Important Update: Gatwick Forecourt Drop-Off Charges – January 2025
From 6 January 2025, the minimum forecourt drop-off fee at Gatwick Airport increased to £10. Payments can be made online, by phone, or via AutoPay. Free drop-off remains available in the Long Stay car parks. Blue Badge holders are exempt from all charges.
Gatwick Airport charges a fee every time a vehicle enters a forecourt drop-off zone. Number plate recognition cameras record entries and exits – no barriers, no ticket needed. The minimum charge is currently £10, payable online by midnight the following day. Failure to pay results in a £100 Parking Charge Notice (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days).
Exemptions apply to Blue Badge holders and registered Local Commuters. Meet & Greet parking customers will not receive penalty notices. Read on for full details on both terminals, free drop-off options, and useful alternatives.
Drop-Off at Gatwick North Terminal
The North Terminal drop-off zone is on the lower-level forecourt, between the Sofitel hotel and the multi-storey car park. Enter via Airport Way or London Road and follow the drop-off signs. Once passengers have unloaded, follow the exit signs to leave the zone.
Pay online the same day or by midnight the following day: postpay.dropoff.gatwickairport.com
North Terminal Drop-Off Fees
| Duration | Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | £10 |
| Each additional minute (10–20 mins) | +£1 per minute |
| Maximum charge | £25 |
| Maximum stay | 30 minutes |
Free Drop-Off at Gatwick North Terminal
To drop off for free at the North Terminal, follow signs for Long Stay North. Take a ticket at the barrier and park in any free bay. Passengers can catch the free shuttle bus to the terminal – a five-minute journey running every 10–12 minutes. Exit within two hours using the same ticket and you will pay nothing.
Drop-Off at Gatwick South Terminal
The South Terminal drop-off zone is on the lower-level forecourt directly outside the terminal entrance. Enter from Airport Way and follow the drop-off signs. Once passengers have unloaded, follow the exit signs.
Pay online the same day or by midnight the following day: postpay.dropoff.gatwickairport.com
South Terminal Drop-Off Fees
| Duration | Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | £10 |
| Each additional minute (10–20 mins) | +£1 per minute |
| Maximum charge | £25 |
| Maximum stay | 30 minutes |
Free Drop-Off at Gatwick South Terminal
To drop off for free at the South Terminal, follow signs for Long Stay South. Take a ticket at the barrier and use any free bay. The free shuttle bus to the terminal takes 7-12 minutes and runs every 10-12 minutes. Exit within two hours on the same ticket at no charge.
Exemptions and Special Schemes
Blue Badge Holders
Blue Badge holders are exempt from all Gatwick drop-off charges, but must register in advance. You will need to provide the passenger name(s), flight date(s), your vehicle number plate, and a photo or scan of the Blue Badge. Register your Blue Badge here.
Local Commuter Scheme
Residents in postcodes RH6 0, RH6 9, or RH11 0 who regularly use Gatwick railway station can apply for the Local Commuter Scheme. This allows two free drop-offs per day at the South Terminal for an annual fee of £50. Apply for the Local Commuter Scheme here.
Taxis
Taxis are not exempt from Gatwick’s drop-off charges. Drivers can pass the cost on to passengers as part of the fare.
How to Pay the Gatwick Drop-Off Charge
There are no barriers at Gatwick’s drop-off zones – ANPR cameras record your number plate as you enter and exit. You must pay online by midnight the day after your visit or face a £100 Parking Charge Notice.
- One-off payment: Pay online at postpay.dropoff.gatwickairport.com – same day or by midnight the following day.
- By phone: Call the number provided on the payment reminder.
- AutoPay account: Frequent visitors can set up an AutoPay account so the correct amount is debited automatically each visit.
Picking Up at Gatwick Airport
Picking up passengers takes longer than dropping off, so the forecourt drop-off zones are not ideal – you can only stay 30 minutes and the maximum charge is £25. Better options include:
- Short Stay car parks: The most convenient option for pickups, located right next to each terminal.
- Long Stay car parks: Free for up to two hours. Passengers take the shuttle from the terminal to meet you.
Red Routes at Gatwick Airport
Double red lines on airport roads indicate Red Routes – no stopping, waiting, parking, or unloading at any time. Vehicles in breach receive a £100 penalty (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days).
Short Stay Car Park Rates at Gatwick
If you prefer to park closer to the terminal for drop-offs or pickups, the Short Stay car parks charge the following rates:
| Duration | Short Stay Rate | Premium Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 minutes | £8 | £12 |
| 31–60 minutes | £10 | £15 |
| 1–2 hours | £15.50 | £18.50 |
| 2–3 hours | £19.50 | £23.50 |
| 3–4 hours | £23.50 | £30 |
| 4–5 hours | £27.50 | £36 |
| 5–6 hours | £31 | £43 |
| 6–12 hours | £50 | £62 |
| 12–24 hours | £60 | £75 |
| Each additional day | £60 | £75 |
Parking at Gatwick Airport
-or drivers leaving their car at Gatwick, APH offers excellent value options. APH Park & Ride and APH Self Park are both in a modern, purpose-built car park with full security. Prefer a door-to-terminal service? I Love Meet & Greet lets you drive straight to check-in.
Get an APH Gatwick parking quote →
Hotel and Parking Packages at Gatwick
If you have an early flight or a long journey to the airport, staying overnight nearby can remove a lot of stress. APH offers several options:
- 4★ Holiday Inn Gatwick Worth – free overnight parking, minutes from the APH Car Park with a free morning shuttle.
- 4★ Hampton by Hilton Gatwick – directly connected to the North Terminal.
- 4★ Hilton London Gatwick – covered walkway to the South Terminal.
Get an APH Gatwick hotel and parking quote →
Getting to Gatwick Airport
By Road
Gatwick lies just off M23 Junction 9, 28 miles south of London. From the M25, take Junction 7 south onto the M23 – Gatwick is 10 minutes away. From Brighton, it’s 27 miles via the A23/M23. From Portsmouth, it’s around 75 miles via the A3. From Junction 9, Airport Way leads to the South Terminal roundabout first, then the North Terminal.
By Train
Gatwick was the world’s first airport with a direct railway link (1958). The station is in the South Terminal; a two-minute shuttle connects to the North Terminal.
- Gatwick Express – non-stop to London Victoria in 30 minutes.
- Southern Railway – London Victoria via East Croydon and Clapham Junction; also Brighton, Eastbourne, Southampton, and Portsmouth.
- Thameslink – London Bridge, St Pancras, Luton Airport Parkway, and Bedford.
- GWR – hourly service to Reading via Redhill, Reigate, and Guildford.
Buy tickets online or at the station. Contactless payment is accepted at ticket gates.
By Bus
Metrobus operates most local routes serving Gatwick. From the North Terminal, bus stops are on Furlong Way (five-minute walk). At the South Terminal, lifts from Arrivals reach the A23 for northbound services; southbound buses are on the opposite side via the pedestrian subway. Routes serve Crawley, Horley, Redhill, Reigate, Dorking, Horsham, East Grinstead, and Caterham.
By Coach
National Express runs direct services to 70 destinations from Gatwick, with onward connections to 900 more. At the North Terminal, coaches depart from the lower level outside International Arrivals. At the South Terminal, from the lower forecourt, stops 1–5. The Airline (Oxford Bus Company) also operates a shuttle between Gatwick, Heathrow, and Oxford.
➡ Full guide to Gatwick North Terminal
➡ Full guide to Gatwick South Terminal
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum drop-off charge at Gatwick Airport is £10, which covers the first 10 minutes in the forecourt drop-off zone. After that, an additional £1 is charged for each extra minute, up to a maximum of 30 minutes. The maximum charge is £25. Charges apply at both North and South Terminals.
Yes. The maximum permitted stay in Gatwick’s forecourt drop-off zones is 30 minutes, at a maximum cost of £25. If you need longer, the Short Stay or Long Stay car parks are better options.
You must pay online at postpay.dropoff.gatwickairport.com by midnight on the day after your visit. Payment can also be made by phone. Frequent visitors can set up an AutoPay account so the charge is debited automatically. There are no payment machines in the drop-off zone itself.
Yes. Blue Badge holders are exempt from Gatwick’s drop-off charges, but they must register in advance at the Gatwick ZAT Permit website, providing the passenger name, flight date, vehicle number plate, and a copy of the Blue Badge.
Yes. Free drop-off is available at both North and South Terminals using the Long Stay car parks. You collect a ticket on entry, use a free parking bay, and passengers take the free shuttle bus to the terminal (5 minutes from North, 7-12 minutes from South). Exit within two hours at no charge.
having trouble with ncp,I am a blue badge holder,their website says that I must register my vehicle in advance of visiting hotel,where would I find this information. after droppinjg off family I later received a letter demanding fee, nowhere at the hotel is there any indication thaqt a fee is payable, nowhere is there a facility to pay,l nowhere have I had to access a barrier, I heve now received a final notice. To expect any driver to be able to read the plethora of notices at the airport entrance whilst in a traffic queue is totally unreasonable
Thanks for your comment – sorry to hear about the situation you’ve experienced.
It sounds like your issue relates specifically to NCP-operated hotel or airport parking, which is not managed by APH, and we wouldn’t have access to their registration or enforcement systems. However, we do understand how frustrating this must be, especially when signage is unclear and you’re simply trying to make a quick drop-off.
We’d recommend contacting NCP Customer Services directly via their website: https://www.ncp.co.uk/help-centre/contact-us/. Be sure to include details about your Blue Badge status, the location, dates/times, and any lack of signage or payment facilities. If you believe the charge is unfair, you also have the right to appeal the notice through the appropriate process outlined in their communication.
We hope you’re able to get this resolved quickly.
Recently flew out of Gatwick and parked our car for the 2 weeks we were away. Unfortunately the day we went, we got lost finding the car park and seems we ended up driving through the drop off zone which we didn’t realise. Now we have a fine of £100 just come through. I wouldn’t mind but we didn’t even drop off just took a wrong turn. What are our rights of appeal here??
It sounds frustrating to get a fine for something that was an honest mistake! You might be able to appeal the fine, especially if you have evidence that it was an accidental wrong turn and you didn’t use the drop-off area as intended.
Here’s what you could do:
Check the fine details: Sometimes, the fine notice will include information on how to appeal. Look at the photos or videos they’ve provided to see if they show anything that can help your case.
Document the situation: If you have anything that proves you were genuinely lost (like GPS data or a witness), that might strengthen your case. Even showing you didn’t stop or drop off anyone could help.
Write a clear appeal: When you appeal, explain that you got lost, didn’t stop to drop anyone off, and weren’t using the area for its intended purpose. Be polite but firm, and include any supporting evidence you have.
Check terms & conditions: Look at the terms for using the drop-off area. If they allow for errors or have a grace period, that could be another angle for appeal.
Seek advice: If you’re unsure, you could contact a legal advice service or citizen’s advice bureau for support.
Hopefully, they’ll see this was just a mistake and let you off!
Does autopay work in the short stay, or I have to pay there in the machine?
Autopay is not available for the Gatwick Short Stay car park.
You will need to pay for your parking at the machine located in the car park.
However, if you’re referring to the Gatwick Drop-off Charge, which is separate from the Short Stay car park, then Autopay is available for that. You can set up an Autopay account online to automatically pay the drop-off charge
Tried to pay on 11th Nov but the site did not recognise my number plate, so am unsure whether payment was accepted. if I get a penalty, through no fault of my own, can I appeal? The web site and payment options are a joke!! Someone is making a lot of money out of a poor system. Didn’t have this problem at Heathrow!!!
I’ve recently sold my car and wish to have the Gatwick Airport Registration for Drop Off charge cancelled. How do I do this?
To cancel your Gatwick Airport Registration for Drop Off charge, you will need to get in touch with NCP, the company that manages the drop-off service at the airport. You can contact them by either calling them at 01732 752472 or emailing them at https://www.ncp.co.uk/help-centre/gatwick-airport/.
When you contact NCP, you will be required to provide the following information:
Once NCP receives this information, they will cancel your registration and you will no longer be charged for dropping off passengers at Gatwick Airport.
Has anyone successfully appealed this via POPLA?
I took the red route to get back out after being directed to the drop off point but did not stop, park, drop off or pick up.
No instructions for paying any fee were visible, just a £ sign overhead.
Set my Sat nav for Valet Parking at south terminal and it directed me towards the drop off point. Traffic immediately behind me so I had to drive through. Second time around found the sharp right hand turn immediately before the drop off lane and entered the Valet car park. Been abroad for the last week and I certainly don’t expect to pay a drive through charge as well as what I’ve paid for the valet parking.
Filled my day nav for Valet Parking and it directed me towards the drop off point. Traffic immediately behind me so I had to drive through. Second time around found the sharp right hand turn immediately before the drop off land and entered the Valet car park. Been abroad for the last week and I certainly don’t expect to pay a drive through charge as well as what I’ve paid for the valet parking.
Absolutely no signage about drop off charges to be paid or how and when due; no barriers, no credit card payment points, no nothing!!
Compare this to the Dartford Crossing where it is so clear, with brilliant multiple reminders about payments to be made. Well done Dartford Crossing, applause to you!!
I followed the Gatwick instructions, as per below:
1. Click on “OK”
2. Activate your account
3. Access your content
Done this and it puts me in an eternal loop.
It says it’s a free account but then charges me a £1.00 fee, so I cancelled the payment on a notification advice from my credit card company.
Can’t do anything, can’t access my account that I’ve apparently set up, web site doesn’t work, can’t see if I owe anything.
Complete and utter joke, absolutely useless and a total disgusting rip off and fleecing of the public!!
Total profiteering by Gatwick Airport!! SHAME ON YOU, YOU MONEY GRABBERS!!
It’s a disgrace and the Ombudsman should come down on them like a ton of bricks!!!!
I will not be paying any fee or fine that may appear.
Do you have to pay £5 for a Drive Thru McDonald’s? ….. I think not!!!
I am getting the National Express from Heathrow to Gatwick where my son will pick me up off the bus, where would he park there.
Went to the Sofitel Hotel at Gatwick for our wedding anniversary meal. Drove through looking for the hotel. Had to go round again to get in the right lane for the hotel car park. Road markings were very unclear. Parked in the hotel car park and paid the £12 fee. Drove out 2 hours later and we are now being asked for £25 as if we had dropped someone off. This is not right and I will not be paying this money. I have proof of what happened and can send you copies. Please reply to this.
I am concerned that I have incurred an unecessary fine. I was unable to pay on line I assume it wasn’t working . Also the trains were striking clearly the fee should be wavered in these circumstances. I have just f dropped someone off at Heathrow and the system worked ok this reminded me about my failure to pay. Please help I have no desire to avoid payment.
The person pickling me up went to wrong pick up point so had to go around again and guess what? Charged twice. What a rip off!!
First time at Gatwick. In the dark to pick up daughters as all trains cancelled leaving them stranded. Picked up OK at South long stay. On the way out there is a T junction. SatNav said turn right. There is no sign that I could see that said going that way was chargeable. Finally found where to pay and it shows I was in and out in a minute. What do you think I did opened the doors and threw them and the luggage out as I sped through?
So, another £5 for doing nothing except bad signage plus have to go through web pages stuffed with adverts. Gouge every penny, as bad a Luton. Certainly, learnt not to use Gatwick if I can help it
I got in the wrong lane so drove through the drop off zone but wanted to go into the car park. will I get charged for this as have paid the £5 car park fee, I literally parked up for 13 minutes to pick grandson and girlfriend up.
I dropped off relatives in August unaware of the £5 charge – my relatives assured me that there was a sign saying this was free for the first period (we think 30 minutes) so I did not bother to go online and check. One month later I receive a fine for £100 with a 14 day discounted fee to £15. I would like to complain suggesting I was unaware until engaged in the Drop off line and that we saw a free for the first ….minutes sign. Is this correct?
SATNAV took us through the drop off but had already paid for long stay, do we still have to pay £5
I’ve been charged 3 times and I’ve only received one confirmation message, also it didn’t even recognise my number plate service is terrible no number to call sort your crap out.
Hi I have just got back from holiday I was parked in long stay parking when I exit the car park there was no sign telling me we’re the exit was so I drove throw the drop off area does this mean I will get changed for your very poor sign at Gatwick airport.
The website doesn’t work!!!!
Invalid Hash
Please check that the url is correct
Tried Web chat with no responce, and been on the phone for 40 mins with no reply
All I am wanting to do is PAY the £5 fee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dropped relatives off 19/5/2022 at 12.40 at North Terminal. Displayed my Blue Badge but though I had better pay anyway. Tried to pay on line four times but each time told Invalid Hash Please check that the url is correct. Tried on line chat but no good. How do I pay and stop being sent a Penalty Notice?
A friend drop me off at Gatwick on the 25th April I paid the £5 pound drop off charges and now she has received a 100 pound penalty charge and there is no contact detail for us to speak to anyone , what kind of bullshit is this, is this a rip off? please respond fort with as we need to know if we need to speak with our solicitors.
The website doesn’t work!!!!
Invalid Hash
Please check that the url is correct
What am I meant to do now? Appeal the fine??? I can’t even see contact details.
I am trying pay this charge(£5.00 for 2min) I have registered my car and put my card details and got confirmation my car has been registered then when I go to pay it cannot find my car. this is a compete joke….and I can see no one is even gettinga reply on here let alone someone answering the phone.
I did a drop off on the 28th of match this year around 10 am
After drop off I had a call from work and went straight to work,
On the 29th of April it was only when seeing a tv programme about paying traffic warden fines during the day that I realised I had not paid the £5! drop off payment!
I immediately called the NCP customer services and enquired about payment .
I was told I would have to wait for a penalty notice to be sent. So far nothing has arrived !!
Can you clarify please. I appreciate I will have to pay ba fine BUT I do not want to worry amount paying an enormous amount. It was my first visit to Gatwick since the new system came into operation.
is there a time after so many days that a notice is sent out? I was very willing to pay when I phoned on the 29th of April.
A reply very much appreciated . Humphrey Jaeger.
Thankyou
So still free just use long stay or short stay catch shuttle
trying to pay but wants me to register this is a one off surely i can make a guest one off payment
Not easy to pay on line!
29th March I dropped off friends and paid on line. However I have been charged twice. Can you help? Thanks.
More price gouging!
I investigated buses, but they don’t run early or late enough for my flights!