Like the Dartford Crossing, the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels have no toll booths — cameras read your plate and you pay TfL afterwards. Forget, and a £180 Penalty Charge Notice follows. This guide covers every way to pay, the three-day deadline, and why Auto Pay both removes the fine risk and gets you the cheaper off-peak rate.
Key takeaways
- Deadline: pay by midnight on the third day after you travel.
- Auto Pay is cheapest and automatic — and unlocks the off-peak rate.
- No Auto Pay? You pay the higher rate at any time, and must pay manually online.
- Free overnight (22:00–06:00) — a late or early crossing costs nothing.
- Miss it and it’s a £180 PCN, reduced if paid promptly.
01 / DEADLINEWhen you must pay
If you cross either tunnel during charging hours (06:00–22:00), you must pay by midnight on the third day after your journey. There’s nowhere to pay at the tunnel — it’s all done via TfL online or automatically. Cross overnight (22:00–06:00) and there’s nothing to pay at all.
02 / AUTOPAYAuto Pay — cheaper and automatic
Set up TfL Auto Pay. Link a card once and every crossing is charged automatically — you never miss a payment, never risk a PCN, and you get the lower off-peak rate (only available on Auto Pay). For anyone using these tunnels more than rarely, it’s the obvious choice, and it also covers the Congestion Charge and ULEZ on the same account.
03 / MANUALPaying manually
Without Auto Pay, you pay manually via TfL online, entering your vehicle registration, by the third-day deadline — and you’ll be charged the higher rate whatever time you crossed. It works, but it’s easy to forget and it costs more, so it only really suits genuinely one-off crossings.
04 / PCNIf you get a PCN
Miss the deadline and TfL issues a £180 Penalty Charge Notice, reduced if you pay promptly (typically within 14 days). If it’s genuinely wrong — you paid, you crossed overnight, or the plate was misread — you can challenge it through TfL, with escalation to an independent adjudicator if rejected. If you simply forgot, pay quickly to get the reduction.
05 / SKIPOr don’t deal with it at all
For an airport or cross-river trip, a fixed-fare transfer includes any applicable tunnel charge and the driver handles payment — no deadline, no PCN. As a TfL-licensed operator, Rushxo builds the relevant charges into the quoted fare. There’s more on the rates and rules in our full charges guide.
FAQFrequently asked questions
How do I pay the Silvertown or Blackwall tunnel charge?
Through TfL — set up Auto Pay so it’s taken automatically at the off-peak rate, or pay manually online using your vehicle registration. Payment is due by midnight on the third day after you travel.
What’s the deadline to pay?
Midnight on the third day after your crossing. Miss it and TfL issues a £180 Penalty Charge Notice, reduced if paid promptly. Crossings overnight (22:00–06:00) are free, so there’s nothing to pay.
Is Auto Pay worth it?
Yes — it charges you automatically so you never miss a payment or get a PCN, and it unlocks the cheaper off-peak rate, which isn’t available if you pay manually. The same account covers the Congestion Charge and ULEZ.
What happens if I don’t pay?
You’ll get a £180 Penalty Charge Notice, reduced if paid promptly. If it’s genuinely wrong — already paid, crossed overnight, or a plate misread — you can challenge it through TfL and, if rejected, an independent adjudicator.
Do I pay more without Auto Pay?
Yes — without Auto Pay you’re charged the higher rate no matter what time you cross, and you have to remember to pay manually. Auto Pay gives the lower off-peak rate and removes the fine risk.
Can I avoid the charge?
Cross overnight (free 22:00–06:00), or for an airport or cross-river trip book a fixed-fare transfer that includes the charge and lets the driver handle payment.
Time Matters
Skip the tunnel admin — get a fixed fare
Fixed fares confirmed before you ride. Local licensed drivers, flight tracking, 24/7 human support — and no surge, ever.