Gatwick Airport parking covers every way to leave your car at London Gatwick (LGW), from on-airport Short Stay, Long Stay, Mid Stay, Premium and Valet car parks to off-airport Park & Ride and Meet & Greet services serving the North and South Terminals. Compare Your Parking Deals lists live prices from Park Mark-accredited operators across all of these options in one search, so you match the right car park to your terminal, your budget and how long you're away.
The cheapest way to park at Gatwick is to pre-book an off-airport Park & Ride car park early, where rates start from around £5-£6 per day - compared with roughly £38 for the first day and £32 per day thereafter if you simply turn up at the Official Long Stay car park.
Gatwick is the UK's second-busiest airport and the world's busiest single-runway airport, handling over 40 million passengers a year, so demand for secure official car parking is high and prices rise the closer you book to departure. Booking-window data from UK operators shows that reserving six or more months ahead averages around £5.36 per day, while booking one week before travel averages about £13.14 per day - a difference of more than £50 across a typical week. Every Gatwick car park listed here is Park Mark-accredited, with free terminal transfers of roughly 7-12 minutes on Park & Ride.
Choose Your Gatwick Airport Parking Option
Gatwick offers six main parking types across the two terminals, each suited to a different priority. Park & Ride is the cheapest, Meet & Greet is the fastest, and on-airport Short Stay is the closest to check-in. Use the summaries below to pick your option, then compare live prices.
Long Stay Parking At Gatwick
Official on-airport car parks built for holidays and longer trips, with a free shuttle to the terminal every few minutes and up to 2 hours' free parking for pick-ups and drop-offs. Long Stay is normally the cheapest official option for a multi-day stay. You keep your own keys.
Gatwick Airport Short Stay Parking
A 2-4 minute walk from check-in at both terminals (South & North) best for quick trips, business travel and meeting arriving passengers. Convenient but the most expensive per day, so it suits hours rather than weeks.
LGW Mid Stay Car Parking
Available at the North Terminal only (Green Car Park 7), using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) so you drive straight in and out. It must be booked in advance. The South Terminal has no Mid Stay equivalent.
Premium Parking at Gatwick
Wider bays and the closest same-level access to the terminal, for travellers who want maximum convenience on a short stay.
Gatwick Meet & Greet (Valet) Parking
Drive straight to the terminal, hand your keys to a fully insured, Gatwick-approved driver, and walk to check-in in minutes. Explore live prices on our dedicated Gatwick Meet & Greet parking page.
Park & Ride Parking
Secure off-airport car parks with a free shuttle to both terminals - the lowest-cost choice all year round. Compare operators on our Gatwick Park & Ride page.
How Much Does Gatwick Airport Parking Cost?
Gatwick parking prices depend on the service type, how far ahead you book and the season. Off-airport Park & Ride is the lowest-cost option; on-airport Premium Short Stay is the highest. The table below shows typical guide prices for a seven- to eight-day stay when pre-booked early.
The single biggest factor is when you book. The same Park & Ride space can cost less than half as much booked months ahead as it does the week before you fly.
Guide prices only; live rates change with season and availability. Enter your dates to see current prices.
Gatwick Turn-Up Parking Prices (Pay on the Day)
Turning up without a booking is always the most expensive way to park at Gatwick, and spaces are never guaranteed. The Official Long Stay car park charges around £38 for the first 24 hours and £32 for each additional day on the roll-up tariff, while Short Stay reaches around £70 for 12-24 hours and Premium Short Stay around £87.50. The table below shows how drive-up rates compare, so you can see exactly how much pre-booking airport parking Gatwick saves.
Pre-booking the same trip online - especially on Park & Ride - routinely costs a fraction of these drive-up figures, which is why the vast majority of Gatwick travellers reserve in advance.
Which Gatwick Parking Is Right for You?
The right car park comes down to three things: budget, luggage and how much time you have. Choose Park & Ride to save the most, Meet & Greet to save time, and Short Stay to stay closest to check-in. One detail travellers often miss - whether you keep your keys - is included below, because it matters for peace of mind.
For a week away with a family and cases, Meet & Greet often justifies its price by removing the shuttle entirely. For a fortnight on a budget, Park & Ride wins comfortably.
Gatwick North Terminal Parking
North Terminal parking includes on-airport Short Stay, Long Stay, Mid Stay (Green Car Park 7) and Premium car parks, plus off-airport Park & Ride and Meet & Greet options with their own reception. Valet drivers meet you in the Short Stay car park, and North Terminal Valet accepts vehicles up to 2.1 metres in height. Short Stay is a 2-4 minute walk to check-in, while Long Stay runs a free shuttle of around 5-10 minutes.
North Terminal is well connected from the M23 and A23 and is the base for several major carriers, so pre-booking is worthwhile in peak periods. See full options and live prices on our Gatwick North Terminal parking page.
Gatwick South Terminal Parking
South Terminal Gatwick parking covers on-airport Short Stay, Long Stay and Premium car parks alongside off-airport Park & Ride and Meet & Greet services. The South Terminal does not have a Mid Stay car park, and South Terminal Valet accepts vehicles up to 2 metres in height. Long Stay shuttles run roughly every 10 minutes, and Short Stay sits close to the check-in desks for quick access.
If your flight departs from the South Terminal but you end up at the North (or vice versa), the two terminals are linked by a free inter-terminal shuttle, so you can still reach your car - though booking for the correct terminal saves time. Compare South Terminal options on our Gatwick South Terminal parking page.
Gatwick Meet & Greet vs Park & Ride: Which Should You Choose?
Meet & Greet and Park & Ride are the two most popular pre-booked choices, and they solve different problems. Meet & Greet is the fastest option - you drive to the terminal and a driver parks for you - while Park & Ride is the cheapest, adding a short free shuttle in exchange for a lower price.
Meet & Greet can save up to 45 minutes over shuttle parking because there is no transfer at either end, which is why families, business travellers and anyone with heavy luggage tend to prefer it. Park & Ride keeps costs down by parking you off-airport 7-12 minutes away, with shuttles typically every 10-15 minutes. Both use Park Mark-accredited compounds with 24/7 CCTV. Compare the two directly via our Meet & Greet and Park & Ride pages.
How Much Are Gatwick Drop-Off Charges?
Gatwick charges a fee to drop passengers directly outside the terminals. The forecourt drop-off zone is a paid, time-limited area, while the Long Stay car parks give you up to 2 hours free - a cheaper choice if you can spare a few extra minutes. The forecourt operates on a banded tariff from £10 for up to 10 minutes (plus £1 for each additional minute), with a daily cap and a maximum stay of 30 minutes (up to £30); fees are set by the airport and change periodically, so check the current rate before you travel.
Blue Badge holders can use the forecourt drop-off free of charge for up to 30 minutes, provided they pre-register with the airport before arriving. To avoid the fee altogether, use the Long Stay car park's free 2-hour window for pick-ups and drop-offs, or pre-book a Park & Ride space for longer waits.
Can You Charge an Electric Car at Gatwick?
Yes - Gatwick has several EV charging options, but they are not spread evenly across the car parks, so it pays to plan. Gatwick's on-airport Long Stay car parks do not have public EV charging, so EV drivers leaving the car for a holiday should choose Valet with charging or an off-airport provider that includes it.
- Short Stay car parks: eight 22kW POD Point chargers - four in the North Terminal (Car Park 5, Level 3) and four in the South Terminal (Car Park 3, Level 1). First-come, first-served via the POD Point app; best used when dropping off or collecting.
- Valet Parking with EV charging: pre-book for a small fee. Gatwick provides a two-hour charge on a Type 2 22kW charger, delivering up to 44kWh. Your vehicle needs at least 20% battery, and scheduled charging must be disabled.
- GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt : on the South Terminal Ring Road, with rapid chargers up to 150-350kW.
- Off-airport Park & Ride: selected operators include charging during your stay. Our live listings flag EV-enabled car parks - look for the EV charging label when comparing.
Is There Accessible and Blue Badge Parking at Gatwick?
Yes. Blue Badge spaces are available in Gatwick's Long Stay, Mid Stay, Short Stay and Premium car parks, positioned near lifts and shuttle stops with step-free access. Accessible shuttle buses serve the Long Stay car parks, and help points are located throughout the car parks and terminal areas.
For travellers with reduced mobility, Meet & Greet removes walking and shuttles entirely, as the car is collected and returned at the terminal. Blue Badge holders also qualify for free forecourt drop-off of up to 30 minutes when pre-registered. If you need specific bay dimensions or assistance details, confirm with the operator when booking.
How to Book Gatwick Parking in Four Steps
Booking takes a few minutes, and reserving early is where the savings come from.
- Enter your travel dates and terminal. Search live prices across Meet & Greet, Park & Ride and on-airport options in one place.
- Compare by price, transfer time and verified reviews. Filter for Park Mark-accredited, Gatwick-approved operators and, if you drive an EV, for charging.
- Choose your rate. Pick a non-refundable rate to save more when plans are fixed, or a flexible rate with free cancellation if they might change.
- Book online and receive instant confirmation. Bring your reference to the car park - no queuing, no circling for a space.
Registering a myGatwick account adds a further 5% off official car parks and lets you amend bookings; amendments made at least 24 hours before your exit time carry no extra fee.
Is Your Car Safe at Gatwick?
Every car park listed by Compare Your Parking Deals is Park Mark-accredited - the UK police-backed Safer Parking standard - with 24/7 CCTV, regular patrols and, on Meet & Greet, fully insured Gatwick-approved drivers. On-airport Long Stay, Short Stay and Mid Stay car parks let you keep your keys, while Valet stores your keys securely and moves the car to a monitored compound on the airport campus.
Most bookings can be amended or cancelled, and many operators include free cancellation - useful around UK bank holidays and school terms when plans shift. Cancellation terms are shown clearly at checkout, so you choose the rate that suits your trip rather than paying for flexibility you don't need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gatwick Parking
What is the cheapest parking at Gatwick Airport?
Off-airport Park & Ride, pre-booked early, is the cheapest option - from around £5-£6 per day when reserved months ahead. It undercuts the Official Long Stay car park and includes a free shuttle to both terminals.
Is it cheaper to pre-book Gatwick parking than to turn up?
Yes. Pre-booking saves up to 77% versus paying on the day. Turning up unbooked at the Long Stay car park costs around £38 for the first 24 hours and £32 per day after, while early online rates can be less than half that.
How much are Gatwick drop-off charges?
The terminal forecourt drop-off zone is a paid, time-limited area with a daily cap and a 30-minute maximum stay. The Long Stay car parks offer up to 2 hours free instead, which is cheaper for most pick-ups and drop-offs. Check Gatwick's current tariff before you travel.
Is drop-off free for Blue Badge holders at Gatwick?
Yes. Blue Badge holders can use the forecourt drop-off free for up to 30 minutes, but must pre-register before arriving. Accessible bays are also available in the on-airport car parks.
Is there free parking at Gatwick?
The Long Stay car parks include up to 2 hours free for pick-ups and drop-offs. Beyond that, standard charges apply, so pre-booking is cheaper for any longer stay.
What's the difference between Meet & Greet and Park & Ride at Gatwick?
With Meet & Greet you drive to the terminal and a driver parks your car — fastest, but pricier. With Park & Ride you park off-airport and take a free shuttle — cheapest, but adds 7–12 minutes each way.
Can I park at North Terminal and fly from South?
It's best to book parking for your departure terminal. If you end up at the wrong one, a free inter-terminal shuttle connects North and South, so you can still reach your car.
Can I charge my electric car at Gatwick?
Yes, but not everywhere. Short Stay has 22kW POD Point chargers, and Valet offers pre-booked charging, but the Long Stay car parks have no public charging. Off-airport, some Park & Ride operators include charging — look for the EV label.
Do I keep my keys with Gatwick Valet parking?
No. With Valet (Meet & Greet), you leave your keys with the insured driver so the car can be parked and returned. With Long Stay, Short Stay and Mid Stay, you keep your keys.
How early should I arrive at Gatwick?
Arrive 2–3 hours before international flights and around 2 hours before short-haul departures. Add 15–30 minutes if you're using Long Stay or Park & Ride to allow for the shuttle transfer.
What happens if I return later than my booking?
Pre-booked parking is reserved for your dates, so returning late usually means extra charges under the operator's terms. If your plans change, contact the operator as early as possible — amending ahead of time is nearly always cheaper than overstaying.
Book Your Gatwick Airport Parking Today
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