Gatwick pick up: where to meet someone at arrivals

Where do I pick up at Gatwick South Terminal?

Head for the South Terminal Short Stay car park - the express pick-up area is Car Park 3, on the ground floor (Level 0) - stay with your car, and walk through to the arrivals hall when they land. Then you stand by the barrier with a sign. (Check the spelling. A sign reading "WELCOME HOME MR SMTIH" is a photo nobody wants on the family group chat.) Ten minutes later they appear, exhausted, wheeling a suitcase with one wonky wheel.

How does Gatwick short stay pick up work?

Park in the Short Stay car park at your passenger's terminal and walk to arrivals. It costs £8 for up to 30 minutes and £14 for up to an hour, so wait until they've actually landed before you drive in. It's the sensible option, and like most sensible options it costs money. My sign and I recommend it.

What about North Terminal pick up?

North Terminal has its own pick-up point and its own quirks - we wrote a whole post on Gatwick North Terminal pick up. (It needed one. So, frankly, does the sign.)

Or book a driver who waits for them

A Ridii driver tracks the flight, waits in arrivals with a correctly spelled sign (we check twice, we're not animals), and drives them home. You stay on the sofa. That's it, that's the pitch.

Tips for meeting someone at Gatwick

Check the flight has landed before you leave home or the car park - "expected" times move. Passengers on short European flights with hand luggage can be out quickly; long-haul flights, checked bags and busy passport queues take longer. Stay with your car in the pick-up area, because unattended cars can get a parking charge notice.

Gatwick pick up questions

Can I pick up outside Gatwick terminals?

Not on the departures forecourt. It's a drop-off zone, charged at £10 for 10 minutes, so use the Short Stay express pick-up areas instead.

How long does it take to get through Gatwick arrivals?

Usually 30 minutes to an hour after landing, longer for long-haul flights.

Is there a free pick-up point at Gatwick?

Yes. The Long Stay car parks are free for the first 2 hours, with a free shuttle bus to both terminals. Allow extra time for the shuttle.

Closing link to the money page: Want someone else to stand in arrivals? Book a Ridii taxi from Gatwick and we'll bring them home to Oxted, Caterham or anywhere nearby.

Author box: Written by the Ridii Cars team at our Oxted office, who run airport transfers across Surrey 24 hours a day.