Bridge and Tunnel Tolls in Britain

The routes that charge - and what it means for your wallet

Britain’s tolled bridges, tunnels and urban zones can add a noticeable line to a household’s travel budget. Understanding what you will pay - and why - makes route planning simpler and avoids unnecessary penalties. Headline prices vary widely. For cars, the M6 Toll near Birmingham is among the priciest point-to-point routes at £7.10 in peak times and £6.00 off-peak, while the Dartford Crossing remains a flat £2.50 and Liverpool’s Mersey Tunnels hold at £2.00. At the other end of the spectrum, urban charging is costlier by design: London’s Congestion Charge hits £15 at peak periods, reflecting a policy choice to manage traffic as much as collect revenue.

Regional differences matter. In the Northeast, Tyne Tunnels tolls for cars and light vans rise to £2.60 from 1 May 2026, with discounted rates for pre-paid accounts used by most regular drivers. Across the Humber, drivers will still pay £1.50 for cars and £12 for HGVs, with the switch to automated number plate recognition delayed until 2026 - good to know if you still carry cash or rely on contactless. Further south, the Itchen Bridge in Southampton remains a standout for heavy goods vehicles at £40, while cars pay 80p regardless of time. In the Southwest, the Tamar Bridge holds steady at £2.60 for cars and £5.20 for HGVs, a predictable cost on a critical cross-river link.

Why does this matter now? Fuel and insurance costs have risen, and families, commuters and small businesses are seeking predictable outgoings. Toll charges are not just line items - they influence which routes you choose, when you travel, and whether it is worth opening a tagged or pre-paid account. A few minutes of planning can save you pounds over a month of commuting or a summer’s worth of holiday trips.

Quick win: set a reminder to pre-pay where required - it is cheaper in some regions and it helps avoid late fees.

Who benefits from planning ahead

If you drive regularly across regional links such as the Tyne, Mersey, Humber or Tamar, predictable tolls help you budget weekly travel and choose the best payment method. Occasional users - think city visitors navigating the London Congestion Charge or families taking the M6 Toll to bypass congestion - gain from checking peak hours and any discount schemes in advance. Hauliers and courier businesses face the biggest exposure, especially where HGV rates are steep, so factoring tolls into quotes and schedules is essential. Kandoo customers planning larger purchases or consolidating travel costs also benefit from understanding how tolls affect overall monthly cash flow.

Snapshot of common charges and features

Standout: Even modest differences - £2.00 vs £2.60 - add up on daily commutes.

Your choices at a glance

1. Use alternative free routes where time cost is acceptable.

2. Travel off-peak on variable routes like the M6 Toll to cut costs.

3. Open a pre-paid or tag account to access discounts and faster lanes.

4. Batch essential trips to reduce repeat charges in urban zones.

5. Compare HGV-specific tariffs and plan refuelling or rest stops accordingly.

6. Set payment reminders for crossings that require online settlement.

Pounds and pence - what it means for you

Who can use discounts and smarter payments

Most toll facilities are open to all standard vehicles, but discounts depend on registration and payment method. Pre-paid accounts at the Tyne Tunnels, used by the majority of regulars, secure a lower rate per crossing. Dartford requires online payment or a Dart Charge account rather than on-the-spot cash, while Humber Bridge continues to accept cash, card and contactless until its ANPR system goes live in 2026. For business fleets and HGVs, operators should check for multi-vehicle account options and ensure drivers understand local rules - especially where HGV rates are steep, as at the Itchen Bridge. If you are balancing motoring costs against other outgoings, Kandoo customers often review travel spending when planning larger purchases to ensure budgets remain realistic. Always confirm peak hours, vehicle class and local exemptions before you travel.

Plan, pay, go - simple steps

1. Check the crossing’s current tariff and peak times.

2. Choose the best route - consider time versus fee.

3. Register a pre-paid or tag account if discounts apply.

4. Set auto top-ups and payment reminders.

5. Note any online-only payment deadlines.

6. Keep receipts and track monthly spend.

7. Review routes quarterly for new price changes.

Weighing it up

Small print that matters

Before you travel, confirm whether payment is taken automatically or requires online settlement - this is the single biggest source of avoidable penalties. Keep an eye on scheduled increases such as the Tyne Tunnels rise to £2.60 for cars and £5.20 for larger vehicles. If you drive through London, check operating hours for the Congestion Charge and whether your vehicle qualifies for any exemptions. For cross-country trips, factor in how tolls interact with fuel stops and rest breaks, particularly for HGVs where charges are steep on short spans like the Itchen Bridge. Where technology upgrades are pending, such as the Humber Bridge’s ANPR shift, expect process changes and plan a little extra time.

Alternatives if you want to avoid tolls

1. Re-route using untolled bridges or A-roads, accepting longer travel time.

2. Travel outside peak windows where variable pricing applies.

3. Use park-and-ride or rail for urban legs to bypass city charges.

4. Car-share to split unavoidable toll costs.

5. Combine errands to reduce total crossings per week.

Common questions

Q: Are tolls higher at certain times of day? A: Some routes, such as the M6 Toll, have peak and off-peak pricing. Many bridges like Dartford, Mersey and Humber use flat rates regardless of time.

Q: How do I avoid penalties at Dartford? A: Pay online by the deadline or set up a Dart Charge account with auto top-up. There are no on-the-spot cash booths.

Q: Do pre-paid tags really save money? A: Yes, at certain sites such as the Tyne Tunnels, pre-paid accounts offer discounted rates and can speed up passage.

Q: What about HGVs - why are charges so high in places? A: Heavy vehicles impose greater wear and require stricter safety management. Some crossings, like the Itchen Bridge, set much higher HGV tariffs to reflect these costs.

Q: Is the London Congestion Charge a toll? A: It is not a bridge or tunnel toll but a city road pricing scheme. It still affects costs for drivers entering central areas during operating hours.

Q: Will Humber Bridge payments change soon? A: ANPR is expected in 2026. For now, payments include cash, card, contactless or a tag, so plan accordingly.

How Kandoo helps keep you moving

Kandoo is a UK-based retail finance broker. We help customers plan larger purchases with clear, flexible finance options that respect your monthly budget. If tolls, fuel and insurance are squeezing your cash flow, speak to Kandoo about spreading costs on essentials so you can travel with confidence.

Important information

This guide is for general information only and reflects prices and policies known for 2026. Always check the latest tariffs and rules before travelling. Kandoo does not set tolls and is not responsible for third-party charges.