HeathrowKey takeaways
- Gatwick allows pick-ups on the South Terminal forecourt, charged from entry: £10 for the first 10 minutes, then £1 a minute up to a £30 cap and 30-minute maximum.
- Pay online, by phone (0330 174 4503) or AutoPay by midnight the day after; Blue Badge holders can register for exemption through Times24.
- Long Stay car parks are free for the first two hours with a shuttle to both terminals.
- South Terminal is the one served directly by Gatwick's railway station.
- Short Stay car parks are a covered alternative if a flight is running late.
Unlike Heathrow, Gatwick allows passenger pick-ups directly on the South Terminal forecourt — a short walk from arrivals — but it's charged from the moment you enter, with a minimum £10 fee for the first 10 minutes and a 30-minute maximum stay. If you're happy to wait a little longer instead, Gatwick's Long Stay car parks are free for two hours. This guide covers both options and what to expect at South Terminal specifically.
Can you pick up at the South Terminal forecourt?
Yes. Gatwick's drop-off and pick-up zones sit directly on the forecourt outside both South and North Terminals, a short walk from check-in and arrivals, and operate free-flow with no barriers — you drive in, stop at a designated bay, and drive out. This is different from Heathrow, where forecourt collections are banned entirely and every pick-up must be made from a car park.
The trade-off is cost: there is no free period on the Gatwick forecourt, so charges apply from the moment you arrive.
Where is the South Terminal pick-up point?
The South Terminal drop-off and pick-up zone is reached via a dedicated access road off the airport loop, separate from the North Terminal forecourt — so make sure you're heading for the right one before you arrive, since the two are about a mile apart. Once on the forecourt, follow the signage to a designated pick-up bay close to the terminal doors. South Terminal is also the terminal served directly by Gatwick's railway station, so if your passenger is arriving by train from elsewhere in the group, the station concourse connects straight into the terminal.
South Terminal pick-up charges in 2026
| Duration | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | £10 (minimum charge) |
| 11-30 minutes | +£1 per minute, up to the £30 cap |
| Maximum stay | 30 minutes |
| Maximum daily charge | £30 |
There's no barrier and no ticket machine on the forecourt — it's free-flow, with your number plate read automatically by ANPR (automatic number-plate recognition) cameras as you enter and exit. Pay the charge online, by automated phone line (0330 174 4503), or by setting up an AutoPay account for hands-free future visits, all by midnight the day after your visit. Miss the deadline and Gatwick issues a Parking Charge Notice, which you can pay or appeal through the operator's portal. Blue Badge holders are exempt from the charge entirely — register in advance through Gatwick's Times24 scheme. Always check the live tariff on the official Gatwick drop-off page before you travel, as prices change.
The Short Stay car park — a covered middle option
South Terminal also has paid Short Stay car parks, a short walk from the terminal — a covered alternative to standing on the open forecourt if you're expecting any wait. It costs more than the forecourt for a very quick pick-up, but if a flight is running late and you don't want to hover on the forecourt clock, walking in from Short Stay avoids the pressure of the 30-minute cap. Current rates and booking options are on the official Gatwick parking page — booking online in advance is typically cheaper than paying on arrival.
The free alternative — Long Stay car parks
If your passenger hasn't landed yet, or you'd rather not pay the forecourt charge, Gatwick's Long Stay car parks are free for the first two hours and include a free shuttle bus to both terminals. This is a considerably longer free window than Heathrow offers at most terminals, making it a genuinely useful option if you expect any delay clearing baggage or immigration.
The trade-off is the shuttle bus adds a few minutes each way, so it suits collections where you're not in a rush to be right outside the doors.
South Terminal vs North Terminal pick-up
The pricing and process are identical at both terminals — forecourt pick-up charged from entry with a 30-minute cap, or free Long Stay parking for up to two hours. The only real difference is access: North and South Terminal forecourts are reached by separate roads, roughly a mile apart, connected by a free inter-terminal shuttle taking 2 to 3 minutes. Confirm your terminal from your passenger's boarding pass before setting off — see our Gatwick North or South Terminal guide for the full airline breakdown, or the North Terminal pick-up guide if that's the one you need.
Picking up in an Uber, Bolt or taxi
Ride-hailing and private hire vehicles use the same forecourt pick-up zone as everyone else, and the same charge applies — added to your fare by the app, which can make the total less predictable than the base fare suggests.
A pre-booked private hire transfer works differently. The driver tracks your flight, waits nearby, and any forecourt fee is built into the fixed price you agreed when you booked, so there's nothing extra to settle at the airport.
Step by step: meeting an arrival at Gatwick South Terminal
- Check the flight first. Confirm the landing time, and allow 30 to 45 minutes after landing for immigration and baggage.
- Decide forecourt or Long Stay. Forecourt for the shortest walk if you time it well; Long Stay for a free 2-hour window if there's uncertainty.
- Confirm you're heading for South, not North — the access roads are separate.
- Agree a meeting point with your passenger by text, then meet them at the pick-up bay or shuttle stop.
- Pay by midnight the next day if you used the forecourt.
A simpler option: book a meet and greet transfer
If you're arranging a collection for someone flying into Gatwick South Terminal, a pre-booked transfer removes the forecourt-charge admin entirely. The driver tracks the flight, waits nearby, and meets the passenger inside arrivals — any pick-up fee is already inside the fixed price.
For passengers heading home to Buckinghamshire, book your Gatwick South Terminal to Aylesbury taxi and the full collection is covered at a single fixed price from £115, with the same fare whether you land at North or South.
Frequently asked questions
Can you pick up passengers at Gatwick South Terminal?
How much does it cost to pick someone up at Gatwick South Terminal?
Is there a free way to pick someone up at Gatwick South Terminal?
Where exactly do I meet someone at Gatwick South Terminal?
Is South Terminal pick-up different from North Terminal?
How do I pay the Gatwick forecourt charge, and what happens if I don't?
Which airlines land at Gatwick South Terminal?
Book your fixed-price Gatwick South Terminal taxi from Aylesbury →
Picking up from Gatwick North Terminal →