East Midlands Airport sits a few minutes from the M1, between Derby, Nottingham and Leicester, with a single terminal and no railway station of its own. Two things make it different from most airports. Meet & Greet here is often the cheapest way to park, not the most expensive. And the drop-off zone has no barrier, so the charge arrives by post if you forget to pay. This guide covers what is worth knowing before you fly from East Midlands.
Getting there by car
The postcode for the airport is DE74 2SA. The M1 is only a few minutes' drive away, Leicester is three junctions down it, and the airport also links to the A42 for Birmingham, the A50 for Stoke-on-Trent and the A453 for Nottingham. If you are parking, use the postcode in your parking confirmation instead.
Drop-off: the charge, and the free hour
- Rapid Drop Off, outside the terminal, is for drop-offs only: £8 for up to 10 minutes, then £1 a minute, with a maximum stay of 30 minutes. It is barrierless: you drive straight through and pay afterwards, online, by phone on 03452 221517 or by AutoPay, by midnight the day after. You cannot pay at the exit, and cash is not accepted.
- Miss the deadline and a £100 parking charge follows, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
- The free option is Long Stay 2, free for up to 60 minutes using a token from the entry barrier. It is a 15 to 20 minute walk to the terminal, or a free shuttle bus.
- Blue Badge holders get 30 minutes free in Short Stay 1 and 60 minutes free in Long Stay 2.
For collecting someone, Short Stay 1 is a short walk from the terminal, from £12 for up to 30 minutes, or wait free in Long Stay 2. If you are parking rather than being dropped off, none of this applies. Our drop-off charges guide compares East Midlands with every other UK airport.
Security: the 100ml rule still applies
At East Midlands, liquids, gels and aerosols must be in containers of under 100ml each, but they no longer need to go in a plastic bag. The airport recommends packing liquids in your hold luggage where you can. Birmingham, for example, allows containers up to 2 litres, so the rules are not the same everywhere: pack the bag for home for the airport you fly back from.
How early to arrive
East Midlands does not publish a single arrival time, so go by your airline's check-in and bag-drop times, on your booking. Then add the time from your car park:
- Meet & Greet: be at the handover point 10 to 15 minutes before your booked time, then walk straight in.
- Mid Stay 3: a 5 to 7 minute walk.
- Short Stay: a short walk.
Which parking suits which trip
Before You Fly lists every East Midlands car park we sell in one table, cheapest first, including the airport's own. All the airport's car parks hold the Park Mark safety award, now called Safer Parking. When we compared prices for an eight-day trip booked about three months ahead, Meet & Greet came out cheapest:
- Meet & Greet started at around £48 to £53, depending on whether you choose a flexible rate. You hand the car over and walk into the terminal, with no shuttle either way. Photograph the car at handover. Blue Badge holders can get 20% off the airport's own Meet & Greet by booking on 0808 169 7032.
- Mid Stay 3, the airport's car park a 5 to 7 minute walk away, was around £53.
- Short Stay 3, closest to the terminal, was around £80.
At most airports, Meet & Greet costs more than parking yourself. At East Midlands, it is often the cheapest option, so check it first. Prices move with the dates, so compare them for your trip. Whichever you pick, book the flexible rate if your dates might move. It can be cancelled up to 72 hours before arrival for a full refund; see the cancellation FAQs. Our Meet & Greet or Park & Ride guide explains the differences.
Lounge and hotels
The Escape Lounge is on the lower level of departures, with pre-booked entry from about £30.99 per person, infants under 36 months free, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Entry opens three hours before your flight, and you can pay at the door if there is space. Compare it on our East Midlands lounges page.
For an early start, several hotels are at the airport itself, including the Radisson Blu, Holiday Inn Express and Premier Inn. Search East Midlands hotels.
Getting there by bus and train
There is no station at the airport, but four nearby stations have bus links:
- Derby: the Skylink bus every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day.
- Long Eaton, for London and the south: the Skylink every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day.
- Nottingham: the Skylink every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day.
- East Midlands Parkway, about five miles away: the Nottsbus On Demand service. Check its operating hours before an early flight.
Frequently asked questions
How much is drop-off at East Midlands Airport?
£8 for up to 10 minutes at Rapid Drop Off, then £1 a minute, with a 30-minute maximum. Pay online, by phone or AutoPay by midnight the following day, or a £100 parking charge follows, reduced to £60 within 14 days.
Is there free drop-off at East Midlands Airport?
Yes, in Long Stay 2, free for up to 60 minutes with a token from the entry barrier. It is a 15 to 20 minute walk to the terminal, or a free shuttle bus.
Can I take liquids over 100ml through security at East Midlands?
No. Liquids, gels and aerosols must be under 100ml each, although they do not need to be in a plastic bag. Birmingham allows up to 2 litres, so check the rules at each airport you fly from.
Is Meet & Greet expensive at East Midlands?
Not usually. In our comparison for an eight-day trip, Meet & Greet was the cheapest option, from around £48, slightly under the airport's Mid Stay 3. Compare East Midlands Meet & Greet for your dates.
Can I get to East Midlands Airport by public transport at night?
Yes. The Skylink buses from Derby, Long Eaton and Nottingham run 24 hours a day, every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the route.
Sorted before you fly.
