What Is the Best Parking at East Midlands Airport?
From pre-booking tips to parking types and pricing — your guide to arriving at EMA without the stress.
East Midlands Airport Parking Guide: Best Options for Every Trip
Getting your parking sorted before you fly from East Midlands Airport is one of the easiest ways to take the stress out of your departure. With spaces available through JustPark from £3.79 per day — and over 770 reservable options near the terminal — there's a fit for every trip, budget and travel style. Book before you go, and you'll arrive knowing exactly where you're headed.
Book Parking at East Midlands Airport
Find and book parking at East Midlands Airport through JustPark and you can:
Reserve your space in advance — arrive with confidence, not circling for a spot
Access spaces from £3.79 per day — including hotel car parks, private driveways and off-site alternatives near the terminal
Book in minutes from your phone or desktop, with your reservation confirmed instantly
Filter by distance, price and facilities — including EV charging and disabled access
About East Midlands Airport (EMA)
East Midlands Airport is the Midlands' primary passenger airport, located at Castle Donington in Leicestershire — centrally positioned between Derby, Nottingham and Leicester, and well connected to the wider UK via the M1 at Junction 23A. Its IATA code is EMA.
The airport handles over 4 million passengers a year and connects the region to more than 66 destinations across Europe and beyond, including Spain, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Portugal, Egypt and the Canary Islands. Airlines operating from EMA include Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and easyJet.
EMA operates from a single terminal, which keeps the layout simple — one check-in hall, one security area, one departures lounge. It's one of the more straightforward UK airports to navigate, with shorter queues and less walking than at larger multi-terminal airports.
East Midlands Airport is sometimes referred to as Nottingham airport, though it is not located in Nottingham — it sits in Leicestershire, and serves the wider East Midlands region including Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire.
Getting to East Midlands Airport
By Car
East Midlands Airport sits directly off the M1 at Junction 23A, making it accessible by road from across the region. The A42 provides a fast route from Birmingham and the south-west, while the A50 connects from Derby and Stoke-on-Trent.
Approximate driving times and distances to EMA:
Derby: 12.5 miles, around 20–25 minutes via the A50
Nottingham: 14 miles, around 20–30 minutes via the M1
Leicester: 20 miles, around 25–35 minutes
Birmingham: around 45 minutes via the M42 and A42
Sheffield: around 50 minutes via the M1
The sat-nav postcode for the terminal is DE74 2SA.
By Bus
The Skylink bus is the main public transport link between EMA and the surrounding cities, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the coach station next to the terminal.
Nottingham (Broadmarsh Bus Station): every 20 minutes during the day, hourly overnight — around 55 minutes
Derby (Derby Bus Station): Skylink service, around 40 minutes
Leicester: Skylink service with city centre connections
For Skylink timetables, visit the Trent Barton website or call 01773 712265.
By Train
There is no direct rail link to the terminal. The nearest station is East Midlands Parkway, around 4–5 miles from EMA, with services from Leicester, Derby, Sheffield, Lincoln, Nottingham and London St Pancras. From East Midlands Parkway, the only onward connection to the terminal is by taxi — allow around 10–15 minutes.
Alternatively, travellers can train into Nottingham or Derby city centres and connect to the Skylink bus to the airport from there.
JustPark Parking Options at East Midlands Airport
Park & Stroll at East Midlands Airport
No shuttle, no waiting — Park & Stroll puts you within walking distance of the terminal so you can head straight to check-in from your space.
No shuttle wait, just a short walk to departures
Keep hold of your own keys throughout your trip
A practical middle ground between a full drive-in and a remote car park
Park & Save at East Midlands Airport
Park at local driveways and car parks near EMA for some of the best-value rates available — from £2.14 per day, with over 90 options to choose from near the terminal.
Spaces at hotel car parks, private driveways and off-site car parks near Castle Donington
Popular options include spaces near the Hilton East Midlands Airport, Premier Inn East Midlands Airport and Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport
Filter by price, EV charging, disabled access and distance to find the right fit
Find and book parking at East Midlands Airport through JustPark — your space is confirmed instantly, and booking takes minutes from your phone or desktop.
Tips for Getting the Best Airport Parking Rate
Book early. The single biggest factor in what you pay is when you book. Turning up on the day without a reservation can cost two or three times the pre-booked price.
Check JustPark alongside official car parks. Hotel car parks and private driveways near EMA regularly offer comparable or lower rates than on-site options — always compare before committing.
Flying in winter? Check availability first. JetParks and Long Stay close from mid-November to the end of March. Mid Stay, Meet & Greet and JustPark spaces are available year-round.
Accessibility and Blue Badge Parking
Blue Badge holders are well catered for at East Midlands Airport. Dedicated Blue Badge bays are available in the official airport car parks, and Meet & Greet is the recommended option for those needing assistance — you hand the car over at the terminal entrance without navigating car parks or shuttles.
On JustPark, you can filter search results to find spaces with disabled access or step-free routes near the terminal. For assistance within the airport itself, contact your airline at least 48 hours before departure.
Live Near East Midlands Airport? Earn From Your Driveway
If you live near EMA, you could be earning from your parking space on the days it sits empty. Demand around East Midlands Airport is consistent year-round, with peaks during school holidays, bank holidays and the summer travel season.
Listing your space on JustPark is free and takes less than 10 minutes. Hosts near busy airports typically earn between £500 and £3,000 per year, with full control over when your space is available — block dates, pause your listing or adjust pricing at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions About East Midlands Airport Parking
What is the IATA code for East Midlands Airport?
East Midlands Airport's IATA code is EMA. It is also known by its ICAO code, EGNX. The airport is located at Castle Donington, Leicestershire, not in Nottingham or Derby city centres, though it serves the wider East Midlands region including both cities.
Is East Midlands Airport the same as Nottingham Airport?
East Midlands Airport is the airport that serves Nottingham, but it is not located in the city. EMA is situated at Castle Donington in Leicestershire, around 14 miles from Nottingham city centre. It serves Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and the wider East Midlands region.
Which airlines fly from East Midlands Airport?
Airlines operating from EMA include Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and easyJet. Ryanair is the largest airline at EMA, accounting for a significant share of passenger traffic.
Where can you fly to from East Midlands Airport?
East Midlands Airport serves over 66 destinations in 2026, including popular routes to Spain (Alicante, Málaga, Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria), Greece (Corfu, Rhodes, Crete, Thessaloniki, Preveza), Portugal, Croatia, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and the Canary Islands.
Where is East Midlands Airport?
East Midlands Airport is located at Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England — postcode DE74 2SA. It sits at Junction 23A of the M1, approximately 12.5 miles from Derby, 14 miles from Nottingham and 20 miles from Leicester. It is owned and operated by the Manchester Airports Group (MAG).
How much does it cost to drop someone off at East Midlands Airport? The Rapid Drop-Off zone costs £5 for up to 15 minutes, then £1 per minute up to a 30-minute maximum. Payment is made online after your visit — not at a barrier. Alternatively, Long Stay 2 offers up to one free hour, with an overstay charge of £1 per minute beyond that.
Book East Midlands Airport Parking Today
Sorting your parking before you fly is one of the simplest ways to start your trip stress-free. With spaces available through JustPark from £3.79 per day, book in advance and you'll arrive at EMA knowing exactly where you're headed — no last-minute circling, no inflated on-the-day prices. Find and book your East Midlands Airport parking on JustPark today.
