Independent supplier guide • Last reviewed 17 September 2026
Planning to collect a Budget hire car at London Gatwick Airport? Budget's current UK location page identifies its Gatwick rental station at the South Terminal. Gatwick Airport also lists Budget among its on-airport car hire providers.
This guide brings together the current collection location, published opening hours, practical document checks, return planning and useful questions to review before you travel.
Compare Gatwick Airport Car Hire
Budget Gatwick Airport at a Glance
| Current Budget station | Gatwick Airport South Terminal, London, RH6 0NY. |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | Budget currently publishes 07:00–21:45. |
| Saturday | Budget currently publishes 07:00–15:00. |
| Sunday | Budget currently publishes 08:00–20:45. |
| North Terminal arrivals | Check your booking instructions and follow Gatwick's car-hire/inter-terminal wayfinding if your flight arrives at North Terminal. |
| Before travelling | Recheck your reservation, opening hours, collection point, required documents, payment card and return instructions. |
Budget at Gatwick South Terminal
Budget's current official Gatwick page identifies the rental station as Gatwick Airport – South Terminal. After arriving, follow the collection directions supplied with your reservation and airport car-hire signage.
Budget currently publishes the station address as Gatwick Airport, London, RH6 0NY.
Arriving at Gatwick North Terminal
Gatwick Airport lists Budget as one of the car hire services available to passengers. If you arrive at North Terminal but your booking directs you to the South Terminal station, follow the airport's current inter-terminal instructions and the directions contained in your reservation.
Because airport arrangements can change, your live booking instructions should take priority over older third-party directions.
How to Collect a Budget Hire Car at Gatwick
- Check the terminal and collection point. Budget currently identifies its Gatwick station as South Terminal.
- Confirm your collection time. Weekend hours currently differ from weekday opening hours.
- Have the required documents ready. Check the licence and identification requirements stated on your booking.
- Check the payment method. Review the accepted card, deposit and pre-authorisation requirements for your particular rental.
- Review the agreement. Check vehicle category, excess, protection, mileage, fuel or charging policy and any extras.
- Inspect the vehicle. Record any existing damage and check fuel or battery level before leaving.
Documents, Driving Licence and Payment
Requirements can vary according to the driver's licence, country of residence, vehicle group and payment method. Before travelling, check your Budget reservation for the exact driving-licence, identification, card and deposit requirements that apply to you.
If you are visiting the UK from overseas, allow additional time to check whether your licence requires an International Driving Permit or supporting documentation. Avoid relying on generic advice when your booking confirmation gives more specific requirements.
Choosing a Budget Hire Car at Gatwick
Budget offers different vehicle groups rather than guaranteeing every individual make and model. Think about luggage capacity, passenger numbers, transmission preference and the type of driving you expect to do.
If you specifically want two-pedal driving, compare our automatic car hire at Gatwick Airport options. For longer stays, our long-term Gatwick car hire guide covers additional planning points.
Returning a Budget Hire Car at Gatwick
Check the return location on your rental agreement before setting off for the airport. Airport road layouts and supplier return arrangements can differ from the route used when collecting the vehicle.
Allow extra time for fuel or charging, luggage unloading and the walk or transfer back to the terminal. If you are returning outside normal desk hours, follow the specific out-of-hours instructions supplied with your rental rather than leaving the vehicle or keys somewhere not authorised by Budget.
Printable Budget Gatwick Collection Checklist
- ☐ Budget booking confirmation
- ☐ Correct collection terminal checked
- ☐ Collection time checked
- ☐ Valid driving licence
- ☐ Additional-driver documents
- ☐ Required identification
- ☐ Payment card requirements checked
- ☐ Deposit/pre-authorisation checked
- ☐ Vehicle category confirmed
- ☐ Fuel/charging policy checked
- ☐ Existing damage recorded
- ☐ Return route and instructions saved
Compare Budget with Other Gatwick Car Hire Suppliers
Compare the complete rental conditions rather than just the headline price. Terminal arrangements, opening hours, vehicle group, deposit, excess, fuel policy and optional extras can all affect the overall value of a booking.
About This Budget Gatwick Guide
This is an independent editorial guide from 1st UK Car Rentals. We are not Budget. We review current supplier and airport information to help travellers understand collection and return arrangements and compare Gatwick car hire options. Operational details and rental conditions can change, so always confirm important requirements against your own reservation before travel.
Learn more about the people behind our guides on our Meet the Team page.
Official Information Sources
Source check: 17 September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Budget at Gatwick Airport
Where is Budget car hire at Gatwick Airport?
Budget's current official location page identifies its Gatwick station as Gatwick Airport South Terminal, London, RH6 0NY.
What are Budget Gatwick's Monday to Friday opening hours?
Budget currently publishes opening hours of 07:00 to 21:45 from Monday to Friday. Check again before travel because hours can change.
What time is Budget Gatwick open on Saturday?
Budget currently publishes Saturday opening hours of 07:00 to 15:00.
What time is Budget Gatwick open on Sunday?
Budget currently publishes Sunday opening hours of 08:00 to 20:45.
What should I do if I arrive at Gatwick North Terminal?
Check the collection instructions on your booking. Budget currently identifies its Gatwick station as South Terminal, so follow Gatwick's current inter-terminal and car-hire wayfinding if a transfer is required.
What documents do I need to collect a Budget hire car?
Check your reservation for the valid driving licence, identification and any supporting documents required for your particular rental.
What payment card do I need for Budget Gatwick?
Card and deposit requirements can vary by booking and vehicle group. Check the payment and pre-authorisation conditions shown on your reservation before travelling.
Can I book an automatic car with Budget at Gatwick?
Automatic vehicle groups may be available depending on your dates and fleet availability. Select the required transmission when comparing available vehicles.
Can I return my Budget car outside desk opening hours?
Out-of-hours arrangements should be confirmed against your specific booking. Follow Budget's authorised return and key-drop instructions rather than assuming the desk needs to be open.
Should I compare Budget with other Gatwick suppliers?
Yes. Comparing vehicle type, collection arrangements, deposit, excess, fuel policy, mileage and extras can give a more useful comparison than looking only at the headline rental price.