Gatwick North parking and lounge

totallybored

I had quite a bad experience of parking at Gatwick last summer and vowed never to do it again. I parked in the long stay car park and getting back to my car on the bus from the terminal was horrendous. Despite being the 2nd people in the bus queue to the car park I was lucky to get on it. People turned into rude animals, pushing and shoving to get on to the bus and they only seemed to be running every 15 minutes which was ridiculous in August. I had quite a bit of luggage and my dad who uses a walking stick with me so it wasn't pleasant. That was the south terminal. I normally fly from Heathrow so fighting to get on the bus to the car park was a bit of a shock!

Is the North terminal likely to be as bad in August? Has anyone used the valet parking which is next to the terminal? It's about £40 more than the long stay and is it worth it as I don't want my dad to stress, especially as we will have quite a bit of luggage.

Also, I've treated us to business class flights. We're flying with Turkish Airlines so will we get access to any of the lounges?

codo

Hi Totallybored, a couple of years ago we used the North terminal valet parking. We didn't book it direct with them but got it through the Premier Inn Sleep Park Fly. I would highly recommend it. It made it so easy. We drove into the car park handed over our keys and when we arrived back our car was waiting for us. No hassle with buses just walked out of the terminal and the car park is right in front of you.
We got a very good deal through Premier inn. A family room for four with two weeks parking didn't cost very much more than the two weeks parking in the long term on its own. I don't know how much extra the vallet parking costs but I would definately consider it again.

Browntoa

recommend the same as above.....painless and quick

Rambosmum

We've just booked sleep, park fly with valet parking with Ibis for £125 including breakfast for 2 weeks.

Doshwaster

Browntoa wrote: »

recommend the same as above.....painless and quick

Same here. I found the Premier Inn & Valet Parking to be excellent for price and service.

The only problem was my own fault and hadn't read the instructions properly about where to pick up the car.

Nile

totallybored wrote: »

Also, I've treated us to business class flights. We're flying with Turkish Airlines so will we get access to any of the lounges?

The Turkish Airlines website gives details of their lounge:


http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-uk/travel-experience#BusinessClass


Yes, with a business class ticket you get access to the lounge.........and it looks like you'll get a flat bed seat.:cool:

totallybored

Thanks all, I think I'll definately go for the valet parking. I'd not thought about staying the night to get the parking as I can get to Gatwick in less than an hour. There'll be 3 of us so not sure it'll work out cheaper as we will need 2 rooms but I'll look into it.

totallybored

Nile wrote: »

The Turkish Airlines website gives details of their lounge:


http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-uk/travel-experience#BusinessClass


Yes, with a business class ticket you get access to the lounge.........and it looks like you'll get a flat bed seat.:cool:

Thanks, I know we will get the lounge access in Istanbul (only a short connection but hubby said its a good lounge). It was Gatwick I was unsure about as there seem to be a couple of lounges but I don't know which Turkish gives access to.

And I can't wait for a flat bed! I think it's just a bit more leg room on the Gatwick Istanbul flight but at least I can sleep on the Bangkok flight!

SW17

Are you sure it's the North Terminal? I thought TK used South, and that is still what shows on LGW site. Maybe it's changing.

Anyhow, I'm not 100%, but think that TK use No.1 lounges at LGW. The other possibility is Aspire. Both are fine, though No. 1 probably slightly better. The TK lounge at IST is indeed excellent (and huge).

loobs40

As an alternative, we used justpark.com in Feb for a 2 week trip from Gatwick. Parked in someones drive for about £40, and got a taxi to and from Gatwick, about 5 mins drive away. All very straightforward.

Browntoa

totallybored wrote: »

Thanks all, I think I'll definately go for the valet parking. I'd not thought about staying the night to get the parking as I can get to Gatwick in less than an hour. There'll be 3 of us so not sure it'll work out cheaper as we will need 2 rooms but I'll look into it.

If it's one night book a family room

Check in to valet parking is separate to hotel book in so technically you do not need to use the room