Okay, picture this: me, bleary-eyed at 3 AM, wrestling a suitcase that clearly hates me, and desperately trying to remember which "Long Stay Purple Zone B" I parked in. It was the start of a dream holiday, or so I thought, until I went to pay for my parking at Gatwick. Let's just say, the price made my eyes water more than the ridiculously early wake-up call. That got me thinking… just how much *are* we all paying to leave our beloved cars at Gatwick?
So, armed with a caffeine IV drip and a mildly unhealthy obsession with spreadsheets, I decided to dive headfirst into the murky waters of Gatwick airport car park pricing. Buckle up, folks, because it’s a rollercoaster.
First things first: The Options. Gatwick throws a dizzying array of parking choices at you. We're talking Short Stay, Long Stay, Premium, Valet, Meet & Greet… it's enough to make your head spin faster than a baggage carousel. Each comes with its own price tag, naturally. Spoiler alert: none of them are cheap.
Long Stay Parking: The "Reasonable" Choice?
Let's start with Long Stay. This is usually the go-to for trips lasting more than a few days, and often touted as the most "economical" option. I say "economical" with a hefty dose of irony because, well, *everything is relative*. Expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark of £10-£20 per day, depending on how far in advance you book and which car park you choose. Remember Purple Zone B? Yeah, that beauty.
Pro Tip: Booking in advance is absolutely crucial. Like, seriously, do it the second you book your flights. Leaving it until the last minute is like handing Gatwick a blank check and saying, "Please, take all my money!" Trust me, your wallet will thank you.
Short Stay Parking: For the Quick Dash
Short Stay is, as the name suggests, meant for shorter trips. Think dropping off/picking up or a quick weekend getaway. Don't even *think* about leaving your car there for a week. You’ll need to remortgage your house. We're talking eye-watering hourly rates, often climbing above £5 per hour. Ouch!
Side note: those "free drop-off zones" are free for a reason. Prepare for chaos, traffic jams, and the general feeling that you're participating in some kind of automotive Hunger Games.
Meet & Greet and Valet Parking: Living the High Life (at a High Price)
Ah, Meet & Greet. The epitome of convenience. Someone else parks your car for you! You swan off to check-in! What's not to love? Well, the price, for starters. This is definitely a premium option, but if you're time-poor and cash-rich, it might be worth considering. Expect to pay significantly more than Long Stay – think closer to £30-£50 per day, perhaps even more during peak season.
Valet parking is similar, adding that extra layer of pampering. Perhaps they'll even polish your hubcaps (probably not). Again, this comes at a cost. Is it worth it? Only you can decide. But, hey, if you're flying first class, maybe splurging on valet parking completes the experience.
The Sneaky Extras (Because Why Not?)
Don't forget the potential for extra charges. Arriving late to collect your car? That’ll be extra, please. Exceeding the booked time? Yep, more money leaving your bank account. Paying in cash? Believe it or not, some car parks still try to penalise you for this. Keep an eye out for those sneaky fees and read the fine print carefully. Seriously, *read* it!
So, what's the takeaway from all this? Gatwick airport car parking is expensive. There's no sugarcoating it. But with a bit of planning, forward booking, and maybe a touch of strategic parking zone selection, you can at least mitigate the financial pain. And remember, that extra cost is all part of the adventure (or at least, that's what I tell myself when I see the final bill).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to research the cheapest parking options near Gatwick for my next trip. Wish me luck!
