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Original poster

Parking at Gatwick

27 replies

StormzMe · 16/09/2023 18:24

Flying out of Gatwick for our next holidays and after some insider knowledge about parking. We usually fly out of LHR or BHX and I know the best tricks for those (happy to share) but it's been years since I last flew from Gatwick.

We have a disabled child and a lot of baggage so basically we need a no-transfer option - walking distance from the terminal and not a million pounds. Like closest parking that's cheaper than short stay or meet and greet that's not the official one but doesn't keep you waiting ages either??

OP posts:

MariaVT65 · 16/09/2023 18:29

We flew out of gatwick recently. I have to say the long stay car park was fine.

-Frequent shuttle buses
-Lots of room on shuttle buses
-Very short drive to the terminals, a few mins

I’m not sure of any car parks that are walking distance to the terminals, so the shuttles from long stay could still be a good alternative if you don’t get any joy from other posters :)

Manifest828 · 16/09/2023 18:29

www.purpleparking.com/gatwick-airport-parking

www.holidayextras.com/gatwick-long-stay-parking.html

I usually use holiday extra to book my long stay LGW parking when travelling for 2 weeks+ the drop off point isn't far to walk cross over the road and then your inside the airport. I find booking via holiday extra reasonably priced.

Sometimes you can get deals on groupon.

Plus it depends on how long your travelling on

MariaVT65 · 16/09/2023 18:32

Oh yeah if they do valet parking then that’s much better 😁

cocksstrideintheevening · 16/09/2023 18:37

How far is home? We just book a cab and they pick us up in the drop off zone

Original poster

StormzMe · 16/09/2023 18:39

@Manifest828 do you mean you park in Long Stay and can walk to the terminal? Because that's basically my 'trick' for parking in Birmingham - we park in what's called Long Stay but it's actually a really easy walk to the terminal and not even worth getting the transfer bus...

OP posts:

Original poster

StormzMe · 16/09/2023 18:40

cocksstrideintheevening · 16/09/2023 18:37

How far is home? We just book a cab and they pick us up in the drop off zone

A couple of hours sadly; but if I can't find a better solution I might consider a hotel and parking type deal I guess.

OP posts:

Manifest828 · 16/09/2023 19:11

StormzMe · 16/09/2023 18:39

Pretty much yeah. Or you can book the valet long stay, you drop off and can walk over to the entrance. Most the king stays are in the same car park I have found.

voxnihili · 16/09/2023 21:11

We do the valet parking at Gatwick. For 2 weeks in the summer holidays it comes in at approx £200. Not the cheapest option but it’s convenient.

doubleshift · 16/09/2023 21:33

We did valet parking booked through Gatwick airport site - paid c. £95 for. 2 weeks in Aug . Booked 11 months ahead

Clymene · 16/09/2023 21:34

I stay in the Sofitel and park there. A breeze.

cherryassam · 16/09/2023 21:35

The valet parking at Gatwick is definitely worth it - book direct and it’s usually only about £10 more than long stay

countrybump · 16/09/2023 21:38

I use Tudor Rose meet and greet and have not had any problems yet. Been using them for years as so convenient.

SoupDragon · 16/09/2023 21:42

I've used valet parking at Gatwick the last couple of times. Very easy and just a short walk. Straightforward pick up at the end too.

Slothlikemum · 17/09/2023 00:02

Valet parking seems great but they crashed our.(3 week old) car last summer. Paid for repairs easily but pissed us off and was a lot of hassle we didn't need coming back from holiday

Roselilly36 · 17/09/2023 02:55

we only used the official gatwick valet parking, meet and greet, you park in the car park closest to the terminal, it’s by far the easiest option. Bear in mind the airport is huge, think about booking assistance if you need it. Tell the parking that you would the car put in a disabled bay assuming you have a badge. This isn’t guaranteed to happen though. We have never had any issues with this parking arrangement. It’s much better than using the long stay off site and using the bus. Make sure when you book, you book for the correct terminal (North or South) there is a monorail that runs between the two. When you arrive back you pick up the keys, they tell you which bay they have put the car, and off you go.

Poppyblush · 17/09/2023 06:13

You can park in the short stay car park for long periods of time, eg week. It’s more expensive but no buses. And you keep your keys - dont use places where you give your keys to unregulated strangers.

BigSwigs · 17/09/2023 06:46

Another vote for valet parking - they take your car and park it for you. There are lots of big car parks in the perimeters around Gatwick but it's very confusing as to where the entrances are. There is an underpass at the South Terminal with a lift and a side door by Costa that people go out of for local buses. The other option would be to stay in Horley and get a taxi, from central Horley it's about £13 to South Terminal, North may be closer. If you had hand luggage and no children you can walk through the Nature Reserve to the airport from Horley but would not recommend it in other circumstances, airport staff and people getting a train might do it! There is also a station in central Horley, it's two minutes to Gatwick. There are lots of guesthouses in Horley.

modgepodge · 17/09/2023 06:57

We used the valet parking in august and it was only about £20 more than the off site long stay one. It was so worth it when we arrived back at 3am to just walk across the road and not faff around on a bus with kids and luggage!

AnotherCountryMummy · 17/09/2023 06:59

The valet parking is great. If you're North Terminal then Purple Parking is very good and about 2 minutes easy walk to the terminal.

TheDogsMother · 17/09/2023 07:39

If it works for your budget book the Bloc hotel for the night before and the inclusive parking deal gets you into the short stay car park right opposite the terminal. The hotel is immediately above the terminal. I found it to be a great deal.

Pashazade · 17/09/2023 08:16

I would caution against purple parking they wrote my car off! Although this was 10 years ago at the Heathrow site. I may or may not be holding a grudge. None of the car parks are walkable other than short stay, Gatwick is not foot friendly so to speak!

Mrburnshound · 17/09/2023 08:20

How long is your holiday? We paid £125 for short stay for a week this summer and parked right next to the lift, which was 30 secs away from the terminal

JCWiatt · 17/09/2023 10:15

TheDogsMother · 17/09/2023 07:39

I second this!

PoomberChat · 21/09/2023 15:37

Sorry to jump on this... but I have booked the Gatwick North Short Stay car park as I am travelling solo with my 2 year old and thought it would be easier. I am bringing the usual bag, pram, travel cot... AND my partners bike.. so I didn't want anywhere with transfers where I'd have to load it all on and off buses. BUT.... sudden panic... Can you pick up a trolley in the car park, or is it just in the terminal, which looks to be the case online. But that makes no sense to me?!!? When you're coming back from arrivals, surely you don't have to unload all your bags off the trolley at the terminal doors and carry it back to car park? Just wondering if anyone has had any experience of getting a whole load of luggage, and a 2 year old, from the Gatwick North car park... into the terminal. Thank-you!

Mrburnshound · 21/09/2023 15:43

@PoomberChat they have trolleys in the car park so you roll the trolley straight to the car. Kudos to you for taking DP bike on top of all that - he owes you a few lie ins haha.

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