Combining a hotel stay with airport parking is often the most convenient way to begin a trip from the airport, but the number of packages and prices can be confusing. This guide compares the leading park-and-stay bundles, breaks down the real costs for different trip lengths, and explains which options best serve specific needs, from budget getaways to long-haul holidays. We’ve analysed prices from major providers including Purple Parking and Holiday Extras to give you a clear picture of what you can expect to pay.
Last checked: 2026-07-07
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Number of on-airport hotels: 7 · Cheapest park-and-stay week: from £49 · Cheapest hotel-only per night: from £28 · Max parking nights in package: 15 nights · Terminals covered: North and South · Shuttle/transfer offered: Yes, most hotels
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-07.
Sources reviewed: official property websites, neutral review/price comparison platforms, property/operator sites.
We did not conduct on-site inspections of hotels or independent price verification beyond published rates.
Gatwick hotel and airport parking at a glance
- From £49 for a week, including parking and a hotel room (Purple Parking)
- Seven hotels located directly on the airport estate (Gatwick Airport)
- From about £28 per night for a budget room-only booking (Holiday Extras)
- Up to 15 nights of parking available in a single package at selected hotels (Purple Parking)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of on-airport hotels | 7 |
| Cheapest park-and-stay week | From £49 (Purple Parking) |
| Cheapest hotel-only per night | From £28 (Holiday Extras) |
| Max parking nights in package | 15 nights |
| Terminals covered | North and South |
| Shuttle/transfer offered | Yes, most hotels |
What is the cheapest way to park at the airport?
The lowest headline price for a combined hotel and parking package is £49 for a week, offered by Purple Parking. This beats many parking-only options, especially if you would otherwise need an hotel room anyway. Holiday Extras also competes closely, advertising packages from £55.25 for a week that includes a hotel room and parking.
If you already live near the airport and only need parking, the same third-party providers offer park-and-ride products. Purple Parking’s own Park & Ride, for example, costs £42.99 per week before any discount, and falls to £38.69 with their 12% promotional code, as detailed on their Gatwick parking discount page. Holiday Extras, meanwhile, shows an APH Park & Ride week dropping from £57.78 to £35.93 when booked via their PROMO26 code, according to their parking promo code page.
For the very cheapest entry point, the parking-only route—especially if you book well ahead—can undercut hotel bundles. APH data suggests that booking 6–9 months in advance brings the average daily parking cost to about £7.13, compared with £17.42 when booking just 1–2 weeks before travel, as outlined on the APH Gatwick parking page.
Comparing the two: A hotel-and-parking bundle from £49 for a week is hard to beat if you need a room. If you do not need a hotel, booking a park-and-ride spot well in advance and using a promo code can get close to that price, especially for longer stays.
Which hotels at the airport offer parking?
Seven hotels sit directly on the airport estate, according to the official Gatwick Airport listing. These include established brands such as Hilton, Sofitel, and Premier Inn. Guests at these on-airport properties can walk to their terminal, which is a significant convenience, especially for early departures.
However, many hotels near the airport—but not on the estate—offer park-and-stay packages that include a room, parking for the duration of your trip, and a shuttle bus to the terminal. Providers like Purple Parking and Holiday Extras aggregate these deals, often at significantly lower prices than the on-airport properties. These off-airport hotels still offer parking and a shuttle, though the transfer time adds 10–20 minutes to your journey each way.
Third-party aggregators such as ParkSleepHotels promote ‘Park, Stay & Fly’ bundles claiming up to 30% savings compared with booking the hotel and parking separately, though these claims are based on their own internal comparisons.
| Provider | Cheapest 7-day package | On-airport | Walking distance to terminal | Shuttle included | Max parking nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatwick Airport Hotels (official) | Varies by hotel | Yes | Yes | No | N/A (room only) |
| Purple Parking | From £49 | Mix | Some | Yes | 15 |
| Holiday Extras | From £55.25 | Mix | Some | Yes | 15 (varies) |
| APH | Varies by package | No | No | Yes | Up to 15 (varies) |
| Europa Gatwick (Britannia) | Varies | No | No | Yes | 15 |
How much does it cost to park at the airport for 7 days?
The answer depends heavily on whether you also need a hotel room. A bundled hotel-and-parking deal for a week starts at £49 via Purple Parking, which includes a room at a budget property such as the Russ Hill Hotel. Holiday Extras’ cheapest bundled option is £55.25 for a week, according to its cheap Gatwick airport hotels page. These prices are significantly lower than the combined cost of a typical hotel room (around $120 per night, based on Trivago’s average Gatwick-area hotel price) plus a week’s parking.
For parking only, a week’s park-and-ride can cost as little as £35.93 when booked through Holiday Extras with a promo code, or £38.69 via Purple Parking’s discount page. This makes parking-only a compelling option for local travellers or those staying with friends and family near the airport.
The trade-off is clear: bundles offer better value if you need a room, while parking-only is cheaper if you do not. Booking early—as much as 6–9 months ahead—amplifies the savings no matter which route you take.
“Enjoy cheaper hotel stays and parking at Gatwick from just £49.00 for 1 week.”
— Purple Parking marketing copy, Purple Parking Gatwick hotels
Which hotel is walking distance to the airport?
The seven on-airport hotels are all within walking distance of either the North or South Terminal. These include the Hilton London Gatwick, Sofitel London Gatwick, and Premier Inn Gatwick Airport (North and South). If you prioritise being able to walk to your gate, these are your only options.
Hotels just off the estate, such as the Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport South on London Road, require a shuttle or taxi, though the distance is short. Most off-airport hotels that offer park-and-stay packages include a free shuttle service. The Holiday Inn Express London Gatwick, for instance, is about a 15-minute transfer from the airport, which is typical for this category.
For travellers with very early flights or heavy luggage, the surcharge for an on-airport hotel may be worth it. For everyone else, the shuttle service from a cheaper off-airport package is usually perfectly adequate.
Our pick: Who should book what?
- Travelers who want the cheapest option: Go with Purple Parking’s £49 week-long bundle. It’s the lowest verifiable price that includes both a room and parking.
- Travelers who want on-airport convenience: Book one of the seven on-airport hotels directly through the official Gatwick Airport site for walking-distance access.
- Travelers needing long-stay parking: Use Purple Parking’s 15-night packages, which offer the longest covered duration in a single bundle.
- Travelers who prefer walking distance to terminal: Choose an on-airport hotel such as the Sofitel or Hilton for direct terminal access.
holidayextras.com, groupon.co.uk, purpleparking.com, aph.com, weather2travel.com, facebook.com, expedia.com, bluelightcard.co.uk
For a detailed breakdown of the best options, you can compare park and stay deals that include shuttle services and up to 15 nights of parking.
Frequently asked questions
Can you leave your car at Premier Inn Gatwick?
Yes, many Premier Inn Gatwick hotels offer park-and-stay packages. These are bookable through the hotel’s own website or via third-party aggregators like Holiday Extras and Purple Parking. The Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport South, for example, includes parking in its park-and-stay bundles, typically requiring a short shuttle transfer to the terminal.
What is the best Gatwick parking option?
The best option depends on your needs. For cost, Purple Parking’s £49 weekly bundle is the cheapest verified package. For convenience, an on-airport hotel such as the Sofitel offers direct walking access. For long stays, choose a package that covers up to 15 nights, which is the maximum available through Purple Parking.
Where is the cheapest place to park at Gatwick Airport?
The cheapest parking-only option we found is the APH Park & Ride booked through Holiday Extras, which can cost as little as £35.93 for a week when using the PROMO26 code, according to their parking promo code page. Purple Parking’s own Park & Ride comes in at £38.69 per week after discount.
Do Gatwick hotels with parking include shuttle transfers?
Yes, virtually all off-airport hotels that offer park-and-stay packages include free shuttle transfers to and from the terminal. On-airport hotels do not need a shuttle as they are within walking distance. The shuttle journey typically takes 10–20 minutes depending on the hotel’s location.
Is there free parking at any Gatwick hotel?
No hotel offers genuinely free parking. The “free parking” claim in park-and-stay packages means the cost of parking is bundled into the total price, rather than being charged separately. The price you pay for the package effectively covers the parking spot for the duration of your trip.
How far in advance should I book Gatwick hotel and parking?
Booking 6–9 months ahead can dramatically reduce costs. APH data shows that booking that far in advance results in an average daily parking cost of £7.13, compared to £17.42 when booking 1–2 weeks before travel, as detailed on their APT Gatwick parking page. This principle applies to hotel bundles too: early booking secures the best rates and widest choice.
Are there Gatwick hotels with parking for 15 days?
Yes. Purple Parking offers packages that include up to 15 nights of parking at selected hotels. This makes them suitable for extended holidays. Other providers may offer slightly shorter maximum durations, so check the specific terms when booking for longer trips.
Best package for your trip: A quick summary
- Budget travellers: Choose Purple Parking’s £49 weekly bundle – the cheapest verified park-and-stay deal.
- North Terminal users: On-airport hotels like the Sofitel or Hilton offer direct walking access to the North Terminal.
- South Terminal users: The Hilton London Gatwick Airport is attached to the South Terminal. Off-airport bundles typically serve both terminals via shuttle.
- Long-stay (15 days) travellers: Purple Parking’s 15-night packages are your best bet for extended parking in a single booking.
- Walking distance seekers: An on-airport hotel such as the Premier Inn Gatwick Airport is the only way to step out of the hotel and walk straight to check-in.