Gatwick Parking

[carlala]

Does anyone have any recommendations for parking at Gatwick for a week? It's our first holiday abroad and I'm not sure what the best option/company is.

I always follow the guidelines on moneysavingexpert for airport parking:

Cheap airport parking: Heathrow, Gatwick & more | MSE (moneysavingexpert.com)

Recently used maple parking meet and greet. Booked via purple parking nhs discount on blue light card.

Was sooo worth it with a little one. 5 minute walk from terminal. Cost £80 for the week, so not the cheapest but worth it for ease.

We once stayed overnight in a nearby hotel that offered free parking for the duration of the holiday, plus a shuttle to the airport which was all cheaper than leaving the car in a long stay car park. It was convenient as it was an early morning flight and we were coming from the north of England.

I've always used Cophall Farm. Always had good service with them.

I've used the Gatwick valet parking where you're just a few minutes walk from the terminal. Very efficient. I've also used the slightly further away one where you have to get a bus (also official Gatwick parking) with no problem.

I also just do the Gatwick Long Stay Valet parking - it’s usually only £20 more for a week than the standard Long Stay when you pre-book online and means you’re literally 2 minutes from the terminal when you leave your car.

Just returned on Monday used Gatwick Long Stay as always. If you subscribe to Gatwick Airport Website you'll get10% off. Buses right outside the terminal and very frequent.

With the official Gatwick parking does anyone know -

For the Valet Parking is it kept in the long stay car park? Is it covered for damages while they drive it? Also when you collect car is it waiting for you or do you have to find it within the car park?

The other place I was looking at was APH, either park and ride or meet and greet but wasn't sure with it being driven further away by staff.

Want something that is quite straight forward due to a passenger with additional needs.

Valet parking - I believe it’s kept in the long stay yes. The drivers are fully insured - I’ve used them 20+ times and never had any damage or incidents. You tell them your arrival time on the booking and your car is waiting in the valet area for you at that time.

APH, Cophall Parking, Maple Manor.

if you go on the parking section of Gatwick airport it will list all local approved operators in the area.
some you leave the key and they park and some you meet at the airport and they take your key and car to a local park.

I live nearby but the three above are all good

Valet parking is good, it's so close to the terminal. I believe they take your car off to the long stay and bring it back for when you are arriving, as you have to tell them your flight number/times.

Also purple parking they e very good too

Valet parking with little ones is excellent. The car is in the car park but they tell you exactly where to find it and it takes minutes.

Thank you, valet sounds like a good option. I just didn't want to be search around a huge car park looking for the car or walking ages to get to it.

The official Gatwick also does summer holiday parking, I've seen where the car park is but does anyone know if it is one where you drop keys at reception area and get your bus then collect car from reception afterwards?

This and the valet parking service. Both are equally good.

Our car parking in Long Stay South was £116 for the week. My DH will not let anyone else take the car or leave the keys with anyone. No we don't have a Maserati- only an aged Ford Mondeo Estate😉.

For the valet parking you drop it in a holding area and they take your key. The car is photographed/scanned from all angles on entry IIRC so any existing damage is recorded.

On return, you go to the office where they give you your key and tell you where the car is (complete with a little map). TBH, I'm not 100% sure where they keep it in the time you're away! It's always in the multi story car park when you come back though.

My only complaint is that the instructions for finding the entrance were so poor last year that I missed it and got stung by the £5 charge for driving through the drop off zone as I drove round again.

I'm trying to book the Official Gatwick valet, what times do I put? Our flight departs at 8:30pm and returns at 2:25am. I've never flown before so not sure how long we need. Would 5pm entry and 5am exit sound right?

I would put 5.00pm and maybe 4.50am allowing for any delays!

Are you flying domestically or internationally? And will you have checked baggage?

We are flying to Spain and yes checked baggage.

The valet parking is excellent and stress free. Highly recommend.

It gives you some leeway on timing because of flight delays etc.
A friend did the summer parking last year & nearly missed our flight. There was a queue to get in & the bus took ages. I've no idea if she left the keys with someone but I don't think so.
We were at the valet parking 2 mins from the terminal feeling smug!

I would be surprised if it took more than 90 minutes to get through passport control and get your bags at that time of night so I would say put down 4am or 4:30 as the exit time.

Entry time if you want it to be stress free, I’d plan to be going in 3 hours before your flight - do you need to check in there or is it just bag drop? Is it school holidays?

Have you got assistance booked? I think I read you’re travelling with someone with additional needs? That will cut down on the time in queues etc.

We always choose the long stay car parks where you keep your keys, it means needing a shuttle bus usually but it's peace of mind knowing they aren't moving your car about. I've seen too many watchdog specials on airport parking scams. If you need to use valet parking, take a photo with time stamp of the mileage as you drop it off and also have taken photos before leaving home of the car condition, even the act of them seeing you take the mileage photo means that they will be less likely to do anything wrong.