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.