Gatwick Airport raised its terminal drop-off charge to £10 with a 10-minute maximum stay on 6 January 2026. The change applies to both North and South terminal forecourts and is enforced automatically by ANPR cameras. Up from £7, the new rate makes Gatwick the most expensive UK airport drop-off charge in 2026. Here is the full rule, the exemptions, the free alternative and how to pay before the fine kicks in.
The 2026 rate
- Charge: £10 per visit, both North and South Terminals.
- Maximum stay: 10 minutes.
- Per-minute escalation: £1 per minute after 20 minutes (the second 10-minute window past the 10-minute cap).
- Enforcement: ANPR cameras at every entry and exit. No barriers, no payment booths.
- Effective date: 6 January 2026, when the rate increased from £7.
How to pay (and the deadline)
Payment is online or by phone, not at the airport. You can pay:
- In advance, if you know the trip is happening.
- On the day, after you leave the forecourt.
- By midnight the day after your visit. Hard deadline.
Miss the deadline and Gatwick issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. Always pay within 24 hours; you can pay from anywhere with an internet connection.
AutoPay (removes the deadline)
Gatwick offers AutoPay registration, which links your number plate to a payment card. With AutoPay, the £10 is charged automatically the next working day with no risk of a Penalty Charge Notice. Useful if you drop off at Gatwick regularly.
The free alternative (use the Long Stay car park)
Park at the Long Stay car park for the matching terminal and take the free shuttle into the terminal. The first 2 hours of any visit are free. The trade-off: a 30 to 50 minute round trip for the driver versus 10 to 15 minutes for the forecourt drop-off. For travellers with time, this is the genuine zero-cost option.
The two Long Stay car parks are Gatwick North Long Stay and Gatwick South Long Stay, each serving its respective terminal with a free shuttle running every 10 to 12 minutes.
The drop-off trap most people fall into
The £10 covers ONE visit (one entry-and-exit pair). If you drop someone off, drive away, then come back five minutes later because they forgot their passport, that is a second £10 charge. Likewise on collection: every visit to the forecourt is a separate £10, even on the same calendar day.
What changed on 6 January 2026
The previous rate was £7 for 10 minutes (introduced in May 2025, up from £6 in 2024). On 6 January 2026, Gatwick raised it to £10, citing congestion management and operational costs. The 43% increase makes Gatwick the most expensive UK airport drop-off charge in 2026.
How Gatwick compares to other UK airports in 2026
| Airport | Drop-off charge | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Gatwick (LGW) | £10 | 10 min |
| Bristol (BRS) | £8.50 | 10 min |
| Heathrow (LHR) | £7 | 10 min |
| Stansted (STN) | £7 | 10 min |
| Luton (LTN) | £7 | 10 min |
| Leeds Bradford (LBA) | £7 | 10 min |
| Manchester (MAN) | £6 | 10 min |
| Birmingham (BHX) | £6 | 15 min |
| East Midlands (EMA) | £5 | 15 min |
Exemptions
Blue Badge holders can register their badge with Gatwick to avoid the £10 charge. Two-wheeled motorbikes are not subject to the charge. Licensed taxis and private hire on a metered fare have separate arrangements.
If you forget to pay
- You receive a Penalty Charge Notice in the post, typically within 14 days.
- The standard penalty is £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days of issue.
- If unpaid after 28 days, the penalty escalates and may be passed to a debt-collection agency.
- You can appeal if you genuinely paid on time or were exempt (Blue Badge). Keep your payment confirmation.
Five things to do if you are dropping someone off at Gatwick
- Set a phone reminder to pay the £10 before midnight the following day. Do it before you drive home, it takes 60 seconds.
- Stay under 10 minutes. The forecourt is not a parking space.
- If you have a Blue Badge, register it with Gatwick in advance.
- If you will likely need a second pickup or drop-off, factor in another £10 per visit.
- If you have time, use the free Long Stay car park drop-off instead.
The honest one-line answer
The Gatwick forecourt at £10 for 10 minutes is the convenience option. Worth it if you save 30 to 40 minutes round-trip via the Long Stay shuttle. The Long Stay free drop-off remains an option for drivers with time on their hands.
Plan the rest of your Gatwick trip
- For parking, see our Cheapest Gatwick Airport Parking in 2026.
- For routes and terminal access, see Driving to Gatwick Airport.
- For lounges, see Gatwick Airport Lounges 2026.