Click above to secure the best parking rates at Gatwick Airport
From valet drop-offs at the terminal door to off-airport park & ride that costs a fraction of the official rate — here's how every Gatwick parking option compares, and how to pick the right one.
Gatwick is the UK's second-busiest airport, and its parking ecosystem reflects that — official on-airport car parks at both terminals, premium and valet services, plus a wide ring of off-airport providers running shuttles to the terminals.
The right choice depends on three things: your departure terminal (North or South), how long you're leaving the car, and whether you're optimising for price, convenience, or both.
The default for trips of 3+ days. Free shuttle every 10–15 minutes, 24/7. Best official value when booked ahead.
Walking distance to the terminal — cheap for a few hours, expensive past 24 hours. Use for pickups, drop-offs and very short trips only.
Closest self-park to the terminal building, often a short covered walk. No shuttle needed. A good middle ground between Long Stay and Valet.
Drop the car at the terminal forecourt, a chauffeur takes it to a secure compound. Same forecourt pickup on return. Fastest in and out — at the highest price.
Private operators with secure compounds and shuttle buses to the terminal. Often the cheapest option overall — pick a Park Mark accredited provider.
Off-airport equivalent of valet: hand the keys over at the terminal, the operator parks for you. Convenient but vet the operator carefully.
Always pick the car park that matches your departure terminal. They have separate Long Stay, Short Stay, Premium and Valet facilities, and shuttle routes don't cross between them.
If you accidentally book the wrong side, the inter-terminal shuttle train is free and takes around two minutes — but add 15–20 minutes for the walk, wait and transfer with luggage.
Flying from the South Terminal? See our dedicated South Terminal Long Stay guide.
| Priority | Best option |
|---|---|
| Absolute cheapest | Pre-booked off-airport park & ride |
| Cheapest official | Long Stay (pre-booked) |
| Fastest in / out | Valet at your terminal |
| No shuttle, walk to terminal | Premium Parking |
| Quick pickup / drop-off only | Short Stay (or free drop-off zones) |
Pre-booked off-airport park & ride is usually the cheapest, with the official Long Stay car parks close behind when booked early. Turn-up rates are always the most expensive.
As early as you can. Prices rise as the travel date approaches and peak holiday weeks routinely sell out.
Yes. Every official Gatwick car park is Park Mark accredited with 24-hour CCTV, regular patrols and secure fencing.
Match the car park to your departure terminal — North or South. The inter-terminal shuttle is free but adds 15–20 minutes with luggage.
Yes. Most operators charge a daily rate for extensions — contact them as soon as you know. Returning past your booked exit time without notice usually costs more than calling ahead.
More guides: South Terminal Long Stay · Drop-off charges