Parking Overview
London Gatwick Short Stay Parking is the airport’s closest official car park for both the North and South Terminals. It’s designed for short visits such as drop-offs, pick-ups, meeting arriving passengers, or brief business trips where being near the terminal matters more than cost.
Best for: quick pickup and short trips (hours to 1–2 days). It’s generally a straightforward, well-signposted on-airport experience with fast access to the terminals, but it is typically one of the more expensive ways to park at LGW compared with Long Stay and off-site park-and-ride providers.
Pricing
- Official daily rate (from): about £38/day (official data). Drive-up pricing is often higher than pre-booked rates.
- Typical short-stay increments (guide): around £8 for 30 minutes, rising up to ~£70 for 12–24 hours on some tariffs (recent research). Always check the current tariff board or your booking confirmation for the exact bands.
- Weekly cost: Short Stay is rarely cost-effective for a full week; at £38/day, you could be around £266/week before any peak surcharges.
How it compares: For longer trips, Long Stay is usually far cheaper (and offers free parking for 0–2 hours in some cases, useful for pick-ups), though it requires a shuttle. Off-site park-and-ride operators can be the cheapest overall, with pre-booked deals sometimes from ~£4–£6/day, but transfers can take longer.
- Discounts: Pre-booking online (official site or reputable aggregators) typically gives the best price and avoids expensive drive-up rates.
- Payment: Expect card/contactless payment at barriers and pay points; pre-booking is paid online. Keep your booking details handy for ANPR/entry support.
Getting to Your Terminal
- On foot: Short Stay is typically a ~4-minute walk to the terminal (official data), making it the fastest option when you want to be inside check-in quickly.
- Shuttle: No shuttle is normally required for Short Stay—access is designed to be walkable.
- Weather: As a close-to-terminal car park, the walk is short; however, not all areas are fully protected from the elements, so bring a jacket/umbrella in wet weather.
Features & Security
- Covered vs. uncovered: Short Stay is often in multi-storey/near-terminal structures, but coverage can vary by section; confirm when booking if “Premium Short Stay” is offered for closer positioning.
- Security: As an official on-airport facility, expect strong lighting, CCTV coverage, and regular patrols typical of major airport parking.
- EV charging: Recent airport info indicates 22kW EV charging bays in Short Stay at both terminals on a first-come, first-served basis (availability can be limited).
- Accessibility: Dedicated bays are available, and step-free terminal access is generally straightforward due to the short walking distance.
- Extras: Car wash/detailing is not a core Short Stay feature; if you want bundled services, consider Valet/Meet & Greet-style options instead.
Booking Tips
- Book ahead for savings: Pre-booking usually beats on-the-day pricing, especially during school holidays and summer weekends.
- Plan for peak periods: Short Stay can fill up when flights are disrupted or during holiday rushes—arrive with extra time or have a backup.
- Cancellation: Many official/aggregator bookings allow amendments or cancellation up to a set cutoff; check the fare rules before paying.
- If it’s full (best alternatives): Use Long Stay (often best value, shuttle 10–12 minutes) or vetted off-site park-and-ride. For the closest premium experience, look for Premium Short Stay or official Valet Parking.