- Mr Plane Guy
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
London City Airport Joins the Drop-Off Fee Club
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger & Flight Expert
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The last major UK airport still offering free terminal drop-off has finally fallen.
From Tuesday 6 January 2026, London City Airport will introduce an £8 drop-off charge, ending its long-standing position as the UK’s final hold-out on forecourt fees.
If you’re flying from London City this year, or dropping someone off, here’s exactly what’s changing, why it’s happening, and the smarter ways to plan around it.
London City Airport Drop-Off Charges: What’s Changing
From 6 January 2026, drivers using the terminal forecourt will pay:
£8 for up to 5 minutes
£1 per minute after 5 minutes
Maximum stay: 10 minutes
Blue Badge holders remain exempt from the charge.
London City Airport has also proposed that the fee be built into taxi meters, meaning passengers won’t be charged separately. This will form part of Transport for London’s annual taxi fare consultation.
Why Is London City Introducing a Drop-Off Fee?
According to the airport, the change is intended to:
Encourage greater use of public transport
Reduce congestion on the terminal forecourt
Bring London City in line with other major UK airports
Around two-thirds of passengers already arrive by public transport, helped by the airport’s compact layout and strong rail links.
Still, for an airport built on speed and convenience, this is a significant shift.
How London City Compares to Other UK Airports
London City was the last major UK airport not charging for terminal drop-off.
It now joins the rest:
Gatwick: £10 drop-off from January 2026
Heathrow: £7 terminal drop-off
Luton: £7 minimum charge
Stansted: £7 minimum charge
Across mainland Europe, free terminal drop-off remains far more common, making UK airports the outliers.
How to Get to London City Airport Without Paying the Drop-Off Fee
Public Transport (Often the Easiest Option)
London City remains one of the best-connected airports in the UK if you’re avoiding a car.
Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Direct access to the terminal, with fast connections to Canary Wharf, Bank and Stratford.
Elizabeth line Change at Custom House, useful for central and west London.
Buses Local services connect the airport with East London and surrounding areas.
For many travellers, public transport will still be the cheapest and least stressful option.
Transfers, Taxis & Pick-Ups (Pre-Book to Avoid Hassle)
If you’re travelling early, late, or with luggage, pre-booked transfers can still make sense especially if the drop-off fee is absorbed into taxi pricing.
Private one-way transfers to central London from around £45
Taxi transfers from £85–£100 per group
Executive transfer options for business travellers
Pre-booking helps avoid forecourt delays, meter surprises, and waiting around at arrivals.Check lots of options out HERE.
Plane Tip: No Lounge at London City, But There Is a Workaround
London City Airport does not have a traditional airport lounge.
However, Priority Pass members can use their lounge entitlement at Juniper & Co (airside).
Priority Pass Restaurant Credit at Juniper & Co
£18 credit per person off food and drinks
Each £18 counts as one lounge visit
Guests can be signed in (for example, £36 for two people)
Located airside near Gates 21–24
It’s not a lounge, but it does provide seating, hot food, drinks, Wi-Fi and power points which, at London City, is about as good as it gets.
What This Means for London City Airport Passengers
This move won’t shock frequent flyers, but it does mark the end of an era.
London City has long traded on speed, simplicity and convenience. The new £8 drop-off charge adds another cost to factor in, particularly for quick goodbyes or business drop-offs.
If you’re flying from LCY in 2026:
Plan your arrival early
Use public transport where possible
Pre-book transfers if needed
Don’t expect a free forecourt stop
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Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading London City Airport Joins the Drop-Off Fee Club.
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