Lost ticket or overstaying in Gatwick parking
What to do at the barrier when the ticket, the booking reference or the time has run out — and how to avoid all three.
Last reviewed . Prices and car park rules change often — confirm the current details before you travel.
Two things go wrong at car park barriers more than anything else: the ticket or booking can't be found, and the time has run out. Both are fixable on the spot. Both are cheaper to prevent.
If you have lost the ticket
Many airport car parks now use number-plate recognition. For a pre-booked stay that often means there is no paper ticket at all — the barrier reads your registration and matches it to the booking. If you booked online, what you actually need is the booking reference and the registration you booked with.
If you did take a paper ticket at the barrier and have lost it:
- Use the help or intercom button at the exit, or find car park staff. Do not just wait at the barrier holding up the queue behind you.
- Have your registration, arrival date and approximate entry time ready.
- Expect a lost-ticket charge at some car parks. Charges vary, so ask what it is before you pay, and keep the receipt.
If the barrier does not recognise your booking
The usual causes are dull ones: the registration was typed wrongly when booking, you arrived in a different car, or you are outside your booking window (see arriving early or late). Have the confirmation to hand — offline, not in an email you need data to open — and use the help point.
If you have overstayed
Leaving after your booked exit time is an overstay, and it is normally charged — often at the drive-up rate, which is the dearest tariff. What to do:
- If your flight was delayed, tell the operator as soon as you know and keep the airline's delay notice. Many are flexible about genuine delays; see Gatwick parking when your flight is delayed.
- At a barrier car park, you normally pay the difference on the way out.
- Where entry and exit are camera-based and payment is separate, pay promptly. An unpaid overstay can turn into a parking charge notice for far more than the charge itself.
Preventing all of it
- Check the registration on your booking matches the car you are driving.
- Screenshot the confirmation before you fly.
- Photograph where you parked — see finding your car when you land.
- If plans change, amend the booking rather than overstaying.
Common questions
What happens if I lose my car park ticket at Gatwick?
Many Gatwick car parks use number-plate recognition, so a pre-booked stay is often linked to your registration rather than a paper ticket. If you took a ticket at a barrier and lost it, use the help button or speak to car park staff. Lost-ticket charges vary by car park, so ask before paying.
How much does it cost to overstay?
It depends on the car park and your booking terms. Overstays are commonly charged at the drive-up rate, which is the most expensive tariff. Check the current tariff rather than relying on an old figure.
Will I get a penalty for overstaying?
At a barrier car park you usually pay the extra at exit. Where entry and exit are by number-plate recognition and payment is separate, not paying can lead to a parking charge notice — pay promptly.