Gatwick, a little simpler.

First, check your arrival point

Gatwick has North and South terminals. Confirm your departure terminal with your airline and check which terminal your hotel, car park or transfer serves. Make the same check for your return flight.

Gatwick has two terminals, and they are not interchangeable

North and South are separate buildings with their own car parks. A free automated shuttle links them and runs 24 hours a day, taking a couple of minutes.

That shuttle is why people relax about this — and why they shouldn't. If you park at the wrong terminal you're fine, but you've added a transfer plus the walk at both ends to a journey you'd planned to the minute. Check your terminal on your booking confirmation, not on memory. Airlines move between terminals.

The five ways to park

Short Stay

The multi-storey car parks right beside departures. North Terminal uses Car Parks 5 and 6; South Terminal uses Car Parks 1, 2 and 3. Two to five minutes on foot to the doors. The most expensive way to park, and the right choice for a two-night trip where the price difference is small and the time saving is real.

Premium Short Stay

Worth knowing about because almost nobody does. It's on Level 3 of Car Park 5 at North Terminal, and Level 2 of Car Park 3 at South. What you're paying for is same-level access to the terminal, so no lift, no stairs, no ramp with a loaded trolley. If you're travelling with someone who has limited mobility, or with a pushchair and cases, this is often better value than meet and greet.

Mid Stay

Green Car Park 7, North Terminal only. Pre-booking is the only way in; you cannot turn up and pay. It runs on number plate recognition, so your registration has to be right on the booking or the barrier won't open.

Long Stay

The airport's own budget option, a free shuttle ride from the terminal. Buses run every ten to fifteen minutes, around the clock, and the transfer itself is roughly five minutes. No height restriction, which matters if you drive a van or have a roof box, but trailers aren't allowed. Bays are 2.4m by 4.8m.

Off-site park and ride

Independent operators such as Maple Manor and Purple Parking, five to ten minutes out with their own free shuttles. Usually the cheapest per day. The trade-off is that you're dealing with the operator, not the airport, so their shuttle times and their cancellation terms apply.

What actually decides it

Not price. Length of trip.

Two or three nights — the gap between Short Stay and Long Stay is small enough that the walk beats the shuttle. Park close.

A week or more — the gap widens fast, and the shuttle costs you about twenty minutes each way. Long Stay or off-site park and ride.

Early departure, or late landing — check the shuttle frequency for your actual times before booking anything off-site. Buses that run every ten minutes at midday don't always run every ten minutes at 4am.

Someone with limited mobility — Premium Short Stay, and use the AccessAble guides. Gatwick has published detailed access information for its car parks covering Blue Badge bays, how to get assistance, and the route into each terminal.

Dropping off and picking up

Two separate things, and people mix them up.

Dropping off at the terminal forecourt is charged, and it is charged for a very short stop. If you're handing over a suitcase and leaving, it's the fastest option and you pay for that.

Picking up is different — the Long Stay car parks give you the first two hours free. If you're collecting someone from a flight that might be late, wait there rather than circling the forecourt.

Before you book, check these five

1. Your terminal — from the booking confirmation, not from memory
2. Return date, not just outbound — overstaying gets charged at a much higher rate
3. Your registration — anywhere using number plate recognition, a wrong digit means the barrier stays shut
4. The shuttle at your actual times — especially before 6am and after 10pm
5. Cancellation terms — some rates are non-refundable, and the cheapest one usually is

A night near the airport

For an early departure, compare the cost of a nearby room with your preferred arrival plan. Check how you will get from the hotel to the terminal at the time you need to travel.

• Confirm room occupancy, check-in hours and any early breakfast options.
• Ask whether the shuttle is included, pre-booked or paid separately.
• A “hotel with parking” offer may cover only your overnight stay. A holiday parking package needs to cover your full trip.

Make time for the lounge

Check that the lounge is in the departure area you can access. Entry rules, opening hours, maximum stay and child policies vary. Allow time for security and the walk to your gate before choosing an entry time.

Availability shown on a general guide is not a reservation. Confirm access for your flight and travel date with the provider.

Arrange the ride, both ways

Use the exact pickup and destination addresses when requesting a quote. Include everyone travelling, the size of your bags and any child-seat or accessibility requirements.

• Check the meeting point, contact number and waiting-time allowance.
• Ask how flight delays, parking charges and additional stops are handled.
• For your return journey, allow time to clear arrivals and collect bags.

Collect a car with the details checked

Airport car hire can be convenient, but the collection desk may be in the terminal, reached by shuttle or at an off-airport location. Check where to collect and return the vehicle before paying.

• Confirm driver age, licence and payment-card requirements.
• Compare the deposit, fuel, mileage and insurance terms—not only the headline price.
• Check opening hours and what happens if your flight arrives late.

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Other UK airports

• Heathrow
• Luton
• Stansted
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Edinburgh