Quick Summary
The Gatwick drop off charge increased to £10 for up to 10 minutes from 6 January 2026 (up from £7). The fee applies at both North Terminal and South Terminal forecourt drop-off zones — recorded by ANPR cameras with no barriers. Payment must be made by midnight the following day or you face a £100 Parking Charge Notice (£60 if paid within 14 days). Gatwick is now the joint most expensive airport for drop-offs in the UK alongside Stansted. Free alternative: Long Stay car parks (up to 2 hours free + shuttle bus). The simplest option is to book a pre-booked taxi with LondonAirport-Taxi.com — your driver handles the drop-off charge as part of the fixed fare.
What Is the Gatwick Drop Off Charge?
The Gatwick drop off charge is a fee applied when any vehicle enters the designated forecourt drop-off zones outside the North Terminal or South Terminal at London Gatwick Airport. These zones are located on the lower level of each terminal, right next to the departures entrance — the most convenient spot to drop passengers.
The system is barrierless. There are no ticket machines, no barriers, and no payment booths. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras record your vehicle registration as you enter the zone. The charge is triggered instantly, even if you stop for less than a minute. There is no grace period.
Gatwick introduced the drop-off charge in 2021 to reduce congestion around the terminals and encourage public transport use. Since then, the fee has doubled — from £5 at launch to £10 today.
Gatwick Drop Off Charge 2026 – Current Prices
From 6 January 2026, the Gatwick forecourt drop-off charges are:
| Duration | Charge (from 6 Jan 2026) | Previous Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | £10 | £7 |
| 10–20 minutes | £10 (same tier) | — |
| Over 20 minutes | £10 + £1 per extra minute | — |
| Over 30 minutes | Not permitted — use Short Stay | — |
The £10 charge is a 43% increase from the previous £7 fee, and more than double the original £5 charge when the system launched in 2021. Gatwick is now the joint most expensive airport for drop-offs in the UK alongside Stansted.
An interesting detail: Gatwick's Short Stay car parks charge £8 for up to 30 minutes — actually cheaper than the £10 drop-off charge and giving you three times as long. For anyone who needs more than a quick goodbye, Short Stay parking can be the better deal.
How Does Gatwick Compare to Other London Airports?
Every London airport now charges for terminal drop-offs. Here is the full picture as of 2026:
| Airport | Drop-Off Charge | Time Limit | PCN Fine | Free Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatwick (LGW) | £10 | 10 min | £100 / £60 | Long Stay (2 hrs) + shuttle |
| Stansted (STN) | £10 | 15 min | £100 / £60 | Mid Stay (60 min) + shuttle |
| Heathrow (LHR) | £7 | 10 min | £80 / £40 | Park & Ride + shuttle |
| Luton (LTN) | £5 | 10 min | Varies | Mid Stay + shuttle |
| London City (LCY) | £5 | 10 min | Varies | — |
For our guides to other airports, see Heathrow drop off charge 2026 and Stansted drop off charge 2026.
North Terminal vs South Terminal – Where to Drop Off
Gatwick has two terminals, each with its own forecourt drop-off zone. The £10 charge applies at both:
- North Terminal: Follow signs from the M23 Junction 9 roundabout. The drop-off area is on the lower level between the Sofitel hotel and the multi-storey car park.
- South Terminal: Use the filter lane from the J9a roundabout. The drop-off area is on the lower level outside departures.
Always check which terminal your airline uses before setting off. If you drive to the wrong terminal, you may need to exit and re-enter — paying the £10 charge twice. British Airways, easyJet (some routes), TUI, and WizzAir typically use the North Terminal, while easyJet (most routes), Ryanair, and Vueling use the South Terminal. Check your booking confirmation to be sure.
Who Needs to Pay?
The charge applies to almost every vehicle:
- Private cars
- Taxis, minicabs, and private hire vehicles
- Uber, Bolt, and ride-hailing vehicles
- Rental and hire cars
- Electric vehicles (EVs are not exempt)
Blue Badge holders are exempt but must register their vehicle on the Gatwick/NCP website before arrival or by midnight the following day. The exemption is not automatic.
How to Pay the Gatwick Drop Off Charge
Payment must be made after your visit — there are no payment machines at the drop-off zone. Here is how:
- Online via the official Gatwick drop-off payment portal (operated by NCP)
- By telephone on 0330 174 4503
- AutoPay — register your vehicle for automatic payment after each visit
Deadline: Payment must be completed by midnight on the day after your visit. Cash and cheques are not accepted.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay?
If payment is not received by the midnight deadline, a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) is issued to the registered vehicle owner:
- £100 — the standard PCN amount
- £60 — if paid within 14 days
The PCN is administered by NCP on behalf of Gatwick Airport. You can appeal via the NCP website if you believe the charge is incorrect, but you will need supporting evidence.
How to Avoid the Gatwick Drop Off Charge
Free Option – Long Stay Car Parks (Up to 2 Hours Free)
Gatwick offers free drop-off at the Long Stay car parks for up to 2 hours. A free shuttle bus runs between the car parks and both terminals. This is the most generous free option of any London airport.
The downside: the shuttle bus adds 10–15 minutes each way, and you need to carry luggage between the car park and the bus. For families with multiple bags, pushchairs, or elderly passengers, this extra step can be tiring.
Short Stay Car Parks – Cheaper Than the Drop-Off Zone
Gatwick's Short Stay car parks charge approximately £8 for up to 30 minutes — actually cheaper than the £10 forecourt drop-off charge and giving you three times as long. If you need to help someone with luggage or walk them to check-in, Short Stay is the better value option. Short Stay is available at both North and South Terminals.
Pre-Booked Taxi – The Simplest Choice
A pre-booked taxi eliminates every drop-off complication. Your driver handles the terminal approach and any associated charges as part of the fixed fare. No payment portals, no deadlines, no PCN risk.
With LondonAirport-Taxi.com:
- Direct door-to-terminal travel — no shuttle buses, no car parks
- The driver handles the drop-off charge as part of the fare
- No risk of missed deadlines or £100 fines
- Luggage assistance included
- Fixed fares — see our full Gatwick taxi prices
Why a Pre-Booked Taxi Beats Driving to Gatwick
With the forecourt charge now at £10 — and a potential £100 fine for forgetting to pay — many travellers decide that a pre-booked taxi is simply less hassle than driving themselves or asking a friend to drop them off:
- No drop-off charge to manage: Your driver handles the forecourt fee. No online portals, no midnight deadlines.
- Fixed fares: Your fare is confirmed at booking with LondonAirport-Taxi.com. No meters, no surge pricing.
- Flight monitoring for pickups: For Gatwick arrivals, your driver tracks your flight and waits at the terminal with a name board. 30 minutes of complimentary waiting time is included.
- Both terminals covered: Your driver delivers you to the correct terminal — North or South — based on your airline.
- 24/7 service: Gatwick operates around the clock with early-morning easyJet and Ryanair departures. A pre-booked taxi works around your schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Gatwick drop off charge in 2026?
The Gatwick drop off charge is £10 for up to 10 minutes in the forecourt drop-off zones, effective from 6 January 2026. This applies at both North Terminal and South Terminal. The fee was increased from £7 and has more than doubled since the system was introduced in 2021. Payment must be made online or by telephone by midnight the following day.
Is there a free drop-off option at Gatwick?
Yes. The Long Stay car parks offer free drop-off for up to 2 hours, the most generous free option of any London airport. A free shuttle bus takes passengers from the car park to both terminals. This avoids the £10 forecourt charge but adds travel time. Alternatively, Short Stay car parks charge approximately £8 for 30 minutes — actually cheaper than the £10 forecourt drop-off and giving you more time.
What happens if I do not pay the Gatwick drop off charge?
If payment is not received by midnight the day after your visit, a Parking Charge Notice of £100 is issued to the registered vehicle owner. This is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. The fine is administered by NCP on behalf of Gatwick Airport and is based on ANPR camera records. You can appeal via the NCP website if you believe the charge is incorrect.
Does the charge apply at both North and South Terminal?
Yes. The £10 forecourt drop-off charge applies at both Gatwick North Terminal and South Terminal. Each terminal has its own designated drop-off zone on the lower level outside departures. If you accidentally drive to the wrong terminal, exit, and re-enter the correct one, you will be charged twice because each entry is recorded separately by the ANPR cameras.
Do taxis have to pay the Gatwick drop off charge?
Yes, all taxis, minicabs, and private hire vehicles are subject to the £10 Gatwick drop off charge. When you book a pre-booked taxi with LondonAirport-Taxi.com, the driver handles this charge as part of the fixed-fare service. Passengers do not need to worry about payment deadlines or fines.
Is Short Stay parking cheaper than the drop-off zone?
Yes, surprisingly. Gatwick Short Stay car parks charge approximately £8 for up to 30 minutes, compared to £10 for just 10 minutes in the forecourt drop-off zone. Short Stay also gives you time to help with luggage or accompany someone to check-in. This makes Short Stay the better value option if you need more than a very quick stop.
How does Gatwick compare to Heathrow and Stansted?
Gatwick and Stansted are now jointly the most expensive London airports for drop-offs at £10 each. Heathrow charges £7 for 10 minutes. Gatwick gives you 10 minutes for your £10, while Stansted gives you 15 minutes. All three airports use ANPR cameras with no barriers and require payment by midnight the following day. Gatwick and Stansted both issue £100 PCNs while Heathrow issues £80 PCNs. For full guides, see our Heathrow and Stansted drop off charge pages.
Summary
The Gatwick drop off charge doubled to £10 from 6 January 2026, making it the joint most expensive airport drop-off in the UK. With a £100 PCN for missed payments and just 10 minutes allowed, the system catches out drivers who are not prepared. The free Long Stay car park alternative saves the fee but adds shuttle bus time. Short Stay parking at £8 for 30 minutes is actually cheaper and more practical. For a completely stress-free journey, a pre-booked taxi from LondonAirport-Taxi.com handles the drop-off charge, delivers you directly to the correct terminal, and costs a fixed fare with no surprises. We cover all six London airports — see our full Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, London City, and Southend pricing pages. Book your Gatwick taxi now for an instant fixed-price quote.
