Gatwick Airport drop-off charge
£10 for 10 minutes. Here's how to pay it, what happens if you forget, and the free way to drop off or pick up at London Gatwick Airport.
When do I have to pay by?
Pay on Gatwick's official site
We don't take payments. That link goes to the airport's own page.
The charge
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | £10.00 |
| Each extra minute (Gatwick lists this up to 20 minutes) | £1.00 |
| Maximum daily charge | £30.00 |
Gatwick's maximum length of stay in the drop-off zones is 30 minutes. There are no barriers: drive in, pull over in the bays, drop off and drive out.
How to pay Pay later, by midnight the day after
- Online through Gatwick's drop-off page (run by Times24)
- Over the phone
- With an AutoPay account set up before you travel
Can you pay in advance? Register your vehicle for AutoPay before you go and it's taken automatically.
Forgot to pay?
If it's not paid by midnight the day after, London Gatwick Airport sends a Parking Charge to the registered keeper. £100 Parking Charge if paid within 28 days, cut to £60 if paid within 14 days.
You can still pay or appeal it: follow the instructions on the letter. Times24 runs Gatwick's drop-off payments and Parking Charge appeals..
Free drop-off and pick-up
You can drop off, pick up and park free for up to two hours in Gatwick's Long Stay car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminals. After 2 hours the Long Stay roll-up rate is £38 for 2–24 hours.
Picking someone up at Gatwick
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 minutes | £8.00 |
| 31–60 minutes | £14.00 |
| 1–2 hours | £18.00 |
| 2–3 hours | £21.50 |
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| 0–2 hours | Free |
| 2–24 hours | £38.00 |
Express Pick-Up bays are inside the Short Stay car parks: North Terminal Car Park 6, Level 4; South Terminal Car Park 3, ground floor. Stay with your car. They're charged at the Short Stay roll-up rates and mustn't be used for drop-offs.
Blue Badge holders and discounts
Blue Badge holders are exempt from the drop-off charge. Register the vehicle (or log in to an existing account) with Times24, which runs the scheme for Gatwick.
Gatwick also runs a Local Commuter Scheme; details are in its drop-off FAQs.
Where to go
North Terminal: leave the M23 at junction 9, go straight ahead at J9a following North Terminal signs, then take the first exit at the next roundabout. The drop-off area is on the lower level between the Sofitel and the multi-storey car park. South Terminal: leave the M23 at junction 9, turn left at J9a for the South Terminal and follow signs for Drop Off. It's on the lower level.
By terminal
Lift or park: which is cheaper?
Being dropped off and picked up means your driver does the trip twice each way: four journeys. This adds that up using Gatwick's own charges.
15p a mile is a starting point; change it to suit your car. Parking prices change by date, so get a quote from the airport's own parking site.
Questions
How much is the drop-off charge at Gatwick Airport?
£10 for 10 minutes in the Drop-off zones on the North and South Terminal forecourts. Gatwick's maximum length of stay in the drop-off zones is 30 minutes. There are no barriers: drive in, pull over in the bays, drop off and drive out.
How do I pay the Gatwick drop-off charge?
Online through Gatwick's drop-off page (run by Times24); Over the phone; With an AutoPay account set up before you travel. You must pay by midnight the day after.
What happens if I forget to pay the Gatwick drop-off charge?
£100 Parking Charge if paid within 28 days, cut to £60 if paid within 14 days. It's sent to the registered keeper of the car.
Can I pay the Gatwick drop-off charge in advance?
Register your vehicle for AutoPay before you go and it's taken automatically.
Is there free drop-off at Gatwick Airport?
You can drop off, pick up and park free for up to two hours in Gatwick's Long Stay car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminals. After 2 hours the Long Stay roll-up rate is £38 for 2–24 hours.
Do Blue Badge holders pay to drop off at Gatwick Airport?
Blue Badge holders are exempt from the drop-off charge. Register the vehicle (or log in to an existing account) with Times24, which runs the scheme for Gatwick.
Where do I pick someone up at Gatwick Airport?
Short Stay car parks (both terminals) and Express Pick-Up bays (up to 30 minutes: £8.00). Express Pick-Up bays are inside the Short Stay car parks: North Terminal Car Park 6, Level 4; South Terminal Car Park 3, ground floor. Stay with your car. They're charged at the Short Stay roll-up rates and mustn't be used for drop-offs.
Sources
- Gatwick: Drop-off charges
- Gatwick: Drop-off terms and conditions
- Gatwick: Picking up
- Gatwick: Roll-up car park prices
Checked on London Gatwick Airport's own website on 15 October 2026. Airports change these charges often, so check the signs on the day. Spotted a change? Email hello@airportdropoff.co.uk.