Jazmin Li
Gatwick Airport is located at Junction 9 of the M23. If you're picking someone up from the airport, you have a few parking options to choose from. The closest to the terminal is the Terminal Drop Off Zone, which is directly outside the terminals and costs £5 for the first 10 minutes. Another option is the Short Stay car park, which is a 5-minute walk from the terminal and costs £5 for 30 minutes. If you want to avoid parking charges, you can park for free for 2 hours in the Long Stay car parks, which are a 10-minute shuttle ride away from the terminal. Blue Badge holders are exempt from drop-off charges for 30 minutes if they register their number plate in advance.
Gatwick Airport also offers pick-up services through taxi companies such as Blackberry Cars, which continuously monitor live flight arrivals and provide professional, licensed drivers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Closest Pick-up Location | Short Stay car parks |
| Short Stay Car Park Charges | £5 for 30 minutes |
| Short Stay Car Park Location (North Terminal) | Car Park 5 and 6 (postcode: RH6 0PJ) |
| Short Stay Car Park Location (South Terminal) | Car Parks 1, 2 and 3 (postcode: RH6 0LL) |
| Free Pick-up Location | Long Stay car parks |
| Long Stay Car Park Charges | Free for 2 hours, £25 for the first day, £20 for each additional day |
| Long Stay Car Park Location | Follow signs for the Long Stay car park at your terminal |
| Shuttle Service | Yes, free shuttle bus service to the North and South Terminals |
| Shuttle Service Frequency | Every 10 to 15 minutes |
| Shuttle Service Duration | 7-12 minutes from South Terminal, 10-15 minutes from North Terminal |
| Grace Period | Most car parks offer a grace period until midnight at their discretion |
| Blue Badge Holder Charges (Short Stay) | Free for 2 hours at the Long Stay car park, 30 minutes at the Terminal Drop Off Zones |
| Blue Badge Holder Charges (Long Stay) | Standard parking rates apply at Gatwick's other car parks |
| Payment Deadline | Midnight the day after the vehicle was in the zone |
| Late Payment Fine | £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days |
| Pick-up/Drop-off at Terminal Forecourt | Not permitted |
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What You'll Learn
Parking options: Express Pick Up or Long Stay car parks
If you're picking someone up from Gatwick Airport, you have two parking options: Express Pick-Up or Long-Stay car parks.
Express Pick-Up
If you want to pick someone up as close to the terminal as possible, opt for Express Pick-Up, located in the Short-Stay car parks. The Short-Stay car parks are within walking distance of the terminals, so you can be at the terminal in just 5 minutes. At the North Terminal, the Short-Stay car park can be found at Car Park 5 and 6 (postcode: RH6 0PJ). At the South Terminal, the Short-Stay car park can be found in Car Parks 1, 2 and 3 (postcode: RH6 0LL). However, Short-Stay parking is not free, and prices start from £5 for 30 minutes.
Long-Stay
If you want to pick someone up for free, head to the Long-Stay car parks, where you can park for free for 2 hours. A free shuttle bus runs from the Long-Stay car parks to the terminals, with a journey time of about 5 minutes. The shuttle bus runs every 10-15 minutes, so you won't have to wait long. After the first 2 hours of free parking, the cost is £25 for the first day and £20 for each additional day.
Other Options
If you're not planning to park your car and just want to drop someone off at the airport, there are a few other options. The closest and most convenient drop-off point is the Terminal Drop-Off Zone, located directly outside the terminals. However, prices start from £5 for just 10 minutes. If you think you might need longer than 10 minutes, you can park in the Short-Stay car park, which is a 5-minute walk from the terminals and costs £5 for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can drop someone off for free at the Long-Stay car park, which is a 10-minute shuttle ride from the terminal.
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Directions to Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport is 28 miles south of London. Gatwick is directly linked to the M23 at Junction 9 and to the A23 London-Brighton Road. The M25 is just a 10-minute drive away at Junction 7, connecting you to the UK's road and motorway network.
To reach the airport by car, exit the M23 at Junction 9 and follow the signs to Gatwick Airport. At the first intersection, follow the signs for the North Terminal. At the following roundabout, take the third exit for the Long Stay Parking Lot. Pass the gas station on your right, then take the third exit at the next roundabout. Continue for about a mile to the next intersection and turn right.
If you are travelling from Brighton or London, exit the M23 at Junction 9 and follow the signs to Gatwick Airport at the intersection. At the first roundabout (J9a), turn left and follow the signs for the South Terminal. Follow the signage to the Short Stay Parking Lot, moving to the right lane; the entrance barriers will be ahead. Drive to Car Park 5 if you're parking at the North Terminal, or Car Parks 1 or 2 for the South Terminal.
If you are picking someone up from the airport, you have two parking options: Express Pick Up or Long Stay car parks. The former is located in the Short Stay car parks, which are a 5-minute walk from the terminals. The latter option is free for up to 2 hours and is located a 10-minute shuttle ride away from the terminal.
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Pick-up charges
Gatwick Airport has two parking options for those picking up passengers: the Short Stay car parks and the Long Stay car parks. The Short Stay car parks are the closest to the terminals, with a 5-minute walk from the North Terminal's Car Park 5 and 6 and the South Terminal's Car Parks 1, 2 and 3. The Short Stay car parks are priced at £5 for 30 minutes, with a minimum charge of £6 for up to 10 minutes and an additional £1 for each subsequent 10 minutes. The maximum time allowed in the drop-off zone is 60 minutes.
The Long Stay car parks are a free alternative, offering free parking for up to 2 hours. After the initial 2 hours, the Long Stay car parks charge £25 for the first day and £20 for each additional day. To get to the terminals from the Long Stay car parks, passengers can take a free shuttle bus that arrives every 10 to 12 minutes.
Blue Badge holders are exempt from paying Drop Off Zone charges for 30 minutes at the Terminal Drop Off Zones and can park for free for up to 2 hours at the Long Stay car park.
For those looking to save money, the Long Stay car parks are the best option. However, for those who value convenience and proximity to the terminals, the Short Stay car parks are a better choice.
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Drop-off charges
Dropping off passengers at Gatwick Airport can be done for free at the Long Stay car park, which is situated around a 10-15 minute shuttle ride from the North Terminal and a 7-12 minute shuttle ride from the South Terminal. However, if you want to drop off passengers right outside the terminal, you will need to pay a charge.
The designated Terminal Drop-Off Zones are located directly outside the North and South Terminals. These zones use number plate-reading camera technology and are barrier-free, so you simply drive in, pull over in the designated bays, and drive out. The charge for this convenience is £6 for the first 10 minutes, then £1 for each additional minute, up to a maximum of £25 for 30 minutes. You must pay this charge by midnight the day after you use the zone, or you will receive a Parking Charge Notice.
Blue Badge holders are exempt from paying Drop-Off Zone charges for 30 minutes, as long as they register their number plate in advance via the airport's website.
If you want to spend a bit more time saying goodbye, it's recommended that you use the Gatwick Short Stay Car Park, located just a 5-minute walk from the terminals. Prices start from £5 for 30 minutes.
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Taxi services
If you are a taxi driver or picking someone up from Gatwick Airport in a taxi, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to know the different parking options available and their associated costs.
Parking Options:
Express Pick-Up: This option is ideal if you want to be as close to the terminal as possible. The Express Pick-Up area is located in the Short Stay car parks, just a 5-minute walk from the terminal. However, this convenience comes at a cost, with prices starting from £5 for 30 minutes. You can find the Short Stay car parks at the following locations:
- North Terminal: Car Park 5 and 6 (postcode: RH6 0PJ)
- South Terminal: Car Parks 1, 2, and 3 (postcode: RH6 0LL)
- Long Stay Car Parks: If you're looking to save some money, the Long Stay car parks offer free parking for up to 2 hours. From here, you can take a shuttle bus to the terminals, which run frequently, approximately every 10 to 15 minutes. The Long Stay car parks are located a bit further away, but still offer a convenient and cost-effective option.
- Designated Drop-Off Zones: These zones are located directly outside the North and South Terminals, providing a quick and convenient drop-off option. However, they come with a charge, starting from £5 for 10 minutes, and £1 for each additional minute. It's important to note that these zones use number plate-reading camera technology, so make sure to pay the charge by midnight the day after to avoid a fine.
Additional Considerations:
- Blue Badge Holders: If you are a Blue Badge holder, you are exempt from paying drop-off charges for up to 30 minutes at the Terminal Drop-Off Zones. Remember to register your number plate in advance to take advantage of this exemption.
- Pre-booking: While pre-booking is not required for the Short Stay or Long Stay car parks, it is generally advised to reserve your parking in advance, especially at Gatwick Airport, to maximize your savings and ensure a smooth pickup experience.
- Traffic and Delays: Gatwick Airport can be extremely busy, especially during peak travel seasons. Plan your journey to account for potential traffic delays and allow ample time for navigating the airport and locating your passengers.
- Passenger Information: Before arriving at the airport, communicate with your passengers to obtain their flight details and expected arrival time. This will help you plan your journey and determine which terminal to head to.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to pick someone up from Gatwick Airport is to park in the Long Stay car parks, where you can park for free for 2 hours. There is a free shuttle bus to the terminals, which takes around 10 minutes.
Exit the M23 at Junction 9 and follow the signs to Gatwick Airport. At the first roundabout, take the second exit onto Airport Way, following signs for the North Terminal. Then, follow signs for the Long Stay Parking Lot.
Yes, you can park in the Short Stay car parks, located a 5-minute walk from the terminal. However, this option is more expensive, with prices starting from £5 for 30 minutes.
Yes, there are several pick-up services available at Gatwick Airport, including taxi and minicab services. These services offer fixed-price fares, flight monitoring, and meet-and-greet options.
On average, it takes about 1 hour to get out of the airport after landing. However, this time may vary depending on various factors such as the number of passengers and the efficiency of airport operations.
