Enforced by APCOA Parking on behalf of Gatwick Airport Ltd
Received a Gatwick Airport parking charge?
Gatwick Airport charges for drop-offs at North and South terminal zones, enforced by APCOA using ANPR cameras. The charge applies even for very short stops. Upload your notice for a free, honest check.
Is this a fine? Not in the criminal sense: the drop-off fee is a civil charge enforced by APCOA Parking on behalf of Gatwick Airport Ltd. If it is not paid by the deadline, it becomes a parking charge notice for a much larger amount.
- Current fee:
- See Gatwick's official page
- Pay by:
- Midnight the day after your visit
- Blue Badge:
- Yes. Blue Badge holders are exempt from the drop-off charge
Details checked against the airport's official page on 17 August 2026
About to pay? Check first. It is free and takes minutes.
Honest assessment
Like Heathrow, Gatwick drop-off charges rest on clear signage and camera enforcement. ANPR errors, payment-matching failures, and keeper-liability questions are the most common valid grounds. If you genuinely stopped briefly without being charged, you may have a timing argument.
How to pay and avoid a Gatwick drop-off fine
- Check the current fee on the airport's official page before you travel. Fees change often.
- Pay by: Midnight the day after your visit.
- How to pay: Online, by phone on 0330 174 4503, or set up AutoPay to pay automatically after each visit. (checked 28 September 2026)
- Picking someone up? Gatwick's drop-off page covers drop-offs only. As a free alternative, Gatwick says its Long Stay car parks are free for two hours, with a free shuttle bus to the terminals.
- Check the registration you enter matches your car exactly. A single wrong character can leave the fee unmatched.
- Keep your payment confirmation. It is your best evidence if a charge still arrives.
- Check the airport's own site for a free or cheaper drop-off option further from the terminal.
Common grounds found in Gatwick charges
These are the most common legal issues we identify. Upload your notice and we check all of them automatically.
- ANPR misread: incorrect plate captured on approach
- Charged for passing through the drop-off zone without stopping
- Keeper liability: terminal forecourts may be covered by airport byelaws rather than POFA 2012, which changes whether and how the registered keeper can be pursued
- Payment made but not matched to vehicle registration in the system
- North/South terminal zone confusion: charged at wrong zone
- Grace period not applied before charge issued
How to challenge a Gatwick charge
- 1
Upload your charge notice
Take a photo or upload a PDF of your Gatwick Airport parking charge. Include both sides if it arrived by post.
- 2
We check the law
We check whether POFA 2012 or airport byelaws apply, the relevant Code of Practice, the ANPR record, and your own account of what happened.
- 3
Get your free assessment
You receive an honest assessment of your grounds, including whether the charge appears valid. If you have grounds, we draft your appeal letter for £9.99.
- 4
Appeal to Gatwick Airport Ltd (then POPLA if rejected by APCOA)
We identify the correct appeals route for your specific charge and provide a tailored response letter covering your grounds.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Gatwick Airport parking charge legally enforceable?▼
It depends. Terminal drop-off zones are often on land covered by airport byelaws. If so, the keeper-liability rules in POFA 2012 may not apply, and the operator must rely on the byelaws or show who was driving. If the zone is ordinary private land, POFA applies and its Notice to Keeper rules must be met. ANPR accuracy and payment records matter either way. A free scan checks which applies to your notice.
What happens if I ignore a Gatwick charge?▼
It may be passed to a debt collector and, potentially, to a county court claim. Get a free scan first so you know whether to pay or challenge.
How long do I have to appeal a Gatwick Airport charge?▼
Usually 28 days from the date of the notice. Check your notice for the exact deadline: missing it reduces your options.
How do I pay the Gatwick Airport drop-off charge?▼
Online, by phone on 0330 174 4503, or set up AutoPay to pay automatically after each visit. The deadline: midnight the day after your visit.
Is there a Gatwick Airport pick-up charge?▼
Gatwick's drop-off page covers drop-offs only. As a free alternative, Gatwick says its Long Stay car parks are free for two hours, with a free shuttle bus to the terminals.
Can the airport take me to court for a drop-off charge?▼
In theory, yes. If you receive a Letter Before Claim, you should respond within 30 days. We provide a Letter Before Claim response pack for that stage.
Check your Gatwick charge now, free
Honest assessment. We tell you if the charge appears valid. Pay only if you want the drafted appeal letter.
Start free scanLegal information only, not legal advice. For urgent matters, speak to a qualified adviser.
Parking operators