Meet and Greet vs Park and Ride at Gatwick: Which is Best for You?
Compare Gatwick parking options from just £6.12 per day.
When planning your journey from Gatwick, choosing the right airport parking can make all the difference. The two main parking options are Meet and Greet, for the most convenient way to park right at the terminal, and Park and Ride, a cheaper option with quick shuttle transfers to either terminal.
Depending on whether you're travelling from Gatwick North or South Terminal, the parking services can vary slightly between them. Comparing your options with Holiday Extras helps you find the best parking service fit for your next trip!
Whether you're looking for the quickest way to the terminal or the best value for your stay, it all comes down to three things: convenience, proximity and cost. Let us take the hassle out of finding your perfect Gatwick parking with this ultimate guide to the key differences between parking services.
Holiday Extras Recommends...
Looking for the cheapest deal on your airport parking? Whether it's a seasonal special offer or a limited-time promotion, shopping around to compare the best prices is key to bagging the best price. Our recommended park and ride and meet and greet deals below include great savings and start from just £45.95 per week, with either a Winter Special or exclusive Special Offer.
Alternatively, book the ultimate Park and Ride with Holiday Extras, this is our best one yet (even if we do say so ourselves!) It's one of our top-booked car parks and comes with the option to add Late Return Cover. With flights experiencing delays, don't risk unexpected charges. We'll cover 100% of your overstay fees, for up to 48 hours, so you're fully protected. All the following recommendations include Free Cancellation should your travel plans change unexpectedly.
Top Tips for Comparing Parking at Gatwick
- Short on time? Meet and Greet gets you from your car to check-in in minutes, with no buses, transfers, and no hanging about.
- Consider who you're travelling with: Meet and Greet is ideal for families, elderly passengers, or anyone with reduced mobility, while Park and Ride is often a better fit for solo travellers or those travelling light.
- Bringing lots of luggage? If you're travelling with big suitcases, prams, or ski bags, skip the hassle of loading up a shuttle and choose Meet and Greet for the easiest, most convenient option.
- Look at the length of your trip: Park and Ride is more cost-effective for longer holidays, while Meet and Greet can offer better deals for shorter stays and business trips.
- Know your terminal! Not all services serve both terminals. Double-check before you book so you're not dragging bags across the airport (though a free monorail connects both terminals, so it's not the end of the world!).
- Check for added extras: Some park and ride options offer EV charging or let you keep your keys, while some Meet and Greet services come with helpful perks.
- Cheapest isn't always best: Don't just go by price, if convenience is also a priority. A small difference in cost might mean less hassle for your next holiday.
- Read recent reviews: Real customer feedback gives you a better idea of what to expect - especially around convenience, timing, and reliability.
Browse Cheap Parking Options at Gatwick
Our handy comparison table below makes choosing your parking a walk in the park (or a drive to the terminal!) We've ordered the packages by price, so if you're looking to save money on your Gatwick parking, you won't need to scroll far for the best offers. You'll also find real Customer Reviews to help you choose with confidence.
What's the difference between Meet and Greet and Park and Ride at Gatwick?
Let's keep it simple! For a full breakdown of the key differences between Gatwick's Meet and Greet and Park and Ride, check out the table below.
| Key Differences | Meet and Greet | Park and Ride |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Drive to the terminal, hand over your keys to a professional and insured driver who parks for you. Walk straight to check-in. | Drive to a designated car park, park up, and take the shuttle bus to the terminal. 'Keep your keys' means park at your own risk. |
| Proximity | Just a few minutes walk from check-in, with no shuttle required. | Usually located off-airport, with a 5 to 15-minute shuttle transfer to the terminal. |
| Price | More expensive due to added convenience and premium service. | The cheapest option and ideal for budget-friendly travel. |
Top Park and Ride Services Near Gatwick
When comparing parking services at Gatwick, it's worth remembering that most park and ride providers serve both North and South Terminals. So, no matter which terminal you're flying from, the shuttle buses will get you there quickly and easily. From trusted providers like Purple Parking, APH, Holiday Extras, and Airparks, to Gatwick Long Stay, there are plenty of car parks nearby to choose from. It's important to compare your options based on price, transfer time, customer ratings, and what suits you best.
The park and ride options below are listed in order of transfer time, so you can see which car parks are closest to the terminal. All are off-airport car parks with shuttle transfers typically taking just 5-15 minutes and prices start from just £6.12 per day. These trusted, great-value services offer the ideal balance of price and convenience (if you don't mind a short shuttle-ride).
Compare the Best Gatwick Meet and Greet Services
Looking for the quickest, easiest way to park at Gatwick? Meet and greet, also known as Valet Parking, lets you drive right up to the terminal, hand over your keys, and walk straight to check-in. It's the ideal choice if you're short on time, travelling with family, or just want the VIP treatment.
Meteor, I Love Meet and Greet, I Love Valet Parking, and Official Gatwick Valet Parking offer the closest access to the terminal, with forecourt drop-off just minutes from check-in and prices start from just £8.50 per day. Other Meet and Greet services are still within walking distance and fully accessible, with no shuttle bus required.
Here's an overview of the wide range of Meet and Greet services available to book through Holiday Extras. Check the terminal, distance to departures, security features, and click through to read reviews from real customers sharing their experiences. Bear in mind that Meet and Greet is insured for the most secure parking option.
Meet and Greet at Gatwick: Top Benefits
- Drop your car just steps from the terminal - no shuttle buses, no fuss
- Quick and easy - perfect if you're travelling with kids or on business
- Great for early mornings or late-night flights
- Helpful for travellers with mobility needs or lots of luggage
- Car is parked in a secure compound usually with CCTV & 24-hour staff patrols
- Often available at short notice
- Meet and Greet is insured and your car is parked by an insured driver
Things to Keep in Mind
- Usually costs more than Park and Ride
- Most services need you to hand over your keys
Park and Ride at Gatwick: Why It's a Popular Choice
- One of the cheapest ways to park at Gatwick
- Ideal for longer stays
- Regular shuttle buses to both North and South Terminals
- Car parks feature robust security like fencing, CCTV & 24-hour staff patrols
- Some options let you charge your EV
Why it might not be suitable
- You'll need to take a shuttle (usually 10-15 minutes)
- Can be trickier with young children or bulky luggage
- Less suitable if you're short on time or need extra assistance
- You'll often park your own car and keep your keys - it's not covered by Meet and Greet insurance.
Which Gatwick Parking is Right for You?
Still not sure which parking to pick? Every journey is different, and at Holiday Extras, our goal is to help you choose the right parking for your trip. Whether you're flying for business or heading off on a family holiday, we've taken the jargon out and broken down the best parking choices for each type of traveller below, so you can decide quickly and confidently.
| Your Situation | Recommended Option | Here's Why |
|---|---|---|
| Family with kids | Meet and Greet | Easiest terminal access, no shuttle, less hassle |
| Budget-conscious traveller | Park and Ride | Cheapest option, especially for longer stays |
| Business traveller | Meet and Greet | Fastest drop-off, saves time before a flight |
| Long-haul holidaymaker | Park and Ride | Excellent value for 7+ day trips |
| Travellers with early flights or late returns | Meet and Greet | Quick terminal access, avoids waiting for shuttles |
| Travellers with reduced mobility | Meet and Greet | Direct terminal drop-off, no shuttle required |
FREE Monorail between Gatwick Terminals
Getting between the North and South Terminals at Gatwick is quick and easy. A FREE monorail runs between the terminals every 3-4 minutes and takes only 2 minutes so there's no worries if you do park at a different terminal to your gate.
If you have booked with Holiday Extras, however, it is easy to change your booking if you want to park at the other terminal.
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*Prices displayed throughout are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change depending on availability. Weekly prices are based on 8 days of parking.
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