Gatwick Airport Drop-Off Charges & Regulations: North and South Terminal Guide

Travellers at the Gatwick North Terminal drop-off zone, where new charges apply.

Dropping off passengers at Gatwick Airport is no longer free.  Gatwick drop-off fees have been in place since 2021. In a bid to manage congestion and encourage sustainable travel, Gatwick introduced new drop-off charges on the forecourts of both the North Terminal and South Terminal. This comprehensive guide explains the current Gatwick Airport drop-off charges, how they work, and what drivers need to know for both the Gatwick North Terminal drop-off and Gatwick South Terminal drop-off areas. We’ll also cover how to pay, exemptions, and smart alternatives (like using long-stay parking) to help you avoid unwanted fines.

Gatwick Drop-Off Charges: How Do They Work?

Since March 2021, Gatwick’s terminal forecourts have been monitored by ANPR camera technology to enforce new drop-off fee. Here’s a breakdown of the charges and rules for using the designated drop-off zones at Gatwick North and South terminals:

• £6 for up to 10 minutes: This is the minimum charge to enter the drop-off zone at either terminal. Whether you’re using the Gatwick North drop-off area or the South Terminal drop-off area, the moment you drive into the forecourt, a charge of £6.00 applies (covering you for the first 10 minutes of stopping time).
• £1 per minute thereafter: Stay beyond 10 minutes and you’ll be charged £1 for each additional minute. Charges increase progressively, so lingering can get expensive quickly. The fees apply equally at both North and South drop-off zones.
• 30 minutes maximum stay: There is a strict time limit. You cannot stay in the drop-off area longer than 30 minutes, and in practice, charges cap at £25 (reached at the 20-minute mark). In other words, if you stayed the full half-hour (not recommended!), you’d pay the maximum daily charge of £25. After 30 minutes, you’re required to leave – the drop-off zones are not intended for any longer wait.

Both the Gatwick North Terminal drop-off zone and South Terminal drop-off zone are located on the lower level forecourts, right outside the terminal entrances. They’re clearly signposted as you approach Gatwick Airport. Simply follow the “Drop Off” signs for your terminal; at North Terminal, the zone is between the Sofitel hotel and the multi-storey car park, while at South Terminal, it’s on the lower level directly outside Departures. The system is barrier-free; you just drive in, drop your passenger, and drive out, with cameras recording your vehicle’s license plate upon entry and exit.

How to Pay the Gatwick Drop-Off Fee

Paying the Gatwick drop-off charge is straightforward, but it must be done by midnight of the day after your drop-off. Gatwick offers a PostPay system to make the payment once you’ve exited the zone:

• Online (PostPay): The easiest method is to pay online via Gatwick’s PostPay portal. You have until 23:59 on the day after your drop-off to complete the payment. You can pay as soon as you’ve left the terminal or later that day when convenient, just don’t forget, as the deadline is strict.
• By Phone: Alternatively, you can pay through Gatwick’s automated phone line. Dial 0330 174 4503 and follow the prompts to pay the drop-off fee for your vehicle. Make sure to have your vehicle registration and payment details handy. As with online payments, the phone payment must be completed by midnight the day after your visit.
• AutoPay Accounts: If you’re a frequent visitor to Gatwick, consider registering for an AutoPay account. This allows Gatwick to automatically charge your card whenever you use the drop-off zones, so you won’t have to remember to pay each time. It’s a convenient option for regular commuters or taxi drivers (note that taxis are not exempt from the charge; cab drivers will usually pass the fee on to the passenger).

Important: There are no kiosks or toll booths at the drop-off zones. Since the system uses automatic number plate recognition, you won’t pay on the spot. You must proactively pay online or by phone afterwards. Failing to pay on time will result in enforcement action, as explained next.

Penalties for Non-Payment (Parking Charge Notice)

If you use the Gatwick drop-off zones and do not pay by midnight the next day, be prepared for a

fine. The system’s cameras will have logged your vehicle, and non-payment triggers a Parking Charge Notice (PCN):

• £100 Fine: The standard penalty for failing to pay the drop-off fee is £100. A PCN (essentially a parking ticket) will be issued to the vehicle’s registered keeper by post. This notice will include details of the infringement (i.e. not paying the £6+ drop-off charge) and instructions on how to pay the fine or appeal it.
• Reduced to £60 if paid quickly: Gatwick, via its enforcement partner NCP, offers a reduced fine of £60 if you pay the PCN within 14 days. This is an incentive to settle the penalty promptly. Miss that 14-day window, however, and the full £100 will be due. Further delays or non-payment could lead to additional costs or debt recovery proceedings, so it’s best to avoid the fine in the first place by paying the initial drop-off fee on time.

Keep in mind that ANPR cameras are in operation throughout the drop-off areas at both North and South Terminals. There is virtually no leeway if you forget to pay – even if you drove through the zone by mistake or stopped very briefly, you’re likely to be recorded. (Gatwick reportedly allows a grace period of only a minute or two for accidental entries, but it’s not something to count on.) If you believe a PCN was issued in error, you can appeal through NCP’s official channels, but otherwise, it’s best to pay the drop-off charge and avoid any penalties.

Blue Badge Holder Exemptions

One bit of good news is that Blue Badge holders are exempt from Gatwick’s drop-off charges – but only if you register in advance. Gatwick Airport recognises that disabled passengers may need a bit more time or special access, so they have a system to waive the drop-off fee for qualifying individuals. Here’s how it works:

• Pre-registration required: Blue Badge holders must register their details before arriving at Gatwick’s drop-off zone. This isn’t something you can sort out on the spot; it needs to be done ahead of time (you can register any time from three months in advance up to the day before your trip).
• Information needed: To apply for the exemption, you’ll need to provide your Blue Badge details and some trip information. This typically includes the Blue Badge number or a scan/photo of the badge, the name of the passenger it’s issued to, the date of your flight or drop-off, and the vehicle registration number that will be used. Gatwick provides an online form (via the Gatwick accessibility/Blue Badge portal) where you can submit this info.
• Confirmation: Once registered, you should receive confirmation (usually by email) that your vehicle is exempt for the specified date/time. The exemption allows a single free 30-minute drop-off session at the terminal forecourt, valid for the vehicle and time you’ve registered. Essentially, your number plate will be recognised by the cameras and not charged.
• Taxis and Blue Badges: If a disabled passenger is arriving by taxi, they can also take advantage of the exemption, but the process is the same. You’d need to get the taxi’s vehicle registration number in advance and register it along with the Blue Badge details before the drop-off. This ensures the taxi won’t be charged for dropping you off.

Remember, only vehicles with a valid Blue Badge exemption on file will avoid the fee. If you don’t pre-register and you drop off a Blue Badge holder, the system will still charge the standard rates and you’d have to pay or face a fine. So plan ahead if this applies to you. Everyone else, even drivers of electric vehicles or motorcycles, must pay the drop-off charge (there are no other exemptions aside from emergency vehicles on duty).

Local Commuter Scheme for Gatwick South Terminal

Frequent users of Gatwick’s South Terminal drop-off area may be able to save money through a special program. Gatwick Airport has a Local Commuter Scheme aimed at people who regularly get dropped off at the South Terminal (primarily those using Gatwick’s railway station for commuting). This scheme reflects the fact that the train station is in the South Terminal, and local residents might be using the drop-off zone to access rail services. Here are the key points:

• Who is eligible: The scheme is limited to residents in specific nearby postcodes RH6 0, RH6 9, and RH11 0. These are the areas immediately around Gatwick Airport. You’ll need proof of residence to apply (such as a utility bill or ID showing your address).
• What you get: Enrolled members of the Local Commuter Scheme are allowed two free drop-offs per day at the South Terminal drop-off zone. This is ideal for someone who might be getting a ride to the train station each morning and being picked up each evening, for example.
• Cost of membership: The scheme isn’t free, there is an annual fee of £50 to join. Once you’ve paid this yearly fee and registered your vehicle(s), you won’t have to pay the £6 each time for up to two drop-offs daily at South Terminal. Up to two vehicles per household can be registered under the same permit, which adds flexibility for families.
• How to register: Applications are handled via Gatwick’s online permit system (the same site used for Blue Badge exemptions). You’ll need to provide personal details and proof of residence in one of the eligible postcodes, and of course, payment for the £50 fee. Upon approval, your vehicle’s number plate will be logged in the system so the cameras recognise it and waive the drop-off charge at South Terminal going forward.

For locals who use Gatwick Station regularly, the Local Commuter drop-off pass can be very cost-effective. Without it, just one drop-off each weekday would rack up around £30 a week in fees, so the £50 annual pass pays for itself in no time. Just note that it only covers Gatwick south drop-off trips (North Terminal drop-offs are not included in this scheme). Also, if you exceed two drop-offs in a day or use a non-registered vehicle, standard charges would apply.

Free Drop-Off Alternative: Long Stay Car Park

What if you don’t want to pay at all to drop someone off? The good news is Gatwick still provides a free drop-off option, though it’s a little less convenient. You can drop off (or pick up) passengers for free by using the Long Stay car park instead of the terminal forecourt. Here’s how this works:

• Free for 2 hours: Both the Long Stay North and Long Stay South parking lots at Gatwick allow up to 2 hours of free parking. If you have someone to drop off, you can follow signs for “Long Stay car park” at the North or South Terminal (whichever one you’re flying from). Take a ticket at the barrier, park in any space, and you can accompany your passengers to the shuttle or say unrushed goodbyes without the 10-minute pressure.
• Free shuttle to terminals: Gatwick operates a free shuttle bus from the Long Stay parks to the terminal entrances, running every 10-15 minutes or so. The ride is quick (around 5 minutes from Long Stay to the terminal). Your passengers will need to hop on the shuttle, but it’s a small trade-off for avoiding a fee. Make sure to factor in the shuttle ride time when planning, and arrive a little earlier so your departing friends/family can catch their flight on time.
• No charge if under 2 hours: When exiting the Long Stay car park, if you’ve stayed under the 2-hour free limit, just insert the entry ticket at the barrier and you can leave without paying anything. (If you stay over 2 hours, normal parking rates kick in, so watch the time!) Essentially, this option lets you use the parking lot as a temporary waiting area completely free for short durations.

Many savvy travellers and drivers use the Long Stay as a workaround to the drop-off fee. It’s especially useful for pick-ups, since pickups can be unpredictable if a flight is delayed or bags take time, you can wait in the car for up to 2 hours at no cost, rather than circling or paying for short stay parking. For drop-offs, it’s a bit less convenient than curbside, but if you want to avoid the Gatwick airport drop-off charge entirely, the Long Stay + shuttle method is the way to go.

Pro tip: If you’re driving someone to the airport and also going on the trip (i.e. you need to park your car while you’re away), it might make sense to skip the drop-off zone altogether and book a long-stay parking spot. That way, you all go to the long-term lot, park the car for the trip’s duration, and take the shuttle to the terminal together, no drop-off fee at all. Gatwick’s official advice for those who want more time is to use the Short Stay car park or Long Stay car park instead of stopping on the forecourt.

Consider Long-Stay Parking and Park & Ride Options

If you’re a traveller heading out of Gatwick, you might rethink the whole drop-off scenario. Instead of having someone drive you and pay drop-off charges (or going through the Long Stay shuttle routine just for a quick goodbye), why not drive yourself and use long-term parking? Gatwick offers a range of long-stay parking options that can actually be quite economical, especially if you book in advance. Many off-airport Park & Ride services cost less than the price of a couple of taxi trips, and you won’t inconvenience friends or family for a lift.

At gatwickparking.co.uk, we provide affordable long-stay parking solutions that let you park your car securely and take a free shuttle to the terminals. By using a long-stay park & ride at Gatwick, you eliminate the hassle of drop-off fees entirely, and you gain flexibility for your return (no need to arrange a pickup, your car will be waiting for you). If you’re weighing your options, feel free to explore our Gatwick long-stay parking guide or Park & Ride parking deals to see how convenient and cost-effective it can be to park at Gatwick for the duration of your trip.

In short, the drop-off fee regime might actually encourage you to consider parking and meeting your party inside the terminal or using a valet service, rather than a cursory curbside drop-off. Many travellers now opt to use official long stay car parks or trusted off-site parking partners, enjoy a stress-free shuttle ride, and avoid the rush and clock-watching that come with the drop-off bays.

The New Normal for Airport Drop-Offs (Gatwick and Beyond)

Paid drop-off schemes have become the new normal at UK airports, and Gatwick is no exception. What started in March 2021 as a new charge at Gatwick’s terminals is part of a growing trend nationwide. Airports cite reducing congestion and emissions as reasons for these fees, and travellers are having to adjust. Gatwick’s system, with its £6 charge and ANPR enforcement, simply brings it in line with others: for example, Manchester Airport’s drop-off fee is £5 for 5 minutes, and Birmingham Airport can charge as much as £48 for around an hour of waiting (yes, you read that right – if you’re stuck in Birmingham’s drop-off loop for 60 minutes, the cost is sky-high!). Many other airports, like Stansted, Luton, and Heathrow, have introduced or increased drop-off charges in recent years as well.

For travellers and those driving them, this means it’s more important than ever to plan your airport trips. Know the rules before you arrive: at Gatwick, that means understanding the £6 drop-off fee and 10-minute limit, or choosing alternatives like long-stay parking or public transport to avoid charges. A free drop-off at the terminal door is truly a thing of the past at Gatwick, but with the tips and options outlined above, you can navigate these regulations with minimal hassle. Safe travels, and whether you’re using the Gatwick drop off zones or a long-stay car park, remember to keep an eye on the clock and enjoy a smooth start to your journey!

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