Gatwick - pick-up parking

chubsta

need to need to pick up someone from Gatwick north on Saturday morning, have checked the Gatwick airport site and it says my options are basically £37 for long stay off site using a shuttle bus, or £51 for short stay!

aside from the absolute ripoff-ness of these charges the website is confusing in that it says you can have a couple of hours in the short stay for £15 or a couple of hours for free in the long stay, but when I click on the links I only get the £37/51 options.

anyone able to advise on the actual charges and whether you can just turn up and park or whether it has to be booked in advance?

Doshwaster

As far as I know you can't pre-book the 2 hour free parking at the Long Stays. You just need to turn up and take a ticket from the machine on entry.

Bue21

Just turn up. Pick up is about £6 but very short stay (10 mins I think). Otherwise use short stay car park which is £6 for up to 30 mins and £10 for up to an hour. You pay in the machines when returning to the car.

basill

Free to use the long stay, take a ticket and leave within two hours.   You have time to take the shuttle bus to the terminal and meet your friend or text them the stop number you park near and they can ride the shuttle and meet you there.  
If you want to avoid shuttle busses the drop off lane is £6 for 10 minutes paid online.  Best to wait somewhere nearby (long stay?)  and drive in when they are out and ready for collection.   The Premier inn is on the right at the far end of the north terminal drop off  lane and makes a good landmark for meeting and your friend can follow the airport signs for "hotels" to get there .

Doshwaster

There is also a Tesco Extra 5 mins drive from Gatwick airport which can be used for waiting (and doing some shopping!)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/RphGJZyxWbBLBFWy7

chubsta

Thanks for all the replies everyone, looks like I won't get stung for the 50 quid then - will probably do what has been suggested and sit in the Long Stay until we get a text to say they have left the plane , then move to short stay and walk to meet them from there - hopefully shouldn't take more than an hour to get the bags and clear customs! I haven't flown for many years so am guessing it isn't any quicker to get your bags these days?

chubsta

Thanks for all the replies - ended up waiting in the long stay for about 45 minutes for a call, then quickly drove to the drop off bit to pick them up, all went smoothly!

Obviously got stung for the £6 but still a lot better than the other options so thanks for suggesting that and the info that it is free for two hours…