Pre-book your parking to save money and guarantee space, then use the free shuttle between terminals allowing extra time for navigation. Head straight to dedicated family security lanes for faster processing with buggies and kids. Scout Kids’ Zones near WHSmith (North) or food courts (South) for quick energy burns, while baby care rooms throughout both terminals offer changing and feeding facilities. Keep devices charged using free Wi-Fi and charging points, and plan meal stops near your departure gate since most restaurants close by 9 PM—though these essential strategies represent just the beginning of mastering family travel through Gatwick.
- Pre-book Parking and Allow Extra Time for Smooth Arrivals
- Take Advantage of Family and Assistance Security Lanes
- Locate and Use Kids’ Zones and Play Areas
- Find Baby Care and Feeding Facilities Throughout the Airport
- Consider Child-Friendly Airport Lounges for Added Comfort
- Navigate Between North and South Terminals Efficiently
- Use Lifts Instead of Escalators for Safety With Buggies
- Keep Essential Items in Your Cabin Bag
- Plan Meal Stops Near Your Gate
- Keep Devices Charged for Entertainment During Wait Times
- The Sum Up
Pre-book Parking and Allow Extra Time for Smooth Arrivals
When you’re traveling with children, pre-booking your Gatwick parking transforms a potentially stressful arrival into a smooth start to your family holiday. You’ll save money compared to gate rates and guarantee a space during busy periods.
Long Stay North or South offers the most economical daily rates for holiday parking, while Meet & Greet removes the hassle of finding spaces with luggage and children in tow.
Always build extra time into your schedule. Long-stay shuttle buses run every 10-15 minutes with 5-12 minute journeys to terminals. All parking facilities feature perimeter fences, CCTV monitoring, and regular security patrols to ensure your vehicle remains safe while you’re away.
Peak seasons create queuing delays at barriers and bus stops. Large car park layouts require additional navigation time, especially in multi-storey facilities where you’ll need to find spaces and manage ramps with young passengers.
Take Advantage of Family and Assistance Security Lanes
Why stand in crowded security queues with restless children when Gatwick offers dedicated family and assistance lanes? You’ll find these clearly signposted lanes in both terminals after check-in, designed specifically for families with young children and passengers needing special assistance.
These lanes feature wider gates to accommodate buggies and wheelchairs, plus extra space for manoeuvring mobility equipment. You’ll benefit from specially trained staff who understand the challenges of travelling with children or managing disabilities. They’re equipped to provide additional time and reassurance during screening procedures.
The lanes typically have shorter, more predictable queues than standard security lines, reducing stress for everyone. You won’t need premium tickets—this service is part of Gatwick’s standard offering, making your journey smoother from start to finish. To use these family assistance lanes, you must notify beforehand as advance planning ensures the best availability and smoothest experience.
Locate and Use Kids’ Zones and Play Areas
After clearing security, you’ll discover several free play areas throughout both terminals that’ll keep your children entertained during layovers.
In North Terminal, find the Kids Zone near WHSmith on the lower level, featuring interactive educational activities perfect for engaging young minds.
South Terminal offers two play areas: a larger soft play space upstairs near the food court, and another near the EasyJet gates with tropical-themed soft mats.
If you’re using airport lounges, you’ll find additional kids’ zones in Plaza Premium, Plaza Express, and other premium lounges with games areas and entertainment options. Pre-booking recommended for all lounge facilities to ensure access.
These modest-sized spaces are designed for quick energy burn-off during short waits.
You can also request access to a sensory room through special assistance if needed.
Find Baby Care and Feeding Facilities Throughout the Airport
Beyond entertainment areas, Gatwick provides extensive baby care and feeding facilities designed to make traveling with infants much easier. You’ll find designated baby care rooms marked with clear symbols in both terminals’ check-in areas, near gates, and in transfer zones. These rooms feature changing tables, feeding areas, and private nursing chairs.
Most restrooms throughout the airport include fold-down changing tables, so you’re never far from facilities. Look for bottle or babycare symbols on signage to locate the nearest room quickly. If you need additional baby supplies or equipment, stroller rentals are available throughout the airport to help you navigate with your little ones.
For feeding needs, all restaurants will warm baby bottles, and Boots Drugstore offers a convenient pre-order service for baby milk—just order seven days ahead and collect after security. The Gatwick app helps locate the closest nursing room whenever you need it.
Consider Child-Friendly Airport Lounges for Added Comfort
While busy gate areas can overwhelm families with young children, Gatwick’s child-friendly lounges offer a peaceful retreat where you’ll find dedicated play areas, complimentary snacks, and comfortable seating for naps.
Choose lounges that explicitly welcome children like No1 Lounges, My Lounge, and Club Aspire in the South Terminal. Club Aspire allows infants under 2 free of charge, though children 2+ need their own pass.
You’ll discover excellent entertainment options including the Wentworth Servisair lounge’s “Fun Zone” soft-play area and My Lounge’s Games Room with video games and foosball tables. These facilities support up to three hours of pre-flight relaxation for families.
The complimentary food and beverages support flexible mealtimes, while practical amenities like baby-changing facilities, reliable Wi-Fi, and flight information screens make your pre-flight experience smoother and less stressful.
Navigate Between North and South Terminals Efficiently
Once you’ve enjoyed the comfort of a family-friendly lounge, you’ll need to confirm which terminal your departure gate is located in before heading through security. The terminals aren’t connected airside, so switching after security isn’t possible.
If you’re at the wrong terminal, use the free automated people mover that runs between North and South Terminals landside – it’s perfect when traveling with luggage and prams. The 0.75-mile system operates continuously and connects near the train station and transport hubs. The shuttle runs every few minutes, ensuring minimal waiting time even during busy travel periods.
Alternatively, designated walking routes are available via Furlong Way, though the shuttle’s more practical for families. Allow at least 1 hour 15 minutes for terminal transfers, and grab terminal maps from touchscreen kiosks to plan your route efficiently.
Use Lifts Instead of Escalators for Safety With Buggies
When navigating Gatwick with buggies and young children, you’ll want to prioritize lifts over escalators for both safety and practicality. Escalators pose significant fall risks, especially with wheeled devices and heavy luggage that can shift your center of gravity.
Small children face higher rates of falls and entrapments near moving parts, while stroller wheels and loose clothing increase entrapment risk at comb plates.
Airport environments amplify these dangers through crowding, distractions from phones, and passengers carrying multiple bags that prevent proper handrail use.
Industry standards specifically advise against taking strollers on escalators.
Gatwick has invested in additional lifts throughout both terminals to support accessibility. The airport station is currently undergoing significant upgrades, including the installation of five new lifts to improve passenger experience and accessibility for all station users.
Lifts provide a stationary, enclosed environment where you can safely manage children, buggies, and luggage simultaneously without compromising anyone’s safety.
Keep Essential Items in Your Cabin Bag
Smart packing of your cabin bag becomes critical when traveling with children, as you’ll need immediate access to essentials throughout your journey. Keep all prescription medicines, inhalers, and EpiPens in your cabin bag—never in checked luggage where they’re inaccessible during flight delays.
Pack baby milk, formula, and sterilized water in reasonable quantities, positioning them for easy removal during security screening. Essential medicines and baby food can be carried in larger volumes with proper authentication at security checkpoints.
Store passports, boarding passes, and insurance documents in an outer pocket for quick access. Essential electronics like tablets and power banks must stay with you—power banks are actually forbidden in checked baggage.
Remember that valuables receive limited protection in hold luggage, so keep cash, cameras, and devices in your cabin bag. Pack hard copies of emergency contacts as phone backup.
Plan Meal Stops Near Your Gate
Since hunger strikes at the worst moments during travel, identifying family-friendly dining options near your departure gate prevents last-minute scrambles through the terminal with tired children.
Scout your terminal’s layout upon arrival to locate kid-friendly spots like Nando’s in South Terminal, which offers customizable spice levels, bottomless drinks, and a dedicated Nandino’s kids menu with runway views.
North Terminal families should consider Jamie’s Italian for pasta dishes or Shake-a-hula for milkshakes and hot dogs.
When time’s tight, Grain Store serves most dishes within 15 minutes and offers takeaway options. Most restaurants operate standard hours from 04:00 to 21:00, so plan accordingly for early morning or late evening flights.
For 24-hour needs, you’ll find Pret A Manger and Starbucks after security in both terminals, ensuring you’re never stuck without dining options.
Keep Devices Charged for Entertainment During Wait Times
Long airport delays become manageable when your family’s devices stay powered up for games, videos, and communication with loved ones back home. Gatwick’s free Wi-Fi reaches throughout both terminals, so you’ll stay connected anywhere you wait.
You’ll find charging points scattered across the airport, including dedicated family areas where kids can plug in tablets while playing.
Most pubs and restaurants offer power sockets without requiring permission—just ask your server. If you’re using airport lounges, they provide charging facilities alongside unlimited Wi-Fi access.
For electric vehicle owners, the Short Stay car parks feature 22kW charging points, letting you power both your car and personal devices simultaneously. The new GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt opened in 2024 with over 30 high-power chargers right on airport grounds next to the South Terminal.
Download entertainment apps before traveling to maximize your charged devices’ potential during unexpected delays.
The Sum Up
You’ll find traveling through Gatwick with kids becomes much easier when you’re prepared. Book your parking early, pack smart with essentials in your cabin bag, and don’t forget portable chargers for devices. Take advantage of family lanes and play areas to keep little ones happy while you wait. Remember, you’re not rushing through – you’re managing a family journey, so give yourself extra time and use the airport’s family-friendly facilities to your advantage.
