London Gatwick Airport Car Hire Guide | 2026

Why Hire a Car at London Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick is the UK's second-busiest airport by passenger traffic, and its location in West Sussex puts it at the gateway to one of England's most diverse driving regions. The South Downs National Park begins 20 miles north, Brighton is 30 miles south, and the historic city of Oxford is under 90 minutes by car. Gatwick's car hire desks handle thousands of travellers each week — most collecting on their way to somewhere that public transport simply doesn't reach efficiently.

The Gatwick North Terminal and South Terminal both host car hire counters, though the majority of the fleet is managed from a consolidated off-airport lot. Counter-to-car times vary from 15 minutes to 40 minutes depending on the time of day and which supplier you book with. Outside of peak summer and the Christmas period, queues are generally manageable.

Car Hire Suppliers at London Gatwick

Gatwick hosts the full spectrum of international and regional operators. The following suppliers maintain desks or collection points at the airport:

Supplier	Terminal	Notes
Avis	North & South	Wide fleet, loyalty programme
Hertz	North Terminal	Strong corporate rates
Budget	North Terminal	Budget-conscious, limited premium
Sixt	South Terminal	Premium fleet, good SUV selection
Enterprise	Off-airport (shuttle)	Largest UK network
Europcar	North Terminal	Competitive for longer rentals
National	North Terminal	Emerald/executive tier

Counter tip: The Sixt desk in South Terminal is consistently rated among the best for speed and clarity of communication. Avis and Hertz in North Terminal share a common queue system at peak times — book online and use the express desk if available to skip the line.

Driving in the UK — What You Need to Know

Road position: The UK drives on the left side of the road. This catches out most visitors from continental Europe, North America, and Asia. Roundabouts, overtaking lanes, and right turns at traffic lights all require particular care. If you've never driven on the left, spend 10 minutes in a quiet car park before joining a major road.

Licence requirements: EU and Commonwealth driving licences are valid in the UK without an International Driving Permit. US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and most other international licences are accepted for up to 12 months. If your licence is not in English, carry an IDP.

Speed limits:

• Motorways: 70mph (112km/h)
• Dual carriageways: 70mph
• Single carriageways: 60mph (96km/h)
• Urban roads: 30mph (48km/h) — many urban roads are now 20mph

Road rules worth knowing:

• Mobile phones are completely banned while driving — even hands-free carries a six-point penalty
• Traffic lights in the UK are red = stop, amber = stop (unless you've already passed the line), green = go
• The Highway Code is free online and covers all major rules — worth reading before you drive

ULEZ, Tolls and Charges

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ): London operates a ULEZ covering most of Greater London, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Vehicles must meet Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) emission standards to avoid a daily charge of £12.50. Gatwick Airport itself is just outside the ULEZ boundary, but if you plan to drive into central London, check your vehicle's compliance before you book. Most recent rental cars (2020+) will comply, but double-check with your supplier.

Congestion Charge: Central London charges £15/day for most vehicles entering the Congestion Charge zone. This is separate from ULEZ and applies on weekdays 7am–6pm.

Dartford Crossing: If you drive east from Gatwick toward Essex or Kent, you'll cross the Dartford Crossing (Thames Bridge). This is tolled — the Dart Charge applies, currently £2–£5 depending on payment method and time of day. Most rental cars have a pre-paid Dart Charge account — check with your supplier.

Tunnels and bridges: The UK has no toll roads as such, but several bridges and tunnels charge. The Severn Bridge (toward Wales) is tolled at £6.70 for cars.

Gatwick to Key Destinations

Destination	Distance	Drive Time	Route Notes
Brighton	30 miles	40–55 min	A23 south, straightforward
Central London	40 miles	60–90 min	M23 north, then A3/M25 — avoid Friday 4–7pm
Oxford	65 miles	80–100 min	M25 anticlockwise to M40
South Downs National Park	20–35 miles	30–60 min	A23 north, various turn-offs
Canterbury	50 miles	65–90 min	M25/A2 — can be busy at weekends
Portsmouth	55 miles	75–90 min	A3/M3 south

To Brighton: The A23 is Gatwick's direct route south to Brighton. It's a well-maintained dual carriageway for most of the journey. Parking in Brighton city centre is expensive — consider the Park and Ride at the outskirts (£6/day) or the £3/hour street parking in the Lanes if you're only visiting for a few hours.

To the South Downs: The national park covers the chalk escarpments north of Brighton and extends west toward Portsmouth. The A23 passes through several scenic pull-ins. Devils Dyke, just north of Brighton, is one of the best sunset viewpoints in southern England.

Into London: Gatwick is actually better connected to central London by train (20 minutes to Victoria, Gatwick Express) than by car. If you're staying in Zone 1–2, do not drive — parking in central London costs £40–£80/day. Drive to Gatwick only if your destination requires a car.

Fuel and Running Costs

Fuel prices in the UK are among the highest in Europe. As of early 2026, unleaded petrol runs roughly £1.35–£1.50 per litre. Diesel is similarly priced. Full-to-full fuel policy is standard.

Average UK running costs for a rental:

• Compact (Ford Fiesta / VW Polo class): £50–£80/day
• SUV / family (Kia Sportage / Nissan Qashqai class): £80–£130/day
• Premium (BMW 3-Series / Audi A4 class): £130–£200/day

Insurance excess (the amount you pay if the car is damaged) is typically £1,000–£2,500. Suppliers will push their excess reduction products at the counter — these typically cost £15–£30/day. If you have rental cover through your credit card or personal travel insurance, weigh up whether the supplier product is worth it for the peace of mind.

Pickup and Drop-off Practicalities

Collection: Most Gatwick car hire operators now use an off-airport lot served by a free shuttle bus. The shuttle runs every 8–12 minutes from the terminal. Budget 30 minutes from the counter to having your keys — longer at peak arrival times (8–11am, 3–6pm).

Return: Fuel the car before returning. Most suppliers require a receipt or a visual inspection. The Gatwick lots are open 24 hours but staff coverage for out-of-hours returns varies — check with your supplier the night before if you're returning after 10pm.

Deposits: Most suppliers place a temporary hold of £200–£500 on your card at collection. This is released within 3–5 working days after return — not immediately. Cards with a low limit can be temporarily over-drawn by this hold.

FAQ

Can I drive from Gatwick into central London?

You can, but it's not recommended. Parking costs £40–£80/day in central London, and the Gatwick-to-Victoria train (20 minutes, Gatwick Express) is far faster and cheaper. Only drive in if you need a car for your London stay or are heading somewhere the train doesn't serve.

Is it easy to drive from Gatwick to Brighton?

Yes — the A23 is a direct dual carriageway. It takes 40–55 minutes from Gatwick to Brighton city centre, depending on traffic. Saturday and Sunday mornings are generally clear; weekday evenings see delays around Crawley and the Brighton outskirts.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for the UK?

If your licence is in English (EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, South Africa, Ireland), no IDP is needed. If your licence is in another language, carry an IDP. This is not optional — police do check.

Does my rental car need ULEZ compliance?

If you're only driving in Sussex and not entering Greater London, ULEZ does not apply. If you plan to drive into the ULEZ zone (most of London inside the M25), your car must meet Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel). Most 2020+ hire cars comply. Confirm with your supplier before booking.

Are there automatic cars available at Gatwick?

Yes — but supply is limited. Around 80% of the UK fleet is manual, so if you need an automatic, book it explicitly and as early as possible. Upgrades to automatic cost £15–£35/day at Gatwick suppliers.

What's the speed camera situation in the UK?

UK speed cameras are prolific on motorways and A-roads. Fixed cameras are yellow (average speed zones) or grey (point-to-point). Mobile cameras appear without warning. Speeding fines are issued to the registered keeper and are passed to the rental company, who will charge your card plus an admin fee of £20–£50 on top of the fine.

Can I take a rental car to France from Gatwick?

Yes — Channel crossings from Dover are 90 minutes from Gatwick. You'll need to tell your insurer you're crossing to Europe, and some rental companies require advance notification or charge a cross-border fee of £20–£50. The Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel) and P&O Ferries both operate from Folkestone and Dover.

Is parking at Gatwick Airport expensive?

Short-stay (under 4 hours) at Gatwick is expensive — £5–£8 per hour. Long-stay car parks (P3, P4) are cheaper if booked in advance: roughly £80–£120 for a week. If you're flying out from Gatwick and want to leave your car, pre-book online at least 24 hours ahead for the best rate.