Drop-off at Gatwick is not free. It costs £10 for up to 10 minutes in the designated forecourt drop-off zones at both terminals, then £1 for each extra minute up to 20 minutes, to a maximum of £30. The charge rose 43 percent, from £7 to £10, in January 2026. The free alternative is the Long Stay car park, which gives 2 hours free with a shuttle. Prices checked August 2026.
The forecourt tariff
| Time in the drop-off zone | Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | £10 |
| Each extra minute (10 to 20 min) | £1 per minute |
| Maximum (up to 20 minutes) | £30 |
The £10 minimum applies the moment you enter the forecourt drop-off zone, even for a 60-second stop. Blue Badge holders are exempt. The zones are on the forecourts directly outside both the North and South Terminals.
How to pay
There is no barrier and no booth. The charge is read from your number plate and must be paid by midnight the following day, online or through AutoPay, or by phone on 0330 174 4503. If you do not pay in time, the airport issues a £100 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £60 if you pay within 14 days. Setting up AutoPay is the simplest way to avoid forgetting.
The free alternative
To avoid the forecourt charge entirely, use the Long Stay (Park & Ride) car park, which gives the first 2 hours free with a free shuttle bus to both terminals. This is the airport's sanctioned free-waiting option and the sensible choice if you are waiting for an arriving passenger rather than making a quick drop. More on rates is on the parking page.
Picking someone up
For pick-ups, the same forecourt charge applies if you wait on the forecourt, so the Long Stay car park with its 2 free hours is usually the better move. If you would rather not drive at all, a pre-booked taxi with Airport Cars Gatwick avoids the forecourt entirely, and ride-app pickups happen inside the short-stay car parks. Weigh those against the train and coach on the public transport page.
Drop-off FAQs
How much is the Gatwick drop-off charge? £10 for up to 10 minutes, then £1 per extra minute up to 20 minutes, to a maximum of £30. It rose from £7 to £10 in January 2026.
How do I pay the Gatwick drop-off charge? By number plate, online or via AutoPay, or by phone on 0330 174 4503, by midnight the following day. Unpaid charges become a £100 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
How do I avoid the Gatwick drop-off charge? Use the Long Stay (Park & Ride) car park, which gives the first 2 hours free with a free shuttle to both terminals. Blue Badge holders are also exempt on the forecourt.
Is drop-off free for Blue Badge holders? Yes. Blue Badge holders are exempt from the forecourt drop-off charge.
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Routes, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Gatwick Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Gatwick Airport website before you travel.