Outside the London ULEZ Zone

Car Hire at London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Premium car rental desks serving North & South Terminals. Step off your flight and drive directly onto the M23.

Gatwick Car Hire Fleet Overview

Best Value

Economy

from £16/day

Vauxhall Corsa or similar. Easy parking in Brighton.

Hybrid

from £21/day

Toyota Yaris Hybrid. Perfect for Sussex roads.

Zero Emission

Full Electric

from £30/day

Tesla Model 3. Fast charging near Gatwick.

Family Estate

from £27/day

Skoda Octavia. Fits 4 large suitcases easily.

SUV

from £34/day

Nissan Qashqai. Ride high on the M23.

Executive

Luxury

from £52/day

BMW 5 Series. Perfect for business trips to London.

7 Seater

from £44/day

VW Sharan. Group travel straight from arrivals.

9 Seater

from £67/day

Ford Transit. Carry the whole touring group.

Global Suppliers at Gatwick

Authorized partnerships with global brands stationed at LGW Car Rental Centre.

Avis Gatwick Hertz Gatwick Alamo Gatwick Enterprise Gatwick Sixt Gatwick Europcar Gatwick Thrifty Gatwick Budget Gatwick

All-Inclusive LGW Protection

Drive out of Gatwick with absolute confidence. Every booking automatically includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Third-Party Liability, and Theft Protection.

We ensure total transparency: the rate you book covers your essential insurance needs and includes 24/7 UK-wide breakdown assistance as standard.

North & South Terminal Access

The main car rental village is located right at the South Terminal. If you fly into the North Terminal, simply hop on the free inter-terminal monorail—it takes just 2 minutes to cross over to the rental desks.

Drop-off is well-signposted from the M23 approach roads for a stress-free return. For live flight tracking and official maps, we recommend checking the official London Gatwick Airport website.

What Our Gatwick Customers Say

Verified reviews from travelers who rented directly from London Gatwick Airport.

"Fantastic service at Gatwick South Terminal. The car was spotless and we were on the M23 in minutes."

David M.

"Quick shuttle from the North Terminal and a very smooth pick-up process. Will use again for my next Sussex trip."

Lucy H.

"Best prices I found for an LGW rental. The car was ready and waiting with no hard sell at the desk."

Robert M.

"Returning at 5 AM was a breeze with the drop box, and the early walk to South Terminal took 5 minutes."

Sophie T.

"Absolutely no hidden fees. The price I saw online was exactly what I paid at the Gatwick desk."

James W.

"The car broke down which was surprising as it was brand new, but I guess nothing is perfect! However, I was very happy with the support. The car change over was very quick and professional. Thank you Sarah for the great customer service."

Mark D.

"Very straightforward access onto the M23 straight out of the depot. The premium vehicle selection is top-notch."

Michael B.

"Modern fleet and efficient customer support. Got me out of the airport traffic in record time heading to Brighton."

Elena R.
Gatwick Arrivals Guide

Essential Driving Guide out of Gatwick

Landing at LGW? Familiarise yourself with these vital rules of the road before exiting the South Terminal car parks in your rental.

Navigating the M23 & M25

Leaving Gatwick places you directly next to the M23 motorway. Heading North takes you to the M25 (the London orbital) and Central London. Heading South takes you directly to Brighton and the Sussex coast. Traffic can be very heavy between 07:30-09:30.

Manual vs. Automatic

Manual transmission (stick shift) is standard. If you are jet-lagged or unfamiliar with UK roads, we strongly recommend filtering for an automatic vehicle when you book to make navigating airport traffic much easier.

Roundabouts Around LGW

You will encounter large roundabouts immediately after leaving the South Terminal. Traffic flows clockwise. You must always give way (yield) to traffic approaching from your right.

Speed Cameras & Smart Motorways

The M23 leading out of Gatwick is a "Smart Motorway". Speed limits are variable and displayed on overhead gantries. They are strictly enforced by yellow speed cameras. Distances and speeds are measured in Miles Per Hour (mph).

Gatwick & the London ULEZ

Gatwick Airport is located in West Sussex and is outside the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). However, if you drive North into Greater London, you will cross into the zone. Fortunately, most of our LGW fleet is ULEZ-compliant.

Returning the Car (Fuel)

If you have a 'Full-to-Full' fuel policy, there is a large BP petrol station located right on the Ring Road North near the terminals. Fill up here before dropping your keys at the rental village to avoid penalty charges.

Police Traffic Stops

If signalled to stop by a police vehicle (flashing blue lights or sirens), pull over safely as soon as possible. Stay in your vehicle, turn off the engine, and wait. Have your driving licence, passport/ID, and car rental agreement ready.

Current UK Fuel Costs

UK fuel is sold by the litre. Due to recent geopolitical events affecting global supply chains, prices are currently averaging around £1.45 upto £1.60 per litre. We advise choosing a 'Full-to-Full' fuel policy to control your own refuelling costs.

*As this is a volatile and ever-changing item, these prices were last updated on: .

Explore The South of England

Popular Drives from Gatwick Airport

Because LGW is located in West Sussex, it serves as the perfect gateway to the South Coast and surrounding countryside. Here are the top family-friendly spots and scenic drives our customers visit after picking up their rental.

Brighton & Hove

Distance: 28 miles (40 mins via A23)

Head straight south to the iconic pebble beaches.

Child-Friendly? Yes! Kids will love the Brighton Palace Pier amusements, riding the i360 tower, or visiting the historic SEA LIFE centre.

Pro Tip: Parking in central Brighton is notoriously expensive. Use the Churchill Square multi-storey or opt for the Withdean Park & Ride.

South Downs National Park

Distance: 35 miles (50 mins via A23)

Experience England's newest National Park, featuring the stunning chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters.

Child-Friendly? Great for active families. Washbrooks Family Farm is a massive hit with toddlers, while older kids will love hiking Devil's Dyke.

Pro Tip: Prepare for narrow, winding country lanes—an SUV or smaller economy car handles these best.

Hever Castle & Gardens

Distance: 15 miles (30 mins via M23/A264)

A short drive east brings you to the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, surrounded by spectacular historic gardens.

Child-Friendly? Highly recommended! Features a fantastic Water Maze, an immense adventure playground, and live jousting tournaments in the summer.

Pro Tip: Parking is completely free and plentiful on-site.

Central London Attractions

Distance: 28 miles (75 mins via M23/A23)

Drive north into the capital to see the famous landmarks.

Child-Friendly? Excellent for the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, or riding the London Eye.

Pro Tip: Avoid central London driving stress (and the expensive Congestion Charges) by parking at a Zone 4 Tube station, like Morden, and taking the Underground in.

Ashdown Forest (Pooh Country)

Distance: 15 miles (30 mins via M23)

Explore the beautiful heathland that inspired A.A. Milne's classic children's stories.

Child-Friendly? Magical for young children. Visit the real 'Hundred Acre Wood' and play Pooh Sticks at the original bridge.

Pro Tip: Download a walking map and directions on your phone before you go, as mobile signal in the forest is notoriously patchy.

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort

Distance: 40 miles (50 mins via M25)

A premier UK theme park dedicated entirely to the famous plastic bricks.

Child-Friendly? The ultimate kid's day out! Perfect for children under 12, packed with rides, building zones, and mini driving schools.

Pro Tip: The M25 can be highly congested during morning rush hour (07:30 - 09:30 AM), so time your departure from LGW accordingly.

Hastings & Camber Sands

Distance: 45 miles (1 hr 15 mins via A23/A259)

Head southeast to explore 1066 country and some of the best coastline in the region.

Child-Friendly? Yes! Hastings offers the Smugglers Adventure caves, while Camber Sands boasts miles of soft, golden sand.

Pro Tip: Camber Sands car parks fill up extremely fast on sunny weekends; aim to arrive before 10 AM.

Arundel Castle & Wetlands

Distance: 30 miles (45 mins via A24/A29)

A magnificently restored medieval castle set in the stunning South Downs.

Child-Friendly? Very. The imposing castle captures kids' imaginations, and the nearby WWT Arundel Wetland Centre offers boat safaris and pond dipping.

Pro Tip: There is a convenient, large pay-and-display car park located directly opposite the castle gates.

Gatwick Car Hire Frequently Asked Questions

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