Gatwick Parking
Author
Discussion

SunsetZed

Original Poster:

2,869 posts

192 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Has anyone got any recommendations before I stump up for the official parking? I want to avoid the cowboys who'll take your car for a joy ride or stick it under trees and leave it covered in bird poo!

dontlookdown

2,367 posts

115 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Depending on where you are coming from, you can park in East Croydon and get the train. Centrale shopping centre parking is 24 hrs and less than a tenner a day. It's a 10min walk to the station. Fast train to Gatwick takes 15mins.

But it only really works if your journey takes you nearby anyway. Not worth diverting off the M25 for.

ClaphamGT3

12,016 posts

265 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
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I fly from Gatwick 2-3 times a month and have done for over 20 years. I have tried pretty much every available parking option and my conclusion is that, so long as you book well in advance, Gatwick's official parking is usually the best value. Their pre-booked short stay I particularly good value and hugely convenient.

fourstardan

6,177 posts

166 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
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I used official in April and found it ok, I am never one for giving some bloke who can't even get dressed in high viz let alone drive my keys but that's what insurance is for.

I JUST BLDDY WISH THEY DIDNT ADJUST THE SEAT!!!!

Alickadoo

3,288 posts

45 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Don't try to cut corners.

Use the official parking.

Keep your keys.

Nobody drives your car but you.

https://parking.gatwickairport.com/our-car-parks/p...

greygoose

9,355 posts

217 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
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ClaphamGT3 said:
I fly from Gatwick 2-3 times a month and have done for over 20 years. I have tried pretty much every available parking option and my conclusion is that, so long as you book well in advance, Gatwick's official parking is usually the best value. Their pre-booked short stay I particularly good value and hugely convenient.
I always use the official parking too and never had an issue.

SunsetZed

Original Poster:

2,869 posts

192 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Thanks all, I'll stick with the official then. Works fine at Heathrow so hopefully more of the same for Gatwick.

twing

5,629 posts

153 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
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Always stay at Sandman Signature the night before and leave the car there. Taxi to airport and back included.

Old Merc

3,794 posts

189 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
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Never consider anything other than official airport parking.

98elise

31,306 posts

183 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
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I always use Cophall parking (past 20 years at least)

https://www.cophallparkinggatwick.co.uk/

It's an offsite facility but well run. Drive up to their check in/security building and hand over key, and then grab one of their mini busses to the terminal.

When you get back you call them as you clear customs and they will send a mini bus to collect you. They will have your car back at the check in/security building.

They used to be significantly cheaper than on site parking, but all parking seems to be expensive these days.


75Black

1,068 posts

104 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
98elise said:
I always use Cophall parking (past 20 years at least)

https://www.cophallparkinggatwick.co.uk/

It's an offsite facility but well run. Drive up to their check in/security building and hand over key, and then grab one of their mini busses to the terminal.

When you get back you call them as you clear customs and they will send a mini bus to collect you. They will have your car back at the check in/security building.

They used to be significantly cheaper than on site parking, but all parking seems to be expensive these days.
Also similar to this a few minutes away is APH Gatwick, they opened a brand new place a couple of years ago. A ton of space and secure, with liveried APH buses. Hand over the key, you get the bus, and you text the number when you land.

Alickadoo

3,288 posts

45 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
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75Black said:
Also similar to this a few minutes away is APH Gatwick, they opened a brand new place a couple of years ago. A ton of space and secure, with liveried APH buses. Hand over the key, you get the bus, and you text the number when you land.
Wouldn't it be better to use a service where you DIDN'T hand over the key?

virdeeb

84 posts

188 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
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I'm flying from Gatwick in March and I've booked the official parking so I get to keep my keys so no cowboys going on a joyride.

If you sign up to myGatwick you get 10% off parking too so j paid £85 for 11 days of parking

subarumits

14 posts

31 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
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we purple parked 2 months ago, was OK, good price, pickup/drop off quick

SunsetZed

Original Poster:

2,869 posts

192 months

Thursday 13th July 2023
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virdeeb said:
I'm flying from Gatwick in March and I've booked the official parking so I get to keep my keys so no cowboys going on a joyride.

If you sign up to myGatwick you get 10% off parking too so j paid £85 for 11 days of parking
Thanks, I'll sign up.

98elise

31,306 posts

183 months

Thursday 13th July 2023
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Alickadoo said:
75Black said:
Also similar to this a few minutes away is APH Gatwick, they opened a brand new place a couple of years ago. A ton of space and secure, with liveried APH buses. Hand over the key, you get the bus, and you text the number when you land.
Wouldn't it be better to use a service where you DIDN'T hand over the key?
Only if you don't trust them. I've been using Chophall for 20+ years. Not that much different to handing your keys to a garage you've use for 20+ years.

North West Tom

11,648 posts

199 months

Saturday 15th July 2023
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+1 for Gatwick's official parking. I use Long Stay for Southern terminal. Seems quite a fair bit cheaper than short stay (£80 vs £130 for 5 days), the only difference is that you need a shuttle bus to the terminal as oppose to walking. Doesn't add too much time to the whole process though.

LunarOne

6,836 posts

159 months

Saturday 15th July 2023
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98elise said:
Alickadoo said:
75Black said:
Also similar to this a few minutes away is APH Gatwick, they opened a brand new place a couple of years ago. A ton of space and secure, with liveried APH buses. Hand over the key, you get the bus, and you text the number when you land.
Wouldn't it be better to use a service where you DIDN'T hand over the key?
Only if you don't trust them. I've been using Chophall for 20+ years. Not that much different to handing your keys to a garage you've use for 20+ years.
Chophall. What an unfortunate typo!

the-norseman

15,050 posts

193 months

Saturday 15th July 2023
quotequote all
Alickadoo said:
Don't try to cut corners.

Use the official parking.

Keep your keys.

Nobody drives your car but you.

https://parking.gatwickairport.com/our-car-parks/p...
Agreed, I haven't flown from Gatwick, but I use the official parking at Luton and Stansted.

LunarOne

6,836 posts

159 months

Saturday 15th July 2023
quotequote all
Alickadoo said:
Don't try to cut corners.

Use the official parking.

Keep your keys.

Nobody drives your car but you.

https://parking.gatwickairport.com/our-car-parks/p...
I don't know who wrote that page, but it doesn't even agree with itself. At the top next to the blue ticks it claims it's a 10-minute bus ride away. Then further down the page, it says "we recommend parking in one of our Long Stay car parks, just a five minute free bus ride away". Further down, it elaborates with timings of 7-12 minutes or 10-15 minutes depending on which terminal you're going to. Oh, and they've misspelled 'buses'.

Yes, I do have too much time on my hands!