Independent supplier guide • Last reviewed 17 September 2026
Planning to hire a car with Europcar at London Gatwick Airport? This independent guide explains where to find the Europcar desks, what to check before collection, how returns work and the practical details that can make airport car hire easier after your flight.
1st UK Car Rentals compares Europcar with other Gatwick car hire providers so you can compare available vehicles and prices before deciding which rental option suits your journey.
Compare Gatwick Airport Car Hire
Europcar Gatwick Airport at a Glance
| Airport desks | Europcar states that rental desks are in the arrivals halls of both Gatwick North and South Terminals. |
|---|---|
| Airport provider | Europcar is listed by London Gatwick as an on-airport car hire provider. |
| Published hours | London Gatwick currently lists Europcar as open 07:00–23:00 every day. Check your booking and Europcar's current station information before travel. |
| After-hours return | London Gatwick lists after-hours returns for Europcar. |
| Vehicle range | Depending on availability: compact cars, larger family cars, SUVs, premium vehicles, electric options and vans. |
| Useful arrival detail | Europcar recommends supplying your flight number so the station can better manage a delayed arrival. |
Where Is Europcar at Gatwick Airport?
Europcar currently states that its desks are located in the arrivals halls of both Gatwick North Terminal and South Terminal. London Gatwick also lists Europcar among its on-airport rental providers and advises arriving passengers to follow signs for car hire after leaving arrivals.
Because airport layouts and operational arrangements can change, use the terminal instructions supplied with your reservation as the final guide on the day.
Europcar Gatwick Opening Hours
London Gatwick currently publishes Europcar opening hours of 07:00–23:00 every day. Europcar advises customers to check the latest station opening times before travelling.
If your flight is delayed, having your flight number attached to the reservation is particularly useful. Europcar says reservations will generally be held for delayed flights when the flight number has been provided, although you should still check the latest opening information.
How to Collect a Europcar Hire Car at Gatwick
- Check your booking before flying. Confirm the terminal, collection time, vehicle category and any extras you have reserved.
- Add your flight details. Europcar recommends providing your flight number, which can help the station identify delayed arrivals.
- Follow Car Hire signs after arrivals. Europcar says it has desks in both the North and South Terminal arrivals halls.
- Have your documents ready. Bring the driving licence and identification required by your booking, together with the appropriate payment card.
- Review the rental agreement. Check the vehicle category, protection, excess, mileage, fuel or charging terms and additional-driver details before leaving the desk.
- Inspect your vehicle. Check recorded damage, mileage and fuel or battery level before driving away and keep photographs for your own records if useful.
What Documents Do You Need for Europcar at Gatwick?
Europcar's UK guidance says the main driver and any additional driver should bring a valid driving licence. Where required, an official translation or International Driving Permit may also be needed. Europcar also states that an additional identification document, such as a passport or ID card, is required.
UK licence holders may be asked for a valid DVLA Share Driving Licence code so their driving record can be checked. Requirements can vary according to residence, licence type, vehicle category and rental conditions, so check the terms attached to your specific reservation.
Europcar Vehicle Choice at Gatwick
Europcar describes a fleet ranging from compact and fuel-efficient cars to larger SUVs, premium vehicles, electric cars and vans. Actual Gatwick availability depends on your dates and the category booked.
If transmission matters, compare automatic car hire at Gatwick Airport before booking. Travellers staying for several weeks may also find our long-term Gatwick car hire guide useful.
Unless your booking specifically guarantees a model, treat example vehicles as representative of a category rather than assuming a particular make or model will be waiting at collection.
Returning Your Europcar Hire Car at Gatwick
Before setting off for the airport, check the return instructions on your rental agreement and allow extra time for Gatwick traffic, refuelling or charging and the walk from the car hire return area to the terminal.
London Gatwick lists Europcar as offering after-hours returns. Follow airport signs for Car Hire Returns and then the Europcar instructions for the correct return bay and key-drop procedure. If you return outside staffed hours, record the vehicle's condition, mileage and fuel or battery level for your own records.
Printable Europcar Gatwick Collection Checklist
Use your browser's print command to print this checklist or save it as a PDF before your trip.
- ☐ Europcar booking confirmation
- ☐ Flight number added to reservation
- ☐ Valid driving licence for each approved driver
- ☐ DVLA Share Driving Licence code if required
- ☐ Passport or accepted additional photo ID
- ☐ International Driving Permit/translation if required
- ☐ Qualifying payment card in the main driver's name
- ☐ Deposit and excess checked
- ☐ Additional drivers correctly added
- ☐ Child seats or other extras confirmed
- ☐ Fuel or EV charging policy checked
- ☐ Mileage allowance checked
- ☐ Existing vehicle damage inspected
- ☐ Gatwick return instructions confirmed
1st UK Car Rentals – Europcar Gatwick Airport checklist
Always recheck your booking confirmation and Europcar's current rental terms before collection.
Compare Europcar with Other Gatwick Car Hire Suppliers
Supplier name is only one part of a useful comparison. Look at the total price for your travel dates alongside vehicle category, transmission, mileage, deposit, excess, fuel policy, cancellation conditions, terminal arrangements and extras.
About This Europcar Gatwick Guide
This is an independent editorial guide from 1st UK Car Rentals. We are not Europcar and this page is intended to help travellers understand the practical collection process and compare car hire options at Gatwick Airport. Operational information can change, so important collection, payment and return requirements should always be confirmed against your own booking and the latest official supplier information.
Find out more about our editorial approach and the people behind the site on our Meet the Team page.
Official Information Sources
- Europcar UK – London Gatwick Airport South Terminal
- Europcar UK – London Gatwick Airport North Terminal
- London Gatwick Airport – official car hire information
Source check: reviewed 17 September 2026. Where your reservation contains more specific or newer information, follow the terms and instructions supplied with your booking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Europcar at Gatwick Airport
Where are the Europcar desks at Gatwick Airport?
Europcar currently states that its rental desks are in the arrivals halls of both Gatwick North and South Terminals. Follow the airport's Car Hire signs after arrivals.
What are the Europcar Gatwick opening hours?
London Gatwick currently lists Europcar as open from 07:00 to 23:00 every day. Check Europcar's latest station information and your booking before travel because operating hours can change.
What happens if my flight to Gatwick is delayed?
Europcar says a reservation will generally be held when the flight number has been provided. Add your flight details to the booking and check the station's latest opening hours if you expect to arrive late.
Can I return a Europcar car after the desk closes?
London Gatwick lists Europcar as offering after-hours returns. Follow the current Europcar and airport return instructions for the correct parking and key-drop procedure.
What documents should I bring to collect a Europcar car?
Europcar's UK guidance says drivers need a valid driving licence and an additional identification document such as a passport or ID card. An official licence translation or International Driving Permit may be required in some circumstances.
Do UK drivers need a DVLA check code?
Europcar's UK station guidance says UK driving-licence holders should bring a valid Share Driving Licence one-time passcode so their driving record can be validated. Check your booking for the latest requirement.
What payment card does Europcar require?
Europcar's published UK guidance states that a qualifying credit card in the main driver's name is required and that some vehicle categories may require two credit cards. Check the exact card and deposit rules attached to your Gatwick booking.
What types of cars can Europcar offer at Gatwick?
Availability varies, but Europcar's wider fleet includes compact cars, family vehicles, SUVs, premium cars, electric vehicles and vans. Your reservation normally relates to a vehicle category unless a specific model is expressly guaranteed.
Does Europcar operate from both Gatwick terminals?
Yes. Europcar currently says it has rental desks in the arrivals halls of both Gatwick North and South Terminals, and London Gatwick lists Europcar as serving both terminals.
How should I compare Europcar with Avis, Hertz or Enterprise at Gatwick?
Compare the total rental cost and the terms that affect your journey, including vehicle category, transmission, mileage, deposit, excess, fuel policy, terminal arrangements, cancellation conditions and any extras you require.