Your Complete Guide to Car Hire at Gatwick South Terminal
Welcome to the South Terminal at London Gatwick! As the original and busiest hub for the airport, this terminal handles flights from major airlines including British Airways, Vueling, Wizz Air, and Ryanair. If you are touching down here, we have some fantastic news for you regarding your onward journey.
Unlike many large international airports where collecting a rental car involves boarding a crowded shuttle bus and travelling miles off-site, Gatwick has brilliantly centralized its operations. The main Gatwick Car Rental Village is located directly outside the South Terminal. For passengers arriving here, picking up your premium vehicle is quite literally a walk in the park.
The South Terminal Advantage: Because the dedicated Car Rental Village is situated right at the South Terminal, you do not need to take the inter-terminal monorail or board any shuttle buses. You simply collect your bags, walk out of the arrivals hall, and head straight to the desks.
Step-by-Step: The Short Walk to Your Rental Car
The process of getting from your aircraft seat into the driver's seat of your rental car is incredibly swift. To help you navigate the short distance through the terminal precinct, we have created a visual map and a quick step-by-step timeline of the exact walking route you will take.
1. Baggage Reclaim & Customs
Clear UK border control and collect your suitcases. Walk through the customs channel directly into the busy South Terminal arrivals hall.
2. Locate the Yellow Signage
Look up for the prominent yellow signs reading "Car Rental". These signs will guide you towards the terminal exits. The route is entirely flat, making it perfectly suited for pushing heavy luggage trolleys.
3. The Covered Walkway
Exit the main terminal building and follow the designated pedestrian walkway. It is a very short, largely covered path that takes approximately 3 minutes to navigate.
4. The Rental Desks
You will arrive directly at the purpose-built Car Rental Village. All the major global suppliers (such as Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, and Europcar) are grouped together here. Simply head to the desk matching your booking confirmation.
Selecting the Right Vehicle for Your Journey
By booking through our Gatwick South portal, you unlock access to an extensive fleet that caters to every type of traveller. The geographical position of Gatwick means you have two very different driving experiences on your doorstep: the high-speed urban ring of the M25 to the north, and the scenic, rural roads of Sussex to the south.
For City Driving & Corporate Travel: If your itinerary points north towards Greater London, we strongly advise using our search filters to secure an automatic vehicle. Stop-and-start traffic is common on the M23 and M25 during rush hours, and an automatic transmission significantly reduces driver fatigue. We also highly recommend choosing a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle (EV). While Gatwick is safely outside the London Ultra Low Emission Zone, driving into the capital will incur daily ULEZ charges unless your vehicle is compliant.
For Coastal Holidays & Families: If you are heading south to Brighton, Eastbourne, or exploring the South Downs National Park, prioritizing cabin and boot space is vital. We recommend upgrading from a compact economy car to an Estate (Station Wagon) or SUV. These vehicles offer the necessary luggage capacity for 4-5 passengers without compromising on comfort during longer touring days.
Driving Out: Navigating the Gatwick Precinct
Once you are handed your keys at the South Terminal desk, your vehicle will be waiting in the adjacent dedicated car park. Exiting the facility is straightforward. The exit lanes filter seamlessly onto the Gatwick Ring Road.
The road network immediately outside the airport is dominated by large roundabouts. Remember to always yield (give way) to traffic approaching from your right. From the ring road, follow the large blue signs directing you to the M23 motorway. You can join the northbound carriageway for London and the M25, or the southbound carriageway for Brighton and the coast, in under five minutes.
Dropping Off: Returning to the South Terminal
Returning your vehicle to the South Terminal is just as efficient as the collection process. When driving back to the airport via the M23, exit at Junction 9 and follow the overhead signs explicitly marked "South Terminal" and subsequently "Car Rental Return".
A Crucial Tip for Fuel: If you have opted for a 'Full-to-Full' fuel policy, you must return the car with a full tank to avoid premium refuelling penalty charges. Thankfully, there is a large, 24-hour BP petrol station located on the Ring Road North. We advise filling up here just before you enter the final approach to the rental return area.
The car rental return zone is strategically located outside the terminal's paid drop-off zones, meaning you do not have to pay the £6 Gatwick drop-off fee. Once your vehicle is handed over, it is simply a 3-minute walk back into the South Terminal departures hall to check in for your flight.
Gatwick South Terminal Car Hire FAQs
Everything you need to know specifically about renting a car when flying directly in or out of LGW South.