Picking someone up is even worse. Same £5 for ten minutes. But now you have to wait. And waiting costs more. If your flight is delayed (and it will be), you’ll pay extra. The airport profits from your anxiety.
Here’s a funny loophole: you can use the “Short Stay” car park. It’s £28 for two hours. But if you walk slowly, buy a croissant, and pretend you’re a spy, it’s almost romantic. Almost.
London Gatwick has highest drop-off fees of any UK airport: how 'kiss
Or just use the free drop-off trick for pick-ups too. Park in Long Stay. Hop the shuttle. Greet your traveler. Shuttle back. It’s a ten-minute adventure. You’ll feel like a secret agent. Or a very thrifty parent.
