Gatwick Long Stay Parking: Complete Prices & Booking Guide

Gatwick North or South Terminal Long Stay Car Park: Which Fits?

Gatwick has two long stay car parks, one serving North Terminal and one serving South Terminal, and choosing the right one depends entirely on which terminal your airline uses. Booking the wrong car park means an unnecessary shuttle transfer between terminals, so it's worth checking your airline's terminal before you book.

Gatwick north parking long stay is used by airlines including easyJet on many routes, and it sits a short shuttle ride from the North Terminal building. Long stay car parking at Gatwick North Terminal tends to be slightly larger, reflecting the higher volume of departures from that terminal.

Gatwick south parking, often searched as gatwick long stay south parking, serves South Terminal airlines such as British Airways and easyJet's remaining South Terminal routes. The Gatwick South Terminal long stay car park has its own shuttle bus route and drop-off point, entirely separate from the North Terminal service. If you're unsure which one applies to your flight, gatwick long stay south parking is only relevant if your airline departs specifically from South Terminal, so it's always worth checking your booking confirmation first.

Both car parks operate on the same basic model: pre-booked parking, ANPR entry and exit, and a free shuttle bus every few minutes during peak times. The main difference for most travellers is simply proximity to their departure terminal.

How Much Is Long Stay Parking at Gatwick? Full Price Breakdown

How much is long stay parking at Gatwick depends on three main factors: how far ahead you book, the length of your stay, and the time of year you travel. As a general rule, gatwick long stay parking booked several weeks in advance costs considerably less per day than parking booked on the day of travel, so early booking is the single biggest money-saver available to travellers.

Parking prices at both the North and South long stay car parks are calculated per day rather than a flat fee, meaning a two-week holiday will cost proportionally more than a long weekend. Peak periods such as summer holidays, Christmas and Easter typically carry higher parking charges than quieter months, purely because demand for long stay parking at Gatwick rises sharply during school holidays.

To get an accurate, up-to-date quote, always check current parking prices directly through the official booking channel for your travel dates, since rates change seasonally and promotional pricing is common outside peak periods. As a starting point, we always recommend that travellers heading to Gatwick Airport compare parking costs against airport taxi transfers, since for some journeys a direct transfer works out more convenient than leaving a car parked for a fortnight.

How to Pre-Book Long Stay Parking at Gatwick for the Best Rate

Pre-booking is the most reliable way to guarantee a space and the lowest available rate for long stay parking at Gatwick. Walk-up, unbooked parking is usually available but comes at a significantly higher daily cost, and during busy periods spaces can sell out entirely, so booking ahead is genuinely worth the five minutes it takes.

To pre-book parking at Gatwick long stay car parks, you'll typically need your registration number, travel dates and terminal. Confirmation is usually sent by email, and many car parks now recognise your number plate automatically at the barrier rather than requiring a printed ticket.

If you're arranging airport transfer alongside your parking, it's worth booking both early. Combining a pre-booked long stay car park with a scheduled taxi collection on your return means you're never waiting around after a long flight, particularly useful if you land late at night.

What Happens If You Don't Pre-Book?

Turning up without a booking is possible at most Gatwick long stay car parks, but you'll pay the standard walk-up rate, which is almost always higher than any pre-booked price. During July, August and the Christmas period, unbooked spaces can also run out, leaving you searching for alternative parking at short notice.

Gatwick North Parking Long Stay: Access, Layout and Shuttle Bus

Gatwick north parking long stay is a large, fenced car park with clearly numbered zones, security patrols and CCTV coverage throughout. It's worth noting your zone and row number when you park, since the car park is genuinely large and easy to lose your bearings in after a long trip.

The shuttle bus to North Terminal runs frequently, typically every 8 to 10 minutes during the day, with a reduced but still regular service overnight. Journey time is usually around ten minutes including the walk to the shuttle stop, so it's sensible to allow at least 20-25 minutes from car to check-in desk when planning your timings.

For families or groups travelling with a lot of luggage, our fleet of vehicles offers an alternative to the shuttle bus experience, with door-to-door collection directly from the terminal on your return, which can be far more comfortable after an early morning flight or with young children in tow.

Gatwick South Terminal Long Stay Car Park: What to Expect There

The Gatwick South Terminal long stay car park mirrors the North Terminal facility in structure but has its own entrance, exit and shuttle bus route. Long stay car parking gatwick north terminal and the South Terminal equivalent both use the same ANPR technology, so entry and exit should be seamless if you've pre-booked correctly.

South Terminal's long stay car park tends to be busiest during early morning and late evening, matching the peak departure and arrival banks for British Airways and easyJet flights from that terminal. If you're travelling during these windows, allow a little extra time for the shuttle bus, as queues can build during peak hours.

Once you land back at Gatwick, if you'd rather skip the shuttle bus altogether, booking a standard taxi in advance means a driver is waiting for you at arrivals, taking you straight to your front door without the wait for a return shuttle to the car park.

Long Stay Parking vs Meet and Greet vs Valet: Which to Choose?

Long stay parking, meet and greet, and valet parking all solve the same problem in different ways, and the right choice depends on your budget, luggage and how much you value convenience. Long stay parking at Gatwick is the cheapest option but requires a shuttle bus journey at both ends of your trip. Meet and greet means you drop your car right at the terminal and it's parked for you, saving the shuttle bus but costing more. Valet parking is similar to meet and greet but often includes additional services such as car washing.

• Long stay car park: Lowest cost, shuttle bus required, best for budget-conscious travellers with manageable luggage.
• Meet and greet: Higher cost, no shuttle bus, best for early flights or heavy luggage.
• Valet parking: Premium pricing, full-service, best for business travellers wanting minimal hassle.

For travellers who'd rather avoid airport parking altogether, an executive taxi service can be a genuinely cost-competitive alternative once you factor in the total cost of parking for a week or more, especially for shorter trips where daily parking charges add up quickly.

Long Stay Parking for Families, Accessibility and Extra Luggage

Families and passengers with mobility needs should factor in extra time when using any Gatwick long stay car park, since the shuttle bus journey and walk to check-in take longer with pushchairs, wheelchairs or several suitcases. Most shuttle buses have space for luggage trolleys and some wheelchair-accessible spaces are available closer to shuttle stops, though it's worth requesting this when you book.

Assistance for passengers with reduced mobility should be arranged in advance directly with the airport, separate from your parking booking, so that support is ready for you from the car park through to the departure gate.

If travelling as a larger family or group, our MPV cars comfortably seat up to six passengers with luggage, which often works out simpler than juggling car seats, pushchairs and cases across a shuttle bus transfer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Long Stay Gatwick Parking

The most common mistake is booking the wrong terminal's car park, which means an unwanted transfer between North and South Terminal on arrival. Always double-check which terminal your airline departs from before confirming your long stay parking at Gatwick.

Other frequent errors include entering your registration number incorrectly at booking, which can cause issues at the ANPR barrier, and underestimating how long the shuttle bus journey takes during peak season, leading to rushed check-ins.

Travellers also often forget to check the car park's parking time limit conditions, since arriving even a little later than your booked exit window can sometimes result in additional charges. Reading the terms at booking avoids any surprises when you return.

For larger groups travelling together, booking a shared minibus instead of two separate cars can remove several of these risks entirely, since there's only one booking, one pickup time and no barrier codes to worry about.

Getting From the Long Stay Car Park to Your Terminal: Options

Every Gatwick long stay car park is connected to its terminal by a free shuttle bus, running at regular intervals throughout the day and night, though frequency reduces slightly during the early hours. Shuttle stops are clearly signposted from every parking zone, and drivers typically wait for passengers with luggage trolleys.

On your return, follow signs for the shuttle bus pickup point outside arrivals. Buses loop continuously between the terminal and the long stay car park, so waiting times are rarely long except during unusually busy periods.

If you'd prefer a more direct route home after landing, pre-booking one of our reliable taxi services means you avoid the shuttle bus entirely and go straight from the terminal to your destination, which is particularly useful after overnight or delayed flights.

Expert Tips for Getting the Best Value from Long Stay Parking

Booking early remains the single most effective way to reduce the cost of long stay parking at Gatwick, since prices generally rise the closer you get to your travel date. Booking as soon as your flights are confirmed locks in a lower rate.

Travelling outside peak departure times, where flight schedules allow, can also mean shorter shuttle bus waits and a smoother start to your trip. Keeping a note of your parking zone and row number on your phone avoids wasted time searching for your car after a long-haul flight.

Finally, always compare the total cost of multi-day parking against alternative options such as a taxi transfer, particularly for trips under a week, since the daily rate for long stay parking can sometimes exceed the cost of a return airport transfer once you add it all up.

Frequently Asked Questions About Long Stay Parking at Gatwick