Last updated: 4 August 2026
Key update: Since 6 January 2026, the minimum forecourt drop-off fee at both Gatwick terminals is £10, rising to a maximum of £30 for the full 30-minute stay allowed. This guide covers exact costs, free alternatives, payment steps and exemptions for North and South Terminal.
At a glance
| North Terminal | South Terminal | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum charge (first 10 mins) | £10 | £10 |
| Additional rate | £1/minute | £1/minute |
| Maximum charge (30 mins) | £30 | £30 |
| Maximum stay | 30 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Free option | Long Stay North car park (2 hrs free + shuttle) | Long Stay South car park (2 hrs free + shuttle) |
| Payment deadline | Midnight the day after use | Midnight the day after use |
| Unpaid charge | £100 PCN (£60 if paid within 14 days) | £100 PCN (£60 if paid within 14 days) |
Prices and charging structures can change – always check Gatwick’s official drop-off page before you travel, and don’t rely on any single article, including this one, for the live rate.
Gatwick North Terminal drop-off
Where is the North Terminal drop-off point?
The North Terminal forecourt drop-off zone is on the lower level, between the Sofitel hotel and the multi-storey car park. Enter via Airport Way or London Road, following signs for “Drop Off/Forecourt.” There are no barriers – cameras (ANPR) record your number plate on entry and exit.
How much does North Terminal drop-off cost?
- Up to 10 minutes: £10
- Each additional minute (minutes 11–30): £1
- Maximum charge for the full 30-minute stay: £30
There’s no way to pay at the forecourt itself – payment is always made afterwards, online or by phone.
How do I pay for North Terminal drop-off online?
Pay at postpay.dropoff.gatwickairport.com any time on the day of your visit, or by midnight the following day. You’ll need your vehicle registration and the date you used the zone. Frequent visitors can instead set up an AutoPay account at dropoff.gatwickairport.com, which charges a saved card automatically each time your plate is recognised – useful if you do regular North Terminal drop-offs and want to skip manual payment entirely.
Free drop-off option at North Terminal
Drive to the Long Stay North car park instead, take a ticket at the barrier, and park in any free bay. A complimentary shuttle bus runs to the terminal roughly every 10–12 minutes (about a 5-minute journey). As long as you exit within 2 hours, there’s no charge at all – the best option if you want to walk in with the passenger rather than just pull up at the curb.
Gatwick South Terminal drop-off
Where is the South Terminal drop-off point?
The South Terminal forecourt zone sits on the lower level, directly outside the terminal entrance. Enter from Airport Way. As with North Terminal, there are no barriers – ANPR cameras log your plate automatically.
How much does South Terminal drop-off cost?
- Up to 10 minutes: £10
- Each additional minute (minutes 11–30): £1
- Maximum charge for the full 30-minute stay: £30
Identical pricing to North Terminal – Gatwick charges the same rate at both.
South Terminal drop-off payment
Pay online at postpay.dropoff.gatwickairport.com on the day, or by midnight the next day, by phone, or through an AutoPay account for repeat visits. The payment window and methods are the same as North Terminal.
Free drop-off option at South Terminal
Use the Long Stay South car park: take a ticket at the barrier, park free, and catch the shuttle bus to the terminal (roughly 7–12 minutes). Exit within 2 hours and you won’t be charged.
Picking up at Gatwick Airport
The forecourt zones aren’t just for drop-off – the same 30-minute maximum and £30 cap apply if you’re waiting to collect arriving passengers. Because flights rarely land to the minute, most people find it cheaper and less stressful to wait in a Short Stay car park (a short walk from either terminal) or a Long Stay car park (free for 2 hours, shuttle included) and time their arrival once the passenger has landed and cleared arrivals, rather than circling or waiting on the forecourt itself.
Exemptions and special schemes
Blue Badge holders are exempt from the forecourt charge, but registration is required in advance through Gatwick’s Times24 system at gatwick-app.zatpermit.com. You’ll need the passenger’s name, flight date, vehicle registration, and a copy of the Blue Badge.
Local Commuter Scheme: residents in RH6 0, RH6 9 or RH11 0 postcodes can apply for two free daily drop-offs at South Terminal for a £50 annual fee. Scheme terms can change, so confirm current eligibility and cost directly with Gatwick before applying.
Taxis and private hire vehicles are not exempt – any forecourt charge is passed on to the passenger as part of the fare.
How to pay and what happens if you don’t
There are three ways to pay: online same-day or by midnight the next day, by phone, or via a pre-registered AutoPay account. Because there are no barriers, missing the payment deadline results in a Parking Charge Notice of £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. There’s no grace period beyond the stated deadline, so it’s worth paying immediately after you drive off rather than relying on memory.
Red Routes at Gatwick
Double red lines around the airport mark routes where stopping, waiting or unloading is prohibited at all times, including on approach roads to both terminals. These are enforced separately from the forecourt charge and carry the same £100 penalty (£60 if paid within 14 days) for any stop, however brief.
Short Stay car park rates
If you’d rather park a little longer without watching the clock, Short Stay and Premium Short Stay car parks sit closer to the terminals than Long Stay:
| Duration | Short Stay | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 mins | £8 | £12 |
| 31–60 mins | £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 |
These rates change with demand and season – use Gatwick’s live booking tool for the exact price on your travel dates rather than treating this table as guaranteed.
Airport parking options if you’re staying longer
If you’re heading away rather than just dropping someone off, off-airport parking is almost always cheaper than the forecourt or even Gatwick’s own Short Stay car parks:
- APH Park & Ride Gatwick: secure off-site parking with regular shuttle transfers.
- APH Meet & Greet Forecourt: a fully-trained valet parks your car for you at the terminal – no transfer bus needed.
- APH Meet & Greet North Terminal: the North Terminal-specific version of the above.
- I Love Meet and Greet Parking and Ace Parking Meet & Greet: further Meet & Greet options at different price points.
- See the full range of Gatwick parking options to compare live prices and availability.
Hotel and parking packages
- Holiday Inn Gatwick Worth (4★): free overnight parking, minutes from the APH car park, with a free morning shuttle.
- Hampton by Hilton Gatwick (4★): directly connected to North Terminal.
- Hilton London Gatwick (4★): covered walkway to South Terminal.
Getting to Gatwick Airport
By road: off M23 Junction 9, around 28 miles south of London. From M25 Junction 7 it’s roughly 10 minutes via the M23. Brighton is about 27 miles via the A23/M23; Portsmouth around 75 miles via the A3.
By train: Gatwick Express runs non-stop to London Victoria in 30 minutes. Southern Railway connects to Victoria via East Croydon and Clapham Junction, plus Brighton, Eastbourne, Southampton and Portsmouth. Thameslink serves London Bridge, St Pancras, Luton Airport Parkway and Bedford. GWR runs an hourly service to Reading via Redhill, Reigate and Guildford.
By bus: Metrobus operates local routes. At North Terminal, buses stop on Furlong Way, a 5-minute walk from the terminal. At South Terminal, lifts from Arrivals reach the A23 for northbound services, with southbound access via a pedestrian subway.
By coach: National Express serves around 70 destinations with 900+ onward connections. At North Terminal, coaches stop on the lower level outside International Arrivals; at South Terminal, at the lower forecourt stops 1–5. The Airline (Oxford Bus Company) also runs shuttles between Gatwick, Heathrow and Oxford.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drop off at Gatwick Airport in 2026?
£10 for the first 10 minutes, then £1 for each additional minute, up to a maximum of £30 for the full 30-minute stay allowed – the same at both North and South Terminal.
Is there a time limit for using the drop-off zone?
Yes – 30 minutes maximum, at a maximum cost of £30. For anything longer, use a Short Stay or Long Stay car park instead.
How do I pay the Gatwick drop-off charge?
Online at postpay.dropoff.gatwickairport.com on the day or by midnight the next day, by phone, or through a pre-registered AutoPay account. There are no payment machines at the drop-off zone itself.
What happens if I don’t pay in time?
You’ll receive a Parking Charge Notice of £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
Can I drop off for free at Gatwick?
Yes – use the Long Stay car park at either terminal. Take a ticket on entry, park in a free bay, and catch the shuttle to the terminal (about 5 minutes from North, 7–12 minutes from South). Exit within 2 hours and there’s no charge.
Can Blue Badge holders drop off for free?
Yes, but you must register in advance through Gatwick’s Times24 system at gatwick-app.zatpermit.com, with the passenger’s name, flight date, vehicle registration and a copy of the Blue Badge.
Are taxis exempt from the drop-off charge?
No – taxis and private hire vehicles pay the same charge, which is typically passed on to the passenger.
Is the charge the same at North and South Terminal?
Yes, both terminals use identical pricing: £10 for 10 minutes, £1 per additional minute, up to £30 maximum.
What’s the Local Commuter Scheme?
A scheme for residents of RH6 0, RH6 9 and RH11 0 postcodes, offering two free daily drop-offs at South Terminal for a £50 annual fee. Confirm current terms with Gatwick directly, as eligibility and pricing can change.
Is picking someone up cheaper than dropping them off?
No – the same forecourt rates and 30-minute limit apply to pick-ups. Waiting in a Short Stay or Long Stay car park until your passenger has landed is usually cheaper and less stressful than waiting on the forecourt.