Best Gatwick Airport Restaurants: North & South Terminal Guide (2027)

Best Gatwick Airport restaurants North and South Terminal guide

Flying from Gatwick with the family and wondering where to eat before your flight? There are plenty of Gatwick Airport restaurants across both North and South Terminal, ranging from quick breakfasts and grab-and-go food to family-friendly restaurants where you can sit down before boarding.

In this guide, we’ll compare the best places to eat at Gatwick Airport, including our top choices for families, breakfast, quick meals and sit-down dining. We’ll also look at whether it’s better to eat before or after security and which terminal has the best food options.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Don’t leave choosing somewhere to eat until you’re wandering around the terminal with hungry kids. Check your terminal and restaurant options before travelling — particularly if you have an early-morning or late-evening flight.

Restaurant or Airport Lounge: Which Is Better for Your Family?

Choose a restaurant if you want a quick meal, a familiar children’s menu or only have a short time before boarding. Compare an airport lounge if you’re arriving early and expect to buy meals and several drinks for the family.

A lounge isn’t automatically cheaper or suitable for every family, so compare the total price, children’s admission rules and food available before booking.

COMPARE GATWICK AIRPORT LOUNGES →

Quick Answer: Best Gatwick Airport Restaurants

If you just want our top picks, these are the Gatwick Airport restaurants we’d look at first:

Best for families – North Terminal: wagamama – reliable family-friendly food with a dedicated children’s menu.
Best for families – South Terminal: Nando’s – familiar food, easy ordering and a good option when travelling with children.
Best for breakfast – North Terminal: The Breakfast Club – one of Gatwick’s strongest choices for a proper pre-flight breakfast.
Best for a quick meal – North Terminal: Shake Shack – burgers, hot dogs and shakes when you don’t want a long sit-down meal.
Best for pizza – South Terminal: PizzaExpress – familiar family favourite with eat-in and takeaway available.
Best all-rounder: wagamama – available after security in both North and South Terminal, making it one of the easiest recommendations regardless of which terminal you’re flying from.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick: Travelling with children? We’d choose wagamama for the best all-round option, while The Breakfast Club would be our pick for an early flight from North Terminal.

Best Restaurants at Gatwick North Terminal

Gatwick North Terminal has a good selection of places to eat once you’re through security, from full sit-down breakfasts to burgers, Asian food and quick grab-and-go options.

The Breakfast Club – Best for Breakfast

If you’re flying in the morning, The Breakfast Club would be one of our first choices. It opens early and serves its well-known breakfast and brunch dishes throughout the day.

It’s particularly useful if you’ve arrived at the airport with plenty of time and want a proper breakfast rather than grabbing a sandwich at the gate.

Best for: Breakfast, brunch and families
Location: North Terminal, after security

wagamama – Best All-Rounder for Families

wagamama is our favourite all-round choice for families at Gatwick North Terminal.

There’s plenty of choice for adults and children, and having a dedicated kids’ menu makes it an easy option when everyone wants something different.

It’s also available in both Gatwick terminals, so it’s a useful restaurant to remember whichever terminal you’re travelling from.

Best for: Families and a proper pre-flight meal
Location: North Terminal, after security

Shake Shack – Best for Burgers

For something quick and familiar, Shake Shack serves its American-style burgers, hot dogs and shakes in the North Terminal departure lounge.

This could be a good choice with older children or teenagers when you want something substantial without turning your airport meal into a lengthy sit-down affair.

Best for: Burgers, teenagers and a quicker meal
Location: North Terminal, after security

Tortilla – Best for a Quick Meal

Tortilla lets you build your own burrito or taco, making it a useful option when you want something filling but relatively quick.

Because you can customise your order, it can also work well for families where everyone wants something slightly different.

Best for: Quick meals, burritos and tacos
Location: North Terminal, after security

Tossed – Planned New Healthy Option

Tossed has announced plans to open a restaurant at Gatwick North Terminal in November 2026. As the opening is still upcoming at the time of this update, check the official Gatwick restaurant directory before relying on it for your journey.

The menu is expected to include freshly made salads, wraps, breakfast dishes and a dedicated kids’ menu, which could make it one of the better choices for families looking for something lighter before flying.

Expected offering: Healthier meals, breakfast and family options
Planned location: North Terminal (opening not yet confirmed)

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick: We’d choose The Breakfast Club for an early flight and wagamama for the best family all-rounder. For something quicker, Shake Shack or Tortilla would be high on our list.

Best Restaurants at Gatwick South Terminal

Gatwick South Terminal has some excellent family-friendly choices after security, including familiar favourites such as Nando’s, PizzaExpress and wagamama.

Nando’s – Best for Families

Nando’s is one of our top choices for families flying from Gatwick South Terminal.

The restaurant has a children’s menu with familiar options for younger travellers, while adults can choose from the usual PERi-PERi favourites. It’s an easy option when you want a proper meal somewhere the whole family is likely to recognise.

Surprisingly, Gatwick’s Nando’s also serves breakfast, making it worth considering for an early flight.

Best for: Families, chicken and breakfast
Location: South Terminal, after security

PizzaExpress – Best for Pizza

PizzaExpress is another strong family option, particularly if you’re travelling with younger children.

Alongside familiar favourites such as pizza, pasta and dough balls, the Gatwick restaurant also has a dedicated breakfast menu. Takeaway is available too, which can be useful if you’re running short on time.

Best for: Families, pizza and breakfast
Location: South Terminal, after security

wagamama – Best All-Rounder

If Nando’s or PizzaExpress don’t appeal, wagamama is another dependable family choice.

Its Asian-inspired menu offers plenty of variety for adults and children, and having restaurants in both Gatwick terminals makes it one of the easiest options to remember when planning your trip.

Best for: Families and a sit-down meal
Location: South Terminal, after security

itsu – Best for Something Lighter

If you’d prefer something lighter before flying, itsu is worth considering.

Its Asian-inspired menu makes a useful alternative to burgers, pizza and traditional airport food, particularly when you want something relatively quick before heading towards your gate.

Best for: Lighter meals and quick food
Location: South Terminal, after security

Giraffe – Best Before Security

If you want to eat before going through security, Giraffe is a particularly useful South Terminal option.

It serves a broad international-style menu and is located before security, making it handy if you’re meeting someone at the airport or simply want to eat before entering departures.

Best for: Eating before security and families
Location: South Terminal, before security

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick: For families we’d choose Nando’s or PizzaExpress in South Terminal. Both offer familiar children’s choices, while their breakfast menus make them useful for early flights too.

Gatwick Restaurants Before or After Security?

For most passengers, we’d recommend going through security first and eating afterwards.

The largest choice of Gatwick Airport restaurants is in the departure lounges after security, and eating there means you don’t have to worry about finishing your meal and then potentially finding a queue at security.

Eating After Security

This is usually the best option if you’re flying from Gatwick.

Once you’re through security you’ll have access to more of the main restaurant choices, including places such as wagamama, Nando’s, PizzaExpress and The Breakfast Club depending on your terminal.

It also makes it easier to keep an eye on your departure information while you eat.

We’d choose after security if:

You’re already checked in and ready to fly.
You want the widest choice of restaurants.
You’re travelling with children and don’t want to rush through security afterwards.
You have enough time for a proper meal before your gate is announced.

Eating Before Security

There are still places to eat before security, and this can make sense in certain situations.

It’s particularly useful if you’re meeting family or friends who aren’t travelling, waiting for another passenger, or you’ve arrived very early and aren’t ready to go through security yet.

However, we’d avoid having a long meal landside if your flight is getting close. Security queues can vary, so it’s much more relaxing to get through first.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Our usual order would be check in → security → food → gate. Once security is out of the way, you can enjoy your meal without constantly wondering how long the security queue might be.

Best Gatwick Airport Restaurants for Families

Travelling through an airport with hungry children can quickly become stressful, so for families we’d prioritise familiar food, children’s menus and reasonably quick service rather than simply choosing the fanciest restaurant.

The good news is that Gatwick is particularly well set up for families. Most restaurants offer children’s menus and highchairs, and restaurants can warm baby bottles if needed.

Our Top Family Picks

North Terminal – wagamama
Our best all-round family choice. There’s plenty of variety, a dedicated children’s menu and enough choice for adults that it doesn’t feel like you’ve chosen somewhere purely for the kids.

South Terminal – Nando’s
A particularly easy option with older children and teenagers. The familiar menu also makes it a good choice when you don’t want to experiment immediately before a flight.

Best for younger children – PizzaExpress
Pizza, pasta and dough balls make PizzaExpress one of the safer bets for families with younger or fussier eaters.

Best for breakfast – The Breakfast Club
If you’re flying from North Terminal in the morning, this would be our first choice for turning an early airport arrival into a proper family breakfast.

Best for something quick – Shake Shack or Tortilla
Useful when everyone needs feeding but you don’t want to spend too much of your airport time sitting in a restaurant.

Don’t Leave It Too Late

One of the biggest mistakes families can make is waiting until they’re hungry before deciding where to eat.

Allow some extra time during busy school-holiday periods, and remember that your gate could be a reasonable walk from the main departure lounge.

If boarding time is getting close, we’d choose a quicker meal or takeaway rather than risking a stressful dash to the gate.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: If you’re travelling with younger children, pack a couple of emergency snacks even if you’re planning to eat at Gatwick. A delayed flight and a hungry child is not the start to a holiday anyone ordered.

Best Gatwick Airport Restaurants for Breakfast

An early flight doesn’t necessarily mean settling for a packet of crisps at 5am. Several Gatwick Airport restaurants open early enough for breakfast before the first wave of morning departures.

North Terminal – The Breakfast Club

For a proper sit-down breakfast in North Terminal, The Breakfast Club would be our first choice.

As you’d expect from the name, breakfast is the main attraction, making it ideal if you’ve arrived early and have enough time to sit down before your flight.

Best for: A proper family breakfast

South Terminal – Nando’s

Here’s one you might not expect: Nando’s at Gatwick serves breakfast.

That makes it an interesting alternative to the usual airport breakfast choices, particularly if you’re travelling with older children or teenagers.

Best for: Something different and families with older children

South Terminal – PizzaExpress

PizzaExpress also offers breakfast at Gatwick and is another useful family option for an early departure.

It’s particularly handy if you’re travelling with younger children and would rather choose somewhere familiar.

Best for: Families and younger children

Coffee and a Quick Breakfast

If you don’t want a full sit-down meal, Gatwick also has cafés and grab-and-go options where you can pick up coffee, pastries, sandwiches and other breakfast food.

For a very early flight, we’d check the opening hours shortly before travelling, as individual restaurant hours can change.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: If we’re taking an early flight, we’d still rather arrive with enough time for breakfast after security. It turns an unpleasantly early airport start into part of the holiday — although we’re making no promises about everyone’s mood at 4am. 😂

Where to Eat at Gatwick When You’re Short on Time

If your flight is approaching and you haven’t eaten yet, you don’t necessarily have to rely on snacks from a shop.

Gatwick says dishes at its sit-down restaurants are designed to be served within 15 minutes or less, while takeaway is also available from many restaurants.

That said, we’d still leave plenty of time. You need to allow for ordering, eating and walking to your departure gate — and some Gatwick gates can be a reasonable distance from the main departure lounge.

Best Quick Options at North Terminal

Shake Shack – Good for burgers, hot dogs and a relatively straightforward meal.

Tortilla – Build-your-own burritos and tacos make this a useful filling option when time is limited.

Grab-and-go cafés – Best if boarding isn’t far away and you simply need a sandwich, pastry or drink to take with you.

Best Quick Options at South Terminal

itsu – A good choice if you want something lighter and relatively quick.

PizzaExpress takeaway – Useful when you’d like proper food but don’t have enough time for a relaxed sit-down meal.

Grab-and-go cafés – The safest choice when your gate has already been announced or boarding time is getting close.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Don’t judge your available time purely by when boarding starts. Check how far your gate is from the departure lounge before ordering. If time looks tight, choose takeaway and head towards the gate.

Gatwick Airport Restaurant vs Airport Lounge – Which Is Better?

If you’re planning to have a full meal and drinks at Gatwick, it’s worth comparing the cost with an airport lounge before you travel.

Airport lounges generally include food and drinks in the entry price, so for a family buying several meals, soft drinks and perhaps a couple of alcoholic drinks for the adults, the difference in price may be smaller than you’d expect.

Choose a Restaurant If:

You only want a quick meal or breakfast.
Your children are fussy eaters and you prefer a familiar restaurant.
You don’t expect to buy many drinks.
You won’t have much spare time at the airport.

Consider an Airport Lounge If:

You expect to buy food and several drinks.
You’re arriving at Gatwick well before your flight.
You’d prefer somewhere quieter to wait.
Having food, drinks and somewhere to sit included appeals to your family.

A lounge isn’t automatically cheaper, particularly with several people travelling, so we’d always compare the total cost before booking.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Don’t compare the lounge price with the cost of one airport meal. Compare it with what your family would realistically spend on food + coffees + soft drinks + any alcoholic drinks while waiting for your flight. That’s when the comparison becomes much more useful.

Want to Compare Gatwick Airport Lounges?

We’ve compared the main family-friendly options in our Best Gatwick Airport Lounges for Families (2027) guide, including North and South Terminal lounges, facilities and which ones we’d choose. Check the current entry prices and compare them with what your family would actually spend on food and drinks at a restaurant.

COMPARE GATWICK AIRPORT LOUNGES →

Gatwick North vs South Terminal Restaurants

Both Gatwick terminals have plenty of places to eat, but the best choice depends on what you’re looking for.

What Are You Looking For?	North Terminal	South Terminal
Best for families	wagamama	Nando’s
Best breakfast	The Breakfast Club	Nando’s / PizzaExpress
Best for pizza	—	PizzaExpress
Best for burgers	Shake Shack	—
Best lighter option	Tossed (planned; check opening)	itsu
Best quick meal	Tortilla / Shake Shack	itsu / PizzaExpress takeaway
Best before security	Limited choice	Giraffe
Our overall pick	wagamama	Nando’s

Which Gatwick Terminal Is Better for Food?

We wouldn’t choose a Gatwick terminal based purely on its restaurants — your airline and flight determine which terminal you’ll use — but both terminals have enough choice that families should have no problem finding somewhere suitable to eat.

North Terminal arguably has the edge for breakfast thanks to The Breakfast Club, while South Terminal has a particularly strong selection of familiar family favourites including Nando’s and PizzaExpress.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Verdict: There’s no clear loser. We’d give North Terminal the edge for breakfast and South Terminal the edge for familiar family dining, while wagamama is a dependable option in either terminal.

Best Gatwick Airport restaurants comparing North and South Terminal

What Food Is Available at Gatwick Airport?

There’s much more choice at Gatwick than traditional airport fast food. Across North and South Terminal you’ll find everything from full sit-down meals and breakfasts to burgers, pizza, Asian-inspired dishes, coffee and grab-and-go food.

Types of Food You’ll Find at Gatwick

Depending on your terminal, options include:

Breakfast and brunch – ideal for early-morning departures.
Burgers and fast food – useful for a quick and familiar meal.
Pizza and pasta – particularly good for families and younger children.
Asian-inspired food – including noodles, rice dishes and lighter options.
Healthier choices – salads, wraps and lighter meals.
Coffee and snacks – useful when you don’t have time for a full meal.
Takeaway food – handy if your gate has been announced and you need to get moving.

There are also vegetarian, vegan and other dietary options available at many Gatwick restaurants, although we’d recommend checking the individual restaurant’s current menu if you have specific dietary requirements or allergies.

Can You Take Food onto Your Flight?

In general, you can buy food after security at Gatwick and take it with you towards your gate or onto your flight.

This can be a good option on shorter flights where you don’t expect much food to be available onboard, or when buying something at the airport works out better for your family.

Remember that restrictions can apply to liquids and certain foods when entering another country, so anything you don’t eat during the journey may be subject to your destination’s customs rules.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: For a family flight, we’d usually have a proper meal at Gatwick and still pick up a couple of snacks for later. It can save you relying entirely on whatever happens to be available onboard.

Gatwick Airport Restaurants FAQs

Are there restaurants in both Gatwick terminals?

Yes. Both North and South Terminal have a good selection of restaurants, cafés and grab-and-go food options. Most of the main choice is available after security in the departure lounges.

Which Gatwick terminal has the best restaurants?

Both terminals have good options. We’d give North Terminal the edge for breakfast, particularly with The Breakfast Club, while South Terminal is excellent for familiar family choices such as Nando’s and PizzaExpress.

What is the best Gatwick Airport restaurant for families?

Our overall family pick is wagamama, partly because it’s available after security in both terminals and has a dedicated children’s menu.

For South Terminal we’d also consider Nando’s or PizzaExpress, particularly with younger or fussier eaters who may prefer something familiar.

Can you eat at Gatwick before security?

Yes. There are places to eat before security, although the widest selection of Gatwick Airport restaurants is generally available once you’re through security.

Unless you’re meeting someone who isn’t flying or have another reason to remain landside, we’d normally go through security first and eat afterwards.

What time do Gatwick Airport restaurants open?

Several restaurants open very early to cater for Gatwick’s morning departures, with some opening from around 4am.

Opening hours vary by restaurant and can change, so check the current opening time before travelling if you’re relying on a particular restaurant for breakfast.

Is there a Nando’s at Gatwick Airport?

Yes. Nando’s is located in South Terminal after security and is one of our favourite family options. Gatwick’s Nando’s also serves breakfast.

Is there a McDonald’s at Gatwick Airport?

Gatwick’s restaurant line-up can change, so we’d recommend checking the airport’s current restaurant directory rather than assuming a particular fast-food restaurant will be available.

If you’re mainly looking for burgers, there are alternative options at the airport, including Shake Shack in North Terminal.

Are Gatwick Airport restaurants expensive?

Airport food can be more expensive than eating before you travel, particularly once drinks are added.

For a family, it’s worth considering what you’re likely to spend on meals, coffees and drinks. If you’re planning to spend a couple of hours at Gatwick, you could also compare the total cost with an airport lounge where food and drinks are included.

Do Gatwick restaurants have children’s menus?

Many Gatwick restaurants cater specifically for families, with children’s menus and highchairs widely available.

If your child has particular dietary requirements or allergies, we’d check the restaurant’s latest menu before travelling.

Should I book a Gatwick Airport restaurant in advance?

For most airport dining we’d simply allow plenty of time rather than relying on a reservation. Availability and booking policies vary between restaurants.

During busy periods such as school holidays, allow extra time in case your preferred restaurant is busy.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip: Restaurant opening hours, menus and airport outlets can change. If there’s one particular restaurant you’re counting on, check Gatwick’s latest restaurant information shortly before you travel.

Restaurant opening hours and available outlets can change, so check the official Gatwick Airport restaurant directory before travelling if you’re relying on a particular restaurant.

Final Verdict: Best Gatwick Airport Restaurants

There are plenty of good Gatwick Airport restaurants in both terminals, so families shouldn’t struggle to find somewhere suitable before flying.

If we were choosing, our favourites would be:

🥞 Best breakfast: The Breakfast Club – North Terminal
👨‍👩‍👧 Best family all-rounder: wagamama – North & South Terminal
🍗 Best South Terminal family option: Nando’s
🍕 Best for younger children: PizzaExpress – South Terminal
🍔 Best quick bite: Shake Shack – North Terminal
🥗 Best lighter option: itsu – South Terminal

For most families, we’d recommend going through security first and then eating. You’ll have a wider choice of restaurants and, more importantly, you won’t spend your meal wondering how long the security queue is getting.

If you’re planning a full meal plus several drinks, it’s also worth comparing the cost with a Gatwick airport lounge before travelling. Depending on your family and how long you’ll be at the airport, the difference may be smaller than you’d expect.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Verdict: Don’t overthink it. For North Terminal we’d choose The Breakfast Club for breakfast or wagamama later in the day. For South Terminal, Nando’s or PizzaExpress would be our first family choices. Get through security, get everyone fed, then you can officially start arguing about who gets the window seat. ✈️

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Gatwick Airport Fast Track: Is It Worth It? (2027)

Gatwick Airport Fast Track security guide for families travelling through London Gatwick

Is Gatwick Airport Fast Track worth paying for? If you’re travelling through Gatwick with children, catching an early flight or flying during the school holidays, a dedicated security queue might make your journey easier.

But there’s an important catch: Gatwick’s normal security queues can already be very efficient. Paying extra for Fast Track doesn’t automatically mean you’ll save a lot of time.

In this guide, we’ll explain how Gatwick Fast Track works, what it costs, the differences between North and South Terminal, and when we’d recommend spending the extra money.

✈️ Holiday Blueprint Quick Answer

Gatwick Airport Security Fast Track is worth considering during busy travel periods, particularly for families who want a more predictable journey through security.

At quieter times, we’d usually save the money and use the standard security lanes.

Our verdict: Useful convenience, but not essential for everyone.

Check Gatwick Fast Track Prices

Compare availability for your departure date and terminal with Holiday Extras before deciding whether to book.

✓ North and South Terminal options
✓ Choose your travel date
✓ Check the price before paying

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Affiliate link: Holiday Blueprint may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

What Is Gatwick Airport Fast Track?

Gatwick Airport Fast Track gives eligible departing passengers access to a dedicated priority queue at airport security.

It is available at both Gatwick North Terminal and South Terminal.

You still go through the normal security screening process. Fast Track doesn’t exempt you from security checks, and it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll walk straight through without waiting.

How does it work?

Choose your Gatwick departure terminal.
Select the date and time you plan to pass through security.
Book your Fast Track ticket.
Keep your confirmation available on your phone.
Follow the Fast Track Security signs when you arrive.
Present your booking and proceed through security screening.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Fast Track doesn’t mean you can arrive at the airport later. Always follow your airline’s check-in and bag-drop guidance, even if you’ve booked priority security.

How Much Does Gatwick Fast Track Cost?

Gatwick Airport has advertised Security Fast Track from approximately £6 per person when booked online. This is a guide price rather than a guaranteed price for your journey.

The final cost may depend on your departure date, booking channel and availability. Check the current price before paying.

Passengers	Illustrative total at £6 each
1 adult	£6
2 adults	£12
2 adults + 1 child	£18
2 adults + 2 children	£24

Children aged two and over generally require their own Security Fast Track ticket. Children under two can use the lane free when accompanied by a paying adult, subject to the current booking terms.

For a family of four, paying around £24 might seem reasonable if security is particularly busy. But if the normal queue takes only a few minutes, the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Is Gatwick Airport Fast Track Worth It?

Our view is that Gatwick Fast Track is a convenience purchase rather than something every passenger needs.

The biggest advantage is access to a dedicated queue, which can reduce uncertainty during busy periods. The downside is that standard security may already be quick.

Situation	Our recommendation
School summer holidays	Worth considering
Busy weekend departure	Consider Fast Track
Early flight with children	Potentially useful
Quiet midweek departure	Often unnecessary
Travelling on a tight budget	Standard security is usually the sensible starting point
Planning to use an airport lounge	May help make the most of your time after security

When we’d pay for Fast Track

Travelling with children during school holidays.
Flying at a busy departure time.
Wanting to reduce the uncertainty of queueing.
Planning to use a pre-booked airport lounge.

When we’d save the money

Travelling during a quieter period.
Being comfortable using standard security.
Keeping airport extras to a minimum.
Not expecting a significant difference in waiting times.

🏆 Holiday Blueprint Verdict

We’d consider Fast Track for a family holiday during a busy period, but we wouldn’t book it automatically for every Gatwick departure.

Think of it as paying for convenience, not guaranteed major time savings.

Gatwick North Terminal vs South Terminal Fast Track

Security Fast Track is available at both Gatwick terminals. The purpose of the service is broadly the same: access to a dedicated priority security queue.

Gatwick North Terminal Fast Track

Passengers departing from North Terminal should select North Terminal when booking and follow the relevant Fast Track signs after check-in or bag drop.

Gatwick South Terminal Fast Track

South Terminal passengers should book the South Terminal service and follow the security signage for that terminal.

Always check your departure terminal with your airline before booking. Terminal arrangements can change.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

If you’re also booking parking, an airport hotel or a lounge, make sure all your arrangements work with your departure terminal.

Gatwick Fast Track vs the Family Security Lane

Families travelling with young children or pushchairs may be able to use Gatwick’s dedicated Family and Assistance security facilities.

These facilities are designed to make the security process easier for passengers who need additional space or assistance.

Family Security Lane	Paid Fast Track
Designed for eligible families and passengers needing assistance	Designed to provide access to a priority security queue
Not a paid priority product	Requires a ticket or qualifying entitlement
Focuses on accessibility and a suitable screening experience	Focuses on reducing time in the standard queue

If you’re travelling with a baby or pushchair, check the airport’s current family security arrangements before purchasing Fast Track purely for convenience.

Can You Buy Gatwick Fast Track on the Day?

Gatwick has offered same-day Security Fast Track purchases, subject to availability.

However, booking in advance may offer better value and avoids relying on same-day spaces being available.

If you’re travelling during school holidays, we would check availability before departure rather than assume you can purchase a ticket at the airport.

How to Book Gatwick Airport Fast Track

You can check Fast Track availability through the official Gatwick Airport website or participating booking providers such as Holiday Extras.

Before paying, check:

Your correct departure terminal.
The date and time of your booking.
The number of adults and children travelling.
Current ticket prices.
Cancellation and amendment conditions.
How you will receive and present your booking confirmation.

Book Gatwick Fast Track Security

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Gatwick Security Fast Track vs Passport Control Fast Track

These are two different airport services, and it’s important not to book the wrong one.

Security Fast Track	Passport Control Fast Track
For departing passengers	For eligible arriving passengers
Used before entering departures	Used when passing through arrivals passport control
Dedicated security queue	Dedicated passport control lane
Separate booking and conditions	Separate booking and conditions

If you’re flying out of Gatwick and want to get through departure security more quickly, choose Security Fast Track.

If you’re arriving back at Gatwick and want to use a priority passport control service, check the separate Passport Control Fast Track eligibility and booking rules.

Gatwick Airport Fast Track FAQs

Is Gatwick Fast Track worth the money?

It can be worthwhile during busy periods, particularly for families. At quieter times, standard security may be quick enough that Fast Track offers little additional benefit.

Does Gatwick Fast Track skip security checks?

No. You still complete the required airport security screening. Fast Track gives you access to a dedicated queue.

Is Fast Track available at both Gatwick terminals?

Yes. Security Fast Track is available at North Terminal and South Terminal. Select the correct terminal when booking.

Do children need Fast Track tickets?

Children aged two and over generally require tickets. Children under two may accompany a paying adult free of charge under the applicable terms.

Can I buy Fast Track on the day?

Same-day purchases may be available, subject to capacity. Check the latest availability and prices before travelling.

Can I arrive later if I have Fast Track?

No. Fast Track is not a reason to reduce the time allowed for check-in, baggage drop or reaching your departure gate.

Is Gatwick Fast Track the same as priority boarding?

No. Fast Track is an airport security service. Priority boarding is an airline service that may allow you to board your aircraft earlier.

Our Final Verdict: Should You Book Gatwick Fast Track?

For most travellers, Gatwick Fast Track is optional rather than essential.

If you’re flying during the school holidays, travelling with children or simply want a more predictable journey through security, the additional cost may be worthwhile.

However, Gatwick’s standard security queues can be efficient. We wouldn’t recommend paying for Fast Track solely because you expect to save a large amount of time.

🏆 Holiday Blueprint Pick

For a busy family departure, we’d consider booking Fast Track. For a quieter journey, we’d usually keep the money for the holiday itself.

Ready to Check Gatwick Fast Track Prices?

Check availability for your departure date before making your decision.

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Continue Planning Your Gatwick Journey

Fast Track is only one part of planning your departure. These guides can help you compare other airport services and avoid unnecessary costs.

Gatwick Airport Parking

Compare Park & Ride, Meet & Greet and airport parking options to find the best combination of value and convenience.

READ THE GATWICK PARKING GUIDE →

Gatwick Airport Hotels with Parking

Have an early flight? Compare convenient Gatwick hotels and hotel-and-parking packages for families.

READ THE HOTEL AND PARKING GUIDE →

Best Gatwick Airport Lounges for Families

Compare airport lounges, family facilities and options for relaxing before your flight.

READ THE GATWICK LOUNGE GUIDE →

Holiday Blueprint UK airport travel guides covering hotels parking lounges and transfers

More UK Airport Guides

Explore practical airport planning advice covering parking, hotels, lounges and family travel.

Gatwick Airport Hotels with Parking: Best Options for Families (2027)

Booking one of the Gatwick airport hotels with parking can make the start of a family holiday much easier — particularly if you have an early flight or a long drive to the airport.

Instead of leaving home in the middle of the night, you can travel to Gatwick the day before, check into your hotel and start the holiday feeling considerably less rushed.

Many Gatwick hotels can also be booked together with airport parking, which can sometimes work out surprisingly well compared with booking a hotel and parking separately.

In this guide, we’ll explain the different Gatwick hotel and parking options, which areas are most convenient for the North and South terminals, what families should look for and how we’d choose the best package.

Best Gatwick Airport Hotels with Parking: Quick Answer

For most families, we’d choose a Gatwick hotel and parking package based on three things: which terminal you’re flying from, how early your flight departs and whether you want maximum convenience or the lowest price.

🏆 Best for convenience: A hotel within or directly connected to your Gatwick terminal

👨‍👩‍👧 Best for families: A family-friendly hotel with breakfast options and an easy terminal transfer

🚗 Best value: An off-airport hotel and parking package with transfers included

✈️ Best for very early flights: Stay as close to your departure terminal as possible

💷 Best money-saving tip: Compare the combined hotel + parking price against booking the same hotel and airport parking separately

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

For an early morning flight with children, we’d happily pay a little more for a hotel that’s directly connected to the terminal.

Being able to wake up, have breakfast and walk into the airport without waiting for a transfer bus can make the first morning of the holiday considerably easier.

Gatwick North vs South Terminal Hotels

The first thing to check before booking a Gatwick airport hotel is which terminal your flight departs from.

Gatwick has North and South terminals. Although they’re connected by a free shuttle, staying at or close to the correct terminal is much more convenient — particularly when travelling with children and luggage.

Gatwick North Terminal Hotels

If you’re flying from North Terminal, we’d prioritise hotels that let you walk directly or very quickly to departures.

This can be especially useful for early flights because you won’t need to allow extra time for hotel transfer buses or travelling between terminals.

Gatwick South Terminal Hotels

South Terminal also has hotels within easy walking distance of departures, making it possible to stay overnight and simply walk into the terminal the following morning.

Again, we’d normally favour convenience over saving a small amount of money if the flight is particularly early.

Can You Stay at the Wrong Gatwick Terminal?

Yes. Gatwick’s free inter-terminal shuttle connects North and South Terminal, so staying near the opposite terminal isn’t a disaster.

However, given a similar price, we’d always choose a hotel convenient for the terminal we’re actually flying from.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Check your departure terminal before booking the hotel — and then check it again closer to departure.

Airlines can use different terminals, and operational arrangements can change. Don’t choose a hotel purely because you’ve previously flown from a particular Gatwick terminal.

Best Gatwick North Terminal Hotels with Parking

If you’re flying from Gatwick North Terminal, there are three hotels we’d look at first. All are extremely convenient for departures, but they suit slightly different budgets and types of family.

Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick Airport — Best for Families

Hampton by Hilton is one of our favourite options for families using North Terminal because it’s directly connected to the terminal by a covered walkway.

Breakfast is included with stays, which can be particularly useful before an early flight, and family-friendly features include connecting rooms and cots.

For us, this is a very strong balance between convenience and family practicality.

🏆 BEST FOR FAMILIES

Sofitel London Gatwick — Best Premium Option

Sofitel is another excellent choice if convenience is the priority.

It’s located at North Terminal and connected by a covered walkway, with family rooms available as well as more premium accommodation.

We’d consider Sofitel when we wanted the night before the flight to feel like the beginning of the holiday rather than simply somewhere to sleep.

✨ BEST PREMIUM OPTION

Premier Inn Gatwick North Terminal — Best for Value

Premier Inn is directly opposite North Terminal and is less than a five-minute walk from the terminal.

It won’t offer the same premium experience as Sofitel, but for families who mainly want a comfortable night’s sleep in an extremely convenient location, it can make a lot of sense.

We’d always compare its total hotel and parking cost against the other packages rather than assuming Premier Inn will automatically be cheapest.

💷 BEST VALUE OPTION

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

For most families we’d compare Hampton by Hilton and Premier Inn first.

If Hampton isn’t much more expensive, the direct terminal connection and included breakfast could make it worth paying the difference.

For a special trip or when convenience matters more than budget, we’d also check Sofitel.

Best Gatwick South Terminal Hotels with Parking

Families flying from Gatwick South Terminal also have some excellent hotel options, including hotels within the terminal itself and others just a short walk away.

Hilton London Gatwick Airport — Best for Families

Hilton London Gatwick Airport is our first hotel to check for families flying from South Terminal.

It’s connected to the terminal by a covered walkway and offers family rooms, restaurants and other facilities that make it particularly practical when travelling with children.

It’s also available with different parking packages, making it a strong option if you want to combine the overnight stay and airport parking into one booking.

🏆 BEST FOR FAMILIES

BLOC Hotel Gatwick — Best for Terminal Convenience

It’s difficult to beat BLOC if your priority is getting as close to South Terminal as possible.

The hotel is actually inside South Terminal, with Gatwick describing it as just a one-minute covered walk from security.

Rooms are compact, so it won’t suit every family, but the location is exceptional for an early flight.

✈️ BEST FOR TERMINAL CONVENIENCE

Courtyard by Marriott London Gatwick Airport — Best for More Hotel Space

Courtyard by Marriott is around a 15-minute walk from South Terminal and offers more of a conventional full-service hotel experience.

There’s an on-site restaurant, fitness centre and outdoor terrace with a bar.

We’d consider it when we’d rather have a traditional hotel stay and don’t mind being slightly further from the terminal.

🛏️ BEST FOR A TRADITIONAL HOTEL STAY

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

For most families we’d check Hilton first because of its combination of family accommodation, terminal access and hotel-and-parking options.

For a very early South Terminal departure, we’d also price BLOC. Being virtually inside the terminal could be worth sacrificing some room space for one night.

Best Gatwick Airport Hotels with Parking Compared

Hotel	Terminal	Best for	Terminal access	Our rating
Hampton by Hilton	North	Families	Covered walk	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sofitel	North	Premium stay	Covered walk	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Premier Inn North	North	Value	Short walk	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hilton	South	Families	Covered walk	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
BLOC	South	Early flights	Inside terminal	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Courtyard by Marriott	South	Traditional hotel	Walk/transfer	⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gatwick airport hotels with parking comparison for North and South Terminal

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

Hampton by Hilton would be our first hotel to price for a North Terminal family departure, while Hilton would be our starting point at South Terminal.

But don’t choose on hotel price alone. Once parking is included, a more expensive hotel can sometimes produce the better overall package.

🏨 Compare Gatwick Hotel + Parking Packages

Staying at Gatwick the night before your flight can make an early departure much easier. Compare Gatwick airport hotels with parking through Holiday Extras and check whether booking your hotel and parking together could save money compared with arranging them separately.

CHECK GATWICK HOTEL + PARKING PRICES →

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How Do Gatwick Airport Hotel and Parking Packages Work?

Gatwick airport hotels with parking can work in several different ways. The best option depends on how much you value convenience compared with getting the lowest overall price.

Hotel with On-Site or Nearby Parking

Some packages allow you to park at or close to the hotel.

You may leave your car there for the duration of your holiday or move it to another car park before flying, depending on the package.

This can be convenient, but always check exactly what happens to your car after your hotel stay.

Hotel + Park & Ride

With a Park & Ride package, you’ll normally stay at the hotel and use a separate airport car park with a shuttle transfer to the terminal.

These packages can offer excellent value, particularly for longer holidays.

However, check whether transfers are included and how frequently they run. A cheaper package isn’t necessarily better value if you then have additional transfer costs or a longer journey to the terminal.

Hotel + Meet & Greet Parking

For maximum convenience, we’d also compare hotel packages that include Meet & Greet parking.

You’ll typically drive to a designated drop-off point near the terminal, hand over your keys and walk into the airport while your car is parked for you.

This can be particularly attractive for families travelling with children, suitcases and pushchairs.

Which Would We Choose?

💷 For the lowest price: Hotel + Park & Ride

👨‍👩‍👧 For families: Hotel + convenient terminal parking

✨ For maximum convenience: Hotel + Meet & Greet

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Compare the total journey, not just the headline price.

A package that’s £15 cheaper but requires an earlier start, additional transfer charges and moving several suitcases onto a shuttle bus wouldn’t necessarily be our choice.

With young children or a very early flight, we’d happily pay a reasonable amount extra to make the morning easier.

Not sure which parking type to choose? Read our Gatwick Airport Parking Guide for our full comparison of Park & Ride, Meet & Greet and other Gatwick parking options.

Is It Cheaper to Book a Gatwick Hotel with Parking?

Sometimes — but not always.

Booking your Gatwick hotel and airport parking together can offer better value than arranging them separately, particularly when you’re staying overnight before an early flight.

However, we’d always compare both options before booking.

What We’d Compare

Check the total cost of:

Hotel + parking package
Hotel booked separately + airport parking
Any transfer charges
Breakfast, if you want it
Meet & Greet upgrades
Cancellation or amendment options

Don’t assume the package with the lowest headline price is automatically the best deal.

For example, we’d happily pay a little more for a hotel connected to the terminal if the cheaper alternative meant getting the family up earlier and taking a transfer bus with all the luggage.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Do two searches before booking.

First, price the hotel and parking as one package. Then check roughly what the same hotel and suitable parking would cost separately.

It only takes a few minutes and gives you a much better idea of whether the package is genuinely good value.

Is a Gatwick Airport Hotel Worth It Before Your Flight?

For us, the biggest reason to book a Gatwick airport hotel isn’t luxury — it’s making the start of the holiday easier.

We’d Seriously Consider a Hotel If:

Your flight leaves very early in the morning
You have a long drive to Gatwick
You’re travelling during busy school holidays
You’re travelling with children and lots of luggage
Bad traffic on the morning of the flight would cause unnecessary stress
A hotel + parking package isn’t much more expensive than parking alone

Arriving at Gatwick the evening before means you can check in, get some sleep and start the following morning already at the airport.

When We’d Probably Skip the Hotel

If we lived reasonably close to Gatwick, had an afternoon flight and could comfortably drive to the airport on the day, we’d probably save the hotel cost.

The same applies if adding a hotel makes the overall parking package considerably more expensive.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

For a family with a 6am or 7am flight and a long drive to Gatwick, we’d choose the hotel.

Starting a holiday with a middle-of-the-night drive, tired children and a motorway delay isn’t our idea of saving money.

When Should You Book a Gatwick Hotel with Parking?

We’d normally start comparing Gatwick airport hotels with parking as soon as our flights are confirmed.

You don’t necessarily need to book immediately, but leaving it until the last minute can mean fewer hotel and parking combinations to choose from — particularly around school holidays and other busy travel periods.

Book Earlier If:

You’re travelling during the school holidays
You need a family room
You want a hotel directly connected to the terminal
You specifically want Meet & Greet parking
Your flight is very early in the morning

Family rooms can be more limited than standard rooms, so that’s one area where we’d be particularly reluctant to leave booking too late.

Should You Book a Flexible Rate?

If your plans could change, we’d compare the cancellation and amendment terms rather than automatically choosing the cheapest package.

Paying slightly more for flexibility can be worthwhile when you’re booking several months ahead.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Once you’ve found a hotel, parking option and price you’re happy with, we’d be inclined to book rather than repeatedly waiting for a cheaper deal.

The perfect price isn’t much use if the family room or parking option you wanted has sold out.

Gatwick Airport Hotels with Parking FAQs

Can You Leave Your Car at a Gatwick Hotel While You’re Away?

Yes, some Gatwick hotel and parking packages allow your car to remain at or near the hotel while you’re away.

Other packages use a separate airport car park, so always check exactly where your car will be parked before booking.

Which Gatwick Hotels Are Closest to North Terminal?

Hampton by Hilton and Sofitel are connected to North Terminal by covered walkways, while Premier Inn North Terminal is just a short walk away.

For an early North Terminal flight, these would be among the first hotels we’d compare.

Which Gatwick Hotels Are Closest to South Terminal?

BLOC is inside South Terminal, while Hilton London Gatwick Airport is connected by a covered walkway.

Both are particularly convenient when you have an early South Terminal departure.

Can You Book Gatwick Hotels with Meet & Greet Parking?

Yes. Hotel packages can be available with Meet & Greet parking, allowing you to combine your overnight stay with a more convenient parking option.

We’d particularly consider this when travelling with children and lots of luggage.

Do Gatwick Hotel and Parking Packages Include Airport Transfers?

It depends on the package.

Some hotels are within walking distance of the terminals, while other packages require a shuttle or transfer. Check whether transfers are included, how frequently they operate and whether there’s an additional charge.

Can You Stay at Gatwick the Night After Your Holiday?

Yes. Hotel and parking packages aren’t only useful before your flight.

A hotel after your return can make sense if you land very late at night and face a long drive home, particularly if you’d otherwise be driving while tired.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Always read what’s included in the specific package you’re booking.

Two deals for the same hotel can use completely different parking arrangements, so don’t assume the cheapest package works in exactly the same way as the others.

Best Gatwick Airport Hotels with Parking: Our Verdict

For families, we’d choose a Gatwick hotel and parking package based on convenience as much as price.

For North Terminal, Hampton by Hilton would be one of our first options to compare, particularly for families who value the direct terminal connection and included breakfast. Premier Inn is worth checking for value, while Sofitel is our more premium choice.

For South Terminal, we’d start with Hilton for its combination of family accommodation and convenient terminal access. BLOC is particularly attractive for a very early departure when being as close to the terminal as possible matters most.

The parking arrangement can be just as important as the hotel itself. Park & Ride may offer the lowest price, while Meet & Greet can make the morning considerably easier when travelling with children and luggage.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

Don’t book the hotel first and think about parking afterwards.

Compare the complete hotel + parking package against booking everything separately, then decide whether any extra cost is worth paying for a smoother start to your holiday.

🏨 Compare Gatwick Hotel + Parking Deals

Ready to make the start of your holiday easier? Compare Gatwick airport hotels with parking, including Park & Ride, Meet & Greet and hotel parking packages, and find the option that works best for your family.

CHECK GATWICK HOTEL + PARKING PRICES →

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Continue Planning Your Gatwick Trip

🚗 Need Gatwick Airport Parking?

Compare Park & Ride, Meet & Greet and other parking options in our complete Gatwick Airport Parking Guide.

Read our Gatwick Airport Parking Guide →

✈️ Want a More Relaxing Start to Your Holiday?

We’ve compared the best Gatwick Airport lounges for families at both North and South Terminal.

Read our Best Gatwick Airport Lounges for Families Guide →

Best Gatwick Airport Lounges for Families (2027)

Choosing between the Gatwick Airport lounges can be confusing, especially when you’re travelling as a family. Gatwick has several lounges across its North and South terminals, ranging from relaxed family-friendly spaces to more premium lounges with table service.

For families, the best lounge isn’t necessarily the most expensive. Kids’ areas, food, comfortable seating, terminal location and how long you can stay can matter far more when you’re travelling with children.

In this guide, we’ll compare the best Gatwick Airport lounges for families, including No1 Lounge, My Lounge, Plaza Premium, Plaza Express, Club Aspire and Clubrooms, and explain which we’d choose for different types of traveller.

✈️ Find the Right Gatwick Lounge for Your Flight

Flying from North Terminal? Start by comparing Plaza Premium and Plaza Express for younger children, or My Lounge and No1 Lounge for a more relaxed or traditional experience.

Flying from South Terminal? Compare My Lounge, Club Aspire and No1 Lounge. Check the total family price, entry time and children’s age rules before booking.

Ready to compare? See the lounges and prices available for your departure date through Holiday Extras. Not every lounge or time slot will necessarily be available.

COMPARE LOUNGES FOR YOUR FLIGHT →

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Best Gatwick Airport Lounges: Quick Answer

If you’re travelling with younger children from Gatwick North Terminal, we’d look particularly closely at Plaza Premium or Plaza Express because both currently have dedicated Kids Zones. Plaza Express is positioned as the more affordable option, while Plaza Premium provides a more premium lounge experience.

My Lounge is another strong family option and is available in both North and South terminals, with a relaxed atmosphere, games facilities and food and drinks included.

For families flying from South Terminal, we’d compare My Lounge, No1 Lounge and Club Aspire. Club Aspire includes buffet food, drinks, quiet areas and runway views.

Clubrooms is different: it’s aimed at a quieter, more premium experience and Gatwick currently states that its general access is for passengers over 12, so it wouldn’t be our choice for families with younger children.

🏆 Holiday Blueprint Early Pick

Families with younger children: Plaza Premium / Plaza Express
Relaxed family atmosphere: My Lounge
South Terminal family option: Club Aspire
Premium experience with older children/adults: Clubrooms

Gatwick Airport Lounges Compared: North vs South Terminal

The first thing to check when choosing a Gatwick Airport lounge is which terminal you’re flying from. Some lounges are available in both terminals, while others are exclusive to either Gatwick North or South Terminal.

Families flying from the North Terminal currently have the widest choice, including two lounges with dedicated kids’ areas. South Terminal still has several strong options, including My Lounge and Club Aspire.

Lounge	Terminal	Family fit	Kids area	Stay	Our pick
Plaza Premium	North	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	✅	Up to 3 hrs	🏆 Younger families
Plaza Express	North	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	✅	Up to 2 hrs	💷 Value with kids
My Lounge	North & South	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Games/kids areas	Up to 3 hrs	😎 Relaxed families
No1 Lounge	North & South	⭐⭐⭐⭐	No dedicated kids zone	Up to 3 hrs	✈️ All-rounder
Club Aspire	South	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Family-friendly	Check booking	🌅 South Terminal
Clubrooms	North & South	⭐⭐*	No	Up to 3 hrs	🥂 Premium/12+

*Clubrooms is a strong premium option, but because general access is for passengers over 12, we’ve scored it lower specifically for families with younger children — not because it’s a poorer lounge.

Best Gatwick Airport lounges for families comparison including Plaza Premium, Plaza Express, My Lounge, Club Aspire and Clubrooms

✈️ Compare Gatwick Airport Lounge Prices

Already know your departure terminal? Check which lounges have space for your flight before deciding.

Compare Gatwick Airport lounges with Holiday Extras, including options at both the North and South terminals. Check prices for your travel date and find the lounge that suits your family best.

CHECK GATWICK LOUNGE PRICES →

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Plaza Premium Lounge Gatwick — Best for Families with Younger Kids

If you’re flying from Gatwick North Terminal with younger children, Plaza Premium is one of the first lounges we’d consider.

The big family advantage is its dedicated Kids Zone. Rather than simply being a lounge that allows children, it actually provides an area designed to keep younger travellers occupied while parents get a chance to relax.

What Does Plaza Premium Gatwick Include?

Dedicated Kids Zone
Food and drinks
Comfortable lounge seating
Wi-Fi
Charging points
Flight information
Up to three hours in the lounge

Who Is Plaza Premium Best For?

We’d particularly consider Plaza Premium for families with younger children who want somewhere more comfortable to spend the time between security and boarding.

The Kids Zone is the standout feature. If you’ve ever tried keeping an excited child entertained at the departure gate for two or three hours, you’ll understand why that can make a surprisingly big difference.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

🏆 BEST FOR YOUNGER FAMILIES

Plaza Premium gets our pick for families with younger children flying from Gatwick North Terminal.

You may find cheaper lounge options, but the combination of a dedicated children’s area, included food and drinks and somewhere comfortable to relax makes it one of the strongest family choices at Gatwick.

Plaza Express Gatwick — Best Value Lounge for Families

Plaza Express at Gatwick North Terminal is an interesting alternative to Plaza Premium, particularly if you’re travelling as a family and want to keep the cost down.

It still offers one of the features we value most for families — a dedicated Kids Zone — but is designed as a simpler, more affordable lounge experience.

What Does Plaza Express Gatwick Include?

Dedicated Kids Zone
Food and drinks
Comfortable seating
Wi-Fi
Charging facilities
Up to two hours in the lounge

Who Is Plaza Express Best For?

We’d look at Plaza Express if you want the benefit of getting away from the main terminal without necessarily paying for a more premium lounge experience.

It’s particularly appealing for families with younger children because you’re still getting a dedicated children’s area.

The shorter stay may actually be enough for many families. Two hours gives you time for something to eat, a drink and a chance for the children to settle before heading towards your gate.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

💷 BEST VALUE FOR FAMILIES

If Plaza Express is noticeably cheaper than Plaza Premium for your dates, we’d be tempted to save the money and choose Express.

For families who mainly want food, somewhere comfortable to sit and a Kids Zone, it potentially offers everything you actually need from an airport lounge.

Plaza Premium vs Plaza Express Gatwick: Which Is Better?

If you’re flying from Gatwick North Terminal with children, Plaza Premium and Plaza Express are two of the most interesting lounges to compare.

Both offer a dedicated Kids Zone, but they’re aimed at slightly different travellers.

Choose Plaza Express if:

Keeping the cost down is your priority
Two hours in the lounge is enough
You mainly want food, drinks and somewhere comfortable to relax
Having a Kids Zone is more important than having a premium lounge experience

Choose Plaza Premium if:

You’d prefer a more premium lounge experience
You want up to three hours in the lounge
You’re planning to arrive at the airport particularly early
You’re happy to pay a little more if the price difference is reasonable

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

For most families, we’d check the price difference before deciding.

If Plaza Express is considerably cheaper, we’d choose Plaza Express and put the saving towards the holiday.

If the difference is relatively small, we’d choose Plaza Premium for the longer stay and more premium experience.

Either way, having a dedicated Kids Zone makes both particularly appealing for families travelling with younger children.

My Lounge Gatwick — Best Relaxed Family Lounge

My Lounge is available at both Gatwick North and South terminals and offers a more informal airport lounge experience than some of the premium alternatives.

For families, that relaxed atmosphere can actually be a big advantage. Rather than worrying about children being perfectly quiet in a formal lounge, My Lounge is designed to feel more casual, with games and entertainment alongside the usual lounge facilities.

What Does My Lounge Gatwick Include?

Food and drinks
Comfortable informal seating
Games and entertainment
Wi-Fi
Charging facilities
Up to three hours in the lounge
Locations at both North and South terminals

Is My Lounge Good for Families?

Yes — we’d put My Lounge high on the shortlist for families, particularly those travelling with older children who may not need a dedicated Kids Zone but would still appreciate games and somewhere more relaxed than the departure area.

It’s also particularly useful for families flying from Gatwick South Terminal, where Plaza Premium and Plaza Express aren’t options.

My Lounge North vs South Terminal

Both give you the same basic proposition: a relaxed place away from the main terminal with food and drinks included.

We wouldn’t choose between them — your departure terminal effectively makes that decision for you. Always book the lounge located airside in the terminal you’re actually flying from.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

My Lounge would be one of our first choices for families who want a relaxed atmosphere rather than a premium experience.

For North Terminal families with younger children, we’d still compare it with Plaza Premium and Plaza Express because of their dedicated Kids Zones.

For South Terminal families, however, My Lounge is one of the strongest options we’d compare first.

✈️ Compare Gatwick Lounge Deals

Prices can vary between lounges and travel dates. Compare the available Gatwick North and South Terminal lounges before deciding which offers the best value for your family.

COMPARE GATWICK LOUNGE PRICES →

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No1 Lounge Gatwick — Best All-Rounder

No1 Lounge is available at both Gatwick North and South terminals, making it one of the easiest lounge options to consider regardless of which terminal you’re flying from.

It offers a more traditional airport lounge experience than My Lounge, with comfortable seating, food and drinks and quieter areas away from the main departure terminal.

What Does No1 Lounge Gatwick Include?

Food and drinks
Comfortable lounge seating
Wi-Fi
Charging facilities
Flight information
Quieter areas for relaxing
Locations at both North and South terminals

Is No1 Lounge Gatwick Good for Families?

Yes. No1 Lounge welcomes families, although we’d view it slightly differently from Plaza Premium, Plaza Express and My Lounge.

There isn’t the same emphasis on a dedicated children’s area, so families with very young children may prefer one of the lounges specifically offering a Kids Zone.

For families with older children or teenagers, however, No1 Lounge can be a very good all-round option — particularly if everyone mainly wants somewhere comfortable to sit, eat and relax before the flight.

No1 Lounge North vs South Terminal

No1 Lounge operates at both Gatwick terminals, so make sure you book the lounge for the terminal you’re actually departing from.

Rather than choosing your terminal based on which No1 Lounge looks best, we’d compare No1 with the other lounges available in your departure terminal.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

No1 Lounge is our all-rounder.

For younger children at North Terminal, we’d favour Plaza Premium or Plaza Express because of their Kids Zones.

For older children, teenagers and adults who want a more traditional lounge experience, No1 Lounge becomes much more appealing.

Club Aspire Gatwick — Strong South Terminal Option

Club Aspire is another lounge worth considering if you’re flying from Gatwick South Terminal.

It offers a more traditional airport lounge experience, giving families somewhere to sit away from the busy departure area with food and drinks included.

What Does Club Aspire Gatwick Include?

Buffet-style food
Drinks
Comfortable seating
Wi-Fi
Charging facilities
Quiet areas
Runway views

Is Club Aspire Gatwick Good for Families?

Yes. Club Aspire can work well for families who mainly want somewhere comfortable to eat, have a drink and relax before boarding.

For younger children, we’d still look carefully at lounges with more dedicated family facilities where available. But for families with older children and teenagers, Club Aspire can be a strong South Terminal option.

The runway views may also be a bonus if your children enjoy watching aircraft while you’re waiting for your flight.

Club Aspire vs My Lounge at Gatwick South Terminal

These two lounges suit slightly different families.

Choose My Lounge if you prefer a more informal atmosphere with games and a relaxed family feel.

Choose Club Aspire if you’d rather have a more traditional airport lounge experience with quieter areas and runway views.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

For families flying from South Terminal, we’d compare Club Aspire and My Lounge first.

We’d lean towards My Lounge for younger or more energetic children, while Club Aspire may suit families with older children and teenagers who mainly want food, comfortable seating and somewhere quieter before the flight.

Clubrooms Gatwick — Best Premium Lounge for Older Families

Clubrooms is the premium option in the Gatwick lounge line-up and is aimed at travellers looking for a quieter, more refined experience before their flight.

Unlike the more casual lounges, Clubrooms focuses on comfortable seating, a calmer atmosphere and a more premium food and drink experience.

For families, however, there’s an important restriction to know about: Clubrooms is generally aimed at passengers aged 12 and over, so it isn’t an option we’d consider when travelling with younger children.

What Does Clubrooms Gatwick Include?

Premium lounge environment
Food and drinks
Comfortable seating
Quieter atmosphere
Wi-Fi
Charging facilities
Up to three hours in the lounge

Is Clubrooms Gatwick Good for Families?

That depends entirely on the age of your children.

For families with younger children, we’d choose one of Gatwick’s more family-focused lounges instead.

But if you’re travelling with teenagers aged 12+, Clubrooms becomes much more interesting. A quieter premium lounge could be a very pleasant way to start a special family holiday, particularly if you’re celebrating something or heading away on a long-haul trip.

Clubrooms vs No1 Lounge Gatwick

Choose No1 Lounge if you want a good all-round lounge that’s suitable for a wider range of families.

Choose Clubrooms if everyone in your party meets the age requirements and you’re happy to pay more for a quieter, more premium experience.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

Clubrooms isn’t our overall family winner — but that’s largely because of the age restriction.

For a family travelling with teenagers, particularly before a special or long-haul holiday, Clubrooms could be one of the nicest ways to start the trip.

For families with younger children, we’d look at Plaza Premium, Plaza Express or My Lounge instead.

Which Gatwick Airport Lounge Is Best for Your Family?

With several Gatwick Airport lounges to choose from, our pick would depend mainly on your departure terminal, the age of your children and whether you want value or a more premium experience.

Best for Families with Younger Children

🏆 Plaza Premium — Gatwick North Terminal

The dedicated Kids Zone gives Plaza Premium the edge for families with younger children. You get somewhere comfortable to relax, food and drinks, plus an area specifically designed to keep children entertained.

Best Value for Families

💷 Plaza Express — Gatwick North Terminal

If Plaza Express is noticeably cheaper for your dates, we’d seriously consider it. You still get a Kids Zone and the core lounge benefits, but in a simpler package with a shorter stay.

Best Relaxed Family Lounge

😎 My Lounge — North & South Terminals

My Lounge would be our choice for families who don’t want a particularly formal lounge experience. The more casual atmosphere and games make it especially attractive when travelling with children.

Best for Gatwick South Terminal Families

✈️ My Lounge or Club Aspire

We’d choose My Lounge for a relaxed family atmosphere and Club Aspire if you prefer a more traditional lounge with quieter areas and runway views.

Best for Families with Teenagers

⭐ No1 Lounge

Once children are older, dedicated Kids Zones become less important. No1 Lounge is a strong all-rounder for families with teenagers who mainly want somewhere comfortable to eat and relax before flying.

Best Premium Option

🥂 Clubrooms — for eligible older families

If everyone in your party meets the age requirements and you want to make the airport part of the holiday experience, Clubrooms is the premium choice we’d investigate.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Don’t choose a lounge from the name alone. Check which terminal you’re flying from first, then compare the lounges available for your departure time and party.

Prices and availability can change, so our favourite lounge at one price might not be our favourite if another option is considerably cheaper on your travel date.

Are Gatwick Airport Lounges Worth It for Families?

Whether a Gatwick Airport lounge is worth paying for depends on your family, your flight time and how much the lounge costs on your travel date.

For us, the biggest benefit isn’t necessarily the free food or drinks — it’s having somewhere more comfortable to spend the time before a flight.

With children, the departure lounge can mean finding seats together, buying food and drinks separately and trying to keep everyone entertained while you wait. A good airport lounge can make that part of the journey considerably easier.

💷 Quick Family Lounge Value Check

Before booking, compare the total lounge cost for everyone with what you would realistically spend in the terminal. For example, if a family of four would spend £55 on breakfast, snacks and drinks, and lounge entry costs £100 in total, you’re paying an extra £45 for the seating, atmosphere and any family facilities. Those are illustrative figures, not live Gatwick prices.

Also check how much time you’ll actually have after security and before boarding. A three-hour lounge allowance doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily be able to use all three hours.

If you mainly want a meal rather than a quieter place to wait, compare the alternatives in our Gatwick Airport restaurants guide before paying for lounge access.

When We’d Pay for a Gatwick Lounge

You’re travelling with children and expect a long wait before boarding
You want food and drinks before the flight
Your chosen lounge has a Kids Zone or entertainment
You’re flying early and would normally buy breakfast at the airport
You want somewhere quieter and more comfortable to sit
You’re starting a special family holiday
The price difference compared with buying food and drinks in the terminal isn’t huge

When We’d Probably Save the Money

You’ll only have a short time between security and boarding
Your family isn’t likely to eat or drink much
The lounge price is particularly high for your travel date
You already have lounge access through a bank account, credit card or membership
Your children would rather explore the shops and terminal than sit in a lounge

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Don’t judge the value of a lounge purely by the admission price.

Work out roughly what your family would otherwise spend on breakfast, lunch, snacks, soft drinks or a couple of alcoholic drinks in the terminal.

If you are undecided, see our Gatwick Airport restaurants guide to compare the food options before paying for lounge access.

If you’d already spend a reasonable amount before boarding, the extra cost of a lounge can sometimes be much smaller than it first appears.

How Much Do Gatwick Airport Lounges Cost?

There isn’t one fixed price for Gatwick Airport lounges. The amount you pay can vary depending on the lounge, your travel date, departure time, availability and the number and ages of people in your party.

That’s why we’d always compare the available lounges for your actual flight rather than choosing one based on an advertised “from” price.

What Can Affect Gatwick Lounge Prices?

The lounge you choose
North or South Terminal
Your travel date
Your departure time
Adult and child prices
How far ahead you book
Availability on the day

For a family, it’s worth comparing the total price for everyone rather than simply looking at the cheapest individual admission price.

A slightly more expensive lounge may offer facilities that are much more useful for your family, while a cheaper lounge could be perfectly adequate if you mainly want food, drinks and somewhere comfortable to sit.

✈️ Check Gatwick Airport Lounge Prices

The easiest way to see what a lounge will actually cost your family is to compare the options available for your travel date. Holiday Extras lets you check Gatwick lounge availability and prices for both North and South Terminal.

CHECK GATWICK LOUNGE PRICES →

Affiliate link: We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

What to Know Before Booking a Gatwick Airport Lounge

Before booking a Gatwick Airport lounge, there are a few practical things we’d always check — particularly when travelling as a family.

How Early Can You Enter a Gatwick Airport Lounge?

Most lounge bookings give you a set amount of time before your flight, commonly around two or three hours depending on the lounge and booking. Your usable time may be shorter once you allow for security, walking to the lounge and reaching your gate before boarding.

Check the entry time shown when you book rather than arriving much earlier and assuming you’ll be allowed straight in.

Are Food and Drinks Included in Gatwick Lounges?

Food and drinks are generally included with lounge admission, although exactly what’s available varies between lounges.

If food is an important part of the value for your family, check what’s included before booking — particularly if you have children with specific tastes or dietary requirements.

Can Children Use Gatwick Airport Lounges?

Yes, several Gatwick lounges welcome families and children.

Some are particularly well suited to younger families. Plaza Premium and Plaza Express at North Terminal stand out because of their dedicated Kids Zones, while My Lounge offers a more informal family-friendly atmosphere.

Always check the current age policy for your chosen lounge before booking. This is particularly important with Clubrooms, which has different age restrictions from Gatwick’s more family-focused lounges.

Do You Need to Pre-Book a Gatwick Lounge?

We would.

Airport lounges have limited capacity, and availability can be particularly important during school holidays and busy travel periods.

Pre-booking also lets you compare the total price for your family before arriving at the airport rather than relying on walk-in availability.

Does It Matter Which Gatwick Terminal You Fly From?

Absolutely.

You should book a lounge in the same terminal your flight departs from. Don’t book a North Terminal lounge if you’re flying from South Terminal simply because you prefer that lounge.

Check your airline and departure terminal before making the booking.

Is There a Dress Code for Gatwick Airport Lounges?

Lounges generally expect smart-casual, appropriate clothing, but individual lounge policies can vary.

Normal comfortable travel clothes shouldn’t usually be a problem, but we’d check your chosen lounge’s current entry conditions if you’re unsure.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Tip

Before paying, check three things one final time:

You’re booking the correct Gatwick terminal
Everyone in your party meets the lounge’s age requirements
The lounge entry time works with your flight

Those simple checks can prevent most lounge-booking mistakes.

Gatwick Airport Lounges FAQs

Which is the best Gatwick Airport lounge for families?

For families with younger children flying from North Terminal, we’d look first at Plaza Premium or Plaza Express because of their Kids Zones. My Lounge is another strong family choice and is particularly useful because there are options at both Gatwick terminals.

Which Gatwick lounge is best for children?

For younger children, we’d favour Plaza Premium or Plaza Express at North Terminal because dedicated children’s facilities can make the wait before a flight much easier.

For older children and teenagers, My Lounge or No1 Lounge may be more appealing.

What is the best lounge at Gatwick South Terminal?

For families, we’d compare My Lounge and Club Aspire first. My Lounge has a more informal atmosphere, while Club Aspire offers a more traditional lounge experience.

No1 Lounge is another strong South Terminal all-rounder.

What is the best lounge at Gatwick North Terminal?

For younger families, Plaza Premium is our overall North Terminal pick, with Plaza Express particularly attractive if it’s considerably cheaper.

My Lounge and No1 Lounge are also worth comparing depending on your family’s priorities.

Is it cheaper to pre-book a Gatwick Airport lounge?

Prices can vary by date, time and availability, so we wouldn’t assume you’ll get the best deal by waiting until you arrive.

More importantly, pre-booking secures your space. That’s particularly valuable during school holidays and other busy travel periods.

Is food free in Gatwick Airport lounges?

Food and selected drinks are generally included in the admission price rather than charged separately once you’re inside.

Exactly what’s included varies between lounges, so check the details for your chosen lounge before booking.

Can you stay in a Gatwick lounge for more than three hours?

Standard bookings normally have a specified entry time and stay duration. Some lounges offer around two hours while others allow around three hours.

Check the conditions shown for your particular booking rather than assuming every Gatwick lounge has the same time limit.

Are Gatwick Airport lounges worth it with kids?

They certainly can be.

We think they’re most worthwhile when your family would otherwise spend a reasonable amount on airport food and drinks, you have a long wait before boarding, or your chosen lounge offers facilities your children will actually use.

For a short wait before boarding, we’d probably save the money for the holiday instead.

Best Gatwick Airport Lounges for Families: Our Verdict

There’s no single best Gatwick Airport lounge for every family — your departure terminal, children’s ages and the price on your travel date all make a difference.

For families with younger children flying from North Terminal, we’d start with Plaza Premium and Plaza Express because of their dedicated Kids Zones.

For a more relaxed family experience, My Lounge is one of our favourites and has the advantage of options at both North and South terminals.

Families with older children and teenagers have more choice. No1 Lounge is a strong all-rounder, while Club Aspire is worth considering at South Terminal. If everyone in your party meets the age requirements and you want something more premium, Clubrooms is the option we’d investigate.

💡 Holiday Blueprint Pick

Don’t automatically book our highest-rated lounge.

Check what’s actually available for your flight and compare the total family price. If two lounges offer what you need but one is considerably cheaper, we’d happily take the saving and spend it on the holiday instead.

✈️ Ready to Compare Gatwick Airport Lounges?

Check the lounges available for your flight, compare North and South Terminal options and see current prices for your travel date with Holiday Extras.

COMPARE GATWICK LOUNGE PRICES →

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Continue Planning Your Trip

🚗 Driving to Gatwick?

We’ve compared Park & Ride, Meet & Greet and hotel parking to help you choose the best option for your trip.

Read our Gatwick Airport Parking Guide →

🏨 Got an Early Gatwick Flight?

We’ve compared the best Gatwick airport hotels with parking for families, including North and South Terminal options and different parking packages.

Read our Gatwick Airport Hotels with Parking Guide →

Gatwick Airport Parking: Best Options & Money-Saving Guide (2027)

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.

If you’re heading to Florida, our [Planning an Orlando Holiday from the UK] guide can help you organise the rest of your trip.

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.

✈️ Save up to 70% on Gatwick Airport Parking*

Holiday Blueprint readers can compare on-airport, off-airport and Meet & Greet parking with Holiday Extras. Pre-book your Gatwick parking and you could save up to 70%* compared with booking later.

Check Gatwick Parking Prices →

*Affiliate link: We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you. Savings are based on Holiday Extras’ advertised pre-booking savings and may vary by parking option, dates and availability.

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.

✈️ Compare Park & Ride vs Meet & Greet Prices

Don’t assume which option will be cheaper for your dates. Compare Park & Ride and Meet & Greet parking at Gatwick before deciding which gives your family the best combination of price and convenience.

Compare Gatwick Parking →

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.

🏨 Compare Gatwick Hotel + Parking Deals

Compare Gatwick airport hotel and parking packages for your travel dates and see whether combining the two offers better value than booking them separately.

Check Hotel + Parking Prices →

Affiliate link: We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

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.

✈️ Compare Gatwick Airport Parking Prices

Compare Gatwick parking options for your travel dates, including Park & Ride, Meet & Greet and other airport parking choices.

Check Gatwick Parking Prices →

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✈️ 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 →