Gatwick Airport Drop-off Charges

woman outside airport

Gatwick Airport Drop-off Charges

In March 2021, new charges were introduced for the drop-off zones at Gatwick Airport. Number plate reading cameras have been installed and each time a vehicle enters the drop-off zone there is a minimum charge of £6.00, which is payable online once you have exited the zone.

Exemptions are in place for Blue Badge holders and there is a local commuter scheme for commuters who are regularly dropped off at Gatwick South Terminal for the railway station. Provisions are also in place for Meet & Greet parking, to avoid penalty notices being issued.

All other vehicles must pay the new fees. Read on for more helpful information on dropping off at Gatwick North and Gatwick South Terminals.

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Drop-off – Gatwick North Terminal

The drop-off zone at Gatwick North Terminal is the lower-level forecourt area, between the Sofitel and the multi-storey car park. Enter the North Terminal from Airport Way or London Road and follow the signs to the drop-off zone. Once your passengers have collected their luggage, follow the signs to exit the drop-off zone.

The drop-off charge must be paid online the same day or before midnight the following day. Failure to pay will generate a parking charge notice of £100, which is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

Drop-off fees – Gatwick North Terminal

  • £6 for the first 10 minutes
  • £1 for each additional minute, up to 20 minutes
  • maximum charge: £25
  • maximum length of stay: 30 mins

Free drop off – Gatwick North Terminal

You can still drop off for free at Gatwick North. Follow the Long Stay North car park signs, take a ticket at the entry barrier, and find a free parking bay. Your passengers can take the free shuttle bus to the terminal, which is just five minutes away. The shuttles run every 10-12 minutes, so please make sure your passengers factor in enough time to get to check-in and boarding. Exit the car park using the same ticket; no charge is payable if you have stayed less than two hours.

Drop-off – Gatwick South Terminal

The drop-off zone at Gatwick South Terminal is on the lower-level forecourt area right outside the terminal entrance. Enter the South Terminal from Airport Way and follow the signs to the drop-off zone. Once your passengers have collected their luggage, follow the signs to exit the drop-off zone.

The drop-off charge must be paid online the same day, or before midnight the following day. Failure to pay will generate a parking charge notice of £100, which is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

Drop-off fees – Gatwick South Terminal

  • £6 for the first 10 minutes
  • £1 for each additional minute, up to 20 minutes
  • maximum charge: £25
  • maximum length of stay: 30 minutes

Free drop off – Gatwick South Terminal

You can still drop off for free at Gatwick South. Follow the Long Stay car park signs, take a ticket at the entry barrier, and find a free parking bay. Your passengers can take the free shuttle bus to the terminal, which takes between 7 and 12 minutes. The shuttles run every 10-12 minutes, so please make sure your passengers factor insufficient time to get to check-in and boarding. Exit the car park using the same ticket; no charge is payable if you have stayed less than two hours.

gatwick people outside terminal

Blue Badge exemptions

To receive an exemption to the drop-off fees, Blue Badge holders must register their details in advance and provide passenger name(s), date of a flight(s), vehicle number plate, and a photo or scan of the Blue Badge. 

Local Commuter Scheme

For local commuters who use Gatwick Airport railway station, there is a Local Commuter Scheme, which permits two free drop-offs per day at the South Terminal, for an annual fee of £50. Those eligible to register for the scheme must live in one of three postcodes: RH6 0, RH6 9, or RH11 0. 

Automatic payments

Regular visitors to Gatwick can create an AutoPay account, so your payment card is debited automatically with the appropriate charge each time your vehicle enters the drop-off zone.

Arriving by taxi

Taxis are not exempt from the drop-off charges at Gatwick Airport, but drivers can add the charge to the passenger fare.

Are there barriers to the drop-off zones?

The drop-off zones have been deliberately left barrier-free, to allow the free flow of traffic. The new number plate recognition cameras record each vehicle’s registration at the time it enters and exits the zone, and the appropriate fee is payable online.

Picking up at Gatwick Airport

The Short Stay car parks are the most convenient place to pick up passengers, as picking up can take much longer than dropping off. In the drop-off zone, the charges increase after the first 10 minutes and the maximum length of time you can stay is 30 minutes, which will cost £25 – a lot more than the Short Stay car parks. 

Alternatively, you can use the Long Stay car parks, which offer free parking for up to two hours. Your passengers will just need to take the shuttle bus to the car park from the terminal.

Red Routes

Watch out for red routes on the airport roads, which are marked with double red lines. Red routes mean no stopping, no waiting, no parking, or unloading. Any vehicle contravening the red route restrictions will receive a penalty of £100 (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days).

Parking at Gatwick

There is a wide range of parking options at Gatwick for those wanting to drive their own car to and from the airport. For the best value, you can’t beat APH Park & Ride or APH Self Park, which are both based in a modern, purpose-built car park fitted with all the latest security technology. Or select a chauffeur service, such as I Love Meet & Greet, where you simply drop your car at the terminal and walk straight to check-in.

Get an APH Gatwick parking quote here.

Hotel & parking at Gatwick

Staying overnight at the airport before your flight makes for a relaxing start to a trip away, especially if you have an early flight departure or are travelling some distance from the airport.

We offer a variety of airport hotels; some located next to the North or South Terminal, others just a short drive from either the airport or one of our great-value off-airport car parks. The 4* Holiday Inn Gatwick Worth, for example, offers free overnight parking and is just a few minutes from the APH Car Park, where you can leave your car in the morning and take the free shuttle to the airport terminal.

Alternatively, the 4* Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick is connected directly to the North Terminal and the 4* Hilton London Gatwick is a few minutes by a covered walkway to the South Terminal. Both of these hotels can be booked in conjunction with the APH Car Park to make a cost-effective hotel and parking package.

Get an APH Gatwick hotel and parking quote here.

Getting to Gatwick Airport – by road

Lying just off the M23 Junction 9, Gatwick is 28 miles south of London and offers easy access to the southeast of England and the rest of the UK via the national motorway network. 

If you are approaching Gatwick from the north, it’s just 10 minutes down the M23 from the M25, Junction 7. If you are coming from the south, it’s 27 miles from Brighton via the A23/M23 or 75 miles via the A3 from Portsmouth. 

From Junction 9 of the M23, Airport Way takes you to the entrance of the South Terminal at the first roundabout and then to the entrance of the North Terminal at the second roundabout.

Getting to Gatwick Airport – by train

Gatwick was the first airport in the world to have a direct railway link – back in 1958.

You’ll find the railway station in the South Terminal, close to the shuttle that whisks you to the North Terminal in just two minutes.

For a non-stop 30-minute service to London Victoria, take the Gatwick Express. Alternatively, take the slower but cheaper local Southern train to London Victoria via East Croydon and Clapham Junction. Southern services will also get you to Brighton, Eastbourne, Southampton, and Portsmouth, while Thameslink connects you to London Bridge, St Pancras, Luton Airport Parkway, and Bedford. There is an hourly GWR service to Reading via Redhill, Reigate, and Guildford.

Tickets can be bought online or at the station. You can also use contactless payment at the ticket gates.

Getting to Gatwick Airport – by bus

Metrobus runs most of the local buses that serve Gatwick Airport. From the North Terminal, the bus stops are on Furlong Way – a five-minute walk. In the South Terminal, take the lift down from Arrivals to the A23 for northbound buses, and for southbound buses, take the lift from the shuttle station near the train station to the other side of the A23. There is a pedestrian subway under the A23 if you find yourself on the wrong side of the road. 

Bus routes include Crawley, Horley, Redhill, Reigate, Dorking, Horsham, East Grinstead, and Caterham.

Getting to Gatwick Airport – by coach

National Express operates services to 70 destinations direct from Gatwick, with connections to 900 more. Buy tickets online or from the National Express desks in the North and South Terminal. In the North Terminal, the National Express coaches arrive and depart from the lower level, outside International Arrivals. In the South Terminal, they arrive and depart from the lower forecourt, stops 1 to 5.

In addition to National Express services, The Airline (Oxford Bus Company) shuttles between Gatwick and Oxford via Heathrow.

Guide to Gatwick North Terminal

Guide to Gatwick South Terminal

Short Stay Car Parks

The Short-Stay Car Parks at Gatwick Airport are accessible from both the South and the North Terminals. When picking up and dropping off passengers, you can park here.

Premium short stay parking

For customers who value the convenience of being as close to the terminals as possible and having access on the same level, we have dedicated parking in both the North and South Terminal short stay car parks.

The table below shows the daily and hourly rates at these facility:

Parking DurationCost (short stay car park)Cost (premium short stay)
Up to 10 minutes£6.00£6.50
£31 to 60 minutes£8.00£10.30
1 to 2 hours£13.00£15.00
2 to 3 hours£15.00£19.00
3 to 4 hours£19.00£24.50
4 to 5 hours£22.00£29.50
5 to 6 hours£26.00£35.00
6 to 12 hours£40.00£50.00
12 to 24 hours£45.00£55.00
Every extra day£45.00£55.00

FAQs

How much does it cost to drop off passengers at Gatwick Airport?

The cost of dropping off passengers at Gatwick Airport depends on how long you stay in the drop-off zone. There is a £6 charge for up to 10 minutes, and an additional £1 for each subsequent 10 minutes.

Is there a time limit for using the drop-off zone at Gatwick Airport?

Yes, there is a time limit for using the drop-off zone at Gatwick Airport. You are allowed to stay in the drop-off zone for a maximum of 60 minutes.

Can I pay for the drop-off charge at Gatwick Airport with card or online?

Yes, you can pay for the drop-off charge at Gatwick Airport with either card or Online. Payment machines are located in the drop-off zone or pay online.

Is there a dedicated drop-off zone for disabled passengers at Gatwick Airport?

Yes, there is a dedicated drop-off zone for disabled passengers at Gatwick Airport. This is located next to the terminal building and can be accessed via the short-stay car park.

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32 comments for “Gatwick Airport Drop-off Charges

  1. A Reed says:

    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??

    • APH Parking says:

      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!

  2. Gyula Lovaszi says:

    Does autopay work in the short stay, or I have to pay there in the machine?

    • APH Parking says:

      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

  3. Brian Gullett says:

    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!!!

  4. Valerie Atkinson says:

    I’ve recently sold my car and wish to have the Gatwick Airport Registration for Drop Off charge cancelled. How do I do this?

    • APH Parking says:

      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:

      • Your name and contact details.
      • The vehicle registration number of the car you have sold.
      • Proof of sale of the car, such as a copy of the bill of sale.

      Once NCP receives this information, they will cancel your registration and you will no longer be charged for dropping off passengers at Gatwick Airport.

  5. Chris says:

    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.

  6. Roger Pepper says:

    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.

  7. Roger Pepper says:

    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.

  8. Peter Blakeney says:

    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!!!

  9. Barbara says:

    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.

  10. Danny Murphy says:

    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.

  11. Gary Jacobs says:

    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.

  12. Hugh Nickless says:

    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!!

  13. Peter Smith says:

    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

  14. Lynne Joan Lindsay says:

    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.

  15. Nigel Law says:

    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?

  16. Caroline james says:

    SATNAV took us through the drop off but had already paid for long stay, do we still have to pay £5

  17. Kallum Stracey says:

    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.

  18. Ian fagg says:

    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.

  19. nicholas porter says:

    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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  20. Gillian Hedges says:

    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?

  21. Ricardo Francis says:

    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.

  22. Franky says:

    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.

    • Sheraz says:

      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.

  23. Humphrey Jaeger says:

    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

  24. Rich Sole says:

    So still free just use long stay or short stay catch shuttle

  25. p coombs says:

    trying to pay but wants me to register this is a one off surely i can make a guest one off payment

  26. Patricia Grady says:

    Not easy to pay on line!

  27. David John Beattie says:

    29th March I dropped off friends and paid on line. However I have been charged twice. Can you help? Thanks.

  28. David says:

    More price gouging!

    I investigated buses, but they don’t run early or late enough for my flights!

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