The London Congestion Charge is a fee to drive in parts of central London (the Congestion Charge Zone) between:
Monday–Friday: 7am–6pm (07:00–18:00)
Saturday & Sunday and bank holidays: 12pm–6pm (12:00–18:00)
How much is the London Congestion Charge?
Important! The ULEZ is an additional charge for driving in London if you drive an older car, motorbike, van or moped. The ULEZ zone expanded to cover (nearly) the whole of London in August 2023
The Congestion Charge is £15 per vehicle per day if you pay in advance or before midnight on the day you enter the zone. (Motorcycles and mopeds are exempt).
If you forget, you can still pay the fee up to three days later but the price increases to £17.50.
You can drive in and out of the congestion zone as many times as you like on the day — you only pay one fee.
Do I pay if I park in a car park in the Congestion Zone?
The charge only applies when you actually drive your car in the congestion zone during the congestion charge period (7am–6pm Monday–Friday, 12pm–6pm Saturday & Sunday).
If you leave your car in a car park for a few days, you don’t have to pay the congestion charge on the days you don’t use your car. You only pay the charge for the day you drive to or from the car park IF it’s during the congestion charge period.
Congestion Charge Times
The Congestion Charge applies:
Monday–Friday: 7am–6pm (07:00–18:00)
Saturday & Sunday: 12pm–6pm (12:00–18:00)
Bank Holidays: 12pm–6pm (12:00–18:00)
There is no Congestion Charge:
- Monday to Thursday between 6pm–7am (18:00–07:00)
- Friday 6pm–12pm Saturday (18:00–12:00)
- Saturday 6pm–12pm Sunday (18:00–12:00)
- Sunday 6pm–7am Monday (18:00–07:00)
In 2025, there is no Congestion Charge on Friday 18 April (Good Friday) or Monday 21 April (Easter Monday).
There is usually no Congestion Charge on Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December), 27–31 December and New Year’s Day (1st January).
How to pay the Congestion Charge?
There are several ways to pay. These are the quickest ways for visitors to pay:
Pay the Congestion Charge online
You can pay the Congestion Charge online with TfL. You do not need to register or create a password, but you do need to enter your vehicle registration number and the country of registration. Payment is made by credit or debit card.
Only use the official Transport for London (TfL) website to pay the Congestion Charge. This is the official website URL:
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge
Do not use other websites to pay. They charge more than the official rate – in some cases up to £5 extra. The maximum amount you should pay is £15 on the day, or £17.50 up to three days following the date of travel.
Pay the Congestion Charge with the TfL Pay to Drive in London app
TfL has a Pay to Drive in London app to pay the charge. It’s available from the Apple app store or Google Play. The app is free to download.
Pay the Congestion Charge by phone
Call TfL Pay to Drive in London Service on 0343 222 2222 from within the UK, or +44 343 222 2222 from outside the UK.
Open: Monday—Saturday 06:00—00:00. (6am—midnight)
You will need:
- the vehicle registration number
- country of registration
- your credit/debit card details.
If you enter the London Congestion Zone on a regular basis, there are easier ways to pay.
You can’t pay the Congestion Charge in shops and petrol stations. This was withdrawn in 2013.
What if I don’t pay?
Cameras record when you enter and exit the zone. If payment is not received by midnight on the third day after entering the CCZ, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for £160 is sent to your home address. If you pay within 14 days, the fine is reduced to £80.
Where is the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ)?
The Congestion Charge Zone covers most of central London including the City of Westminster, the City of London and parts of the London Boroughs of Camden, Lambeth and Southwark.
See a map of the London Congestion Charge Zone
Please note that the speed limit in the Congestion Charge Zone is now 20 miles per hour (32 kmh).
Which postcodes are in the Congestion Charge zone?
- W1
- WC1, WC2
- EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4
- SE1 (parts)
- SE11 (parts)
- SW1 (parts)
How to find out if an address is in the Congestion Charge Zone?
If you know the street name or postcode, check if it’s in the Congestion Zone area.
Congestion zone signs
There are no toll booths at the start of the Congestion Zone. When you enter and exit the zone, cameras record your number plate.
There are signs on roads approaching central London telling you how far you are from the Congestion Charge Zone:
When you enter the Zone, you see the following sign:
When you exit the Zone, you see the following sign (bottom sign):
Within the zone itself, you will see large red circles, with a white ‘C’ marked on the roads.
How to avoid the Congestion Charge?
Don’t bring your car into central London. Park outside central London and use the underground, National Rail or buses to travel to central London.
ULEZ Charge
If you drive an older vehicle, there is a £12.50 Ultra Low Emission Zone Charge (ULEZ) charge for driving into London. (the ULEZ zone expanded to cover the whole of London in August 2023).
Please read our guide to the ULEZ, especially if you drive a car registered outside the UK