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How to pick up passengers from Heathrow and Gatwick
As a PCO driver working in and around Greater London, airport trips can be a crucial part of your driving routine.
Airport pickups work differently than other locations, which can be overwhelming for new private hire drivers.
For example, at Heathrow and Gatwick, you need to enter a designated waiting area to get in the queue and receive trip confirmations, and then head to a specific pickup point to meet the riders.
This comprehensive guide will show you how these London airport PHV waiting areas work, where they are, their opening times, facilities and prices, as well as how to pick up passengers after getting the ride requests.
Did you know?
If you’re doing drop offs, don’t forget to pay the airport drop off charge, or you may get a parking charge notice (PCN). This article includes everything you need to know.
Heathrow Airport LHR: The Authorised Vehicle Area
Location
London Heathrow Airport’s Authorised Vehicle Area (AVA) is on the Northern Perimeter Road TW6 2EQ. No booking is needed.
You should see the sign ‘Authorised vehicle area’ at the entrance. Access is for authorised Private Hire Operators and their vehicles only.
You will not receive airport trips outside of the area. Waiting at the Heathrow terminal or elsewhere on airport property is prohibited and may result in a fine.
Did you know?
If you leave the waiting area or turn off the Uber app, you will be placed at the back of the queue.
Opening times
According to the Heathrow website, the AVA is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Facilities
The Heathrow Authorised Vehicle Area has vending machines, hot refreshments, a covered smoking area, toilets and litter bins throughout.
There are no electric charging points at this time.
Did you know?
If you enter the Heathrow terminal drop-off areas, you’ll need to pay a £5 drop-off charge. Read our post here to save your hard-earned money.
Pricing
Costs are £1 per hour for the first 5 hours. Any further time is the same rate as the short stay car park at Terminal 3. Payments can be made by cash, credit or debit cards.
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £1.00 |
| 1 – 2 hours | £2.00 |
| 2 – 3 hours | £3.00 |
| 3 – 4 hours | £4.00 |
| 4 – 5 hours | £5.00 |
| 5 – 6 hours | £38.00 |
| 6 – 9 hours | £54.50 |
| 9 – 12 hours | £70.00 |
| 12 – 16 hours | £88.00 |
| Each additional 24-hour period of part thereof | £88.00 |
How to pick up passengers from Heathrow Airport?
- Drive to the AVA
- You’ll be placed in the queue for the next work on a first-come, first-served basis
- Once you receive a trip confirmation, follow the Uber app directions to the Short Stay Car Park
- After parking your private hire vehicle, meet your passenger on foot at the designated pickup area
Gatwick Airport LGW: PHV South Terminal
Location
London Gatwick Airport’s PHV waiting area is located in the South Terminal RH6 0NY.
From the J9a roundabout, follow signs to the Long Stay car park, and the PHV/Taxi waiting area can be found on the left hand side.
To use the PHV waiting area, you must drive a licenced taxi or private hire vehicle.
You will not receive airport trips outside of the area. Waiting at terminal forecourts or elsewhere on airport property is prohibited and may result in a fine.
Opening times
According to the Gatwick website, the private hire waiting area is open 24/7.
Facilities
The waiting area has a number of facilities, including catering (pre-prepared hot and cold food, snacks and drinks), seating areas, toilets, smoking area, rubbish bins, and CCTV motoring.
There is a GRIDSERVE EV charging forecourt on-site.
Pricing
Costs start from £2 for up to 2 hours.
- Up to 2 hours – £2.00
- 2 to 4 hours – £4.00
- 4 to 24 hours – £20.00
- 24 to 48 hours – £64.00
Overstay charges of £32.00 per 24 hour period apply to stays in excess of 48 hours.
There are three ways to pay for the PHV waiting area: Set up your AutoPay account at dropoff.gatwickairport.com, pay with debit or credit card online up to 24 hours after driving out of the area, or pay at the machine at the end of your stay.
If you fail to pay the charge, you can get a PCN, same as the Gatwick drop-off charge. Read more here.
Did you know?
Getting a ticket is never ideal, but Otto Car can help minimise the hassle. We have low admin charges to make things easier for you.
How to pick up passengers from Gatwick Airport?
- Drive to the Gatwick PHV waiting area
- You’ll be placed in the queue for the next work on a first-come, first-served basis
- Once you receive a trip confirmation, follow the Uber app directions to the Short Stay Car Park
- After parking your car, meet your Uber passenger on foot at the designated pickup area
Stansted Airport STN: Birchanger service station or Mid Stay parking
Location
London Stansted Airport has two dedicated waiting areas for PCO drivers – the Birchanger Green service station (CM23 5QZ) or Mid Stay parking (CM24 1PZ).
Waiting at terminals or elsewhere on airport property is prohibited and may result in a fine.
Opening times
The Birchanger Green service station is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Facilities
Birchanger Green is the best-rated motorway service area in the East of England in the 2023 Transport Focus Motorway Services User Survey, with fast-food restaurants, hotels, free WiFi and show facilities, and EV charging available.
Pricing
The Birchanger Green service station offers 2 hours free parking.
The Stansted Mid Stay car park is free for pickups for up to 60 minutes. After the first free 60 minutes, drivers will be charged £5 for the second hour.
Please note, there will be a £40 charge for re-entering within 1 hour of first entering the car park.
How to pick up passengers from Stansted Airport?
- Drive to the dedicated waiting area located at the Birchanger service station or Mid Stay parking
- You’ll be placed in the queue for the next work on a first-come, first-served basis
- Once you receive a trip confirmation, follow the Uber app directions to the Short Stay Car Park Orange
- Park your PCO car and meet your passenger at row G
Luton Airport LTN: Long Stay Car Park or Luton Retail Park
Location
London Luton Airport has two dedicated waiting areas at the Luton Long Stay Car Park (LU2 9NW) and Luton Retail Park on Gipsy Lane (LU1 3JH).
Facilities
There are a variety of stores at the shopping park. Electric car charging is also available with 16 250kW Tesla V4 Superchargers.
Pricing
The Long Stay Car Park provides up to 1 hour free parking.
Parking restrictions at the Luton Retail Park include a maximum stay of 3 hours, and a non-return policy of 1.5 hours.
How to pick up passengers from Luton Airport?
- Drive to the dedicated waiting area located at the Long Stay Car Park and the Luton Retail Park
- You’ll be placed in the queue for the next work on a first-come, first-served basis
- Once you receive a trip confirmation, pick up your passenger at the pick up zone located at the Mid Stay Car Park
London City Airport LCY: Gallions Reach Shopping Centre
Location
London City Airport has one dedicated waiting area at the car park of Gallions Reach Shopping Centre (E6 7ER).
Facilities
There are a variety of shops and restaurants at Gallions Reach.
Pricing
Drivers can spend up to 4 hours in the shopping park for free.
How to pick up passengers from the London City Airport?
- Drive to the dedicated waiting area located at the Gallions Reach Shopping Centre
- You’ll be placed in the queue for the next work on a first-come, first-served basis
- Once you receive a trip confirmation, head to the Short Stay Car Park
About Otto Car
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Otto delivers more PCO cars than anybody but it means nothing without our community. That’s why our focus is always honest advice – and a fair price.
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Taking the next step
Whether you prefer a flexible rental or an inclusive ownership plan, we’ve got you. Pop into any of our five London hubs for a chat or say hello on 020 8740 7444.
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