Generally speaking, there is no "free" long-stay or short-stay parking at London Gatwick Airport (LGW). All official airport car parks charge a fee, and the surrounding areas are strictly monitored for unauthorized parking. However, there are a few brief exceptions. For those picking up or dropping off passengers, the Long Stay Car Park offers a two-hour free parking window. This allows drivers to wait for a flight to arrive without incurring the steep "Express Drop-Off" charges (£6 as of early 2026) found directly at the terminal forecourts. To use this free period, you must take a ticket at the Long Stay entrance and exit within two hours; a free shuttle bus connects these car parks to the North and South Terminals. Beyond this two-hour window, charges accumulate rapidly. For travelers looking for free options in nearby towns like Horley or Crawley, local residential restrictions and "airport parking" patrols make this a risky strategy that often results in fines or towing. Consequently, the two-hour Long Stay window is the only reliable "free" parking option at Gatwick.