How to Pay Heathrow Short Stay Parking in 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

How to Pay Heathrow Short Stay Parking in 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Travelling to Heathrow Airport over Christmas, New Year, or during peak travel periods often means needing fast, stress-free parking. One of the most common questions travellers ask is:

How to pay Heathrow Short Stay Parking?

In this comprehensive guide, we explain every payment option, when to pay, how much it costs, and how to save money—all in plain, practical terms. This guide is designed to help passengers make informed decisions while also highlighting smarter parking comparisons via comparetheairportparking.com.

What Is Heathrow Short Stay Parking?

Heathrow Short Stay Parking—now officially renamed Terminal Parking—is designed for short visits, passenger pick-ups, drop-offs, business meetings, or overnight stays.

These car parks are located directly next to each terminal, allowing you to walk into the terminal in just a few minutes. Despite the name change, signage around Heathrow still refers to “Short Stay,” so drivers should continue following those signs.

How to Pay Heathrow Short Stay Parking?

There are three main ways to pay Heathrow Short Stay Parking, depending on how long you plan to stay and whether you book in advance.

Pay On the Day (Drive-Up Payment)

If your stay is under 9 hours, Heathrow does not allow pre-booking. Payment is made on the day.

How it works:

1. Drive into the Short Stay car park.

2. Take a ticket at the barrier.

3. Park and complete your visit.

4. Pay before exiting at:

   • Pay-on-foot machines inside the car park, or

   • The exit barrier using card or contactless payment.

This option is ideal for:

• Passenger pick-ups

• Drop-offs

• Short meetings

• Quick terminal visits

Pre-Book Online for Longer Stays

If you plan to stay over 9 hours, pre-booking is the most cost-effective and convenient option.

How to pre-pay:

• Book online before arrival

• Enter your arrival and departure times

• Pay securely in advance

• Use your booking reference to enter and exit

Pre-booking also comes with flexible cancellation, allowing changes or cancellation up to two hours before arrival.

Pay at the Exit Barrier

If you arrive without pre-booking and stay longer than expected, you can still pay at the exit gate. However, this uses drive-up rates, which are significantly higher than online prices.

 

Which Payment Method Is Best?

Short visits (under 9 hours)

? Pay on the day at machines or exit barriers

Overnight or longer stays

? Pre-book online for lower prices and guaranteed space

Busy periods (Christmas, New Year, summer holidays)

? Always compare prices in advance to avoid inflated drive-up fees

Can You Pay Cash at Heathrow Short Stay Parking?

No. Heathrow Short Stay car parks operate cashless payment systems. Accepted methods include:

• Debit cards

• Credit cards

• Contactless payments

Ensure you have a valid card before arrival to avoid delays.

Electric Vehicle Payments and Charging

While you can park electric vehicles in Short Stay Parking, EV charging is not available in these car parks. Drivers should charge their vehicles before arriving or use nearby public charging stations.

How to Save Money on Heathrow Short Stay Parking

Paying at Heathrow terminals is convenient—but not always the cheapest option. For travellers looking to reduce costs, comparing alternatives is essential.

At comparetheairportparking.com, you can:

• Compare Short Stay, Park & Ride, Meet & Greet, and Valet options

• Find secure, vetted providers near Heathrow

• Save up to 70% compared to official drive-up prices

• Book in advance for peak travel periods

This approach is especially valuable during Christmas and New Year, when terminal parking fills quickly and prices rise.

Final Thoughts: Paying Heathrow Short Stay Parking the Smart Way

Understanding how to pay Heathrow Short Stay Parking can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress—especially during busy holiday seasons.

To recap:

• Short stays = pay on the day

• Longer stays = pre-book online

• Cash is not accepted

• Comparing options before you travel is the smartest move

Before heading to Heathrow, visit comparetheairportparking.com to explore better-value parking solutions and secure the best deal for your journey.