Gatwick Airport Parking - FAQs

On-airport car parks are within the airport boundary; off-airport car parks are outside it. Our on-airport car parks at Gatwick include Long Stay North Terminal, Long Stay South Terminal and Long Stay Plus South Terminal. Our off-airport car parks include Airparks, APH, Holiday Extras and Purple Parking.

Wondering what are the security measures in place for Gatwick Airport parking? Well, secured car parks have security measures like CCTV, entry and exit barriers, fencing and lighting to keep your car safe. All our Gatwick Airport car parks are fully secured and most of them hold the Park Mark, a national security award accredited by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Yes, if you book your Gatwick parking with a reliable and competitive provider such as Holiday Extras, along with saving up to 80% off on-the-gate prices, with a Gatwick Promo Code you can also save up to an additional 12% off your airport parking. Holiday Extras is also covered by a Never Beaten on Price* Guarantee so you won't find a cheaper deal.

Yes, Gatwick Airport offers various parking services with shuttle transfers. These services include:

• Park and Ride - A popular budget-friendly option, this service involves parking your car at a location further away from the terminals. Then you take a shuttle ride to the airport, and these transfers are usually free-of-charge or included in the price of your airport parking. Shuttle services operate frequently and ensure a convenient and reliable transfer to and from the terminals. Operators include Purple Parking Park and Ride which takes just 10 minutes to reach the North and South Terminal and buses run every 20 minutes.
• Long Stay Car parking - Gatwick's Official Long Stay car park offers a free shuttle bus service to the airport. This service runs every 10-12 minutes and takes only up to 15 minutes to reach either terminal. A preferable option for longer airport stays, the shuttle service provides a reliable transfer without a hefty price tag.

Gatwick Airport offers a variety of parking options to suit different needs and various preferences. The parking options include:

• Short Stay Parking - Perfect for just a quick visit, Short Stay car parks are located close to the terminal for super convenient access.
• Long Stay Parking - With free shuttle transfers, this is a more economical version for anyone parking for slightly longer periods.
• Premium Parking - Great for those who are willing to pay a little extra, Premium parking offers parking spaces closest to the terminals.
• Meet and Greet Parking - Ideal for anyone who wants to feel like a VIP and enjoy special parking treatment! This service involves leaving your car with a professional driver at the terminal, and having it brought back to you upon your return.
• Valet Parking - Similar to Meet and Greet parking, with Valet parking you drop off your car at the terminal and it is parked for you. Upon your return, your car will be ready and waiting for you at the terminal. Benefits include convenience, reliable security, great for passengers with limited mobility, travelling with children or passengers with lots of luggage.
• Park and Ride - Typically a cheaper option for long-term parking. These services are available at car parks located slightly further from the terminals and include regular shuttle bus services to and from the airport.

Enjoy Flextras, our smartest choice which is fully flexible Free Cancellation. You can amend or cancel most extras up to the time you've booked to arrive. Exceptions apply, learn more via our dedicated Flextras page.

Firstly, find out which terminal you're travelling from. Whether it's Gatwick North or Gatwick South, knowing your terminal will help you book the closest parking and avoid unnecessary transfers. If you choose on-airport car parks like Official Gatwick Long Stay parking, you can guarantee you will be as close to departures as possible. Alternatively, opt for Meet and Greet options and drop your car near the terminal for the most convenient parking.

The easiest way to secure cheap Gatwick parking during peak travel times is to book as early as possible, as prices tend to rise when availability drops. Consider off-airport Park and Ride options such as APH or Purple Parking, which are often cheaper than on-airport car parks. Comparing deals is also important. Enter your dates and trip details into our Holiday Extras booking engine and choose from a range of options with different prices and services, helping you secure the best deal.

Yes, there are several options available for charging your electric vehicle at Gatwick Airport.

• Short Stay Parking - There are eight 22kW charging points in the North and South Terminal Short Stay car parks. In the North Terminal, these are located in Car Park 5, Level 3 and Car Park 3, Level 1 in the South Terminal.
• Valet Parking - EV charging can be booked for a small fee when you book Official Valet Parking at either terminal at Gatwick. This provides a two hour charge duration on Type 2 (22kW) fast chargers, delivering up to 44kWh. This must be pre-booked when you book your parking.
• APH Park and Ride Electric Charge - Offering affordable rates, plus EVC charging included! Book a great deal with APH Park and Ride, through Holiday Extras, for effortless parking and charging.

The difference between short-term and long-term parking at Gatwick is dependent on the duration of parking you require and the car park's proximity to the airport. Both car parks are secure but cater for different drivers' needs, especially in terms of terminal access. Let's break down the main differences between these two options:

• Short Stay Parking - Ideal if you're only parking for a few hours, this car park is frequently used by people picking up or dropping off passengers. The short-stay car parks are located very close to the airport terminals, making it convenient to access the terminal quickly. Being the closest option of the two, this car park is therefore more expensive than the long-stay car park.
• Long Stay Parking - This is better suited to travellers who would like to park for longer at the airport. Long-stay parking is generally further from the terminals, but shuttle services are available to transport travellers to and from the airport. Offering lower rates than the short-stay car park, as long as you don't mind the shuttle transfer to the terminal, this is a great option.

Both car parks have designated Blue Badge parking bays for passengers with disabilities or limited mobility. Short-stay parking bays provide convenient and easy access routes directly into the terminal buildings. In the long-stay car parks, the parking bays are situated next to the transfer bus stops, within easy reach of the wheelchair-accessible buses to either terminal.

The cost of your Gatwick airport parking varies depending on the type of parking you'd like to book and the duration you intend to stay for. Here's a quick overview of the parking options available:

• Short Stay Parking - For short stays, quick visits, or for picking up or dropping off passengers the Short Stay car park is ideal. Situated just minutes from the airport, prices start from £6 for up to 30 minutes, £10 for one hour and so on.
• Long Stay Parking: If you're planning a slightly longer trip the Long Stay car park offers a convenient and affordable option, with the first 2 hours free-of-charge and £38 for up to 24 hours.
• Longer Parking Stays - If you intend to park for longer, it's advisable to book Gatwick Airport Parking. Pre-booking is recommended as it can significantly reduce these costs. If you book with a trusted provider like Holiday Extras, you can save up to 80% off the on-the-gate price, which is a substantial saving. You can choose from a variety of services and parking providers, with secure parking guaranteed and a range of competitive deals to choose from. Find out more about how to save money on your Gatwick car parking.

At Gatwick Airport there is no specified maximum period of time for how long you can park your car. This allows for added flexibility, especially if the length of your travel plans changes and you need to park for an extended period of time. It's important to be aware though that if you exceed your pre-booked duration period overstay charges will apply and these can be costly. For instance, overstaying in the long-stay car park can incur charges of an additional £32 per day.

If you intend to book Gatwick Airport Parking for long periods of time, then comparing parking services with a trusted airport provider like Holiday Extras is your best bet. You can compare a range of competitively priced parking deals and services. When you pre-book in advance, you can save up to 80% off and ensure you get the best-value parking for your money.

A shuttle service at Gatwick Airport offers convenient and efficient travel to and from a car parking facility. Shuttle services usually operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and run frequently (typically between every 10-15 minutes). This means you won't have to wait long once you've parked your car to board your shuttle to the airport.

Gatwick shuttle bus services, including those from the Long Stay car park are recommended for their reliability and comfort, providing a straightforward and hassle-free service. Additionally, providers including Purple Parking Park and Ride have accessible shuttle buses for customers with limited mobility or those needing wheelchair access.

Yes. All the car parks we sell at Holiday Extras are airport-approved and include robust security such as CCTV, high-quality lighting and regular patrols. Many also have fencing and security barriers. Check the individual product page for the full list of features for each parking service.

Multi-storey and some on-airport car parks have height limits (often around 2.0 m). Vans, larger vehicles and cars with roof boxes may not be suitable. Please check vehicle restrictions before booking.

Yes, Park & Ride shuttles run in line with flight schedules at Gatwick, including early mornings and late nights. Typically shuttle buses run every 10-15 minutes, with transfer times usually around 10 minutes, depending on the car park and traffic.

For Park & Ride, allow your airline's recommended check-in time plus at least 20–30 minutes for parking and transfers. For ultimate convenience, with Meet & Greet, simply arrive at your booked drop-off time and walk straight to check-in.

If you return later than planned, the car park may charge you a fee for parking longer than you booked for. With our Late Return Cover you'll be refunded any additional payments you incurred up to 48 hours, which helps reduce or waive extra charges if your flight is delayed.

Your booking confirmation includes postcode and directions for your chosen car park. You can also view maps and directions on the product page of each parking service before you book.

Holiday Extras is all about hassle-free travel. This extends to our refund process so if your travel plans change and you need to amend or cancel a ticket, you can do so, easily. With our 'Flextras: Free Cancellation' you can amend or cancel right up to the time you're due to arrive at the airport car park. If you do need to cancel, we'll give you a voucher for the full value of the booking. Find out more via our dedicated guide to airport parking refund page.

Yes, children can use Gatwick shuttle buses and, if you're travelling with infants, you can keep them on your lap where permitted or bring your own child seat to use on the bus where practical (if they fit the bus's seatbelts). Airport shuttle buses are suitable for families, but standard coach seats do not include child seats. It's recommended to check with the individual shuttle operator before you travel.

Availability varies in Park & Ride car parks, so we recommend bringing a suitcase you can wheel from the shuttle to check-in. Luggage trolleys are available all around both terminal buildings at Gatwick Airport. They are operated using a coin deposit system. You will need a £1 or €1 coin, which is refunded when the trolley is returned.

If you notice any damage, report it immediately to the car park operator before leaving the site. You can usually find contact details or procedures for reporting damage on the car park's website or by speaking to a member of staff at the facility. All operators we sell are airport-approved with robust security, but it's important to report any issue straight away.

If you've lost your parking ticket at Gatwick Airport, you should speak to a member of the car park staff as soon as possible. They will be able to assist you with the process for lost tickets, which may involve verifying your identity and your vehicle details.

The busiest periods for airport parking tend to be during the summer school holidays, Christmas, and Easter breaks. To avoid hassle and higher prices, book well in advance and arrive with extra time during these peak seasons.

Tips for finding cheap parking during peak travel times include:

• Booking early, the earlier you reserve, the better the price.
• Choose Park & Ride for the lowest rates.
• Consider a hotel and parking bundle, which is often cheaper than parking alone.

Yes, Holiday Extras offers savings of up to 75% when you pre-book. Keep an eye out for discount codes and seasonal offers too.

Yes, you can book Gatwick parking online right up until the day you travel. Last-minute spaces are subject to availability, so prices may be higher than if you book in advance. We recommend comparing parking options to get the best deal.

The time it takes to travel from a car park facility to either Gatwick's North or South Terminal depends on the airport parking service that you use. But a general guideline is as follows:

• Short Stay car park - Located closer to the terminals, the Short Stay car park is within walking distance and is around a 5-minute walk.
• Long Stay car park - The shuttle service from the Long Stay car park takes about 5 to 10 minutes to reach the South Terminal and around 7 to 12 minutes to reach the North Terminal.
• Park and Ride - Individual car parks offering Park and Ride services have transfer times that vary based on their distance from the airport. For instance, APH is just a 10-minute bus ride away from the terminals, and your car is securely managed with APH's award-winning security measures.
• Meet and Greet parking - The most convenient option, this service offers you quick access to the check-in desks. With Meet and Greet parking, once you drop off your car, it's just a short walk to the terminals.

Yes, if you book your airport parking with Holiday Extras, thanks to Flextras, you enjoy the freedom and flexibility to easily and freely amend or cancel your booking for any reason. Plus, you can re-book for another date without any hassle.