As we enter April 2026, many travellers are being caught out by the significant price increases at Heathrow’s Short Stay car parks. If you are planning to drive yourself to the terminal this month, or asking a friend to wait for you, the “drive-up” rates have reached a new high.
Since the updated tariffs took effect in January 2026, the cost of convenience has never been higher. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay if you don’t pre-book.
The 2026 Short Stay Tariffs (Terminals 2, 3, 4, & 5)
Heathrow has harmonised its Short Stay pricing across all terminals. If you pull into a terminal car park without a reservation, these are the “on-the-day” rates:
| Duration | 2026 Price |
| 0 – 29 minutes | £8.00 |
| 30 – 44 minutes | £12.50 |
| 45 – 59 minutes | £15.50 |
| 1 – 2 hours | £20.00 |
| 2 – 3 hours | £24.00 |
| 12 – 24 hours | £98.00 |
For those needing a “Fast Track” or “Overheight” space, the 24-hour rate now sits at a staggering £107.80.
New Dining at Terminal 5: Five Guys Arrives
It’s not all bad news for your wallet! If you want to grab a bite before your flight, Terminal 5 has recently welcomed a major new addition.
- Five Guys: The beloved burger brand has opened its first-ever UK airport branch on the upper level of T5.
- Exclusive Features: This isn’t just a standard branch; it features exclusive “Heathrow-only” elements, including a dedicated welcome host and multi-language ordering kiosks to help international travellers.
- Pret A Manger: For those landing in the early hours, Pret has also opened a new 24-hour kitchen in T5 Arrivals, perfect for a fresh coffee and pastry after a long-haul flight.
April 2026 Roadworks Alert
If you are travelling to Heathrow during the first two weeks of April, be aware of planned maintenance on the surrounding motorways:
- M4 Eastbound: Overnight closures between Junction 15 and 14 are planned through to early April.
- M4 Slip Roads: Maintenance at Junction 14 (Hungerford) will see entry and exit slip roads closed overnight from 27 April to 1 May.
- M25 Congestion: With the “return-from-Easter” rush, the M25/M4 interchange is expected to see heavy delays between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm throughout the first week of the month.
Why DM Airport Transfers is the Smarter Choice
When you look at the 2026 parking rates, the logic of driving yourself begins to fade. Spending £98.00 just to leave your car for a day—plus the cost of fuel and the stress of the M25—makes a private transfer the clear winner for April travel.
- Meet & Greet Included: We don’t ask you to pay the £8.00 parking fee to meet us. Our Meet & Greet service is fully inclusive; your driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall, ready to assist with your bags and lead you directly to the car.
- Door-to-Terminal Comfort: Forget the long walks from the multi-storey or the shuttle buses from Long Stay. We drop you exactly where you need to be for your specific airline.
- 24/7 Reliability: Whether you are landing at 3:00 am and want a 24-hour Pret coffee, or catching a peak-time flight, our drivers are on hand to ensure you don’t get caught in the April roadworks.
Avoid the parking fees and the motorway stress. Book your Heathrow transfer today:
- WhatsApp/Mobile: +447947199830
- Email: info@dmairporttransfers.co.uk
- Website: dmairporttransfers.co.uk
