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Fresh from the news that City will be introducing a drop-off fee for the first time and Heathrow will be hiking its vehicle charges in 2026, now we have more bad news for departure costs at London airports.
London Gatwick, the city’s second-biggest aviation hub, has confirmed that it is increasing charges in its drop-off zones by £3 in 2026. From January the fee, which allows drivers to stop outside the terminal for 10 minutes, will be £10. This means that Gatwick will have the highest drop-off charge in the UK.
The fee has doubled since LGW initially introduced a drop-off charge in 2021; it increased to £6 in 2024 and £7 in May 2025. A Gatwick spokesperson blamed the increase on ‘a number of increasing costs’, including higher business rates.
The spokesperson added: ‘The increase in the drop-off charge will support wider efforts to encourage greater use of public transport, helping limit the number of cars and reduce congestion at the entrance to our terminals, alongside funding a number of sustainable transport initiatives.’
When will Gatwick’s new passenger drop-off charge take effect?
The increase will officially come into force on January 6 2026.
How much is Gatwick’s new passenger drop-off charge?
The new fee is £10 for 10 minutes. You can pay the fee online, by the phone or with an AutoPay account.
How to avoid Gatwick drop-off fees
Passengers being driven to Gatwick can still be dropped off for free at long-stay car parks (for up to two hours), from which they can get a free shuttle bus to terminals. Blue Badge holders are still exempt from drop-off fees at the airport.
You can, of course, not use the drop-off zones at all and travel to Gatwick by train. Southern and Thameslink trains serve the airport’s rail station, as does the Gatwick Express.
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