Gatwick Long Stay Parking – Rates, Free Hours and Directions

Gatwick Airport’s Long Stay parking facilities serve travellers seeking affordable, secure parking for extended trips. Positioned at both the North and South terminals, these car parks offer a practical option for passengers flying from Gatwick, with complimentary shuttle transfers connecting vehicles to check-in areas. Understanding the current rates, free parking windows, and terminal-specific details helps travellers budget appropriately and avoid unexpected costs.

This guide compiles verified information about Gatwick’s Long Stay parking, including official pricing, postcodes, shuttle schedules, and key differences between the North and South terminal options. All details reflect what is publicly available from Gatwick Airport and authorised partners.

Whether planning a week’s holiday or a single overnight trip, the information below supports informed decision-making before arriving at the airport.

What Are the Gatwick Long Stay Parking Rates?

• Pre-booking online typically secures lower rates than pay-on-the-day pricing
• The free 2-hour period applies only to short stops for dropping off or collecting passengers
• Shuttle transfer times vary slightly between terminals, ranging from 7 to 15 minutes
• Blue Badge holders benefit from reserved spaces at both Long Stay locations
• Both car parks operate year-round with consistent pricing across peak and off-peak seasons
• Long Stay North offers 32 accessible spaces, while Long Stay South provides 95
• Comparing on-airport and off-site options can reveal cost savings for multi-day trips

Is There Free Parking at Gatwick Long Stay?

Gatwick Airport does offer complimentary parking at its Long Stay facilities, though the free period is limited to two hours. This provision exists primarily to accommodate drivers dropping off or collecting passengers without incurring parking charges for brief stops.

The free window applies equally at both the North and South Long Stay car parks. Motorists entering either car park can stay up to 120 minutes without payment, provided they exit before the free period ends.

Understanding the Free Parking Terms

The two-hour free window is designed specifically for short stops. Travellers planning to leave their vehicles for the duration of their flight should budget for the standard daily rates from hour two onwards.

When the Free Window Applies

Common scenarios where the free two-hour period proves useful include dropping off travellers with heavy luggage, collecting arriving passengers who have landed early, or briefly assisting passengers with reduced mobility. The complimentary shuttle service remains available during this period, making it feasible to reach the terminal and return within the time allowance.

Gatwick’s official website and authorised partners confirm this free parking provision as a permanent feature of the Long Stay offering, not a promotional or seasonal initiative.

Gatwick Long Stay Parking: North vs South Terminal

Two separate Long Stay car parks serve Gatwick Airport, each positioned near a different terminal. The North Terminal Long Stay and South Terminal Long Stay operate independently with distinct postcode addresses, accessibility provision, and shuttle routes.

North Terminal Long Stay

The Long Stay North car park serves passengers using the North Terminal. Located at postcode RH6 0RN, this facility provides 32 Blue Badge parking spaces for drivers or passengers requiring wheelchair access.

Shuttle buses depart from Long Stay North every 10 to 12 minutes, with the transfer to the North Terminal taking approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Passengers should factor this journey time when planning their airport arrival.

Further details about the North Terminal Long Stay are available through Holiday Extras, which provides comparison tools and booking options.

South Terminal Long Stay

The South Terminal Long Stay car park uses postcode RH6 0NY and offers significantly more accessible parking spaces—95 Blue Badge bays for drivers and passengers with mobility requirements.

Shuttle transfers to the South Terminal run on the same frequency of 10 to 12 minutes but complete the journey slightly faster, taking approximately 7 to 12 minutes. This shorter transfer time reflects the car park’s closer proximity to the South Terminal building.

Comparing the Two Options

The pricing structure remains identical at both locations. Choosing between North and South Long Stay typically depends on which terminal the traveller’s flight departs from, rather than cost considerations.

Directions and Postcode for Gatwick Long Stay Parking

Reaching Gatwick’s Long Stay facilities follows standard routes to the airport itself, with final signage directing drivers to the appropriate car park based on their terminal destination. The following postcodes correspond precisely to each Long Stay location.

Postcodes and Addresses

Long Stay North is located at postcode RH6 0RN, positioned on the northern side of the airport campus. Long Stay South corresponds to RH6 0NY, situated on the southern perimeter. Both car parks are accessible directly from the main airport access roads.

For drivers approaching from the M23 motorway, the airport is clearly signposted from junction 9. The Long Stay North car park typically appears first on approach for those heading to the North Terminal, while Long Stay South follows for South Terminal travellers.

Navigating to Your Chosen Car Park

Satellite navigation systems should accept the relevant postcode for the car park matching the departure terminal. Drivers unfamiliar with Gatwick should allow additional time for orientation within the airport campus, as the Long Stay facilities occupy distinct areas separate from the terminal drop-off zones.

Accessibility on Arrival

Both Long Stay car parks maintain wheelchair-accessible facilities throughout. This includes designated Blue Badge parking bays positioned near shuttle stops, level access paths, and vehicles equipped for wheelchair users on the transfer buses.

Blue Badge holders should display their permits clearly and use the designated bays, which are monitored for validity. The greater provision at Long Stay South—95 bays compared to 32 at Long Stay North—may influence choice where accessibility needs are a priority.

Gatwick Long Stay Parking Contact Number

A dedicated contact number for Gatwick Long Stay parking is not specified in publicly available search results. Travellers requiring assistance with pre-booked reservations or experiencing issues upon arrival should consult alternative contact channels.

Finding Parking Assistance

For general parking enquiries at Gatwick, the airport’s main customer service team can be reached through the official website’s contact section. Those with existing bookings may find their booking confirmation contains provider-specific contact details.

External parking operators offering competitive Park and Ride services may provide dedicated contact numbers for their own customer support teams.

Alternative Contact Methods

Online booking portals typically include messaging systems or chat functions for post-booking support. These platforms allow travellers to amend details, query charges, or report arrival delays without needing to telephone. For those seeking information on car wash prices in Ireland, you can find details at car wash prices Ireland.

For broader parking provider contact information across UK airports, the Euro Car Parks Contact Number resource may prove useful as a reference point.

What to Expect From Booking to Departure

The process of using Gatwick Long Stay parking follows a consistent sequence from initial search through to returning vehicle. Understanding each stage supports smoother travel planning.

1. Research and compare — Review official Gatwick rates alongside third-party options to identify the most suitable parking solution
2. Pre-book online — Secure a space through the official Gatwick website or authorised partner to lock in pricing
3. Receive confirmation — Save the booking reference and any entry instructions sent via email
4. Arrive at car park — Enter the Long Stay facility via the barrier system, noting the entry time
5. Board the shuttle — Wait for the complimentary transfer bus at the designated stop within the car park
6. Reach the terminal — Disembark and proceed to check-in or departures as normal
7. Return transfer — Exit the terminal via arrivals and locate the shuttle stop for the return journey
8. Collect vehicle — Present the booking reference at the exit barrier or use automated payment if not pre-booked

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear

Publicly available information establishes several facts about Gatwick Long Stay parking, while some details warrant further direct enquiry.

How Gatwick Long Stay Compares to Off-Site Alternatives

Travellers willing to consider parking outside the airport boundary may find alternative providers offering competitive weekly rates. Several off-site operators advertise Park and Ride packages with weekly costs starting from approximately £33.75 to £40.98.

These external facilities typically include shuttle transfers to and from the terminal, similar in operation to Gatwick’s own Long Stay service. Transfer times for off-site options commonly range from 10 to 15 minutes, comparable to the Gatwick Long Stay shuttle duration.

Choosing between on-airport and off-site parking often depends on factors beyond price alone. On-airport Long Stay provides proximity and convenience, while off-site operators may offer price advantages for longer trips or include additional services such as vehicle washing or battery maintenance during the stay.

Sources and Official Information

The information presented in this guide draws from publicly accessible sources, primarily Gatwick Airport’s official website and authorised parking partners. The following resources provide the most reliable and up-to-date details.

Gatwick Airport officially states that Long Stay parking costs £38 for the first day and £32 for each subsequent day, with complimentary shuttle transfers to both terminals running every 10 to 12 minutes.

— Gatwick Airport Official Parking Pages

Holiday Extras confirms that free parking applies for the first two hours in Gatwick’s Long Stay car parks, with both North and South Terminal options featuring accessible facilities and shuttle services.

— Holiday Extras Gatwick Parking Information

Further comparison data regarding off-site parking rates is sourced from Purple Parking, which aggregates options from multiple UK airport parking providers.

Summary

Gatwick Airport’s Long Stay parking provides a cost-effective solution for travellers departing from either the North or South terminal. With a complimentary two-hour window for drop-offs and pick-ups, standard daily rates of £38 and £32, and free shuttle transfers operating at regular intervals, the facilities address practical needs for extended airport parking.

Pre-booking online remains the recommended approach for securing the best available rates and guaranteeing space availability, particularly during periods of heightened demand. The two dedicated Long Stay car parks—situated at postcodes RH6 0RN and RH6 0NY—offer differing levels of accessibility provision, which may influence the choice of location for passengers with mobility requirements.

For those comparing travel options beyond Gatwick, Heathrow Terminal 5 Departures information provides context on one of the capital’s other major airports.