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An honest comparison of London Gatwick Airport car parking — official car parks, valet services and the cheaper off-airport park & ride alternatives.
London Gatwick has the deepest parking market of any UK airport outside Heathrow. Official car parks cover Long Stay, Short Stay, Premium and Valet at both terminals, and a ring of off-airport operators add cheaper park & ride options.
The simplest way to think about it: official is convenient, off-airport is cheap, valet is fast. Match the product to your priority and book early to avoid the dynamic price surge.
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 and very short trips only.
Closest self-park to the terminal building, often a short covered walk. No shuttle needed — a middle ground between Long Stay and Valet.
Drop the car at the terminal forecourt, a chauffeur takes it to a secure compound. 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 over the keys at the terminal, the operator parks for you. Convenient — vet the operator carefully.
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 at the barrier are always the most expensive.
Match the car park to your departure terminal — North or South. The inter-terminal shuttle train is free but adds 15–20 minutes with luggage.
Yes. Every official Gatwick car park is Park Mark accredited with 24-hour CCTV, regular patrols and secure perimeter fencing.
As early as you can. Prices rise as the travel date approaches and peak holiday weeks routinely sell out — especially Long Stay and Valet.
Valet is worth it when time is tighter than budget — early-morning flights, late returns, travelling with kids or heavy luggage. For everything else, Long Stay or off-airport is far better value.
More guides: All Gatwick parking options · South Terminal Long Stay · North Terminal Long Stay · Drop-off charges