Tourists Driving in London Take Note: Congestion Charge Set to Rise to £18 in 2025

If you’re planning a driving tour through London in the new year, you’ll want to keep a close eye on changes to the city’s Congestion Charge. Starting 2 January 2025, Transport for London (TfL) has proposed increasing the daily fee to enter central London from £15 to £18—a 20% hike aimed at curbing traffic and encouraging cleaner transport.

This is the first time the fee has risen since 2020 and is part of a broader plan to reduce congestion in one of Europe’s most traffic-choked cities.

What Tourists Need to Know

The Congestion Charge applies to most vehicles entering central London between:

• Monday–Friday: 07:00 to 18:00

• Weekends: 12:00 to 18:00

If you’re driving a rental car, campervan, or even an electric vehicle (EV), these changes could affect your travel budget and route planning.

New Rates and Payment Details

• Standard daily rate: £18 if paid in advance or on the day

• Late payment (by midnight on the third day): £21

• Failure to pay: £180 fine (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days)

Planning to explore London’s landmarks by car? Make sure you budget accordingly—or consider using public transport to avoid the charge altogether.

Discounts for Electric and Large Vehicles

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers won’t be exempt from the charge for much longer. Starting January, EVs will get a 25% discount—bringing the daily charge down to £13.50, but only if they’re registered for Auto Pay.

Heavier vehicles like HGVs, vans, and quadricycles will see a 50% discount, paying £9 per day.

Good news for tourists driving rented electric vehicles: TfL plans to automate discount eligibility using DVLA data, removing the need for separate registration.

Resident and Long-Term Changes

If you’re staying in central London for an extended trip, know that the residents’ discount—currently offering a 90% break for local drivers—will be phased out for petrol and diesel car owners starting March 2027. This won’t affect existing residents already registered, but new applicants driving non-electric vehicles will no longer qualify.

How It Affects Other Charges

This change does not impact the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which still requires a £12.50 daily fee for older, more polluting vehicles. However, if you’re driving such a car into central London, the combined cost could hit £30.50 per day—and even more if you cross the Silvertown or Blackwall tunnels, which carry additional peak-hour tolls.

Why the Increase?

TfL and City Hall argue that the price hike is essential to prevent thousands more vehicles from entering the zone each day. The Congestion Charge has historically been effective, with traffic falling 30% in its first year after launching in 2003. Officials hope this latest rise will continue to deter unnecessary car use in central London.

The Bottom Line for Tourists

Driving in central London will soon cost more, even for electric vehicles. If you’re planning a road trip that includes the capital:

• Factor in the Congestion Charge when budgeting

• Register EVs for Auto Pay in advance to claim your discount

• Consider using public transport or park-and-ride services to save money and avoid traffic

For more information on the Congestion Charge and to plan your trip, visit tfl.gov.uk.

Pro tip: Many of London’s most iconic sights—like the British Museum, Covent Garden, and Westminster Abbey—are easily accessible via the Underground. You might find that leaving the car behind gives you more time to explore and less time stuck in traffic.