Dropping someone at Gatwick Airport? Since drop-off charges became the UK norm, a quick kerbside goodbye now comes with a fee — and a Parking Charge Notice weeks later if you forget to pay. Here’s the straightforward version for Gatwick: £10 for up to 10 minutes, then £1 per minute, how it’s enforced, how to pay on time, the free alternative, and how a fixed-fare transfer avoids the admin entirely. Charges change often, so confirm on Gatwick’s own site before you travel.
Key takeaways
- The charge: £10 for up to 10 minutes, then £1 per minute at the terminal drop-off zone.
- Enforcement: Gatwick uses barrierless ANPR cameras across both the North and South terminals — you’re charged on entry and pay afterwards, with no barrier to stop at.
- Miss the payment? A £100 PCN (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days).
- Free alternative: Long Stay car parks, which offer around two hours free with a shuttle bus to the terminals.
- Skip it entirely with a fixed-fare transfer that includes the charge.
01 / COSTWhat Gatwick charges to drop off
At Gatwick, the terminal drop-off charge is £10 for up to 10 minutes, then £1 per minute. Gatwick rose to £10 in January 2026 — a 43% jump the airport blamed largely on a more-than-doubling of its business rates — making it one of the UK’s most expensive. The charge applies each time you enter the drop-off zone, 24 hours a day, and pick-ups from the forecourt aren’t permitted — those happen in the car parks. Figures move around (several UK airports raised fees in early 2026), so treat this as indicative and check Gatwick’s official page for the current tariff.
02 / ENFORCEHow it’s enforced
Gatwick uses barrierless ANPR cameras across both the North and South terminals — you’re charged on entry and pay afterwards, with no barrier to stop at. Make sure you know whether your passenger needs North or South before entering, as they have separate arrangements. If payment isn’t made in time, the operator issues a Parking Charge Notice of £100, typically reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. That notice is a private parking charge, not a council fine — but ignoring a genuine one is unwise, as it can be pursued and the registered keeper held liable.
03 / PAYHow to pay on time
You can usually pre-pay online, pay on the day, or pay by midnight the following day — and frequent visitors can set up autopay so it’s taken automatically. There’s no paying at a machine in the drop-off zone. The single biggest cause of PCNs is simply forgetting after you get home, so pay before you leave the airport if you can, or set up autopay if you go often.
04 / AVOIDThe free alternative
To drop off free at Gatwick, use the Long Stay car parks, which offer around two hours free with a shuttle bus to the terminals. This adds a few minutes but costs nothing — ideal for families dropping off, or anyone happy to take the shuttle. Blue Badge holders can usually apply for an exemption; check the airport’s process and register in advance.
05 / PCNIf you get a PCN
If you genuinely didn’t pay, the sensible move is to pay within 14 days for the reduced rate. Only appeal if there’s a real error — you paid, the notice was late, you were exempt, or signage was inadequate. Appeals go to the operator first, then to POPLA, the independent adjudicator. There’s a fuller walkthrough in our guide to airport drop-off PCNs and your rights.
06 / SKIPSkip the charge admin altogether
The cleanest option is to not deal with it at all: a fixed-fare transfer to Gatwick folds the drop-off charge into one agreed price, and the driver handles the ANPR payment — no forecourt fumbling, no forgotten payment, no PCN weeks later. As a TfL-licensed private hire operator running 24/7, Rushxo quotes the fare inclusive; the charge is our problem, not yours. Just book with your flight details and we handle the rest.
FAQFrequently asked questions
How much is the drop-off charge at Gatwick Airport?
In 2026 it’s £10 for up to 10 minutes, then £1 per minute at the terminal drop-off zone, applied each time you enter. Charges change often, so confirm the current figure on Gatwick’s official page before travelling.
How is the Gatwick drop-off charge enforced?
Gatwick uses barrierless ANPR cameras across both the North and South terminals — you’re charged on entry and pay afterwards, with no barrier to stop at. Make sure you know whether your passenger needs North or South before entering, as they have separate arrangements. Miss the payment window and the operator issues a £100 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £60 within 14 days.
How do I avoid the Gatwick drop-off charge?
Use the Long Stay car parks, which offer around two hours free with a shuttle bus to the terminals. It takes a few minutes longer but costs nothing. Blue Badge holders can usually apply for an exemption in advance. Or book a fixed-fare transfer that includes the charge so there’s nothing to pay at the kerb.
How do I pay the Gatwick drop-off charge?
Pre-pay online, pay on the day, or pay by midnight the following day; frequent visitors can set up autopay. You can’t pay at a machine in the drop-off zone, so pay before you leave the airport if you can.
What if I forget to pay and get a PCN at Gatwick?
If you genuinely didn’t pay, pay within 14 days for the reduced rate. Appeal only for a real error (payment made, late notice, exemption, poor signage) — to the operator first, then POPLA.
Does a fixed-fare transfer include the Gatwick drop-off charge?
Yes — a pre-booked fixed fare to Gatwick folds the drop-off charge into one agreed price and the driver handles the payment, so there’s no forecourt payment to remember and no risk of a later PCN.
Time Matters
Get a fixed Gatwick fare — drop-off charge included
Fixed fares confirmed before you ride. Local licensed drivers, flight tracking, 24/7 human support — and no surge, ever.