Parking at Gatwick South Terminal
Gatwick’s busiest terminal, home to British Airways, Vueling, Norwegian and WizzAir. Compare meet & greet, long stay and EV charging parking options from vetted providers — all serving South Terminal directly.
About Gatwick South Terminal
Everything you need to know about parking at Gatwick’s original and busiest terminal building.
Airlines & Destinations
South Terminal handles the majority of Gatwick’s scheduled traffic. British Airways operates all of its Gatwick services from here, including long-haul routes to the Caribbean, North America and beyond, plus short-haul European flights. Other key airlines include Vueling (serving Spanish cities and Barcelona hub connections), Norwegian, WizzAir (Central and Eastern European routes), and TAP Portugal (Lisbon connections).
Seasonal charter airlines including TUI Airways also operate some services from South Terminal during peak summer months. It is worth double-checking your airline’s terminal before booking, as occasional changes do occur.
Getting There by Car
South Terminal is accessed directly from M23 Junction 9. If you’re coming from central London via the M25, take the M23 southbound — Junction 9 is clearly signposted for Gatwick South Terminal. The approach road feeds into the terminal roundabout, from which you can access the short-stay car park, the drop-off forecourt, or continue to long-stay car parking.
The forecourt drop-off area is located directly outside the Departures hall on the upper level. If you are using a meet & greet service, this is where your driver will meet you. There is a free 15-minute window in the forecourt for dropping off passengers, though charges apply beyond that.
South Terminal Key Facts
Terminal Code
LGW South (IATA: LGW)
Terminal Hours
Open 24 hours, 365 days a year
Airlines
20+ airlines including BA, Vueling, Norwegian, WizzAir
Road Access
M23 Junction 9 — direct approach road
Parking Approach
Forecourt drop-off on upper level outside Departures
Parking Options at South Terminal
Three ways to park at Gatwick South Terminal. Each option is served by vetted, fully insured providers.
Meet & Greet
Drive to the South Terminal forecourt and hand your keys to a professional driver. No buses, no walking — the quickest way from car to check-in.
Long Stay Parking
Park in a secure off-airport car park with a regular shuttle bus to South Terminal. The most budget-friendly option for longer holidays and trips.
EV Charging Parking
Leave your electric vehicle at a parking facility with dedicated charging bays. Fly out, and return to a fully charged car ready for the drive home.
How Meet & Greet Works at South Terminal
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Drive to the Forecourt
On departure day, follow signs from M23 Junction 9 to South Terminal. Drive to the upper-level forecourt outside Departures.
Hand Over Your Keys
Your driver meets you at the forecourt, carries out a vehicle inspection, and takes your car to a secure compound.
Collect on Return
Once you land, call your driver. Your car will be brought to the South Terminal arrivals forecourt, ready and waiting.
The Complete Guide to Parking at Gatwick South Terminal
Gatwick South Terminal is the airport’s original terminal building and remains its busiest. Whether you are catching a British Airways flight to New York, a Vueling connection through Barcelona, or a WizzAir city break to Central Europe, getting your parking sorted in advance takes the stress out of the journey before it even begins.
Choosing the Right Parking Option
There are three main ways to park when flying from South Terminal. Meet & greet parking is the most convenient: you drive straight to the terminal, hand your keys to a professional driver, and walk into the building. It is particularly popular with families juggling children and luggage, and with business travellers who want to save every minute. Prices typically start from around £8 per day when booked ahead of time.
Long stay parking is the budget-friendly alternative. You drive to an off-airport car park, park up, and catch a shuttle bus to the terminal. The shuttle journey to South Terminal usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes. It is a good choice for price-conscious travellers who don’t mind a short bus ride, and rates can be as low as £5 per day if you book well in advance.
If you drive an electric vehicle, EV charging parking lets you leave your car at a facility with dedicated charging points. You fly out knowing your car will be topped up and ready for the drive home when you land. This is increasingly popular as more drivers switch to electric, and several providers near South Terminal now offer this service.
Driving Directions to South Terminal
South Terminal is accessed directly from M23 Junction 9. Coming from London or the M25, take the M23 southbound. The junction is clearly signposted for Gatwick Airport, and the South Terminal turn-off comes before the North Terminal exit. Once you leave the motorway, follow the approach road around the terminal roundabout. For the drop-off zone and meet & greet collection point, take the upper-level road leading to the Departures forecourt. For the on-airport short-stay car park, follow the car park signs from the same roundabout.
If you are coming from the south via the A23, you will approach the airport from the opposite direction. Follow signs for the South Terminal as you pass under the runway — the roads separate clearly between North and South terminals well before you reach either building.
The Drop-Off Zone
The South Terminal forecourt sits directly outside the Departures hall on the upper level. There is a free drop-off window (currently 15 minutes), after which charges apply. If you are using a meet & greet service, this is where you will hand over your vehicle. The area is well-lit, covered by CCTV, and staffed by airport marshals. Meet & greet drivers are easy to spot — they will confirm your booking reference and carry out a brief condition check of the vehicle before driving it to the secure storage facility.
Tips for Families
If you are travelling with young children, meet & greet is almost always the best option at South Terminal. There is no shuttle bus to manage with pushchairs and car seats, and you can unload the car right outside the terminal entrance. Once inside, South Terminal has family lanes at security and a good selection of family-friendly restaurants and play areas after passport control. Lifts and ramps provide step-free access throughout the building.
Tips for Business Travellers
For business travellers, time is usually the priority. Meet & greet at South Terminal means you can arrive later than you would need to for long stay parking, since there is no shuttle bus journey to factor in. South Terminal’s Departures area includes a No1 Lounge and British Airways lounges for eligible passengers, along with power-socket-equipped seating areas throughout the departure gate zones. The forecourt-to-gate journey can be done in 30 minutes outside of peak periods, though an hour is more comfortable at busy times.
Distances & Walking Times
From the South Terminal forecourt to the check-in desks is roughly a 2-minute walk through the automatic doors. Security is one level up via escalator or lift, and the walk from security to the furthest departure gate takes around 10 minutes. If you are using long stay parking, add 5-10 minutes for the shuttle bus plus a short walk from the bus stop into the terminal building. With meet & greet, the total time from car to airside can be as little as 20 minutes on a quiet day.
Whatever option you choose, booking your South Terminal parking in advance is the single best thing you can do to keep costs down and avoid stress on departure day. Prices rise significantly for on-the-day bookings, and popular providers fill up quickly during school holidays and bank holiday weekends.
South Terminal Parking FAQs
Which airlines use Gatwick South Terminal?
Gatwick South Terminal is home to British Airways (both short-haul and long-haul), Vueling, Norwegian, WizzAir, TAP Portugal, Allegiant Air, and several seasonal charter operators. British Airways operates the majority of flights from South Terminal, making it Gatwick’s busiest terminal overall.
How do I get to the South Terminal drop-off?
From the M23, leave at Junction 9 and follow the signs for Gatwick Airport South Terminal. The approach road leads directly into the terminal forecourt. The short-stay car park and drop-off zone are clearly signposted. For meet & greet, take the upper-level road to the Departures forecourt where your driver will be waiting.
Is EV charging available at South Terminal?
Yes. Several parking providers offer EV charging for vehicles parked at or near Gatwick South Terminal. You can filter for EV charging when comparing parking options on our site. Your car can be charged whilst you are away, so you return to a fully topped-up battery ready for the drive home.
What is the cheapest parking at Gatwick South Terminal?
Long stay parking is typically the most affordable option for South Terminal, with prices starting from around £5 per day when booked well in advance. Meet & greet starts from roughly £8 per day. The key to getting the best price is booking early — on-the-day rates are significantly higher.
How far is the South Terminal car park from the terminal building?
The official South Terminal long-stay car park is connected by a regular shuttle bus running every 10-15 minutes, with a journey time of about 5-8 minutes. If you choose meet & greet parking, there is no walk at all — your driver meets you directly at the terminal forecourt outside Departures.
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Compare Parking OptionsGatwick South Terminal parking: every option compared
Gatwick South Terminal parking covers short stay bays a few steps from the entrance, off airport long stay compounds with shuttle transfers and meet and greet operators who take the car at the forecourt. EV Gatwick Parking compares cheap South Terminal parking, South Terminal meet and greet, valet, EV friendly bays and long stay deals for your exact dates. Whatever the trip, the right operator at the right price is one search away.
South Terminal parking options at a glance
- South Terminal short stay. Closest to the terminal, fastest walk in, best for one to three day trips. See short stay parking.
- South Terminal meet and greet. Drop the car at the kerbside and walk into departures. See South Terminal meet and greet.
- South Terminal long stay. Best value for week long or longer trips. See long stay parking.
- South Terminal EV parking. Charge while you fly. See EV parking with chargers.
- South Terminal valet parking. Premium handling and forecourt drop off. See valet parking.
How to choose South Terminal parking
Trip length, time pressure and budget shape the right answer. Long stay typically wins on price for trips of seven days or more. Short stay or meet and greet are usually similar for one to three day trips, with meet and greet often the better choice for early flights, late returns or anyone with reduced mobility.
EV drivers should filter for charging while away. Bays are limited and weekends sell out fast.
South Terminal parking vs North Terminal parking
Different operators serve each terminal, and prices and transfer routes vary. If you are flying from North Terminal, see our dedicated guide. Always book against the correct terminal. Cross terminal moves on the day waste time and add stress.
Cheap South Terminal parking: how to save
- Book at least two weeks ahead.
- Avoid school holidays where you can.
- Mid week trips are usually cheaper than weekends.
- Compare long stay versus meet and greet on short trips.
- Read our cheap Gatwick parking guide for further saving tips.
What we vet on every South Terminal operator
Park Mark or equivalent compound accreditation, valid public liability and motor trade insurance, driver vetting, transparent pricing and a real recent review history. Operators that fall short are not listed.
Compare South Terminal parking now
Search above for live South Terminal parking prices, or visit get a quote. For service specific guides, see South Terminal meet and greet, long stay parking and EV parking with chargers.