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Author: Stansted Airport Taxi Editorial Team | Companies House: 13506378. Published 10 November 2026 | Last reviewed: November 2026 · Valid for: 2026 · Charge: £10 from 6 January 2026.
Gatwick Airport charges £10 for the first 10 minutes in its drop-off zones at both the South Terminal and North Terminal, then £1 per additional minute.
The charge is enforced by ANPR cameras and payment is due online by midnight the day after the drop-off.
If you don't pay, Gatwick issues a £100 Penalty Charge Notice.
There is a free drop-off alternative: drop passengers at a Long Stay car park (free if you leave within 2 hours) and take the free shuttle bus to the terminal.
| Duration in drop-off zone | Charge |
|---|---|
| 0–10 minutes | £10 flat fee |
| Each minute beyond 10 | £1 per minute |
| 20 minutes total | £20 |
| Failure to pay by midnight | £100 Penalty Charge Notice |
The charge applies to both terminals — South Terminal and North Terminal have their own drop-off forecourts, each with ANPR cameras. You cannot park in the drop-off zone for more than 10 minutes without incurring per-minute charges.
When did the Gatwick drop-off charge go up to £10? The charge rose to £10 for 10 minutes on 6 January 2026. It had been £7 since May 2025. It is one of the most expensive drop-off charges among UK airports in 2026.
How much is the Gatwick drop-off charge in 2026?
£10 for up to 10 minutes at both the South Terminal and North Terminal drop-off forecourts. After 10 minutes, the charge rises by £1 per minute. All payment is online — there are no payment machines at the terminal.
How do I pay the Gatwick drop-off charge?
Online at postpay.dropoff.gatwickairport.com. You need your vehicle registration number and the date of the drop-off. Payment must be made by midnight the day after your visit. AutoPay is available for frequent users.
Can I drop passengers at Gatwick for free?
Yes. Drop passengers at the Long Stay car park at either terminal; it is free if you leave within 2 hours, then take the free shuttle bus (about 5 minutes from the North Terminal car park and 7–12 minutes from the South). This avoids the ANPR-monitored forecourt entirely.
What happens if I get a Gatwick PCN?
You can pay within 14 days at the reduced rate of £60, or appeal via the Gatwick website or the independent appeals service. Unpaid PCNs escalate through debt collection.
Is the drop-off charge included in my taxi fare?
It depends on your operator. Some pre-booked fixed-fare operators include it in the quoted price; others list it separately. Always confirm before booking.
When did the Gatwick drop-off charge go up to £10?
The charge rose to £10 for 10 minutes on 6 January 2026. It had been £7 since May 2025.
Gatwick uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras mounted at the entry and exit points of each terminal's drop-off zone. The system:
You cannot pay at the terminal — there are no payment kiosks in the drop-off zones. All payment is online at postpay.dropoff.gatwickairport.com.
Online (only method):
Deadline: Midnight on the day after your drop-off. If you dropped off on a Monday, payment is due by midnight Tuesday.
AutoPay: Gatwick offers an AutoPay registration that links your vehicle to a payment card. Future drop-off charges are collected automatically — no manual payment step. You register at the Gatwick parking website. This is worth setting up if you use Gatwick regularly.
If you miss the payment deadline, Gatwick Airport sends a £100 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) to the registered keeper's address. This is not a fixed penalty in the criminal sense — it's a civil parking charge. You can:
If you're appealing, grounds include: incorrect entry/exit time recorded, vehicle sold before the drop-off date, medical emergency causing the extended stay, or ANPR reading error.
You don't have to use the terminal forecourt. Gatwick has a free drop-off option at each terminal's Long Stay car park.
Drop passengers at the Long Stay car park serving the South Terminal and take the free shuttle bus to the terminal. As long as you exit within 2 hours, there is no charge.
Shuttle time to South Terminal departures: about 7–12 minutes
Drop passengers at the Long Stay car park serving the North Terminal and take the free shuttle bus to the terminal. As long as you exit within 2 hours, there is no charge.
Shuttle time to North Terminal departures: about 5 minutes
| Option | Cost | Time to departure | Luggage ease |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Terminal forecourt | £10 for 10 min | 1–2 min | Very easy |
| North Terminal forecourt | £10 for 10 min | 1–2 min | Very easy |
| Long Stay car park (South) | Free if you leave within 2 hours | 7–12 min by shuttle | Good |
| Long Stay car park (North) | Free if you leave within 2 hours | About 5 min by shuttle | Good |
For passengers with heavy luggage or mobility considerations, the £10 forecourt charge is worth it for the convenience. For fit travellers with a carry-on bag, the free alternatives are straightforward.
Blue Badge holders may be exempt from the Gatwick drop-off charge when using designated disabled set-down bays at the terminal. Holders must register in advance through Times24 (gatwick-app.zatpermit.com), with the passenger's name, flight date, vehicle registration and a copy of the badge.
If you use the standard forecourt rather than a designated disabled bay, the charge applies unless you have pre-registered. Contact the Gatwick accessibility team to confirm current exemption procedures before travelling.
Pre-booked PHV (private hire vehicle) licensed taxis: The drop-off charge applies to all vehicles using the terminal forecourt, including licensed PHVs. For pre-booked operators, the drop-off cost is typically absorbed into the fixed fare or listed as a separate element depending on the operator. Always confirm whether the Gatwick drop-off charge is included in your quoted fare.
Hackney carriages (black cabs): Licensed Gatwick taxis using the official taxi ranks are covered under different arrangements — confirm directly with your driver.
| Airport | Charge | Free time | Free alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatwick | £10 for 10 min, then £1/min | None | Long Stay car park (free within 2 hours) |
| Heathrow | £7 per visit (max 10 min) | None | Park & Ride car parks (free drop-off) |
| Stansted | £10 under 15 min; £28 for 15 min or more | None | Zone J coach stop approach |
| Luton | £9 for 12 min, then £1/min | None | Luton Airport Parkway station |
| London City | £8 flat (5 min) | None | Drew Road pedestrian tunnel |
| Edinburgh | £5 flat | 2 min | Pick-up area approach road |
| Manchester | £5 flat (10 min) | None | Metrolink approach |
Gatwick is joint-highest alongside Stansted for the initial drop-off fee. If you use Gatwick frequently, AutoPay eliminates the admin of manual payments each time.
| South Terminal | North Terminal | |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-off charge | £10 for 10 min | £10 for 10 min |
| ANPR enforcement | Yes | Yes |
| Payment method | Online only | Online only |
| Payment deadline | Midnight next day | Midnight next day |
| AutoPay option | Yes | Yes |
| PCN for non-payment | £100 | £100 |
| Free alternative | Long Stay car park (2 hours) | Long Stay car park (2 hours) |
| Blue Badge exemption | Registered bays only | Registered bays only |
| Gatwick postcode (South) | RH6 0NP | — |
| Gatwick postcode (North) | — | RH6 0PJ |
"How much does it cost to drop someone off at Gatwick Airport?" Gatwick charges £10 for the first 10 minutes in the drop-off zone at both terminals. After 10 minutes, it's £1 per minute extra. Payment is online — you have until midnight the next day to pay.
"Is there a free drop-off at Gatwick Airport?" Yes. Drop passengers at the Long Stay car park (free if you leave within 2 hours) and take the free shuttle bus: about 5 minutes from the North Terminal car park and 7–12 minutes from the South.
"What if I forgot to pay the Gatwick drop-off charge?" You'll receive a £100 Penalty Charge Notice if you miss the midnight-next-day deadline. You can pay at a reduced rate of £60 within 14 days, or submit an appeal if you believe the charge was wrongly issued.
"Do I need to pay the Gatwick drop-off charge in advance?" No — the charge is triggered by ANPR when you exit the zone, then you pay online afterwards. You can set up AutoPay to have it collected automatically without needing to log in each time.
Q: Is the Gatwick drop-off charge the same for North and South terminals?
A: Yes — both terminals charge £10 for the first 10 minutes. Each has its own ANPR-enforced forecourt.
Q: Can I dispute a Gatwick Penalty Charge Notice?
A: Yes. Grounds for appeal include incorrect ANPR data, the vehicle being under different ownership at the time, or a genuine emergency. Appeals go to Gatwick Airport directly first, then to the independent appeals service (IAS) if unresolved.
Q: Does the charge apply at night?
A: Yes. The drop-off charge applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Q: How long can I stay in the drop-off zone?
A: 10 minutes at the flat £10 rate. Beyond 10 minutes, £1 per minute applies. Gatwick does not offer a grace period beyond the first 10 minutes without charge.
Q: Can I use the drop-off zone to pick up passengers?
A: No. The drop-off forecourt is designated for departures only. For arrivals collections, use the official Gatwick Meet and Greet or the Short Stay car park.
Q: What is the cheapest way to drop passengers at Gatwick?
A: Free: drop passengers at the Long Stay car park (exit within 2 hours) and let them take the free shuttle. This avoids the ANPR zone entirely.
Q: How do I find the Gatwick drop-off zone?
A: Follow signs for "Departures Drop-Off" at both terminals. The drop-off zones are directly in front of the terminal entrance buildings. ANPR cameras are mounted at the entry and exit points of each zone.
Q: Is AutoPay worth registering?
A: If you use Gatwick more than once a year, AutoPay is worth registering — it removes the risk of forgetting to pay and incurring a PCN. It takes about 5 minutes to set up at postpay.dropoff.gatwickairport.com.
Last reviewed: November 2026.
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Stansted Airport Taxi · 10–16 Tiller Road, London E14 8PX · Registered in England and Wales — Companies House No. 13506378 · info@stanstedairport-taxi.com. Drivers: Enhanced DBS checked · NVQ Level 2 Road Passenger Transport. Last reviewed November 2026.
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