Premium Short Stay

Same-level parking with the terminal doors, 2-minute walk

Premium Short Stay at London Gatwick lines you up almost directly with the terminal entrance, so you roll bags straight into North or South in about 2 minutes on foot. The whole pitch is simple: you park on the same level as departures or arrivals instead of dealing with lifts and ramps in the regular Short Stay car parks.

At the North Terminal, one Short Stay block has Premium bays on level 2, which matches the terminal entrance and the covered link to the Sofitel hotel. In the second North car park, Premium sits on the ground floor, closer to arrivals. South Terminal Premium Short Stay follows the same idea: closest bays, minimal ramp time, and a short, flat walk into check-in.

Premium Short Stay is sold as a short stay product, priced above the standard Short Stay daily rate, with prebook pricing that shifts by date and length of stay. You still keep your own keys, and there’s no shuttle, because the distance to the terminal is walkable in around 2 minutes from the Premium level. Entry is automatic via number plate or QR code, just like the other Gatwick official car parks.

FlyerTalk regulars are blunt: if you already pay for Fast Track or hold BA Club/First or elite status at Gatwick North, the only real gain from Premium Short Stay is skipping the lift or stairs from the normal Short Stay floors. Many frequent flyers only book Premium when they’re hauling two or more heavy cases, pushing a buggy, or travelling with someone who struggles with ramps.

Practical tip: pricing moves a lot by day and hour, so before locking in Premium Short Stay, pull up a standard Short Stay quote for the same times and only pay the Premium uplift if that same-level walk to the terminal saves you real effort.