If you’re being dropped off or picked up at Gatwick by car, there’s a charge for using the terminal forecourts – and it went up in January 2026. Whether you’re driving yourself, being collected by family, or arriving in a pre-booked taxi, it’s worth knowing exactly what this charge is and who actually pays it.
How much is the Gatwick drop-off charge?
As of January 2026, Gatwick charges £10 for up to 10 minutes in the terminal forecourt drop-off zones, rising to £1 for each additional 10-minute period, up to a maximum stay of 60 minutes. This is an increase from the previous £7 charge. The fee applies to both North and South Terminal forecourts, and it’s separate from any parking charges if you’re using one of the airport’s car parks instead.
Does this apply to picking someone up too?
Yes – the charge applies whether you’re dropping someone off before a flight or picking them up after landing. If you’re collecting someone, Gatwick’s Long Stay car park offers up to two hours free with a shuttle bus to the terminal, which is often the better option if you don’t know exactly when your passenger will clear customs and baggage reclaim.
Do I have to pay if I use a pre-booked taxi?
If you book a fixed-price transfer with us, this charge is built into your quote – it’s not something you’ll be asked to pay separately on the day. This is one of the genuine advantages of a fixed-price booking over driving yourself or asking a friend to collect you: you don’t need to think about the charge, the payment window, or the risk of a penalty at all.
What happens if I don’t pay in time?
If you use the drop-off zone and don’t pay by midnight the following day, Gatwick issues a Parking Charge Notice of £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. Payment is made online through Gatwick’s drop-off payment page, and it’s worth doing this as soon as you leave rather than risking forgetting.
Are there ways to avoid the charge entirely?
- Book a pre-booked taxi – the charge is included in your fixed quote, with nothing extra to pay or remember
- Use the Long Stay car park if picking someone up – up to two hours free, with a free shuttle to the terminal
- Confirm your exact pickup point when booking a taxi, since designated pickup zones are set up specifically to handle this efficiently
Why this matters when comparing transfer options
When you’re comparing a pre-booked taxi against driving yourself or asking someone to collect you, it’s easy to only think about fuel or parking. The drop-off charge is a real, current cost that’s easy to overlook until you’re issued a penalty notice for late payment. A fixed-price transfer removes this from the list of things you need to track on travel day.
How this compares with other UK airports
Gatwick isn’t alone in charging for terminal drop-offs – most major UK airports, including Heathrow, now do the same, and the trend has generally been upward over the past few years as airports look to manage forecourt congestion. Heathrow’s own charge sits at £7 per visit with a 10-minute maximum stay, for comparison. What matters practically is less which airport charges more, and more whether you’re the one who has to remember to pay it – which is exactly what a pre-booked transfer takes off your plate.
None of this is complicated once you know the numbers, but it’s exactly the kind of small, easy-to-forget cost that turns into a penalty notice if you’re rushing after a long flight. Building it into a fixed quote is really just removing one more thing to remember on travel day.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Gatwick drop-off charge in 2026?
£10 for up to 10 minutes, rising to £1 per additional 10-minute period up to a 60-minute maximum, as of the January 2026 increase from £7.
Does the charge apply to both terminals?
Yes – both North and South Terminal forecourts are covered by the same charge structure.
Will I be charged extra if I book a taxi with you?
No – the drop-off charge is included in your fixed quote, not added separately on the day.
What if I forget to pay the drop-off charge?
You have until midnight the following day to pay online. Missing this results in a £100 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
Is there a free alternative for picking someone up?
Yes – Gatwick’s Long Stay car park offers up to two hours free, with a shuttle bus connecting to the terminal.
What else is built into a fixed Gatwick quote
The drop-off charge is just one of several small costs that add up if you’re arranging your own transport to Gatwick. Booking a fixed-price transfer means all of this is agreed before you travel:
- The £10 terminal drop-off or pickup charge
- Distance-based fare, calculated once rather than metered
- Any applicable waiting time for flight delays
- Vehicle choice – Saloon, Executive, Estate, MPV or 8-seater
See our full Gatwick taxi prices guide for the complete breakdown of what goes into a fare, or our Gatwick terminal guide if you’re not sure which terminal you’re using.
Related pages
See our Gatwick taxi prices guide, our Gatwick meet and greet service, or the full vehicle fleet. For official charge information, see Gatwick Airport’s drop-off charges page.
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