Frequently asked questions:
Top searches: why pre book?, pricing, blue badge parking
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.
Is there family friendly parking?
Our family friendly parking bays are located in Long Stay Parking, right next to the bus stops where you can get on the shuttle, making your family holiday stress free. Both the North Terminal and the South Terminal have their own long stay car parks with these family friendly bays.
Our Valet parking is also a great option when travelling with children. Simply drop your car off with one of our valet staff when you arrive and they’ll have your car waiting for you when you return.
How wide are the car park spaces at London Gatwick?
In the Long Stay and Short Stay car parks, the spaces are 2.4 x 4.8 metres wide and in Premium Short Stay, they are extra wide bays.
Can I arrive earlier then the time specified on my car park booking?
Can I arrive early for airport parking?
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 the car parks have height restrictions?
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.
How do the car park barriers work?
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?
How long are the car parks open for?
How long can I park in the Short Stay car park at London Gatwick?
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?
How long should I allow to get to the terminal if parking in Long Stay?
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.
Is there a bus transfer included in my parking price?
What happens if my car won't start when I return?
What happens if the car park is full?
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 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
Where can I find directions to the car parks?
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.