Premium Short Stay North

Same-level parking with North Terminal departures in about 1 minute

Premium Short Stay North sits in the North Terminal short stay car park, with signed premium zones in the first and second blocks and a walking time of about 1 minute to the terminal doors. You still use the main Short Stay entry gate, then peel off through an extra barrier into the premium section once inside.

In the first car park block, the premium area lines up with the first-floor departures entrance and the covered walkway to the Sofitel hotel. Park, grab your bags, and you’re already on the same level as North Terminal departures, so you skip the lifts completely and head straight across.

In the second block, Premium Short Stay North moves to the ground floor, aligned with the arrivals level instead. It’s still behind its own internal barrier, and the walk to the terminal doors is again around a minute, but you’ll come in at arrivals and then go up one level inside the building if you’re flying out.

Pricing runs higher than standard Short Stay (check the Gatwick site; the premium uplift changes by date), and the product is pitched as a premium short stay option rather than long-stay value. There’s no valet or meet-and-greet here, just closer bays and same-level access for North Terminal users.

Regulars on British Airways flights from the North Terminal often skip Premium Short Stay North and just use normal Short Stay plus the lifts, unless they have large checked bags or mobility issues. The main complaint in reviews: you often walk a similar distance as standard Short Stay; the gain is avoiding elevators and shaving a couple of minutes.

Tip: if you’re prioritising speed with luggage or a pushchair, aim for the first block premium section so you roll straight onto the departures and Sofitel level instead of arriving at ground-floor arrivals.