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Gatwick Car Parking Frequently Asked Questions

Gatwick Airport Parking FAQs

Frequently asked questions:

Top searches: why pre book?, pricing, blue badge parking

Whether you have a query about your booking, or the parking process at Gatwick Airport, our frequently asked questions are here to help.
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How can What Three Words help me to find the entrance to my booked car park at London Gatwick?

We have now added What Three Words to our parking product pages to help you to easily find the entrance to the car park you have booked at London Gatwick on the day of your arrival.

What Three Words is a free location-mapping tool that has assigned a unique three word tag to every three metre square in the world, including the entrances to each of London Gatwick's car parks. These tags will direct you to the exact location of where to enter our car parks.

You can find the links on each of our car park product pages (Short Stay, Long Stay etc) under the Directions section. Just click through to the What Three Words page to view on a map, and select your preferred navigation provider (Google Maps, Waze etc), or download the free What Three Words app and enter the three word tag to start navigating.

For more info on What Three Words, click here.

Will you move my car 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 Long Stay  or Short Stay  car parks, you’ll keep your keys with you whilst you're away so your car will not be moved.

Are there any COVID-19 measures active in the car parks at London Gatwick?

All car parks at London Gatwick have reopened and there are no specific COVID-19 measures you need to be aware of, although we do encourage customers to wash their hands regularly and use hand sanitiser. Please also remember that your airline may require you to wear a face covering while on your flight. Please contact your airline for further details of their COVID-19 measures and requirements.

Are my payment details secure?

London Gatwick's parking site uses industry standard SSL encryption. This protects your personal information, including credit/debit card details, your name and your address.

Are there spaces for motorcycles in your car parks?

There are designated bays for motorcycles in our Short Stay car parks.

Can I arrive earlier then the time specified on my car park 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.

Can I arrive early for airport parking?

You can access the car park up to two hours prior to the time listed in your booking. However, our car park prices apply to a 24-hour period, which means if your early arrival time in the car park runs into a further 24-hour period, you will have to pay for an extra day at the drive-up tariff.

Can I book London Gatwick parking at short notice?

You may be able to book a parking space the day before you need it, although we cannot guarantee this. If you are booking for 24 hours or more we advise booking in advance to guarantee a space, particularly during peak seasons. All online prices, unless stated otherwise, are for a minimum of 24 hours.

Can I cancel my car parking 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. If this does happen, please contact our customer service team on 0330 333 9268 who will be able to assist you.

Can I cancel my car parking?

You can cancel or change your car park booking up to 24 hours before your time of arrival. By visiting the Manage my Booking page  with your booking reference and email address, you can cancel your booking, make changes to your contact or car registration details and car park up to 24 hours before your scheduled entry time.

Can I change the car registration details attached to my car park booking?

You can amend the details of the car attached to your booking up to 24 hours before you’re due to arrive at the airport.

Simply log in to the Manage my Booking section , click ‘Amend Order’ and follow the instructions to change your car registration details.

If you make any changes within 24 hours of your arrival time, please speak to a member of the team at the customer service desk on your arrival.

Can I check the availability of the electronic charging points before I arrive?

Yes, you can get live availability from POD Point Open Charge, but no pre-booking is necessary as they operate on a first-come first-serve basis. Once you arrive at the charging point, you will need to follow the below steps:
  1. Download the POD Point Open Charge app and register for a free account - it only takes a few seconds
  2. Roll up, take your parking ticket and plug your vehicle in to one of the charging points. These are located in Car Park 3, Level 1 in the South Terminal and Car Park 5, Level 3 in the North Terminal
  3. Use the Open Charge app to find the correct charging point and confirm your charge within 15 minutes of having plugged your car in

Can I get special assistance from the car parks to the terminal building?

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.

Can I keep my keys at Official London Gatwick Parking?

If you are parking in either our Short 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.

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 surcharge when booking via our call centre.

Do the car parks have height restrictions?

Our Short Stay South car parks have a height restriction of 2m. In the North Terminal, Short Stay Car Park 5 has a height restriction of 1.8m, whilst Car Park 6 can accommodate vehicles up to 2.1m. 

In the South Terminal, the high sided vehicle area is located after the entrances to the Short Stay car parks, on the left-hand side.

In the North, there is no high-sided vehicle parking in our Short Stay car parks. Instead, we advise you use the Long Stay car park, or park in the South Terminal and take the free shuttle over to the North.
 

Do you have electronic charging points available at the airport?

Yes, there are eight 22kW charging points in our North and South Terminal Short Stay car parks.

In the North Terminal, you can find them in Car Park 5, Level 3 and Car Park 3, Level 1 in the South Terminal.

Do you offer a discount for Blue Badge holders?

If you’re a Blue Badge holder and are parking in the Premium Short Stay  parking area for less than four hours, you’ll be charged the standard Short Stay rate.

When you’re at the entry barriers, press the ‘Assistance’ button. On your way out, press the intercom again to be let out of the Premium area, then pay the usual Short Stay price at the ticket booth.

If you’re planning to leave your car for more than four hours, the Premium Parking rate will be applied for the whole parking period.

We do not offer any other discounts for Blue Badge holders; however, all car parks contain Blue Badge bays that are well located for easy access to the airport.

Please see our full list of prices .

Do you offer any discounts for parking?

Our Summer Special parking option is the most cost-effective option for those traveling for five days or more during the summer period.

Explore our range of affordable London Gatwick parking options to find the right parking to suit your travel needs. And, sign up to London Gatwick's exclusive myGatwick  programme for the best prices now and every time you fly.

How can I resend my email confirmation?

You can request to be resent your email confirmation by logging in to manage my order .

How do I know my order has been placed?

Once you’ve completed the booking process, you’ll receive a confirmation email with an order number starting with DW and ending with the first three letters of your first name. Don’t forget to make a note of this number before you leave for the airport.

If you don't receive an email confirmation, please get in touch with us via our online feedback form if you have not received an e-mail within 24 hours of your scheduled arrival date.

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

All of our car parks have pay-on-foot machines dotted throughout them which accept cash and card payments.

How do I use the charging points for my electric vehicle at London Gatwick?

London Gatwick is working to reduce emissions and promote cleaner transport.

To help towards our goal, we've installed eight 22kW charging points for electric vehicles, so your car can grab some juice while you grab your loved ones from the arrivals hall. All of these are located in our short stay car parks at both terminals.

To use the charging points for your electric vehicle:

  1. Download the POD Point Open Charge app and register for a free account - it only takes a few seconds
  2. Roll up, take your parking ticket and plug your vehicle in to one of the charging points. These are located in Car Park 3, Level 1 in the South Terminal and Car Park 5, Level 3 in the North Terminal
  3. Use the Open Charge app to find the correct charging point and confirm your charge within 15 minutes of having plugged your car in
You can check live availability of our charging points with the POD Point app, but pre-booking is not possible as the spaces work on a first-come first-serve basis.

How do the car park barriers work?

All of our car parks have automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) in place. 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 a ticket and the barrier will rise. You’ll then have to get your booking validated at the customer service office, which can be found at the car park exit.

How early do I need to arrive at London Gatwick?

Your airline will advise you on how early you should arrive at the airport. Please remember however to allow enough time to comfortably park your car and make your way from the car park to the terminal, particularly if you are parking in the Long Stay  car park - the bus transfer takes 20 minutes from the North Terminal car park and around 10 minutes from the South Terminal.

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 to enjoy the best prices.

How long are the car parks open for?

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 at London Gatwick?

There is no minimum or maximum length of stay in our Short Stay  car parks.

If you are picking someone up from the airport, than you can park in the North or South Terminal Short Stay car park for up to 30 minutes for £5. Parking for a full day in our Short Stay car parks without pre-booking first will cost £45. If you wish to park any longer than this, we recommend pre-booking your Short Stay parking as far in advance as possible in order to enjoy the best rates.

How long does it take to get to the airport from the Long Stay car park?

Our free shuttle buses operate a 24-hour service between the Long Stay  car park and the terminal building, 365 days a year. It takes between 5 to 10 minutes to reach the South Terminal and 10 to 20 minutes to reach the North Terminal.

How long should I allow to get to the terminal if parking in Long Stay?

Our buses run regularly – approximately every 12 minutes – from the Long Stay car parks and take between 5 to 20 minutes to get to the terminal, depending on whether you’re flying from the North or South.
During peak periods, buses may be busy, which means you may have to wait for the next one, so please factor in this time when planning your arrival time.

How much is parking at London Gatwick?

The cost of parking at London Gatwick varies by car park and your date of travel.

We recommend booking as early as possible, as this often results in a reduced price and protects you from future fluctuations. Additionally, you can relax, knowing there is a space reserved for you.

If you haven't pre-booked, you can view the roll-up prices for each car park on the appropriate FAQ questions on this page.

How often do parking prices change?

London Gatwick car parking prices change daily, similar to the way airlines price their tickets.

We always recommend booking your parking at the time you see a satisfactory price, as there is no guarantee this will be the same the following day.

In addition, prices between terminals may vary, so if you’re looking for a cheaper price and are happy to transfer between terminals, it’s worth checking both options before booking.

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.
 

Is there a bus transfer included in my parking price?

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

Is there an admin fee if I pre-book with a credit card?

No, there are no card fees when booking with a credit or debit card.

What are the prices for Evening Special Parking if i haven't pre-booked?

Evening Special parking is only available to pre-book, at a cost of £20. Customers rolling up to the Short Stay car park without a booking will have to pay the standard Short Stay roll-up price.

What are the prices for the Long Stay car park if i haven't pre-booked?

Duration Price
2-24 hours £30.00
Each subsequent day £25.00

 

What are the prices for the Premium Car Park if I haven't pre-booked?

DurationPrice
Up to 30 minutes£6.50
30 minutes - 1 hour£10.30
1-2 hours£15.00
2-3 hours£19.00
3-4 hours£24.50
4-5 hours£29.50
5-6 hours£35.00
6-12 hours£50.00
12-24 hours£55.00
2 days£110.00
Each subsequent day£55.00

What are the prices for the Short Stay car park if i haven't pre-booked?

DurationPrice
Up to 30 minutes£5.00
30 minutes - 1 hour£8.00
1-2 hours£13.00
2-3 hours£15.00
3-4 hours£19.00
4-5 hours£22.00
5-6 hours£26.00
6-12 hours£40.00
12-24 hours£45.00
2 days£90.00
Each subsequent day£45.00

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

Although we do not provide storage space specifically for motorcycle accessories, there are luggage facilities available inside the terminal that can be used to store helmets at an extra cost.

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 happens if the car park is full?

If you pre-book your parking, you are guaranteed a space, so there’s no need to worry.
Please consider however that if you turn up on the day, 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 in advance .

What if I need to take my Blue Badge abroad?

Not a problem. Park up as normal and take your blue badge to the customer service office, where they will photocopy it for you.

You can then display the copy in your car and take the original away with you.

What if my flight is delayed while I am parked at London Gatwick? Can I extend my booking?

If your flight is significantly delayed and you go over your car park exit time, you will be charged an overstay charge based on the number of days you have stayed on top of your original booking. Fees for each product are:

  • Short Stay Parking: £40 each day
  • Premium Parking: £50 each day
  • Long Stay Parking: £10 each day
  • Summer Special Parking: £15 each day
  • Valet Parking: £20 each day

What is the cheapest parking option at London Gatwick South and North Terminals?

The cheapest parking option at London Gatwick South and North Terminals 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 ahead.
 

What is the overstay charge?

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 for each product are:

  • Short Stay Parking: £40 each day
  • Premium Parking: £50 each day
  • Long Stay Parking: £10 each day
  • Summer Special Parking: £15 each day
  • Valet Parking: £20 each day

What payment methods do you accept online?

Visa, MasterCard, American Express and PayPal are all acceptable methods of credit and debit payments. Unfortunately, we can’t accept Solo, Electron cards, or cheques.

Where are the Blue Badge parking spaces?

Blue Badge parking bays  are located in all car parks at London Gatwick, in both the North and South Terminals.

Visit the relevant car park pages for more information.

Where can I find directions to the car parks?

You can find a full list of directions on the relevant car parking page. Your booking confirmation email will also contain a link to the car park's location in Google Maps.

Where can I find my booking reference?

Your booking reference can be found on the confirmation email sent to you after booking. It begins with DW and ends with the first three letters of your first name DW123456789HAR).

Where can I park if I'm picking up or dropping off a passenger at the airport?

You can drop off passengers in the designated drop-odd zones just outside the North and South Terminal buildings. There is a minimum £5 charge for this.

If you’re picking someone up, you can park in the Short Stay car park, this will be charged at the standard roll-up price for the Short Stay car park.

Alternatively, you can use the Long Stay car park for free if your stay doesn’t exceed two hours, although, you will have to allow enough time to take a bus to the terminal building (this takes 5 to 10 minutes for the South Terminal and 7 to 12 minutes for the North Terminal).

Find out more about our passenger collection options.

Which 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.

Do I need to pay an administration fee to amend or cancel my booking?

You can amend your booking if you wish. For any London Gatwick parking, lounge, Premium Security and Premium Passport Control booking, you do not have to pay an administration fee to cancel your booking and will receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24-hours before your arrival time. Within 24-hours of your arrival time you will still not pay an administration fee but you will not receive a refund.
For amendments to your booking, you will also not be charged an administration fee. 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.
For both amendments and cancellations, if you choose to amend or cancel over the phone with our call centre, you will be charged a £5.00 administration fee. Alternatively you can amend or cancel for free using the 'Manage Orders' portal on our website.

If you can't find the information you're looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us.