Gatwick’s £7 Drop-Off Charge: What You’re Paying For — And How Plus Keeps It Simple

Gatwick’s £7 Drop-Off Charge: What You’re Paying For — And How Plus Keeps It Simple

Posted: 31/10/2025

Gatwick Airport now charges a minimum £7 to use the terminal drop-off zones (North and South). You must pay by midnight the day after you drop off, or the airport can issue a Parking Charge Notice. For many travellers this is a small line on the bill, but it raises a fair question: where does that money actually go—and how do we keep things transparent for our clients? gatwickairport.com

At Plus Chauffeurs, we plan airport runs around real-world conditions—terminal traffic, bag drops, security and live flight data—then give you clear, fair pricing up front. For Gatwick trips, we time the terminal forecourt stop efficiently so you’re not paying more than necessary, and we include mandatory airport charges in your confirmed quote. If there’s a smarter alternative (for example, using short-stay for pick-ups, or staging just outside the zone), we’ll advise it before you book. The aim is simple: quality service at a sensible price, no surprises.

Below, we explain how Gatwick’s drop-off fee works, who’s exempt, what happens if you forget to pay—and, crucially, where Gatwick says the revenue goes. We also share how Plus handles Gatwick trips so your Airport Transfers feel calm, predictable and good value from the South Coast (Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth, the New Forest and beyond).

The quick version: how the Gatwick drop-off fee works

  • Minimum charge: £7 to use the terminal forecourt drop-off zones (North or South). Pay online/phone by midnight the next day. gatwickairport.com

  • Tariff structure: Gatwick publishes a minimum £7 charge; current guidance used by travel providers shows £7 for the first 10 minutes, then £1 per additional minute up to 20, with a max of £25 and max stay 30 minutes. (We’ll always follow the airport’s live tariff on the day.) APH - Airport Parking and Hotels

  • Blue Badge exemption: Blue Badge holders can register their vehicle for a free 30-minute drop-off session (within a three-hour window). gatwickairport.com

  • If you don’t pay: Gatwick can issue a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) of £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. gatwickairport.com

Note: Gatwick increased the fee from £6 to £7 on 2 May 2025. Several UK airports now charge £6–£7 for terminal drop-offs. International Airport Review

“Where does the money go?”

Two places, according to Gatwick’s own publications:

  1. Airport operations & parking revenue
    Gatwick’s financial statements confirm that forecourt drop-off charges are part of car-parking revenue, alongside short-stay, long-stay and valet operations. In 2024, car-parking revenue totalled £147.8m, helping to fund day-to-day airport operations and facilities. gatwickairport.com

  2. Transport & access improvements
    When the charge was introduced, Gatwick said a proportion of revenue would support new sustainable transport initiatives—alongside major rail investment (their £150m station upgrade programme). In short: some of your £7 helps the airport manage congestion at the forecourt and fund access improvements over time. mediacentre.gatwickairport.com

How Plus keeps your Gatwick trip smooth (and fairly priced)

  • We quote transparently. Your confirmed price reflects the route, vehicle and mandatory airport fees we expect for your time slot. No “mystery extras.”

  • We time the forecourt precisely. Our drivers aim to use the forecourt efficiently to avoid higher time bands. For pick-ups, we’ll often use short-stay (or another agreed point) because forecourts are designed primarily for drop-off—not waiting. gatwickairport.com

  • We advise on exemptions. If someone in your party has a Blue Badge, tell us at booking; we’ll help point you to the pre-registration form so the exemption applies. gatwickairport.com

  • We coordinate multi-car groups. Where it’s better value, we’ll recommend one Luxury MPV rather than two smaller cars—less faff, one forecourt stop, better comfort.

  • We plan from the South Coast with live traffic. From Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth, Romsey, Havant and the New Forest, we build in realistic buffers so you’re dropped at Gatwick calm and on time.

Tips if you’re self-driving to Gatwick

  • Pay by midnight the next day to avoid a PCN (set a reminder when you exit). gatwickairport.com

  • Consider long-stay for free drop-off (up to two hours) with shuttle to the terminals—good for slower goodbyes or heavy luggage. gatwickairport.com

  • Watch the red routes. Don’t stop on red-lined roads around the airport; fines apply. gatwickairport.com

Frequently asked questions

Is the £7 fee included when I book with Plus?
Yes—if a forecourt stop applies for your time slot, we include it in your Bookings quote so everything is clear up front.

Are Blue Badge holders exempt?
Yes, if the vehicle is registered in advance. Tell us at booking so we can guide you to the right page. gatwickairport.com

Can you meet inside the terminal?
Yes. For scheduled pick-ups we typically use short-stay (best for luggage and timing), but if you prefer forecourt coordination for a drop-off, we’ll time it precisely and include the applicable fee.

Do other airports charge as well?
Yes—most major UK airports now charge for terminal drop-offs (many at £6–£7). We’ll advise per airport when you book. The Guardian

Fact of the Day

Gatwick raised the terminal drop-off fee from £6 to £7 on 2 May 2025, citing forecourt management and access funding among the reasons. International Airport Review

Local Relevance

Based in Southampton, Plus runs daily Airport Transfers to Gatwick for clients across Winchester, Portsmouth, Romsey, Havant and the New Forest (Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Lymington, Barton on Sea, Burley and more). We’ll confirm the best time to leave, the most suitable vehicle from Our Vehicles, and any airport charges that apply—so your drop-off feels easy and fairly priced.

Book Your Chauffeur Service Today

Whether you’re a regular client or planning your first journey, Plus Chauffeurs is here to provide luxury transport solutions that match your expectations — both on the road and online.

Book your next chauffeur-driven journey today!

Call us at +44(0)3333444018, visit www.pluschauffeurs.co.uk, or email enquiries@pluschauffeurs.co.uk to make your reservation.

(We’ll continue to monitor airport policies. If Gatwick updates its tariffs or exemptions, we’ll reflect that automatically in your quote.)