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Home > Airport Parking > Meet & Greet vs Park & Ride

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.

Airport Top Tips icon - illustration of paper sheets

Top Tip: Book early to secure your space and avoid the last-minute rush. With Holiday Extras, you can grab a great deal from trusted providers and reliable services, and we're Never Beaten on Price. Plus, you could save up to an incredible 75% compared to on-the-day prices.

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.


  • Purple Parking Park & Ride Gatwick Winter Special logo, top-booked offer

    Purple Parking Winter Special

    10-minute transfer

    One of our top-booked park and ride services, now with a winter discount! Drop off your car and keys at reception and enjoy a smooth 10-minute transfer. It's everything you need for a hassle-free start to your holiday.


    Prices from £45.99 p/w


  • Cophall Parking Gatwick Special Offer logo

    Cophall Parking - Special Offer

    7-10 minute transfer

    Enjoy a special offer on this quick and easy park and ride. Drop off your car, hand over your keys, and hop on the shuttle. With CCTV, fencing, barriers and staff patrols, you'll get the same secure service, now at an even better price!


    Prices from £45.95 p/w


  • Holiday Extras Ultimate Park & Ride Gatwick logo, includes Late Return Cover

    Holiday Extras - Ultimate Park and Ride

    10 minute transfer

    A simple, secure, and top-rated park and ride close to both terminals. Just drop off your car and keys at reception, then hop on the reliable shuttle bus, running every 20 minutes. It's parking made easy and great value too!


    Prices from £48.99 p/w


  • Maple Parking Meet and Greet Gatwick North Terminal Special Offer logo, includes No Wait Guarantee

    Maple Parking Meet and Greet North - Special Offer

    Short stroll

    Convenient and time-saving meet and greet parking - now with a special offer! Just a short stroll to the terminal, with no need for a shuttle bus. No Wait Guarantee included, so you'll be on your way in no time.


    Prices from £68.00 p/w


  • Maple Parking Meet and Greet Gatwick South Terminal Special Offer logo, includes No Wait Guarantee

    Maple Parking Meet and Greet South - Special Offer

    Short stroll

    With over 30 years of experience and staff on hand 24/7, this smooth and simple service is trusted by thousands of travellers every year. Now available with a special offer. Same service, lower price with no shuttle, no stress, just fly.


    Prices from £68.00 p/w


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.

Airport car park
Price*
(8 days)
Customer Rating
Cophall Parking
£48.95
4.5/5
Reviews
Purple Parking All Terminals
£48.99
4.2/5
Reviews
Holiday Extras Park & Ride
£48.99
4.3/5
Reviews
Airparks Park & Ride
£51.92
4.4/5
Reviews
APH Park & Ride
£51.92
4.6/5
Reviews
I Love Park & Deliver
£65.00
4.7/5
Reviews
Maple Parking Meet & Greet South
£68.00
3.9/5
Reviews
Maple Parking Meet & Greet North
£68.00
4.2/5
Reviews
Meteor Meet & Greet Parking North
£70.00
4.5/5
Reviews
Meteor Meet & Greet Parking South
£70.00
4.5/5
Reviews
Purple Parking Meet & Greet South
£70.00
3.9/5
Reviews
ACE Parking Meet & Greet North
£70.00
4.2/5
Reviews
ACE Parking Meet & Greet South
£70.00
4.1/5
Reviews
Holiday Extras Ultimate Meet & Greet North
£70.00
4.2/5
Reviews
Holiday Extras Ultimate Meet & Greet South
£70.00
4.1/5
Reviews
I Love Meet & Greet Parking
£70.00
4.6/5
Reviews
Purple Parking Meet & Greet North
£70.00
4.2/5
Reviews
Airparks Meet & Greet South
£70.00
4.3/5
Reviews
Airparks Meet & Greet North
£70.00
4.3/5
Reviews
Bubble Parking - Park & Deliver South
£71.00
4.5/5
Reviews
Bubble Parking - Park & Deliver North
£71.00
5/5
Reviews
I Love Valet Parking + Car Wash
£83.00
3.7/5
Reviews
Bubble Gatwick to Heathrow Valet
£218.00
No reviews yet
Reviews


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).


  • Smiling woman being dropped off at Gatwick Airport by an I Love Park & Deliver transfer bus

    I Love Park & Deliver

    On-airport (drop off at car park, pick up at terminal)

    5-minute transfer

    Leave keys

    Fencing, CCTV, Lighting, Locked gate entry & 24-hour security

    I Love Car Park, Travelodge, Povey Cross Road, Hookwood, Surrey, RH6 0BE

    Suitable for passengers with mobility issues

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.13 p/d


    Find out more
  • Smiling woman on the phone at Gatwick North Terminal calling Park & Deliver to have her car returned by Bubble Parking, with the terminal visible in the background

    Bubble Park & Deliver

    On-airport (park your car, then have it returned to North or South Terminal)

    5-minute transfer

    Leave keys

    Fencing, CCTV, Lighting, Locked gate entry & 24-hour security

    I Love Car Park, Travelodge, Povey Cross Road, Hookwood, Surrey, RH6 0BE

    Accessible car park & shuttle buses

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.88 p/d


    Find out more
  • Man boarding a Purple Parking Park & Ride shuttle bus from the car park to Gatwick Airport

    Purple Parking Park & Ride

    Off-airport

    10-minute transfer

    Leave keys

    24-hour security, regular patrols

    Purple Parking, Charlwood Road, Lowfield Heath, Crawley RH11 0QB

    Accessible car park & shuttle buses

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £6.12 p/d


    Find out more
  • Smiling woman driving her car to park at the Holiday Extras Park & Ride at Gatwick Airport, photo taken from inside the car

    Holiday Extras Park & Ride

    Off-airport

    10-minute transfer

    Leave keys

    Perimeter fencing, CCTV, floodlighting and regular patrols

    Charlwood Road, Lowfield Heath, Crawley RH11 0QB

    Accessible car park & shuttle buses

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £6.12 p/d


    Find out more
  • Male Cophall Parking Park & Ride shuttle bus driver speaking with a female passenger about to board at Gatwick Airport

    Cophall Parking Park & Ride

    Off-airport

    7-12 minute transfer

    Leave keys

    24-hour security (CCTV, fencing, patrols)

    Cophall Parking, Effingham Rd, Copthorne, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 3HZ

    No wheelchair ramps for shuttle buses

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £6.12 p/d


    Find out more
  • Woman boarding an Airparks Park & Ride shuttle bus to Gatwick Airport on a bright sunny day

    Airparks Park & Ride

    Off-airport

    10-12 minute transfer

    Leave keys

    CCTV, entry and exit barriers, fencing and 24-hour patrols

    Airparks Gatwick, Copthorne Road, Crawley RH10 3PD

    Accessible car park & shuttle buses

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £6.49 p/d


    Find out more
  • Woman boarding an APH Park & Ride shuttle bus to Gatwick Airport on a bright sunny day

    APH Park & Ride

    Off-airport

    10-12 minute transfer

    Leave keys

    CTV, entry and exit barriers, fencing and 24-hour patrols

    APH Gatwick, Copthorne Road, Crawley RH10 3PD

    Accessible car park & shuttle buses

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £6.49 p/d


    Find out more

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.


  • Female passenger with an open car boot taking out luggage and being greeted by a friendly female I Love Meet & Greet driver at Gatwick Airport

    I Love Meet and Greet

    All Terminals

    Forecourt drop-off

    Leave keys

    CCTV and regular patrols

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.75 p/d


    Find out more
  • Close-up of a red car being washed by a staff member at I Love Valet Parking Gatwick Airport

    I Love Valet Parking + Car Wash

    All Terminals

    Forecourt drop-off

    Leave keys

    CCTV and regular patrols

    Exterior Car Wash Included

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £10.38 p/d


    Find out more
  • Female passenger walking toward the North Terminal at Gatwick Airport after dropping off her car with Meteor Parking Meet & Greet

    Meteor Meet and Greet

    Available at North or South Terminal

    Forecourt drop-off

    Leave keys

    Car park is secured by 24-hour security, Electric barrier & CCTV

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.75 p/d


    Find out more
  • Friendly exchange as a female passenger hands over her keys to a male Purple Parking staff member wearing a high-vis jacket with the company logo at Gatwick South Terminal

    Purple Parking Meet and Greet South

    South Terminal

    3-minute walk

    Leave keys

    Secure parking with fencing, CCTV and staff patrols

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.75 p/d


    Find out more
  • Meet & Greet reception sign at Gatwick North Terminal showing logos for Holiday Extras, Purple Parking, and Airparks

    Purple Parking Meet and Greet North

    North Terminal

    3-minute walk

    Leave keys

    Secure parking with fencing, CCTV and staff patrols

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.75 p/d


    Find out more
  • Female passenger handing her car keys to a Maple Parking Meet & Greet South staff member wearing a high-vis jacket with the company logo at Gatwick Airport

    Maple Parking Meet and Greet South

    South Terminal

    3-minute walk

    Leave keys

    Secure compound

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.50 p/d


    Find out more
  • Smiling female passenger handing over her car keys to a male Maple Parking Meet & Greet North staff member wearing a green company logo t-shirt at Gatwick Airport

    Maple Parking Meet and Greet North

    North Terminal

    3-minute walk

    Leave keys

    Secure compound

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.50 p/d


    Find out more
  • Close-up of hands exchanging car keys and a parking ticket for Airparks Meet & Greet at Gatwick Airport

    Airparks Meet and Greet

    Available at North or South Terminal

    3-minute walk

    Leave keys

    Security fencing and 24-hour staff

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.75 p/d


    Find out more
  • Car park at Holiday Extras Meet & Greet North Gatwick Airport with directional arrows leading to parking area

    Holiday Extras Meet & Greet North

    North Terminal

    3-minute walk

    Leave keys

    CCTV and regular patrols

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.75 p/d


    Find out more
  • Car park at Holiday Extras Meet & Greet South Gatwick Airport showing a reserved bay with logos for Holiday Extras, Airparks, and Maple Parking

    Holiday Extras Meet & Greet South

    South Terminal

    3-minute walk

    Leave keys

    CCTV and regular patrols

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.75 p/d


    Find out more
  • Female traveller at Gatwick South Terminal on her mobile phone calling Ace Meet & Greet to have her car dropped off

    Ace Meet & Greet South

    South Terminal

    3-minute walk

    Leave keys

    Secure parking with fencing, floodlighting, CCTV & 24-hour staff patrols

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.75 p/d


    Find out more
  • Female traveller walking toward the North Terminal at Gatwick Airport after dropping off her car with Ace Meet & Greet

    Ace Meet & Greet North

    North Terminal

    3-minute walk

    Leave keys

    Secure parking with fencing, floodlighting, CCTV & 24-hour staff patrols

    Accessible, no shuttle required

    Read customer reviews


    Prices from £8.75 p/d


    Find out more

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
Gatwick Airport inter-terminal monorail arriving at the station with passengers aboard

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.