Finding the right Gatwick airport parking can make the start of your holiday easier — and booking the right option in advance can also save you money.

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Whether you want the cheapest Park & Ride, the convenience of Meet & Greet, official Gatwick parking or a hotel and parking package for an early flight, there are plenty of options to choose from.

In this guide, we compare the main Gatwick airport parking options, explain the differences, look at which are best for families and show you how to find the best value for your travel dates.

Gatwick Airport Parking: Quick Answer

The best Gatwick airport parking option depends on your budget, flight time and how much convenience you want.

Park & Ride is usually the best choice if keeping costs down is the priority. You park your car and take a transfer bus to the terminal.

Meet & Greet is often the easiest option for families, especially when travelling with children, luggage or an early-morning flight. You drive to the designated meeting point and hand your car over before heading into the terminal.

Hotel + parking packages can be particularly useful for very early departures or if you’re travelling a long distance to Gatwick, combining an overnight stay with parking for your holiday.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Don’t choose on price alone. Check the transfer time, where your car will be stored, whether you keep your keys and which Gatwick terminal the parking option serves before booking.

What Are the Different Gatwick Airport Parking Options?

There are several types of Gatwick airport parking, and the best choice isn’t necessarily the cheapest one. The main differences are how close you park to the terminals, whether a transfer bus is required and whether you leave your keys.

For most holidaymakers, the choice comes down to Park & Ride, Meet & Greet, on-airport parking or off-airport parking. Here’s how they compare.

Park & Ride at Gatwick

Park & Ride is a popular option for travellers looking to keep the cost of Gatwick airport parking down. You drive to the car park, leave your vehicle and take a shuttle bus to the airport terminal.

The main advantage is price. Park & Ride options can often provide better value than parking closer to the terminal, particularly for longer holidays.

The trade-off is convenience. You’ll need to allow extra time for the transfer between the car park and terminal, which is worth considering if you’re travelling with young children, several suitcases or during the early hours of the morning.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Don’t compare Park & Ride options on price alone. Check the transfer frequency and estimated transfer time before booking — saving a few pounds may not be worthwhile if it adds considerably more time to your journey.

Meet & Greet Parking at Gatwick

Meet & Greet parking is designed for convenience. Rather than travelling to a remote car park and taking a shuttle bus, you drive to the designated drop-off area, hand over your vehicle and continue towards the terminal.

For families, this can be one of the easiest ways to park at Gatwick. There’s no need to load children, pushchairs and luggage onto a transfer bus after you’ve already driven to the airport.

Meet & Greet will often cost more than the cheapest Park & Ride option, but the additional convenience can make it worthwhile — particularly for families, early departures and travellers carrying lots of luggage.

On-Airport Parking at Gatwick

On-airport parking generally means parking within the Gatwick Airport site, with options designed to provide relatively easy access to the terminals.

Depending on the car park you choose, you may be able to walk to the terminal or use a short transfer. This can make on-airport parking particularly attractive for families who want a straightforward arrival at Gatwick.

The extra convenience can come at a higher price than some off-airport alternatives, so it’s worth comparing the total cost for your actual travel dates.

Off-Airport Parking at Gatwick

Off-airport parking uses car parks located outside the main airport site. These are generally connected to Gatwick by a transfer service, with journey times varying between providers.

These car parks can offer excellent value, particularly for longer trips, but check exactly what is included before booking. Look at the transfer time, frequency, opening hours, security arrangements and whether you need to leave your keys.

For a two-week family holiday, even a relatively small difference in the daily parking cost can add up, making off-airport parking well worth comparing with the official airport options.

Gatwick Airport Parking Options Compared

Parking type	Best for	Convenience	Transfer	Typical cost
Park & Ride	Saving money	⭐⭐⭐	Bus	£–££
Meet & Greet	Families & convenience	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	None/very little	££–£££
On-Airport	Easy terminal access	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Walk/short transfer	££–£££
Off-Airport	Longer holidays & value	⭐⭐⭐	Usually bus	£–££

🏆 Holiday Blueprint Verdict: For most families, we’d compare Park & Ride and Meet & Greet first. Park & Ride is usually the one to investigate when price matters most, while Meet & Greet can be worth paying more for when convenience is the priority.

How Much Does Gatwick Airport Parking Cost?

The cost of Gatwick airport parking can vary considerably depending on your travel dates, how long you’re away, the type of parking you choose and how early you book.

Rather than relying on a single headline price, it’s better to compare parking for your actual holiday dates. School holidays, weekends and other busy travel periods can all affect availability and price.

As a general rule, Park & Ride and off-airport parking are worth checking first when price is your priority, while Meet & Greet and convenient on-airport options may cost more in return for an easier journey to the terminal.

Is It Cheaper to Book Gatwick Parking in Advance?

In many cases, yes. Pre-booking Gatwick airport parking gives you the opportunity to compare different options before you travel rather than simply turning up and paying the available rate.

Booking ahead can be particularly important during school holidays and other busy travel periods, when the best-value parking options may have less availability as your departure date approaches.

Holiday Extras currently advertises savings of up to 70%* when airport parking is pre-booked, although the actual saving will depend on your dates and the parking option you choose.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Once your flights are booked, start comparing airport parking. You don’t necessarily have to choose the cheapest option immediately — compare the cancellation terms as well, particularly if your holiday is still several months away.

Park & Ride vs Meet & Greet at Gatwick: Which Is Better?

For many families, the biggest decision when choosing Gatwick airport parking is whether to book Park & Ride or Meet & Greet.

Neither option is automatically better. Park & Ride generally makes more sense when keeping the cost down is the priority, while Meet & Greet is usually about saving time and making the airport journey easier.

Choose Park & Ride If…

Park & Ride is likely to suit you if you’re happy to allow extra time before your flight and want to keep parking costs as low as possible.

It can be particularly good value for longer holidays, when the difference in parking price can become more noticeable.

Just remember that you’ll have to get your family and luggage from the car onto the transfer bus and then from the bus into the terminal.

Choose Meet & Greet If…

Meet & Greet is worth considering if convenience matters more than finding the absolute cheapest parking.

For families travelling with young children, pushchairs, several suitcases or sports equipment, avoiding a transfer bus can make the beginning and end of the holiday considerably easier.

We’d also seriously consider it for very early flights. Getting children and luggage onto a transfer bus at 4am isn’t necessarily how you want to start your holiday.

🏆 Holiday Blueprint Verdict

Park & Ride wins on value. Meet & Greet wins on convenience.

For a couple travelling light, we’d usually look at Park & Ride first. For a family with children and several cases, we’d compare the Meet & Greet price before deciding — if the difference isn’t substantial, the extra convenience could be well worth paying for.

Gatwick North Terminal vs South Terminal Parking

Gatwick has two passenger terminals — North Terminal and South Terminal — so it’s important to check which terminal your airline uses before choosing your parking.

Some Gatwick parking products are particularly convenient for one terminal, while others provide transfers that serve both. Your booking information should explain exactly where to park and how you’ll reach the correct terminal.

If the cheapest parking option adds an awkward terminal transfer to your journey, it may be worth paying slightly more for an option that makes getting to your flight easier.

Gatwick North Terminal Parking

If you’re flying from Gatwick North Terminal, check that your chosen parking option serves the North Terminal directly or clearly explains the transfer arrangements. Some parking services cover both terminals, while others have different drop-off, collection or transfer procedures depending on which terminal you’re using.

Gatwick South Terminal Parking

The same principle applies when flying from Gatwick South Terminal. Look for parking that provides straightforward access to South Terminal and check the transfer arrangements before booking.

This is particularly important when travelling with children or catching an early flight, when an unnecessarily complicated transfer is the last thing you need.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Check your airline and terminal before booking parking, but check again shortly before travelling too. Airlines and airport arrangements can change, so always use the latest information supplied by your airline and Gatwick Airport.

Best Gatwick Airport Parking for Families

The best Gatwick airport parking for families isn’t always the cheapest option. When you’re travelling with children, suitcases, hand luggage and perhaps a pushchair, convenience can be worth paying a little extra for.

For families on a tighter budget, Park & Ride can still be an excellent choice — particularly if the transfer is frequent and the journey to the terminal is short.

For maximum convenience, we’d compare the price of Meet & Greet. Being able to leave the car close to the terminal rather than transferring the whole family onto a shuttle can make departure day considerably easier.

Hiring a car at your destination too? Read our [Orlando Car Hire for UK Travellers] guide for everything you need to know before booking.

What Should Families Look For?

• Transfer time — shorter is generally easier with children.
• Transfer frequency — particularly important for early or late flights.
• Luggage — consider how easy several suitcases will be to manage.
• Pushchairs — check whether using a transfer bus will be practical.
• Keep your keys — some travellers prefer parking where they retain their keys.
• Cancellation terms — useful when booking well ahead.
• Security — use reputable parking providers and check the details of where your vehicle will be stored.

🏆 Holiday Blueprint Family Pick

Meet & Greet would be our first option to compare for families, especially for an early flight or when travelling with lots of luggage. But if there’s a substantial price difference, a well-reviewed Park & Ride with frequent transfers can offer much better value.

Gatwick Airport Hotels with Parking

If you have an early flight or a long drive to Gatwick, booking a Gatwick airport hotel with parking can make the start of your holiday much more relaxed.

These packages combine an overnight hotel stay with parking for some or all of your trip. Instead of driving to Gatwick in the middle of the night, you can arrive the evening before, check into your hotel and start your journey properly rested.

They can be particularly useful for families with children, travellers coming from further afield and anyone with a very early check-in time.

Is a Gatwick Hotel + Parking Package Worth It?

It can be. The important thing is to compare the total package price rather than looking at the hotel and parking separately.

Sometimes the difference between parking alone and a hotel-and-parking package can be smaller than you might expect. If that’s the case, having a night’s accommodation before your flight can represent excellent value.

Check exactly how the parking works too. Depending on the package, you may park at the hotel, move your car to another car park, use a transfer service or choose a Meet & Greet-style arrangement.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

For an early-morning flight, compare parking only vs hotel + parking before booking. Even if the package costs more, avoiding a very early drive to Gatwick may make the extra cost worthwhile — particularly with children.

When Should You Book Gatwick Airport Parking?

Once your flights are confirmed, it’s worth starting to compare Gatwick airport parking rather than leaving it until the last minute.

Parking availability and prices can vary depending on your travel dates, and popular options may become more limited during school holidays, bank holidays and other busy periods.

Booking earlier also gives you more time to compare Park & Ride, Meet & Greet, on-airport parking and hotel + parking packages rather than simply choosing from whatever is still available close to departure.

Can You Book Gatwick Parking at the Last Minute?

You can sometimes find Gatwick parking close to your departure date, but we’d avoid relying on this — particularly if you’re travelling during a busy period.

Leaving it late could mean fewer parking choices, and the most convenient or best-value options may no longer be available.

If your travel plans aren’t completely fixed, look carefully at the cancellation and amendment terms when comparing parking. A flexible booking can give you the reassurance of arranging your parking early without necessarily locking yourself into plans that may change.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Set a reminder to compare airport parking as soon as you’ve booked your flights. Even if you don’t book immediately, you’ll get an idea of the prices and parking options available for your dates.

How Early Should You Arrive at Gatwick Airport Parking?

How early you need to arrive will depend partly on the type of Gatwick airport parking you’ve booked.

If you’re using Park & Ride, allow additional time to park your car, unload your luggage, wait for the transfer and travel to the terminal. Don’t treat your arrival at the car park as your arrival at Gatwick Airport.

With Meet & Greet, the process can be quicker, but you’ll still need to follow the provider’s instructions carefully and allow enough time to hand over your vehicle before heading into the terminal.

For on-airport parking, check how far the car park is from your terminal and whether you’ll need to walk, use a shuttle or take another form of transfer.

Don’t Forget the Parking Transfer Time

One of the easiest mistakes to make is planning your journey around the airline’s recommended airport arrival time without accounting for the parking process.

For example, if you want to be inside the terminal three hours before your flight, you’ll need to arrive at your parking facility before that, allowing enough time for parking, luggage and any transfer.

Transfer arrangements vary between parking products, so check the instructions supplied with your booking rather than relying on a general transfer time.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Work backwards from the time you want to enter the terminal, not your flight departure time. Add the parking provider’s recommended transfer time plus a little extra contingency for traffic, luggage and travelling with children.

Is Gatwick Airport Parking Safe?

Security is understandably one of the biggest concerns when leaving your car at Gatwick airport parking for a week or two.

Parking facilities vary, so don’t choose purely on price. Before booking, check the individual car park’s security information, where your vehicle will be stored and whether you’ll need to leave your keys.

Features to look for can include barriers, CCTV, perimeter fencing, lighting, patrols and controlled entry and exit, although the exact security measures differ between car parks.

Do You Keep Your Keys at Gatwick Airport Parking?

It depends on the parking product you choose.

Some self-park car parks allow you to park your own vehicle and keep your keys throughout your holiday. With other services, particularly some Meet & Greet and Park & Ride products, you may be required to leave your keys so your vehicle can be moved or stored.

If keeping your keys is important to you, check this specifically before booking rather than assuming all Gatwick car parks work in the same way.

What Should You Check Before Leaving Your Car?

• Check exactly where your vehicle will be stored.
• Read the parking provider’s arrival and collection instructions.
• Check whether you keep or hand over your keys.
• Allow enough time for any transfer to the terminal.
• Make a note of where you’ve parked if using self-parking.
• Remove valuables and anything you don’t need from the vehicle.
• Keep your booking confirmation accessible on your phone.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Take a few quick photos of your car before leaving it, particularly if you’re handing the keys over. It takes seconds and gives you a record of the vehicle’s condition at drop-off.

Gatwick Airport Parking FAQs

Is it cheaper to pre-book Gatwick airport parking?

Pre-booking Gatwick airport parking gives you the chance to compare different parking options and prices before you travel. Holiday Extras advertises savings of up to 70%* on pre-booked airport parking, although actual savings vary depending on your dates, availability and the parking product selected.

Is Park & Ride cheaper than Meet & Greet at Gatwick?

Park & Ride is often the option to check first if price is your priority, while Meet & Greet is designed around convenience. However, prices change according to your dates, so it’s always worth comparing both before booking.

Can I just turn up and park at Gatwick?

Parking may be available without booking in advance, but we’d recommend arranging it before travelling. Pre-booking lets you compare your options and avoids relying on suitable spaces being available when you arrive.

Is Meet & Greet at Gatwick worth it?

For families, it certainly can be. Meet & Greet parking removes the need to take children, luggage and pushchairs onto a transfer bus. Whether it’s worth the additional cost depends on the price difference for your dates and how much you value the convenience.

Which Gatwick parking is best for a two-week holiday?

For a longer holiday, we’d compare Park & Ride and off-airport parking for value, then check the price difference for Meet & Greet. Over a two-week stay, it’s particularly important to compare the total parking price rather than focusing on a headline daily rate.

Can I book Gatwick parking with free cancellation?

Flexible and cancellable parking products are available, but the exact terms vary. Always check the cancellation and amendment conditions of the specific parking product before paying, particularly when booking several months ahead.

Holiday Blueprint Verdict: Which Gatwick Airport Parking Should You Choose?

There isn’t one Gatwick airport parking option that’s best for everyone.

For the lowest price, we’d start by comparing Park & Ride and off-airport parking.

For families, lots of luggage or an early flight, we’d seriously consider Meet & Greet. The extra convenience can be worth paying for if the price difference isn’t too large.

If you’re travelling a long distance to Gatwick or have a very early departure, also compare a Gatwick hotel + parking package. Starting your holiday with a night’s sleep near the airport can be considerably more relaxing than driving through the night.

Whichever option you choose, we’d recommend comparing prices for your actual dates and checking the transfer arrangements, cancellation terms and whether you’ll need to leave your keys before booking.

Continue Planning Your Trip

✈️ Flying from Gatwick?

Make the airport part of the holiday too. We’ve compared the best Gatwick Airport lounges for families, including North and South Terminal options, kids’ facilities and our favourite lounges.

Read our Best Gatwick Airport Lounges for Families guide →

🏨 Staying at Gatwick Before Your Flight?

For an early departure, combining your overnight stay and airport parking can make the start of the holiday much easier.

Read our Gatwick Airport Hotels with Parking Guide →