Gatwick Airport Parking: Prices, Options & Everything You Need to Know Before You Book
Looking for Gatwick Airport parking? Whether you're flying from the North or South terminal, choosing the right car park can make a surprisingly big difference to how smoothly your trip starts.
There's a range of parking options to choose from at Gatwick Airport, from affordable off-airport car parks to premium meet and greet options with additional services.
Here's everything you need to know before booking parking at Gatwick Airport.
What Are Your Gatwick Airport Parking Options?
There are three main parking options to consider when flying from Gatwick. The best choice depends on your priorities, whether that's convenience, affordability, or distance to the terminal.
On-Airport Parking at Gatwick
On-airport parking means leaving your car in an official car park within the airport grounds, with dedicated car parks serving both the Gatwick South Terminal and the North Terminal. The main advantage is getting to the terminal quickly. Depending on the car park you choose, you can either walk to the terminal or take a quick airport transfer. Long Stay Parking, for example, is a quick shuttle ride from the terminals, while the Short and Mid Stay car parks are within walking distance. Bear in mind that on-airport parking can be more expensive than off-airport alternatives.
Meet and Greet Parking at Gatwick
Meet and greet parking is designed for travellers who prioritise convenience, with minimal time spent parking. Typically, you drop off your car at the terminal forecourt or designated drop-off area where a member of the operator's parking team takes your keys and parks your car for you, so there's no need to take a transfer. It's ideal for families with small children, travellers with heavy luggage, and those with reduced mobility.
Park and Ride Parking at Gatwick
Park and ride at Gatwick Airport is a popular choice for travellers who prioritise keeping costs low. With this type of parking, you drive to a car park rather than going directly to the terminal. After either you or an attendant parks for you, you'll take a shuttle bus to Gatwick Airport. Most car parks provide a free shuttle bus to both terminals. Park and ride parking is a good fit for longer trips, when the savings can add up.
How Far Is Off-Airport Parking From the Terminals?
The distance between off-airport car parks and the Gatwick Airport terminals depends on the car park and if you're flying from North or South terminal. If you're searching for Gatwick parking near me, car parks like Cophall are often quicker than you'd expect. The car park is around a 10 minute drive from the Gatwick Airport South Terminal and around 15 minutes to the North Terminal, with a free transfer on an 8-seater minibus that runs on demand 24 hours a day included. It's recommended to get to the car park around 30 minutes before you want to be at the airport.
When comparing off-airport parking Gatwick options, make sure you check the transfer time and frequency, so you know how much time to allow before your flight.
How Much Does It Cost to Park at Gatwick Airport?*
Gatwick Airport parking prices vary considerably depending on the type of parking you choose, your travel dates, how long you're staying, and how far ahead you book. Several car parks at Gatwick Airport also offer premium services like car washes and EV charging, which makes it more expensive.
Generally, the most expensive parking option at Gatwick Airport is meet and greet, with prices starting from around £22 per day.
On-airport parking generally costs more too because you're paying for the convenience of being on the airport grounds.
Off-airport parking is typically the most affordable parking option at Gatwick Airport, with prices starting from around £15 per day.
Booking in advance is generally cheaper as prices get higher and availability gets lower the closer to your travel date. We recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance, but a more advanced booking like 1-2 months is going to yield lower prices. Peak travel periods like school holidays are also typically more expensive, such as the summer holidays, Easter, and Christmas, so we recommend planning around that if saving money is a priority.
All prices are based on a search in September, 1 month in advance for a 3-day trip
Why Off-Airport Parking Is Usually Cheaper
Off-airport car parks are usually cheaper than on-airport car parks or meet and greet options because they don't occupy the prime space immediately beside the terminal, so they can offer lower prices. They don't have to pay high on-site airport fees and compete directly with each other, which means lower prices. They essentially make up for the distance to the terminal by charging less. So, cheap Gatwick parking can be easy to find if you're prepared to add a quick transfer to your journey.
Cophall is one example of affordable off-airport parking, offering a secure car park with an on-demand, 24-hour transfer to Gatwick. Prices start from around £66*.
Price based on a search in September, 1 month in advance for a 3-day trip
How Do Park and Ride Shuttle Transfers Work?
Once you've parked up at your chosen car park, you'll normally be directed to the transfer bus which you'll take with your luggage. The shuttle takes you to your Gatwick Airport terminal, where you can get on with checking in for your flight. Most Gatwick park and ride transfers take no longer than 15 minutes to reach the terminals.
On your return, follow the instructions provided by your parking operator for the pick-up point. You'll then be transferred back to the car park to collect your car.
Most park and ride providers at Gatwick offer 24 hour shuttle services, ideal for early morning and late night departures and arrivals.
Is My Car Safe? Security at Gatwick Off-Airport Car Parks
While price matters, security should never be an afterthought when choosing airport parking. A reputable secure Gatwick Airport parking provider should be clear about how your car is protected while you're away. There's a misconception that off-airport car parks are not as safe as official airport car parks, but there are many providers that offer robust security measures.
Here's what to look for when comparing security at Gatwick car parks.
What Security Measures Should a Gatwick Car Park Have?
Before booking, check what security is actually included.
Security features to look for include:
- CCTV monitoring
- Perimeter fencing
- Controlled entry and exit
- Good lighting throughout the car park
- Regular security patrols
- On-site staff
Look out for car parks that have been awarded the Park Mark accreditation, too, which means they've been officially approved for their security standards.
Cophall, for example, is a Park Mark awarded car park, with 24-hour security, barrier-controlled access, extensive CCTV coverage, high perimeter security fencing, regular patrols, and sensor lighting.
Who Holds My Keys While I'm Away?
Whether you keep your keys or the parking team keep your keys depends on the car park you book. With self-park options, you normally park the car yourself and keep your keys. You also typically keep your keys if you park in official on-airport options that are close to the terminal and have designated multi-storey car parks. However, meet and greet options require you to leave your keys with the parking team so they can move and store your car.
Off-airport park and ride options at Gatwick Airport, like Cophall, also typically require you to leave your keys. It means the parking team can park your car in their secure compound and manage the spaces. Car parks have varying processes, but Cophall's involves parking your car in an arrival bay rather than searching for an empty space yourself. You can quickly drop off your car, which isn't too far from the airport, and be at check-in as quickly as possible while the team does the hard part for you.
Why Choose Cophall for Gatwick Parking
Cophall combines off-airport parking with a quick transfer to Gatwick, giving you an alternative to paying a premium for official on-airport parking without compromising on convenience.
With over 30 years of experience operating at Gatwick, a family-run approach and Which? recommendation recognition, Cophall is an established and secure option for Gatwick Airport travellers. It comes highly recommended by Trustpilot from travellers' reviews who praise the quick drop-off and pick-up process, easy check-in with depositing the keys, and friendly staff.