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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Gatwick Parking

31 replies

carlala · 16/05/2024 13:30

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.

OP posts:

Original poster

carlala · 16/05/2024 17:50

@cherryassam ok great. Do I need to add on extra time for the valet when we get there? Or is 3 hours in total fine? Think it advised 3 hours early for European flights. It is the summer holidays at the very start. I think so can check in online but need to double check as I have no idea what I'm doing so need to work it out.

Assistance is next on my list of things to look into to see what they offer.

OP posts:

Thursdaygirl · 16/05/2024 17:51

MagpiePi · 16/05/2024 13:38

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.

We do this, I can recommend parking/staying at Holiday Inn Gatwick

cherryassam · 16/05/2024 17:56

I would agree with the PP who says put it as 5 - that gives you plenty of time in case you all need to go to the loo as soon as you arrive or similar! It’s always less stressful if you’ve got plenty of time.

There’s some really helpful info on special assistance here: https://www.gatwickairport.com/passenger-guides/special-assistance.html

I’ve heard good things about Gatwick for special assistance too. Depending of if you have booked directly with the airline or tour operator it will be one or the other who you need to book it with.

Special Assistance | London Gatwick Airport

Find information about booking and getting special assistance at Gatwick, including when you fly into, arrive, and leave the airport.

https://www.gatwickairport.com/passenger-guides/special-assistance.html

Ilovemyshed · 16/05/2024 17:57

carlala · 16/05/2024 14:15

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.

Many horror stories about valet parking. Just book into the official long stay and keep hold of your keys. Or do a stay and fly overnight.

cherryassam · 16/05/2024 17:58

There are horror stories about 3rd party valet parking - the official valet parking at Gatwick is excellent. They don’t take the cars off airport property. They take photos of the whole car when you drop it off. I have used 20+ times and travel extensively and it is some of the best airport valet parking I have used globally.

thehousewiththesagegreensofa · 16/05/2024 22:50

If there is any bus transfer involved, beware that, in our experience, it's every man for themselves (probably as everyone is a bit stressed and wants to make sure there is room for their suitcase) and no one helps you with your pushchair or lets you on first or anything usual. It a complete frenzy! The first time it happened, we thought it was bad luck. Then it happened again. There was no third time as one of us would get dropped off at the airport with at least one DC, the pushchair and a suitcase (or two depending on the number of DC) and the other would drive the car to parking and get the bus to the airport with any remaining bags/DC.
This seems to apply to Heathrow as well as Gatwick. Luton was a bit more civilised. At Birmingham, everyone went out of their way to help us to the extent I thought baby DS might be being kidnapped

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