Explore the Travel Hub
Flights, hotels, transfers, car hire & more — all compared in one place.
North vs South Terminal — Why It Matters
easyJet, British Airways and TUI split across both terminals depending on route and season, so always check your boarding pass before booking anything. Parking, hotels and lounges are all sold per terminal, and turning up at the wrong one costs you time even though the inter-terminal shuttle is free and runs around the clock.
Gatwick Airport Parking
Parking is the single biggest variable cost of a Gatwick trip. Off-airport park and ride and meet & greet options are usually far better value than turning up at the short stay car park, and booking ahead almost always beats the drive-up rate. Our full breakdown compares every operator side by side.
- Best Gatwick Airport Parking 2026 — full operator comparison.
- UK airport parking hub — compare every major airport.
Book Gatwick parking before you fly
Purple Parking covers park and ride, meet & greet and on-airport options at both terminals.
Compare Gatwick Parking →Gatwick Airport Hotels
If you're on an early departure, a night at an airport hotel usually works out better than a pre-dawn drive — and hotel + parking packages bundle both. There are options walking distance from both terminals plus cheaper choices a short shuttle ride away in Crawley and Horley.
Find a Gatwick airport hotel
Compare North and South Terminal hotels, including rooms with parking included.
Search Gatwick Hotels →Gatwick Airport Lounges
Both terminals have paid lounges you can pre-book without a premium ticket or airline status. Food, drinks, WiFi and a quiet seat are included, and pre-booking is usually cheaper and more reliable than walking up on the day, especially in peak summer.
Gatwick Transfers
The Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Southern all run into central London, with National Express coaches as the slower budget option. For groups, late arrivals or anywhere off the rail line, a pre-booked private transfer is usually the easier call. Our transfers hub compares the operators we track.
Car Hire at Gatwick
Every major rental desk sits in the terminal car park areas at both terminals. Booking ahead is the difference between a quick pick-up and a long queue at a walk-up counter — and it locks in your excess and fuel policy before you travel.
Compare Gatwick car hire
VIP Cars compares the major suppliers operating at both Gatwick terminals.
See Car Hire Deals →Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I arrive at Gatwick?
Two hours for short-haul and three for long-haul is the standard guidance, and Gatwick advises adding extra during school holidays and summer weekends when security queues are longest.
Is the shuttle between terminals free?
Yes. The inter-terminal shuttle is free, runs frequently and takes a couple of minutes, but you should still book parking and hotels for the correct terminal.
Is off-airport parking safe?
The operators we list are Park Mark accredited with secure, patrolled compounds and regular transfer buses to both terminals.
Affiliate disclosure: this page contains affiliate links. Referral done ✅ if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Want more? Visit the Travel Hub
Flights, hotels, transfers, car hire & more — all compared in one place.