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.
I was spent one minute in the drop-off zone on Wednesday and was charged £26! Why was I not charged the normal £10?
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!