Gatwick transfers & drop-off charges 2026
Gatwick raised its drop-off charge again for 2026 — it’s now £10 for a ten-minute stop, among the steepest in the UK. The good news: there’s still a free way to do it, the trains are competitive, and a fixed-fare car remains the easiest option with luggage. Here’s how to get in and out of both terminals without overpaying.
The Gatwick drop-off charge in 2026
Dropping off in the designated zones next to the North or South Terminal costs £10 for up to 10 minutes. Like most UK airports now, it’s barrierless and camera-enforced — there’s no machine to pay at on the day, so you settle up online by the airport’s deadline. Don’t, and you can expect a Parking Charge Notice of around £100. At £10 for ten minutes, Gatwick is one of the pricier drop-offs in the country, which makes the free alternative well worth knowing.
The free drop-off most people miss
North vs South Terminal — don’t get caught out
Gatwick has two terminals connected by a quick, free shuttle train. The single most common Gatwick mistake is being dropped at the wrong one. Always check your terminal on your booking before you travel — a good taxi firm will confirm it when you book, but if you’re driving yourself, look it up the night before. If you do end up at the wrong terminal, the inter-terminal shuttle takes only a few minutes, but it’s stress you don’t need with a flight to catch.
Taxi and minicab fares from Gatwick
A licensed private-hire firm gives you a fixed fare agreed up front, a driver who tracks your flight, and a car sized to your luggage and group — no meter creeping upward in Sussex traffic. For families or anyone with more than a carry-on, the door-to-door convenience usually wins over lugging cases across a station concourse.
Gatwick Express vs Thameslink & Southern
- Gatwick Express — non-stop to London Victoria in about 30 minutes, around £20 one-way (cheaper booked in advance). The fast, simple option if Victoria suits you.
- Thameslink — runs through London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras, often cheaper than the Express and better if you’re heading north of the river or connecting onward.
- Southern — another value option towards Victoria and Clapham Junction, with more stops.
For solo travellers with light bags the train is excellent value. The equation flips towards a car once you add a second person, heavy cases, small children or a late-night landing.
Pick-ups and avoiding penalties
- Use the designated Short Stay/pick-up facilities, not the roadside — camera enforcement is strict.
- For an arrival that might be delayed, the free Long Stay with the shuttle avoids a meter running while you wait.
- If you booked a transfer, let the firm handle it — flight-tracked pick-ups are exactly what a good operator does.
- Pay any drop-off charge by the deadline to dodge the ~£100 PCN.
Gatwick transfer FAQs
How much is the Gatwick drop-off charge in 2026?
£10 for up to 10 minutes in the terminal drop-off zones. Free drop-off is available at the Long Stay car parks with a free shuttle bus.
Is there a free drop-off at Gatwick?
Yes — the Long Stay car parks offer free drop-off, with a free shuttle to both terminals.
How much is Gatwick Express?
Around £20 one-way to London Victoria, about 30 minutes non-stop. Thameslink and Southern can be cheaper.
What if I don’t pay the drop-off charge?
You risk a Parking Charge Notice of around £100. The zones are camera-enforced, so pay online by the airport’s deadline.
The bottom line
Gatwick’s £10 drop-off stings, but the free Long Stay shuttle sidesteps it entirely. Solo and light? Take Thameslink or the Express. Bags, a group or a red-eye? A licensed, flight-tracked transfer with a fixed fare to the right terminal is the low-stress winner.