Gatwick Airport Parking and Drop Off Charges

What the £10 forecourt charge buys

Gatwick charges every vehicle entering the designated drop off zones on the forecourts of the North and South Terminals, and from January 2026 the minimum charge is £10, with further charges for longer stays and a maximum stay of 30 minutes. The zones are barrier-free: cameras record the registration on entry and exit, and payment is made afterwards, online at the airport's postpay portal or by automated phone line, by midnight the day after the visit. There are no payment machines in the zones. Missed payments become a Parking Charge Notice of £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days, administered by NCP on the airport's behalf. The North Terminal zone sits on the lower level between the Sofitel hotel and the multi-storey car park; the South Terminal zone is on the lower-level forecourt directly outside the terminal entrance. Both are designed for a fast stop with the driver staying with the vehicle, and the pricing structure exists precisely to keep the kerb moving rather than to sell time.

Two free hours at the Long Stay: the alternative that changes the sums

Gatwick's distinguishing feature among the London airports is the scale of its free alternative. Both Long Stay car parks allow any vehicle to park free for up to two hours: take a ticket at the barrier, park, and exit within the window at no cost. A free shuttle bus runs to the terminals in around five minutes, departing every ten to twelve minutes. Two hours is long enough not just for a drop off but for a full pick up, including the unpredictable wait for a delayed flight, baggage and customs, which is why the airport itself points collection traffic there. By comparison, the forecourt zones are a poor fit for pick ups: the 30-minute cap and escalating charges work against the natural uncertainty of arrivals. Between the two sits the Short Stay option next to each terminal for anyone who wants walking distance without forecourt pricing. The practical rule of thumb at Gatwick is that the forecourt is for a goodbye measured in minutes, and everything else belongs in Long Stay or Short Stay.

Exemptions, red routes and the rules around the edges

Blue Badge holders are exempt from Gatwick's drop off charge, but the exemption is not automatic: the vehicle must be registered in advance through the airport's permit process, supplying the passenger name, flight date, registration and a copy of the badge. A Local Commuter Scheme separately offers reduced fees for residents living close to the airport. The rules on the surrounding roads are less forgiving: double red lines mark Red Routes where stopping, waiting, parking or unloading is prohibited at all times, enforced by camera and patrol, with a £100 penalty reduced to £60 within 14 days. That prohibition is what removes the apparent loophole of a kerbside stop on an approach road. Valet parking is pre-book only, with bookings required at least 24 hours in advance, so it cannot function as an on-the-day escape from forecourt pricing. As at every barrierless airport, the single most effective protection is an AutoPay account, which settles each visit automatically and removes the midnight deadline from the driver's memory entirely.

Parking for a trip at Gatwick

For travellers leaving a car, Gatwick follows the standard two-tier structure: roll-up rates published at the car park are the ceiling, and pre-booked online rates for the same car parks are set below them, falling further with lead time. The airport's own guidance is unambiguous that booking Short Stay or Long Stay in advance is cheaper than paying on the day. The choice between them is the usual trade of proximity against price: Short Stay sits beside each terminal with minimal walking, Long Stay relies on the shuttle. For anyone weighing a drop off against parking, the two-hour free window at Long Stay also quietly serves a third purpose: it allows a driver to park free, walk or ride to the terminal, and see a passenger through bag drop without paying anything at all, provided the clock is respected. How that calculation compares across other UK airports, and the checks that matter before booking any off-airport or meet and greet operator, is covered in the guide to getting cheap airport parking in the UK and the wider global travel and before you sections, with related household costs in the bills section.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the drop off charge at Gatwick Airport?

A minimum £10 charge applies to use the designated drop off zones at the North and South Terminals, with further charges for longer stays and a 30-minute maximum. Payment is due by midnight the day after the visit.

Is there a free drop off at Gatwick Airport?

Yes. The Long Stay car parks are free for up to two hours, with a free shuttle bus to both terminals running every ten to twelve minutes. This is also the airport's recommended option for picking up arriving passengers.

Are Blue Badge holders exempt from Gatwick drop off charges?

Yes, but only with advance registration through the airport's permit process, which requires the passenger name, flight date, vehicle registration and a copy of the Blue Badge. Without registration the standard charge applies.

What happens if the Gatwick drop off charge is not paid?

A Parking Charge Notice of £100 is issued, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. PCNs are administered by NCP on Gatwick's behalf and can be paid or appealed through the NCP portal.

Can drivers stop on the roads around Gatwick to avoid the charge?

No. Double red lines mark Red Routes where stopping, waiting or unloading is prohibited at all times. Breaches are enforced by camera and patrol and carry a £100 penalty, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.