Home Help & FAQs
Gatwick Car Parking Frequently Asked Questions

London Gatwick FAQs

Frequently asked questions:

Top searches: Drop off charges, bookings, flight information

Whether you have a query about your flight, or the parking process at London Gatwick, our frequently asked questions are here to help.
Loading...

How much is parking at Gatwick?

The cost of parking at London Gatwick varies by car park, date of travel and length of stay. It is always recommended to pre-book your parking online for the best rate but should you need to arrive without a booking, our Roll-up prices can be viewed online.

Can I keep my keys when I park with Official London Gatwick Parking?

If you are parking in our Short Stay, Mid Stay, or Long Stay car parks, you will be able to keep your keys with you whilst you are away. If you choose our Valet Parking option, your car will be moved to a secure storage facility on the airport campus whilst you are away, so you will leave your keys with us.  

Where can I find detailed accessibility information about the car parks?

We have partnered with AccessAble, the UK's leading accessibility information provider, to create detailed access guides for our car parks. The guides cover information about Blue Badge parking, how to get assistance and the routes into our terminals.

Are the free shuttle buses to the Long Stay car parks accessible for mobility scooters and wheelchairs?

Yes, our free shuttle buses to and from the Long Stay car parks are accessible for both mobility scooters and wheelchairs. All our car parks and shuttle services are fully compliant with the Equality Act, ensuring step-free, safe access for passengers with reduced mobility. In addition, Blue Badge parking is available in every car park, and Premium car parks offer same-level access to both the North and South Terminals for added ease.

Where can I go to pick up passengers at London Gatwick?

All pick-ups should take place in the Short Stay car parks as it often takes more time to collect passengers. Alternatively, you can park for free in our Long Stay car park for up to two hours, using our free shuttle bus to the Terminal. Find out more information on our Picking up page.

Are there parking spaces for motorcycles at Gatwick?

Motorcyclists can park in any of the dedicated motorbike bays in the Short Stay car parks. Do not leave motorbikes in any of the car parking spaces.

Please note that anchor points are not available and for security reasons, bikes will be removed if not parked in the designated areas.

Can I arrive earlier than the time specified on my parking booking?

You can access the car park up to two hours before the time listed on your order confirmation. However, our car park prices apply to 24-hour periods, which means that if your earlier arrival time to the car park runs into a new 24-hour period, you will have to pay for an extra day charged at our standard roll-up prices.

Do the car parks have height restrictions?

Each car park is different. Please check our 'Car park restrictions' section on each of our Parking pages.

How wide are the parking spaces?

In our Long Stay, Mid Stay, and Short Stay car parks, parking spaces are standard size (2.4 metres wide and 4.8 metres long). If you need more room, our Premium Short Stay car parks offer extra-wide bays for added convenience.

How do I get to the Official London Gatwick Parking car parks by car?

To reach our car parks by car, refer to the directions provided on the relevant Parking page. Simply scroll to the bottom of the page and select the terminal you’re flying from. There you'll find written directions, links to Google Maps, and What3Words locations for each car park.

If you’ve already booked parking, it’s best to follow the location details in your booking confirmation email, as the car park entrance may use a slightly different postcode than the one listed online.

Where are the bus stops for the Long Stay car parks?

The bus stops for the Long Stay car parks are located on the terminal forecourts where the bus stops are clearly signed.  For South Terminal please go to the upper forecourt. For North Terminal please go to the lower forecourt.

Do you offer a parking discount for Blue Badge holders?

Yes, if you're a Blue Badge holder, you can use the Premium Short Stay car park at the standard Short Stay rate for up to four hours. When you arrive, press the ‘Assistance’ button at the entry barrier. On exit, press the intercom again so our team can apply the Short Stay rate before you pay. Please note, if you stay longer than four hours, the full Premium Parking rate will be charged for the entire duration.

While we don’t offer further parking discounts, all Official London Gatwick Parking car parks have clearly marked Blue Badge bays close to terminal access points. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To find out more about accessible parking options, including drop-off exemptions and maps, visit our Blue Badge parking page.

Will my car be moved whilst I'm away?

If you choose our Valet Parking option, your car will be moved to a secure on-site storage facility whilst you are away and will be ready waiting for you upon your return. If parking in our Short Stay or Mid Stay car parks, you'll keep your keys with you whilst you're away so your car will not be moved.

How will I find my car in the Valet collection area?

When collecting your vehicle from Valet Parking, head to the Valet collection office. Our team will let you know exactly where your car is parked. If you're at the North Terminal, the office is on the ground floor of car park 6, and your car will be on either the Ground or First Floor. At the South Terminal, go to the second floor of the red car park, where your vehicle will be located on either the first or second floor.

What happens if the car park is full when I arrive at London Gatwick?

If you pre-book your parking, you are guaranteed a space, so there's no need to worry. Please consider that if you do not pre-book, there is a chance that you'll be diverted to an alternative car park that may cost more. To enjoy the best possible rates and guarantee your space, we always recommend pre-booking your parking.

How secure are the car parks?

Our car parks are all secured with ANPR barrier controlled entry and exit and regularly patrolled by London Gatwick security staff. All of our car parks are also well-lit and Park Mark approved. Our Long Stay car parks also have perimeter fencing.

Can I get Special Assistance between the car parks and the terminal?

All of our car parks are fully compliant with the Equality Act 2010. However, if you need an extra helping hand, Special Assistance phones can be found within our Short Stay car parks, as well as close to the Long Stay shuttle bus stop at the terminal. More information can be found on our Special Assistance page.

Blue Badge holders being dropped off in a designated drop-off zone must pre register to avoid having to pay drop-off charges. This includes Blue Badge holders arriving by taxi.

Where are the Blue Badge parking spaces at London Gatwick?

Blue Badge parking bays are located in all car parks at London Gatwick, in both the North and South Terminals. Visit the relevant Parking pages for more information. Please note Blue Badge parking spaces are subject to availability on a first-come-first-served basis.

What happens if my car won't start when I return?

Our operations team can provide a jump start if needed. Just press the help buttons found around the car park for assistance.

What can I do with my motorcycle helmet once I've parked?

We don’t offer dedicated storage lockers for motorcycle helmets, but you can securely store yours through the Excess Baggage Company. They operate luggage facilities inside both North and South Terminals, located before security.

Is the shuttle bus included in my parking price?

A bus transfer to the terminal is included in the price of our Long Stay parking options.

How do I view, amend, or cancel or modify my parking booking?

You can change or cancel any booking made on our website up to 24 hours before your time of arrival. To do this, log in to myGatwick, view your 'Order History' where you can view, amend or cancel your order.

If there is a difference in price for your amended booking, for example if you move your parking booking to a different arrival date or terminal that is more expensive, you will have to pay that difference. If you choose to amend or cancel over the phone with our call centre, you will be charged a £5 administration fee.

If you need to make any changes within 24 hours of your arrival time, please speak to a member of the team by pressing the intercom button on the barriers on your arrival.

Do car parking prices differ online and over phone?

The cost of our car parks are the same whether you are booking them online or over the phone, however there is a £5.00 surcharge when booking via our call centre.

How long does the free shuttle bus take to get to the airport from the Long Stay car park?

Our free shuttle buses run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, between the Long Stay car parks and the terminals. The journey to the South Terminal takes around 5 to 10 minutes, while it’s about 10 to 12 minutes to the North Terminal. Buses typically run every 10-12 minutes, though during peak times they may be busy, so you might need to wait for the next one. We recommend allowing a little extra time when planning your arrival. You can find out more about our Long Stay parking on our website.

What are the opening times of the car parks?

Our car parks are open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

How long can I park in the Short Stay car park?

There is no minimum or maximum length of stay in our Short Stay car parks. If you are picking someone up from the airport, then you can park in the North or South Terminal Short Stay car park for up to 30 minutes for £7.  After 30 minutes you will pay the Roll-up rate if you have not pre-booked. If you wish to park any longer than 30 minutes, we recommend pre-booking your Short Stay parking as far in advance as possible in order to enjoy the best rates.

What should I do if I need to take my Blue Badge abroad after parking?

If you're likely to need your Blue Badge whilst travelling, taking it with you isn't a problem. Park up as normal and call 0800 678 3353 or use the intercom button on the payment machines, and NCP will validate the Blue Badge use for you.

Can I cancel my booking if my car breaks down on the day of travel?

We're afraid we cannot offer a refund on bookings that aren't used due to a vehicle breakdown.

Are there parking options for electric cars at Gatwick?

There are eight 22kW charging points for electric vehicles; four in Short Stay South Terminal and four in Short Stay North Terminal. We recommend these are used when you arrive to drop-off or collect a passenger. Valet parking with charging offers the best value for deaprting passengers to ensure your EV is fully charged for your return.

You can also take advantage of our GRIDSERVE® Electric Forecourt® located on the Ring Road South approach to London Gatwick’s South Terminal. The building is open every day from 4:30am to 10:00pm, with chargers available 24/7 year-round.

How early do I need to arrive if I am parking before flying out?

If you're parking at the airport before your flight, it's best to arrive with extra time to spare. As a guide, aim to check in at least two hours before a domestic or short-haul flight, and three hours before a long-haul flight, unless your airline advises otherwise.

If you’re using a Long Stay car park, remember to allow time for the shuttle transfer to the terminal. It takes around 20 minutes from the North Terminal Long Stay and about 10 minutes from the South Terminal. You can find more details on our Long Stay parking page.

Can I book Official London Gatwick Parking at short notice?

We advise booking in advance to guarantee a space, particularly during peak seasons. However, you can book parking in our Long Stay, Mid Stay, and Short Stay car parks latest 1 hour before the arrival time. For Valet parking, you would need to book at least 24 hours in advance.

How do the car park barriers work?

All of our car parks have automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) in place. If you have pre-booked, no ticket will be issued. Simply pull up to the entry or exit barrier and wait a few seconds for the system to recognise your number plate. It will be scanned and once recognised, the barrier will lift. Upon arrival, if your registration is not recognised after 15 seconds, press the button for assistance. One of our colleagues will assist and provide the appropriate guidance.

If you have not pre-booked, pull up to the entry barrier and press the button for a ticket, once issued, the barrier will raise. On exit, if you paid at a payment machine before leaving the car park, the barrier may raise automatically. If you have not paid at a machine before leaving the car park, the screen at the exit barrier will display the fee due and payment can be made by debit/credit card or contactless payment methods at the barrier. If the ANPR system was unable to recognise your vehicle number plate on exit, a message on screen will prompt you to scan the entry ticket.

Our Mid Stay car park is pre-book only and is a barrierless car park, controlled by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).

Which Official London Gatwick Parking option is best for me?

The best parking option for you depends on how long you're going away for, when you're travelling and whether you prioritise price over distance from the terminal. If you're unsure, then you can try our handy Help Me Choose tool.

How far in advance can I book parking at London Gatwick?

You can book parking at London Gatwick up to a year in advance of your travel date. We recommend booking in advance online to enjoy the best prices.

How do I inform the Valet parking team if I am going to arrive earlier or later than my booking time upon arrival back into London Gatwick?

Please email earlyreturns.lgw@ncp.co.uk, quoting your car registration and booking reference to inform us of your new return time so we can have your car ready for you on your return.

How long can I park in the Long Stay car park?

There is no minimum or maximum length of stay in our Short Stay car parks. If you are picking up or dropping off someone for the airport, then you can park in the North or South Terminal Long Stay car park for up to 2 hours for free.  After 2 hours you will pay the Roll-up rate if you have not pre-booked. If you wish to park any longer than 2 hours, we recommend pre-booking your Long Stay parking as far in advance as possible in order to enjoy the best rates.

What is the charge for staying longer than my car parking booking and can I extend my booking?

If you return from your trip later than planned for whatever reason, an overstay fee will apply. The fees are applied per day you are later than your original booking. Fees are £50 each day for Short Stay parking, £60 each day for Premium Parking, £15 each day for Long Stay parking, £15 each day for Gatwick Holiday Parking, £30 each day for Valet parking, £60 a day for Mid Stay parking, and £80 each day for Premium Mid Stay parking.

You can extend your booking via myGatwick on our website. Amendments made at least 24 hours before your original exit time will be charged at your booking's current daily rate with no extra amendment fees.

How do I pay at the car park if I haven't pre-booked?

Our Short Stay and Long Stay car parks have pay-on-foot machines throughout which accept cash and card payments. Mid Stay parking is pre-book only.

What is the cheapest parking option?

The cheapest parking option depends on the length of your stay. For drop-offs or collections, the Long Stay car park is free for stays under 2 hours and is a 5-10 minute bus ride to the South Terminal and 10-12 minutes to the North Terminal. The best way to ensure the cheapest price possible is to book in advance online.
If you can't find the information you're looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us.