Driving directly across Tower Bridge does not, by itself, incur the London Congestion Charge, as the bridge sits just outside the boundary. However, if your vehicle does not meet emission standards, you will have to pay the ULEZ charge (£12.50). Also, turning west immediately after crossing will enter the fee zone.
No, Tower Bridge isn't in the congestion charge area. If you go there and want to avoid CG, keep to the road the bridges is on and go East. Anywhere to the west of the bridge and its road will mean you need to pay.
You must pay the daily charge, if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone 7:00-18:00 Monday-Friday and 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays. No charge between Christmas Day and New Year's Day bank holiday (inclusive). The easiest way to pay is by setting up Auto Pay. Exemptions and discounts are also available.
Transport for London (TfL) has restricted most vehicle access to the bridge, particularly during peak hours. Only buses, taxis, and motorcycles are allowed between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Any unauthorized HGVs attempting to cross the bridge during these times risk fines and penalties.
Tower Bridge is one of the highlights of my City of London and All in One Walking Tours. I revel in being able to take my guests to the best vantage point for perfect photographs. And a lot of people on my tours are surprised when I tell them that it is completely free to walk across this iconic landmark.
Can I check to see if I need to pay congestion charge?
Using the congestion charge checker is as easy as entering your number plate. This will tell you whether or not you need to pay the charge. You can also enter a London postcode or address to see if it falls within the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ).
How much does it cost to drive through central London?
The Congestion Charge costs £15 if you pay in advance or on the same day. A slightly higher rate of £17.50 is charged if you pay up to three days after you travel. From 2 January 2026, the Congestion Charge cost is set to rise to £18 in line with public transport fare increases.
How do I avoid paying the London congestion charge?
To avoid London's Congestion Charge, travel outside charging hours (weekdays 7am-6pm, weekends & bank holidays 12pm-6pm, no charge Christmas-New Year), use public transport/cycle/walk, drive a fully electric vehicle (registered), or use route planners (like Google Maps) to steer clear of the zone boundary; exemptions and discounts exist for some residents and disabled drivers.
A car is exempt from the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) if it's registered in the Historic tax class, meaning it's over 40 years old on a rolling basis (e.g., in 2026, vehicles built before 1986 qualify), or if it was built before 1 January 1973, with both exemptions generally applying if the vehicle isn't used commercially. For vehicles older than 40 years, you must apply to the DVLA to change their tax class to "Historic" to receive the exemption.
Do electric cars need to pay Congestion Charge in London?
Yes, as of January 2, 2026, electric cars now pay the London Congestion Charge, but they get a 25% discount if registered with Transport for London (TfL) for Auto Pay, paying £13.50 instead of the full £18 charge. This change followed the end of the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) on December 25, 2025, which previously offered a 100% exemption for fully electric vehicles.
Yes, you do need to pay the £12.50 ULEZ charge for Heathrow Airport if your vehicle isn't compliant with the emissions standards, as the airport is within the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) for Greater London, effective from August 2023, and the charge applies for driving in the zone 24/7 (except Christmas Day). You'll pay this fee in addition to any other airport drop-off/pick-up charges if your vehicle doesn't meet the ULEZ criteria.
You could also swap your car for a motorbike or moped – most new ones are Euro 3 compliant and aren't forced to pay the ULEZ charge. Alternatively, you could ditch your car and use a car club, or stop driving around central London entirely and embrace public transport, perhaps just driving out of town at weekends.
Can you drive diesel cars in London? All of Britain's diesel cars are allowed to be driven in London, but around nine million don't meet Euro 6 emissions standards. These cars will incur the £12.50 daily Ultra-Low Emission Zone charge if they are driven in the zone.
What roads do I need to pay in central London with a car?
Managed by Transport for London (TfL), the Congestion Charge covers approximately the area from Kings Cross in the north to Vauxhall in the south, and Paddington in the west to Whitechapel in the east. All roads around the perimeter of the zone are monitored by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
The London congestion charge zone currently covers the following areas: St. James, Waterloo, Borough, City of London, Clerkenwell, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, Charing Cross, London Bridge, Holborn, Finsbury, Bloomsbury, Soho, Mayfair, Westminster and parts of Marylebone, Lambeth and Southwark.
