Gatwick Car Parks Tested & Reviewed

We compared five popular Gatwick car parks across price, transfer time and convenience to see which offers the best value for a week's holiday. Here is what we found, with real sample prices.

The official car parks: closest but priciest

Gatwick's official Long Stay car parks, run by the airport, sit within the boundary with a free shuttle of around 10 minutes to both terminals. They are reliable and keep-keys, but at roughly £88 for 8 days they are not the cheapest. The North and South Long Stay car parks serve their respective terminals, so check which you fly from. For travellers who value staying within the airport, they are a solid choice.

Off-airport Park & Ride: the value winner

Off-airport operators such as Purple Parking and APH consistently undercut the official car parks, from around £68.63 for 8 days, with a short shuttle of 10-15 minutes. You keep your keys and the compounds are Park Mark approved. For most holidaymakers this is the best balance of price and convenience, and applying BCP30 brings the cost down further. The small trade-off is the shuttle, which runs frequently at all hours.

Meet & Greet: most convenient, mid-price

Meet & Greet operators like Maple Manor and Ace meet you at the terminal, take the car, and return it on your return, from around £75 for 8 days. There is no shuttle at all, which suits early flights, heavy luggage or families. It costs a little more than self-park Park & Ride but less than the official Short Stay, making it a popular middle option for a stress-free start.

Our verdict on Gatwick parking

For most travellers, off-airport Park & Ride offers the best value at Gatwick, with Meet & Greet worth the small premium for early or luggage-heavy trips. The official car parks suit those who prefer to stay within the boundary. Whichever you choose, pre-book early, apply BCP30 for up to 30% off, and confirm your terminal, since Gatwick's North and South are a shuttle apart.