Drop off and pick up

Blue badge holders being dropped off by friends and family may apply for an exemption from the drop off charge up to three months in advance of their flight. An exemption can also be applied for on behalf of the passenger being dropped off. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this exemption for passengers dropped off by taxi.

An exemption can be applied for (site coming soon) by providing the information below.

• Passengers name/s
• Date of flight(s)
• Vehicle registration number
• A photocopy or picture of the eligible blue badge

Confirmation of a successful application will be sent by email. Please check the license plate details on the confirmation email carefully and contact NCP if any changes are made to the vehicle registration number being used before travelling to the airport.

An exemption must be applied for before the date of travel to allow adequate time for it to be processed. Applications on or after the date of travel may not be accepted.

We recommend that all passengers use the short-stay car parks for pick-ups as this tends to take longer than dropping off. Please note that normal charges apply in the car parks.

The Local Commuter Scheme will launch when drop off charges are implemented at South Terminal. Until then, train station users can continue to use the South Terminal drop off zone without charge.

The Local Commuter Scheme provides access to Gatwick Airport Station for people living close to the airport who regularly use the station to commute. The scheme is open to residents living within the specified postcode sectors below, which have limited or no other public transport options nearby:

• RH6 0
• RH6 9
• RH11 0

The scheme has a £50 annual membership fee per household to cover administration costs and provides access for two free visits per day to the South Terminal drop off zone. Each household may register two vehicles.

Residents eligible for the scheme (coming soon) by providing the details below:

• Name
• Address
• Vehicle registration details (up to two per household)
• Evidence of eligibility (recent utility bill/car insurance certificate)

Our operations partner, NCP, will review each application and, if approved, will be in contact to arrange for payment.

As circumstances can change, there is provision for vehicle details to be updated twice a year by amending the account details. Members will be contacted to renew membership the following year.

Anyone who does not wish to pay the forecourt charge will be able to drop off or pick up passengers in the airport’s long-stay car parks with two hours free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminals. Follow the signs for 'North Terminal long stay'.

To drop off for free, drive to North Terminal long stay. Take a ticket at the barrier, and catch the free shuttle bus to the terminal. Once you’re ready to leave, simply scan the ticket on exit for free parking for up to two hours.

To maintain visitor safety, red routes will be in operation around the airport site. If you see areas designated as red routes, please be aware that you are not allowed to stop, unload, wait or park. If you are dropping off passengers, please use the drop off zones or the free option in our long stay car parks.

Red routes are clearly marked around the airport roads with signage and double red line road markings. Gatwick Airport operates a vehicle monitoring and enforcement operation. Any vehicle seen contravening the Red Route restrictions will face an enforcement charge of £100 (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days).

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the aviation industry and as an airport we need to look at new revenue streams to help us continue to protect jobs and income while we rebuild. Therefore, Gatwick is introducing a charge for vehicles dropping off passengers on the forecourt directly outside our terminals from the 8 March 2021. There will temporarily be no charge to drop off passengers at the South Terminal forecourt as all flights are currently operating from the North Terminal.

We also want to rebuild better and sustainability remains important to us as an airport. Encouraging more sustainable journeys to the airport, the drop off charge will also help Gatwick achieve its sustainability targets, including to achieve 48% of journeys by public transport as well as deterring a car led recovery after the pandemic.

Taxis will be able to add the drop off charge to the taxi fare as many already do when picking passengers up from the short stay car parks. 

All pickups 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. You can use this for drop offs too.

Since June 2020 all Gatwick flights have been operating to and from our North Terminal, we do plan to bring the charge in for the South Terminal at a later date.

The charge initially will only apply to our North Terminal forecourt but we will implement it at our South Terminal at a later date.  At this point local commuters living within a limited number of postcode sectors close to the airport (RH6 0, RH6 9, RH11 0) with limited access to public transport will be allowed two visits per day to use the train station by paying an annual £50 charge.  

Yes, you will be able to create an Autopay account where you can register your vehicle details and add credit which is automatically deducted.

This will work similar to the 'Dart Charge' system for the Dartford Crossing.