Heathrow travellers warned their cars could make holidays £25 more expensive

THOUSANDS of holidaymakers could be forced to spend an extra £25 to drive to Heathrow every day, if they have certain cars.

A rule due to come into effect later this year means specific vehicles will have to pay to reach the airport.

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The ULEZ (ultra low emission zone) expansion is scheduled to expand beyond its current borders on August 29, with Heathrow set to be included.

The AA is warning drivers that they will have to pay £12.50 to drive to and from the airport, if their car does not comply with European emissions standards.

They have warned that those who are “blind to the new ULEZ charges” could be hit with a hidden £25 tax if they decide to drive to the airport for their holiday.

While the low emission zone mainly covers London, the AA say it will soon begin to affect more and more people.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, told the Telegraph: “Many holidaymakers will consider the Ulez expansion to just be a London issue, but the reality is that the new boundaries take in much more than people anticipate.

“Drivers and taxi firms from outside London will be hit with a hidden charge, so Heathrow, TfL, and travel agents need to ensure they tell holidaymakers about the charge.”

An estimated 10,000 people a day will be affected by the new charges according to the motoring firm.

Only cars that keep their emissions below a certain limit are exempt from paying the ULEZ charge.

All electric and hybrid cars are exempt from the charge, while petrol cars made after January 2006 and diesel cars made after January 2015 usually don’t have to pay either.

However, drivers are warned to check as there are some exemptions.

Classic cars may be exempt from the ULEZ if they fall into the historical vehicle tax class.

The extra ULEZ charge isn’t the only fee holidaymakers are facing this year.

Later this year, Brits will need to have a ‘visa-waiver’ to go on holiday to countries in Europe called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

This is similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) required to visit the US.

Anyone between the ages of 18 and 70 will need an ETIAS from November 2023.

All arrivals will need one, whether arriving by plane, boat or car, and is even needed if just transiting through Europe.

This visa only applies if visiting for less than 90 days – longer than this will require different visas.

A new website for the ETIAS applications will be launched in November 2023, but it is not yet live.

The ETIAS visa will cost €7 (£6.10) and lasts for three years or until your passport expires.

Meanwhile, other emissions rules will also make holidays more expensive this year.

And another popular tourist destination is set to start charging for entry.

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