for up to 8 passengers.
- Pickups across Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots, Royston and nearby villages.
Book Your Heathrow Terminal 4 Transfer with 24/7 Airport Express
Skip the shuttle buses and changes in London, and go straight to the Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off. Heathrow transfers start from £137 one way in a saloon, with Executive, Estate and Multi Seater options for more comfort or more luggage.
Get your exact quote online, or call us on +441223 247 247. We're available 24/7, for early long-haul departures and late arrivals alike.
Heathrow Terminal 4 Drop Off: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the drop-off at Heathrow Terminal 4?
Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off is on the Departures Level, Level 4, in the left-hand lane directly outside the terminal. It stayed open when the multi-storey car park closed in June 2026. Each visit costs £7, payable online, by phone or by autopay by midnight the next day. Cars must not be left unattended.
How much is the drop-off charge at Heathrow Terminal 4?
The Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off charge is £7 every time a vehicle enters the zone. It applies 24 hours a day, all year. Unpaid charges lead to an £80 Parking Charge, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days. Blue Badge holders can apply for a 100% discount. Dropping off at Park & Ride is free.
Where do you pick up passengers at Heathrow Terminal 4?
Use the Priority Pick-Up lane on the Arrivals Level, Level 1, in the right-hand lane. It costs £7 for up to 10 minutes, £14 for up to 29 minutes and £25 for up to an hour. The free option is Park & Ride Zone A, where the first 2 hours are free, with a shuttle bus from the arrivals area.
Is the Terminal 4 car park closed?
Yes. The Terminal 4 multi-storey car park closed on 23 June 2026 for redevelopment, and Meet & Greet Parking is not available. Terminal 4 parking has moved to Park & Ride Zone A, with up to 2 hours free and a shuttle bus about every 5 minutes. The terminal itself remains open throughout the works.
How long does it take to get from Cambridge to Heathrow Terminal 4?
By road, the trip is about 80 miles and usually takes 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on M25 traffic. Early mornings are quickest. By train and the Elizabeth line, allow 2 hours 15 minutes or more, with at least one change in London. A pre-booked Heathrow Terminal 4 drop off takes you to the door.
