Short Stay Parking at Gatwick Airport
The fastest route from your car to departures. Park within walking distance of both terminals — no shuttle bus, no waiting. Ideal for drop-offs, pickups and trips of up to three days.
Why Choose Short Stay Parking at Gatwick?
The closest car parks to the terminal. Walk straight to departures in minutes — no transfers, no fuss.
Walking Distance to Terminal
Short stay car parks are located right next to both Gatwick terminals. A covered walkway takes you to departures in just 2 to 5 minutes on foot.
No Shuttle Required
Unlike long stay car parks, there is no need to wait for a shuttle bus. You park and walk directly to the terminal — it could not be simpler.
Both Terminals
Dedicated short stay car parks serve both Gatwick North and South terminals, so you are always close to the right one for your flight.
Flexible Stay
Whether you need an hour for a pickup or three days for a business trip, short stay parking gives you the flexibility to pay only for what you use.
CCTV Monitored
All short stay facilities are fully covered by CCTV and monitored 24 hours a day, giving you peace of mind whilst you travel.
Online Booking
Pre-book online to guarantee your space and get a better price. Walk-up rates are typically much higher than advance bookings.
When to Choose Short Stay Parking
Short stay parking is the right choice when you need to be as close to the terminal as possible. It is the quickest way to get from your car to departures — and back again when you land.
Short Stay vs Meet & Greet: Which Is Right for You?
Both options put you close to the terminal. Here is how they compare so you can choose the best fit.
Not sure which option suits you best?
Compare All Parking OptionsShort Stay Parking at Gatwick: Your Complete Guide
Short stay parking at Gatwick Airport is the closest you can park to the terminal without opting for a meet & greet service. These car parks are positioned directly beside both the North and South terminals, connected by covered walkways that take just a few minutes to traverse on foot. If you value speed and convenience and your trip is relatively brief, short stay parking is an excellent choice.
Where Are the Short Stay Car Parks?
Gatwick has dedicated short stay multi-storey car parks at both terminals. At the North Terminal, the short stay car park is connected to the terminal building via a covered bridge on level two. At the South Terminal, the short stay car park is integrated into the terminal complex itself. In both cases, the walk from your parking space to the check-in desks takes no more than five minutes — often less.
Typical Pricing for Short Stay Parking
Short stay parking is priced by the hour, starting from around £6 per hour at on-airport car parks. For longer stays of one to three days, the cumulative cost can add up, which is why pre-booking is essential. By booking online in advance, you can often secure rates 20–40% lower than the walk-up price. For example, a two-day stay that might cost £80 on the day could be secured for £50–60 with advance booking.
If your trip is longer than three days, it is worth considering long stay parking at Gatwick instead. Long stay car parks are slightly further from the terminal (shuttle transfer required) but offer significantly lower daily rates, making them the better value option for extended stays.
When Does Short Stay Make Sense?
Short stay parking is at its best for trips of three days or fewer. It is also the go-to option for anyone dropping off or picking up passengers — you can park, walk to the terminal, help with bags, and be back at your car within minutes. Compare that to the drop-off zone, where you are limited to a few minutes and often charged a fee just for pulling up.
For business travellers on same-day return trips, short stay is hard to beat. You can be from your car to the gate faster than with any other parking option (except perhaps meet & greet, where the driver meets you at the terminal door).
Short Stay vs Long Stay vs Meet & Greet
Each parking type at Gatwick serves a different purpose. Short stay is ideal for brief trips and drop-offs where terminal proximity is key. Long stay is the value choice for holidays and trips of five days or more — you trade a shuttle transfer for a much lower daily rate. Meet & greet is the premium option where a driver takes your car, giving you the most seamless experience.
If you drive an electric vehicle, some short stay facilities offer limited EV charging at Gatwick, though meet & greet providers tend to have more comprehensive charging options.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal
- Always pre-book online — walk-up prices are significantly higher, even for short stays.
- Compare providers to find the best rate for your specific dates and terminal.
- If your trip is more than three days, check whether long stay parking would work out cheaper.
- Look for providers with flexible cancellation in case your plans change.
Short Stay Gatwick Parking FAQs
How much does short stay parking at Gatwick cost?
Short stay parking at Gatwick typically starts from around £6 per hour for on-airport car parks. For stays of 1 to 3 days, pre-booking online can reduce costs significantly compared to turning up on the day. Prices vary by terminal and provider.
Where are the short stay car parks at Gatwick?
Short stay car parks at Gatwick are located directly adjacent to both the North and South terminals. They are connected via covered walkways, meaning you can walk to departures in just a few minutes without needing a shuttle bus.
Is short stay parking better than meet & greet at Gatwick?
It depends on your priorities. Short stay parking is cheaper and still very close to the terminal, but you park the car yourself. Meet & greet is more convenient as a driver takes your car, but it costs more. For quick trips of 1–3 days where you want to save money, short stay is often the better choice.
Can I use short stay parking for drop-offs and pickups at Gatwick?
Yes. Short stay car parks are ideal for drop-offs and pickups. You can park close to the terminal, walk your party to departures and be back at your car within minutes. Most car parks offer a free period of around 10 to 15 minutes for quick drop-offs.
How far is short stay parking from Gatwick terminals?
Short stay car parks are the closest parking option to both Gatwick terminals. They are typically a 2 to 5 minute walk via covered walkways. No shuttle bus is needed, making them the fastest route from your car to departures.
Compare Short Stay Parking at Gatwick
Find the best short stay deal near your terminal. Compare prices from vetted providers and book in minutes.
Compare Prices NowGatwick short stay parking: the fastest option for short trips
Gatwick short stay parking is the right choice for trips of one to three days, particularly when speed and a short walk into the terminal matter more than the lowest day rate. The official short stay car parks sit closest to both North Terminal and South Terminal, with covered walkways straight into departures. EV Gatwick Parking compares short stay deals across the airport, so you can see whether a cheap Gatwick short stay on airport, a nearby off airport short stay or a meet and greet for the same window is best for your trip.
When short stay parking is the smart choice
- Quick weekend breaks of one to three nights.
- Short business trips with a tight schedule.
- Pickups and drop offs of family or friends.
- Last minute trips where shuttle wait times feel costly.
Short stay vs long stay at Gatwick
Per day, short stay is generally more expensive than long stay parking. The trade off is convenience. With short stay, the walk to the terminal is a few minutes and there is no shuttle bus. For a week or longer trip, long stay almost always wins on price. For two or three day trips, the gap narrows and short stay can be competitive once you factor in time saved.
Short stay vs meet and greet
Off peak, a meet and greet service can be surprisingly close in price to the official short stay car park for the same window. Meet and greet skips the walk through the car park entirely, which is worth weighing for early flights or late returns. Always compare both for your dates.
Cheap Gatwick short stay parking: tips
- Pre book online. Walk up short stay rates are noticeably higher.
- Confirm if your trip is closer to a long stay slot. The day rate may flip.
- Compare meet and greet for the same dates. The price can be similar in low season.
- Look at operators offering free amendments in case plans change.
Short stay parking with EV charging
EV chargers are now available at several short stay locations near both terminals. For a longer top up, an EV friendly meet and greet may be a better fit. See our Gatwick EV parking with chargers guide for the full picture on charging options.
What we check before listing a short stay operator
- Park Mark or equivalent accreditation.
- CCTV and lit walkways.
- Transparent pricing including any short stay surcharge.
- A real review history from recent travellers.
Compare Gatwick short stay parking now
Search live Gatwick short stay prices above or head to get a quote. If your trip is longer than three nights, our long stay parking page is worth a look. For the lowest possible price across all categories, see cheap Gatwick parking.