Parking Overview
Economy Parking at London Gatwick (LGW) is the budget-friendly way to leave your car while you travel. It typically means either Gatwick’s official Long Stay car parks (on-site, with free terminal transfers) or low-cost off-site park & ride providers such as Purple Parking, Cophall Parking, and APH. You’ll trade a little extra transfer time for significantly lower prices than Short Stay.
This option is best for week-long trips, longer holidays, and budget travelers who don’t need to be within walking distance of the terminal. The overall experience is straightforward: park, take a transfer, and return via shuttle. Quality varies by provider, but pre-booked economy products are usually the best value at LGW.
Pricing
- Official Long Stay (on-gate/drive-up reference pricing): free for 0–2 hours, then about £38 for 2–24 hours, and around £32 per additional day (rates can change; pre-booking is often cheaper).
- Off-site park & ride (Purple/Cophall/APH): commonly from about £4.21–£5.43 per day when pre-booked, depending on dates and demand.
- Weekly guidance: economy parking is usually the cheapest for a 7-day stay—off-site can be dramatically lower than on-site, while official Long Stay typically lands in the mid-range versus Short Stay.
Comparison: Gatwick Short Stay is the most convenient but expensive (e.g., around £8 for 30 minutes and up to £70 for 12–24 hours). Economy/Long Stay and off-site park & ride are far better for multi-day trips.
Discounts: Pre-booking online (official Gatwick site or major aggregators/providers) usually brings the biggest savings. Some products (like Mid Stay) can be pre-book only. Payment is typically by card/online checkout; many sites use ANPR for smoother entry/exit on pre-booked stays.
Getting to Your Terminal
Most economy options are not walk-to-terminal. Official Long Stay uses a free 24/7 shuttle to North and South Terminals with typical transfer times around 10–12 minutes, running approximately every 10–15 minutes.
Off-site park & ride transfers usually take about 5–15 minutes depending on the provider, traffic, and whether the transfer is by shuttle (most common). Expect some weather exposure when waiting for buses and moving luggage—build in extra time during peak periods.
Features & Security
- Covered vs. uncovered: Economy/Long Stay parking is typically uncovered. Premium and Short Stay are more likely to be multi-storey/closer.
- Security: Look for well-lit sites, perimeter fencing, CCTV, patrols, and controlled entry/exit (features vary by provider; official car parks generally have robust controls).
- EV charging: Gatwick EV charging is known to be available in Short Stay (limited spaces, first-come). Economy/Long Stay commonly has limited or no charging—confirm before booking if you need it.
- Accessibility: Gatwick provides designated bays; Blue Badge holders can typically use certain drop-off benefits, but parking itself is not generally free. Check each product’s terms.
Booking Tips
- Reserve online for the best rates—especially for school holidays and summer peaks when economy inventory sells out.
- Plan buffer time: allow at least 30–45 minutes from parking arrival to terminal during busy periods (parking, waiting, transfer, unloading).
- Check cancellation terms before purchase; many third-party bookings offer flexible or low-cost cancellation, but policies differ.
- If economy is full: try alternative off-site providers (e.g., Purple, Cophall, APH) or consider official Long Stay; if you need maximum convenience, upgrade to Short Stay or Valet/Meet & Greet (e.g., Maple/I Love Park & Deliver) at a higher price.