Here’s the sneaky part: Gatwick’s Short Stay uses a Pay on Exit system—no barriers, no tickets, just your license plate and a camera that judges your life choices. You’ll pay for every minute you’re in there, even if you spend 30 minutes hunting for a space that doesn’t exist. Pro tip: if you need to run inside to check a flight time, do not park in Short Stay. You’ll pay £5.50 for a 90-second panic.
I once watched a man park, sprint to the terminal, and return in four minutes. His cost? £5.50. That’s roughly £82.50 an hour—a rate higher than a divorce lawyer. The moral? Park in the Drop-Off Zone for a quick dash—it’s £5.50 for 10 minutes, but at least you’re not funding a family vacation for the cashier.
