Updated 2026 · Live Zones · English
London ULEZ & Congestion Charge Map
Two separate charges, two separate zones. Here's exactly what you'll pay, when, and how to avoid the £180 penalty if you're driving into London in 2026.
Congestion Charge
£18/day
ULEZ (non-compliant)
£12.50/day
C-Charge hours
Mon–Fri 07:00–18:00
ULEZ coverage
Nearly all London
Check traffic zones and driving info
See how London's traffic zones map onto the areas you're actually visiting, plus practical transport info for getting around without a car.
Open Traffic Zone Info →Congestion Charge: the basics
- £18 per day, charged Mon–Fri 07:00–18:00 and Sat–Sun 12:00–18:00 — covers all entries that day, no matter how many times you cross the boundary.
- Free on 25 December and on other public holidays, and between Christmas and New Year — always confirm current dates on the TfL website before you drive.
- Pay online or via the TfL app up to 90 days in advance, on the day, or by midnight the following day at the latest.
- Auto Pay links your number plate to a payment card and bills you automatically at a reduced rate each time you drive in — worth it if you're a regular driver.
ULEZ: who actually pays
- £12.50/day for vehicles that don't meet emissions standards — roughly petrol cars registered before 2006 and diesel cars registered before 2015.
- Covers almost all London boroughs, operating 24 hours a day, every day including Christmas — unlike the Congestion Charge, there's no exemption day.
- LEZ (Low Emission Zone) is a third, separate scheme for lorries, buses and larger vehicles across most of Greater London, with its own charges and standards.
- Check your number plate on the official TfL vehicle checker before you drive — most modern rental and hire cars are compliant and owe nothing.
The counter-intuitive part
- 💡 A compliant car still owes the Congestion Charge. ULEZ compliance only removes the £12.50 emissions fee — it does not exempt you from the separate £18 Congestion Charge if you drive in central London during charging hours.
- ⚠️ Parking legally doesn't stop the clock: if your car is parked inside the zone during charging hours, you may still owe the charge for that day.
- ⚠️ Missing the next-day deadline triggers a £180 penalty (£90 if paid within 14 days) — cheaper to just pay late than to ignore it.
- ⚠️ Hire cars: rental companies often pass Congestion Charge and ULEZ fines to your card automatically, plus an admin fee.
Getting around without driving
Most visitors never need to drive in London at all — the Tube, buses and Overground cover the whole ULEZ area without any daily charge.
See also
FAQ
›What is the difference between ULEZ and the Congestion Charge?
The Congestion Charge (£18/day) applies to central London during charging hours, for any vehicle. ULEZ (£12.50/day) applies across nearly all of London, 24/7, but only to vehicles that don't meet emissions standards. Both can apply on the same trip.
›How much is the London Congestion Charge in 2026?
£18/day, Mon–Fri 07:00–18:00 and Sat–Sun 12:00–18:00. Free on 25 December and other public holidays. Pay via the TfL website or app by midnight the following day.
›How much is the ULEZ charge and who has to pay it?
£12.50/day for non-compliant petrol cars (roughly pre-2006) and diesel cars (roughly pre-2015). It runs 24 hours a day, every day, across almost the whole of Greater London.
›What happens if I don't pay on time?
You get a Penalty Charge Notice of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. Pay via the TfL website, app or phone as soon as you realise you missed the deadline.
›Is there a cheaper way to pay if I drive into London often?
Yes — Auto Pay links your number plate to a payment method and automatically charges the reduced daily rate, billed monthly, removing the risk of a missed-deadline penalty.