Your car is likely to be one of your most valuable possessions, so choosing safe, reputable parking is an important part of planning a journey from Gatwick Airport.
Most Gatwick parking providers operate professionally and invest in security measures such as CCTV, perimeter fencing, controlled entry and exit barriers, floodlighting, secure key storage and 24-hour staffing. However, rogue operators have previously left customers’ vehicles in unsecured fields, public streets or unauthorised parking areas.
The good news is that these risks can be reduced by checking the operator, storage location, security measures, independent reviews and booking terms before handing over your vehicle.
Is Gatwick Airport parking secure?
Parking at Gatwick can be a safe option when you book with the airport, an approved meet and greet operator or an established booking provider that clearly explains where and how your vehicle will be stored.
Security arrangements vary between products, so do not rely on a company name, price or proximity to the terminal alone. Check the individual car park information before booking. Useful security features include:
- CCTV monitoring
- Perimeter fencing
- Barrier-controlled entry and exit
- Security lighting
- Regular patrols
- Staff on site 24 hours a day
- Secure procedures for storing vehicle keys
- Recognised accreditations such as Park Mark
No parking facility can promise that an incident will never happen. However, choosing a transparent and properly managed provider can substantially reduce the risks associated with rogue airport parking operators.
How to choose safe Gatwick Airport parking
1. Check whether the operator is approved
Meet and greet customers do not normally see the car park where their vehicle will be stored. This makes it especially important to verify the operator before booking.
Gatwick Airport operates an Approved Operators Scheme. At the time of this update, Gatwick lists APH, Maple Parking, Sure Parking, Tudor Rose and I Love Meet & Greet as approved operators.
According to Gatwick Airport, companies in the scheme must meet requirements that include declaring the sites where customers’ cars are stored, British Parking Association approval and membership of the Trading Standards Buy With Confidence scheme.
2. Confirm where your vehicle will be parked
A reputable provider should explain whether the vehicle will remain at the arrival car park or be moved to another secure compound. Be cautious if a company will not disclose its business address, contact details or vehicle storage arrangements.
3. Look for recognised security standards
Park Mark is a recognised car park security accreditation managed by the British Parking Association through the Safer Parking Scheme. Accredited facilities are independently assessed against standards intended to reduce crime and improve safety for customers and their vehicles.
An accreditation is a useful trust signal, but you should still check the individual product’s security information and booking conditions.
4. Read recent independent reviews
Read a mixture of recent positive and negative reviews rather than relying on a provider’s headline rating. Look for recurring comments about vehicle damage, unexplained mileage, lost keys, delayed collections, communication problems or unexpected charges.
5. Be cautious about unusually low prices
A low price does not automatically mean that a service is unsafe. However, an offer that is substantially cheaper than comparable products deserves additional checks. Compare the price alongside the storage location, security arrangements, transfer details, reviews, insurance information and cancellation terms.
Which type of Gatwick parking is safest?
Park and ride, self-park, on-airport and meet and greet parking can all be suitable choices when operated professionally. The key difference is how the service works and whether you keep your keys.
| Parking type | How it works | Keys | Typically best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park and ride | Park at an off-airport facility and take a shuttle to the terminal | Often left with the operator | Value and longer trips |
| Self-park | Choose your own space and take a shuttle to the airport | Usually kept by you | Travellers who prefer to retain their keys |
| Meet and greet | Meet a driver at or near the terminal and walk to departures | Left with the operator | Convenience, families and bulky luggage |
| On-airport parking | Park within or close to the airport perimeter | Usually kept by you | Fast terminal access |
Always check the product description because procedures can differ between individual car parks.
Gatwick meet and greet parking
How does Gatwick meet and greet parking work?
You drive to a designated meeting area at or close to your departure terminal. After completing the vehicle handover, a professional driver takes your car to the operator’s parking compound. Your vehicle is returned to an agreed collection point after your flight.
Who is meet and greet parking suitable for?
- Families travelling with children
- Passengers carrying heavy or bulky luggage
- People with limited mobility
- Business travellers or passengers short on time
- Anyone who wants to avoid a shuttle-bus transfer
Do you keep your keys?
No. The driver needs your keys to take the car to the secure parking compound and return it after your flight.
How can you check whether meet and greet parking is safe?
Confirm that the operator is included in Gatwick Airport’s current approved operator list. You should also check that the booking explains:
- Who operates the service
- Where the vehicle will be stored
- Whether the drivers are insured
- What security measures protect the storage site
- Where the official handover will take place
- What to do if your flight is delayed
- The process for reporting vehicle damage or making a complaint
APH Meet & Greet Forecourt serves both Gatwick terminals and is operated on APH’s behalf by I Love Meet & Greet. Customers meet a uniformed driver in the designated approved operator area before the vehicle is taken to a secure compound. The service requires customers to leave their keys.
APH also offers a South Terminal meet and greet product with an undercover handover in the Short Stay car park, followed by a covered walk of approximately two minutes to the terminal. Product availability depends on your travel dates and terminal.
Gatwick park and ride parking
How does Gatwick park and ride work?
You drive to an off-airport parking facility, check in and take a shuttle bus to the North or South Terminal. After your return flight, the shuttle takes you back to the car park to collect your vehicle.
APH Park & Ride is located off the M23 near Gatwick and serves both terminals. Current product information states that transfers operate 24 hours a day, normally every 10–15 minutes, with a journey time of approximately 10–12 minutes.
Do you leave your keys?
With the standard APH Park & Ride service, you leave your keys at reception so the team can securely park your car. Some other park and ride services may let you park your own vehicle, so check the product details when comparing options.
What security does APH Gatwick Park & Ride have?
APH’s current product information lists more than 120 CCTV camera points, barrier-controlled entry and exit, security lighting, perimeter fencing, regular monitoring and staff on site 24 hours a day. During busy periods, a vehicle may be moved to APH’s secondary secure site when operationally required.
Park and ride is often suitable for longer stays and travellers looking for competitive parking prices without giving up managed security or regular transfers.
Gatwick self-park: can you keep your keys?
Yes. APH Self Park at Gatwick lets you choose your own parking space and take your keys with you. The car remains where you parked it for the duration of your booking.
The car park serves both terminals, with free shuttle buses running 24 hours a day. Transfers normally operate every 10–15 minutes and take approximately 10–12 minutes. Security measures include CCTV, barrier entry, security lighting, regular monitoring and 24-hour staff.
This can be a useful option if you want the value of off-airport parking but would prefer nobody else to drive your car.
On-airport parking at Gatwick
On-airport car parks are located within or close to Gatwick Airport’s perimeter. Short Stay parking is next to the terminal buildings, while Long Stay facilities usually require a shuttle transfer.
Self-parking products normally allow you to choose a space and keep your keys. Official Gatwick parking facilities use measures such as controlled access and security patrols, but you should still read the information for the specific car park you plan to book.
On-airport parking is generally best suited to travellers who prioritise quick terminal access. It can cost more than off-airport parking, particularly if booked at short notice, so comparing and booking in advance is recommended.
Does it matter which Gatwick terminal you use?
Gatwick has North and South Terminals. APH Park & Ride and APH Self Park serve both terminals, so you can use the same car park whichever terminal your airline uses.
For meet and greet or on-airport parking, you may need to select a terminal-specific product and follow different arrival instructions. Check your airline and terminal before booking, then use the directions included in your confirmation rather than relying only on a postcode.
What should you do before leaving your car?
- Remove valuables: Take laptops, phones, wallets, travel documents and other valuable items with you.
- Photograph the vehicle: Take clear pictures of the bodywork, wheels, windows and windscreen.
- Record the mileage: Photograph the mileage before handing over your keys.
- Remove unnecessary keys: Give the operator only the key needed to move your vehicle.
- Check the fuel or charge level: Keep a simple record before leaving the car.
- Keep your confirmation: Save the booking details, operator’s telephone number and return instructions.
- Check the vehicle is locked: Close the windows and remove any spare keys before leaving.
Warning signs of a rogue Gatwick parking operator
- The company does not reveal where vehicles are stored
- No registered business address or working telephone number is provided
- The meeting point is vague or changes unexpectedly
- You are asked to meet a driver outside the designated operator area
- The business claims to be “official” or “approved” without evidence
- Recent reviews repeatedly mention damage, excess mileage or missing keys
- Insurance, liability and complaint procedures are unclear
- The price is unusually low but the company cannot explain its security arrangements
Using “Gatwick” in a company or website name does not prove that the business is connected with or approved by the airport.
What should you do if there is a problem with your airport parking?
If your car is damaged, returned late, has unexpected additional mileage or you believe it was stored somewhere unauthorised:
- Photograph the vehicle and any damage before driving away.
- Report the issue to the operator immediately.
- Keep your confirmation, receipts, photographs and correspondence.
- Follow the provider’s formal complaints and claims process.
- Contact your insurer if necessary.
- Seek advice from Citizens Advice or Trading Standards for an unresolved consumer complaint.
- Contact the police if you believe a crime has taken place.
Frequently asked questions about Gatwick parking safety
Is meet and greet parking at Gatwick safe?
Meet and greet parking can be safe when provided by a professional operator with insured drivers, transparent storage arrangements and a secure car park. Gatwick recommends checking whether a provider belongs to its Approved Operators Scheme.
Which meet and greet companies are approved at Gatwick?
At the time this article was updated, Gatwick Airport listed APH, Maple Parking, Sure Parking, Tudor Rose and I Love Meet & Greet as approved operators. Check Gatwick Airport’s website before booking because scheme membership can change.
Can I keep my car keys at Gatwick Airport parking?
Yes, if you book a keep-your-keys or self-park product. APH Self Park at Gatwick lets you park your own vehicle and take your keys with you. Meet and greet services and the standard APH Park & Ride service require you to leave your keys.
Is off-airport parking at Gatwick safe?
Off-airport parking can be secure and professionally managed. Check for CCTV, fencing, controlled access, lighting, patrols, 24-hour staff and recognised accreditation. Also confirm where the car park is located and whether your vehicle may be moved.
What does Park Mark mean?
Park Mark is part of the Safer Parking Scheme. Accredited parking facilities have been independently assessed against recognised standards designed to reduce crime and improve safety in parking environments.
Is the cheapest Gatwick parking unsafe?
Not necessarily. Reputable off-airport car parks can offer lower prices because they are located farther from the terminals. Compare security, reviews, accreditations, transfers and booking conditions rather than judging a provider by price alone.
Should I photograph my car before airport parking?
Yes. Photographs of the vehicle, wheels, windscreen and mileage provide a useful record of its condition when you arrived, particularly when leaving your keys with an operator.
Book reputable Gatwick Airport parking
The safest approach is to book in advance with a transparent provider, read the individual product information and follow the arrival instructions in your confirmation. APH lets you compare park and ride, self-park and meet and greet options for both Gatwick terminals.