What is the cheapest parking at Gatwick Airport?
Compare the lowest price Gatwick parking deals from as little as £48.95 p/w and save up to 75% off popular operators when you book with Holiday Extras.
The cheapest car parking at Gatwick is Cophall Parking Park & Ride at around the £40 - £50 mark for 8 days car parking. We should point out that prices are never fixed, they do fluctuate depending on when you are flying and on availability but this is the price range you can expect to pay. The great news is you really don't compromise on anything with Cophall Parking or, indeed, any of the cheapest car parking services provided. Whether security, proximity, or price matters most, Holiday Extras can take the stress out of finding affordable Gatwick parking.
By booking through trusted comparison sites like Holiday Extras, you can easily find the cheapest deals and be confident you're getting the best price. Whether you're flying from Gatwick North or Gatwick South, Holiday Extras' Never Beaten on Price guarantee means you'll never pay more than you need to.
Which parking type at Gatwick is the cheapest?
For the lowest prices, Park and Ride providers are usually the best choice. These off-airport car parks include a short shuttle transfer to the terminal and offer cheaper rates due to a less personalised service. Most Park and Ride providers serve both the North and South Terminals, with fast and frequent shuttle buses.
Our lowest-priced deals offer secure parking and free transfers to your terminal. Check the table below to compare Holiday Extras' top 3 budget-friendly picks and choose the option that best fits your trip.
| Cophall Parking | Airparks Park & Ride | APH Parking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why choose this car park? | Low priced option with friendly, personal service | Easy, great-value parking with quick transfers | Very popular with regular Gatwick travellers |
| Typical prices from* | £4.36/day | £4.99/day | £4.59/day |
| Transfer time | Approx. 7-12 minutes | Approx. 10–12 minutes | Approx. 10–12 minutes |
| Transfer frequency | Every 15 minutes | Every 10–15 minutes | Every 10–15 minutes |
| Keep keys? | Hand keys over | Hand keys over | Hand keys over |
| What security does the car park have? | CCTV, entry and exit barriers, security fencing & regular staff patrols | CCTV monitoring, entry and exit barriers, perimeter fencing & 24-hour patrols | CCTV, entry and exit barriers, perimeter fencing & 24-hour patrols |
| Best for… | Travellers looking for the cheapest price | Value and convenience with quick transfers | Frequent flyers wanting a trusted brand |
| Holiday Extras recommendation | Best choice for overall lowest price | Great balance of price and convenience | Most popular with repeat travellers |
Browse the full breakdown below of park and ride options you can book through Holiday Extras, listed by transfer time so you can quickly see which are closest to the terminal, with 5-15 minute shuttles, and prices start from just £4.36 per day.
Compare Gatwick Airport Parking Deals
Explore the cheapest Gatwick parking deals below, from budget-friendly Park and Ride to a more personal Meet and Greet service. Our range of great-value Gatwick parking means you can cut the cost of an often pricey add-on.
All operators listed below are tried and tested by Holiday Extras, meeting our high standards for security and service. There's only around a £5 difference (for a week's parking) between Cophall Parking, Purple Parking and Holiday Extras Park & Ride. All offer free shuttle transfers of 7–12 minutes and are cheaper than the Official Long Stay car park.
*Prices are correct at time of writing. Prices rise and fall depending on availability and the time of year. For a more up-to-date Gatwick parking comparison, pop your dates into the fields at the top of this page for live availability and prices.
How Gatwick Parking Prices Really Work
1. Is Park and Ride cheaper than Meet and Greet at Gatwick?
Yes, if you're chasing the lowest price, Park and Ride usually comes out on top.
Why it works this way
Park & Ride car parks sit a little further from the airport, which means providers can keep costs lower than the ultra-convenient on-airport Short Stay and Meet & Greet handover areas.
Because the overheads are lower, those savings get passed on (especially when you book ahead). Here's how the different parking options compare:
| Park & Ride | Long Stay | Meet & Greet | Short Stay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall value | Typically the lowest cost option | Mid-range price point | Varies by season and demand | The premium, most expensive option |
| Where it's located | Off-airport sites with regular shuttles | On-airport or close to airport | Car handover near the terminal | Directly next to the terminal buildings |
| Why people choose it | Great savings, especially for longer trips | Good balance of convenience and price | Fastest, easiest drop-off for a stress-free start | Shortest walk to check-in and keep your keys |
| Who it's best for… | Travellers looking for the best overall price | Families and long-stay travellers wanting on-airport options | Passengers with limited mobility | Travellers prioritising maximum convenience |
| Holiday Extras recommendation | Top choice for budget-friendly trips | Convenient with on-airport reassurance | Check prices as can be surprisingly affordable | Perfect if you're happy to pay more for closeness |
2. Why booking early makes such a big difference
To put it simply = the earlier you book, the better the price.
Why it works this way
Airport parking follows the same pattern as flights and hotels: when lots of spaces are available, prices stay low. As availability drops, prices increase. That means:
- Booking a few weeks early = best prices
- Booking last-minute = highest prices
- Turning up and paying on the day = the most expensive of all
Holiday periods also have a big impact and school holidays in particular can cause prices to rise quickly.
3. Official vs third-party parking: which tends to be cheaper?
For the same parking type, third-party options are usually the cheaper choice.
Why it works this way
Official Gatwick car parks sit directly on the airport grounds, so their running costs are higher. Third-party providers including many trusted brands Holiday Extras works with, operate slightly off-site, allowing them to offer more competitive rates without compromising on quality or security.
4. Meet & Greet isn't always the priciest option
Meet and Greet can be much more affordable than people expect, especially when booked in advance.
Why it works this way
You drop your car close to the terminal, but it's stored off-site, meaning providers have room to offer flexible pricing. During quieter periods, Meet & Greet can sit surprisingly close to Park & Ride in cost, making it a brilliant convenience upgrade.
5. What affects your Gatwick parking price (and how to compare properly)
Several factors influence what you pay and it's not just the parking type.
- Travel dates & demand: Peak seasons usually mean higher prices.
- Location: The closer the car park is to the terminal, the more it tends to cost.
- Keys: Keeping your keys often comes with a convenience premium.
- Transfers: Walkable or shorter shuttle routes typically carry higher pricing.
- Extras: EV charging, car valet and additional perks can influence the price.
- Flexibility: Non-flex deals can offer the biggest savings when your travel dates are fixed.
Key takeaways: Use a comparison site like Holiday Extras to cut through the noise. Look beyond the headline price. Check what's included, transfer times, opening hours and if any hidden fees apply. With Holiday Extras, all these details are clearly shown so you can choose based on value (with no hidden surprises).
Holiday Extras' smartest choice includes Flextras Free Cancellation, where you can amend or cancel most extras up to the time you've booked to arrive.
Why Cheaper Gatwick Parking Doesn't Mean Compromise
Transfers
Airport transfers from the official Gatwick Long Stay car park take 10-12 minutes, so these alternative third-party Park and Rides really are very much comparative in terms of the proximity and time required.
Security
The other top concern for customers is, of course, the security of their car, and you may think that cheaper parking must be lacking something. But just because it costs less doesn't make it any less secure. All the Gatwick car parks we sell are airport approved, fully secured, and hold the Park Mark award for safer parking. From CCTV coverage to regular security patrols, it's important to us that customers can enjoy parking without compromising on security.
Convenience
While Park and Ride is the most budget-friendly option, it's still designed to be quick and simple. Clear signage, smooth check-in processes and frequent shuttle services mean you're dropped off near the terminal doors with minimal hassle.
Value for Money
Our cheapest Gatwick car parks regularly undercut the airport's official parking rates by up to 75% when pre-booked. These savings can make a real difference to your travel budget, especially for families or longer trips. The earlier you book, the better the deals.
Trusted Operators
Holiday Extras only partners with established Gatwick car park suppliers with proven track records, consistently high customer satisfaction and robust security measures. When you book with Holiday Extras, you're choosing vetted, reliable providers every time.
Top 3 tips for getting the best Gatwick Parking deal
Top tip #1: Always pre-book to lock in the lowest price
Booking your Gatwick airport parking in advance is the easiest way to secure a bargain. Pre-booked spaces can be up to 75% cheaper than the airport gate price. The earlier you reserve, the more you save, so skip the last-minute rush and lock in a great deal ahead of time.
Top tip #2: Compare parking-only with hotel + parking bundles
For ultra-low prices, it's worth checking out our Gatwick hotel and parking packages. These bundles can start from as little as £48.95, often beating the cost of parking alone. They're an ideal choice if you want a stress-free start to your trip and amazing value rolled into one.
Top tip #3: Sign up for exclusive email discounts
Join our mailing list and unlock savings of up to 15% off Gatwick parking. We only send the good stuff (no spam, just genuine money-saving deals) and you can unsubscribe any time. Sign up here.
For more information, check out our guide to how to book airport parking to ensure you get the best deal.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park for free at Gatwick?
The Long Stay car parks at both the North and South terminal offer 2 hours parking free of charge, which is ultra convenient if you're dropping off or picking up passengers. For lots of handy info, be sure to check out our dedicated Free Parking near Gatwick Airport page.
How far is the cheapest Gatwick parking from the terminals?
Our cheapest Gatwick parking is typically a Park & Ride option, which is slightly off-airport. For example, Cophall Parking Park & Ride is around a 7–12 minute shuttle transfer from the terminals, with buses running every 15 minutes. That means you still get a quick, straightforward journey to Gatwick North or Gatwick South without paying on-airport prices.
*Prices quoted here, including lead prices, are correct at the time of writing but are always subject to change according to availability on the dates you require and price fluctuations throughout the year.
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