Gatwick Pick Up passengers by car - parking options

3Dwarves

Hello, I am looking at options to park at Gatwick North terminal and meet family with lots of luggage and a baby. I would usually travel by train from the airport, but because of their situation at the moment, I wouldn't recommend that transport. 

However, trying to pre-book parking for about two hours - short stay car park or long stay car park - the prices are rather unbelievable. It's more than they paid for their airplane tickets! I am very confused by this. 

I don't understand, do I have to absolutely pre-book for the short stay car park? If I do, they are giving me 30 minutes and the cost is £22. I am not sure what time my family is going to finally be out of the airport, with luggage and through passport control with a child, they could be delayed. 

What happens if I book the short stay and then they are not out by the time I have to leave this car park? Do I get a fine or do I absolutely have to leave after that time?

I read that the long stay car park as 2 hours free - but it's not clear how to use it. Do I have to pre-book? If I try to pre-book - I have no notification of any free hours - I am given a quote of £50. How can I make use of tehse free two hours and are they really free or do I have to pay something if say I overstay by 15 minutes, and most importantly how much would that be?

Can I just turn up at one point and pick them up, as long as they notify me in advance when exactly they are going to be really out, so I don't have to stay long?

Or is my best bet to still try and park in Horley and take a few minutes train ride?
Any help appreciated! Thanks!

3Dwarves

Some info I can find here https://www.gatwickairport.com/to-and-from/picking-up-dropping-off/ 

"Anyone who does not wish to pay the forecourt charge will be able to drop off or pick up passengers in the airport’s long-stay car parks with two hours free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminals. Follow the signs for 'North Terminal long stay' or 'South Terminal long stay', depending on which terminal your passenger is flying from.

Take a ticket at the barrier, and catch the free shuttle bus to the terminal. Once you’re ready to leave, simply scan the ticket on exit for free parking for up to two hours."

Again, not sure what happens if I accidentally overstay the two hours. 

TELLIT01

Wait off-airport until they have collected their luggage and are at the long stay car park.  Only then travel to the car park and collect them.  You should be in and out in a few minutes.  I would be very careful about overstaying the 2 hour limit as costs can be very high if you do.  At another airport with 15 minute 'cheap' parking for pickup and dropoff, my nephew was hit with a £50 charge because the people he was picking up called him when they arrived in baggage reclaim and he was in the car park for just under an hour!!!  Be warned.

3Dwarves

Thank you, that's what I'm worried about. 

soolin

As above if you park in the long stay you get 2 hours free, so you can park there once your relatives have landed and have their cases, tell them the number of the nearest bus stop and get them to come to the car park using the free shuttle and meet them at the bus stop. As long as your entry and exit are within 2 hours then you won’t pay. If you go over the 2 hours, even by a few minutes then you will pay for  3 hours, which for the North terminal is £24. 

If you are not familiar with airport parking then be aware it is t just a case of driving in and parking, you will be directed to a zone (assuming there isn’t a dedicated pick up point) and that can take a while. Your relatives will need to wait for a shuttle bus, and again depending on the terminal they might take 30 minutes for each you after waiting for a bus and going round the car park for the various stops. Then you need to allow time to pack the car and get through the exit barriers.so definitely don’t head for the parking until you know they are on the ground and have their cases. 

thegreenone

Depending on what time of day, you could kill a little time at Tesc* Hookwood.  Buy 'a few bits' and have a coffee until your relatives phone you, once ON the bus to the long stay.  It takes less than ten minutes from terminal and Tesc* to get to the long stay.  They get off at the first Stop and text you the Stop Letter.  Bear in mind, as above, it might not be A. You should be able to whizz in and out in ten minutes.

Oh and the petrol station at Tesc* was the cheapest I've seen around, last weekend, so if you need to fill up, do it there.

I hope it all goes to plan.

Westin

thegreenone said:

Depending on what time of day, you could kill a little time at Tesc* Hookwood.  Buy 'a few bits' and have a coffee until your relatives phone you, once ON the bus to the long stay.  It takes less than ten minutes from terminal and Tesc* to get to the long stay.  They get off at the first Stop and text you the Stop Letter.  Bear in mind, as above, it might not be A. You should be able to whizz in and out in ten minutes.

Oh and the petrol station at Tesc* was the cheapest I've seen around, last weekend, so if you need to fill up, do it there.

I hope it all goes to plan.

Another vote for this option. You would still however have the £5 'drop-off' charge to pay when you dive around to pick them up from the terminal (or free if going to the long stay car park).

Or, as others have suggested use the long-stay free option but make sure you are in and out within the 2 hours.  The long stay car park is however a 5-8 minute drive from the north terminal.

Westin

You are right about Gatwick Airport hiding this information on their website!

They seem to want to push people along the route of pre-booking the short stay car park. If you do so or one hour parking the pricing seems to be £22.00.  Highway robbery.

If you hunt around the site you find "Roll-Up" parking. Then hunt around some more clicking on links that go nowhere or to the wrong answers to you FAQ. Eventually found this -

What are the prices for the Short Stay car park if i haven't pre-booked?

Duration	Price
Up to 30 minutes	£5.00
30 minutes - 1 hour	£8.00
1-2 hours	£13.00
2-3 hours	£15.00
3-4 hours	£19.00
4-5 hours	£22.00
5-6 hours	£26.00
6-12 hours	£40.00
12-24 hours	£45.00
2 days	£90.00
Each subsequent day	£45.00

I find the way they hide this quite deceitful and can only assume they want to push as many unsuspecting souls along the path of a £22+ pre-booked stay.

Poor show GAL.

Westin

The 'New Look' is IMO far from user friendly.  Most would head for the left hand Short Stay car park section and face a £22 pre book charge if they fell for it.

3Dwarves

Ha! I wonder if those prices are correct. 
When I clicked on
Dropping someone off outside ther terminal building? at the back of the page with the price list, it redirects here 


Does that mean that the short stay parking and the drop off zone are different?

I'll check the Tesco option as well, thanks!

Westin

“ Does that mean that the short stay parking and the drop off zone are different?”

Yes they are. The “drop off” is meant as the name suggests just for dropping off passengers (on the lower forecourt) but if you are quick a pick up should also be possible. The charge is £5 for up to 10 minutes in the forecourt area, then an extra £1 per overstayed minute up to 20minutes.

The short stay parking is in one of the designated car parks. Three at south and two at north terminals.