Car Parking Charges at East Midlands Airport, Leicestershire, UK

East Midlands Airport (EMA) is an international airport located in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England. It serves as a key passenger hub for the East Midlands region and a significant cargo airport.

EMA connects travellers to a wide array of destinations, particularly popular European holiday spots in Spain, Greece, and Turkey, as well as UK domestic routes.

Major airlines operating from EMA include Ryanair, Jet2.com, TUI, and Aurigny.

East Midlands Airport (EMA) Information

• Full Name: East Midlands Airport
• IATA Code: EMA
• ICAO Code: EGNX
• Operator: Manchester Airports Group (MAG) – which also operates Manchester and London Stansted airports.
• Location: Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England, UK.
• Terminals: East Midlands Airport has one main passenger terminal building. All official on-site car parks are designed to serve this single terminal.

How to Make Reservations and Book Parking at East Midlands Airport

Pre-booking your parking at East Midlands Airport through the official airport website is highly recommended. It's the best way to secure your space and can lead to substantial savings compared to paying the drive-up rates.

The airport frequently promotes discounts for online pre-bookings.

Steps to Pre-Book EMA Parking Online via the Official Website

1. Access Official Portal: Go directly to the official East Midlands Airport parking page: https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/parking/.
2. Enter Travel Dates & Times: Input your flight departure date and time, as well as your return flight arrival date and time. This helps the system calculate the duration and suggest appropriate parking entry and exit times.
3. Get a Quote: Click to get a quote. The system will then display the available official parking products for your selected dates, along with their current prices. Options typically include Short Stay, Mid Stay, Long Stay, JetParks, and Meet & Greet.
4. Compare and Choose: Review the features of each parking option: consider its proximity to the terminal, whether it's a walk or bus transfer, the transfer time, security features, and whether the booking is flexible or non-flexible.
5. Provide Details: Enter your personal information and your vehicle registration number. East Midlands Airport uses an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system for easier entry and exit.
6. Complete Payment: Proceed to the secure payment gateway. Accepted payment methods usually include major credit/debit cards.
7. Receive Confirmation: After successful payment, you will receive a booking confirmation email. This email is crucial as it will contain your unique booking reference number, arrival instructions for your chosen car park, and often a QR code as a backup for the ANPR system. Keep this email safe and accessible for your journey.

Parking Fees and Rates at East Midlands Airport (EMA)

Parking prices at East Midlands Airport are dynamic and vary based on several factors: the specific car park product, the length of your stay, how far in advance you book, and seasonal demand. Drive-up rates are considerably higher than pre-booked rates. 

The prices below are indicative "from" prices based on the official website data as at June 2025, for specific stay durations and times of year (e.g., an 8-day stay in November 2025, or a 4-day stay for Short Stay). 

Always obtain a real-time quote from the official East Midlands Airport parking website for your specific travel dates to see the most accurate and current prices.

Important Notes on Fees:

• Pre-book for Best Value: Significant savings are almost always available when booking online in advance.
• On-the-Day Prices: Can be substantially higher, and some car parks (like Long Stay, JetParks, Meet & Greet) are pre-book only.
• Flexibility: Non-flexible bookings are usually cheaper but often cannot be amended or cancelled. Flexible options offer this for an additional cost.
• Overstay Charges: If you stay longer than your pre-booked period, you will be charged for the additional time at the car park's standard daily rate.

How to Pay for East Midlands Airport Parking

For Pre-Booked Parking:

1. Payment is completed online during the booking process on the official East Midlands Airport website.
2. Entry & Exit: Upon arrival at your pre-booked car park, the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system should identify your vehicle's number plate, and the barrier will lift automatically. The same process applies for exit.
3. Assistance/QR Code: If the barrier does not lift, do not take a ticket. Press the intercom button for assistance and quote your booking reference number. Your booking confirmation email may also contain a QR code that can be scanned at the barrier as a backup.

For Drive-Up/Turn-Up Parking (Paying on Site - primarily Short Stay & Mid Stay):

1. Entry: Drive to the entry barrier of the chosen car park. If ANPR doesn't automatically log your entry, take a ticket from the machine.
2. Park Vehicle: Find an available parking space.
3. Payment (Before Returning to Car): Before returning to your vehicle, locate a Pay-on-Foot station. These are typically found within the car parks or near the terminal access points.
4. At Pay Station: Insert your entry ticket or follow instructions if it's a ticketless ANPR system (you might need to enter your vehicle registration).
5. Pay Amount: The machine will display the calculated parking fee. Pay using an accepted credit/debit card or cash (where available).
6. Exit: Retrieve your validated ticket (if applicable). Drive to the exit barrier. Insert the validated ticket, or the ANPR system will recognize your payment. There is usually a short grace period (e.g., 10-15 minutes) to exit after payment.

Accepted Payment Methods for East Midlands Airport Parking

Online Pre-Booking (Official Website):

• Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express.
• Debit Cards: Most major UK debit cards.

On-Site Pay-on-Foot Stations:

• Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express.
• Debit Cards: Most major UK debit cards.
• Cash: GBP (availability may vary by machine; card payment is generally encouraged).
• Contactless Payments: Widely accepted for card payments.

Official East Midlands Airport Website & Parking Booking Portal

For the most accurate information, guaranteed official parking products, and the best available rates (especially with advance booking), always use the official channels:

• Main East Midlands Airport Website: https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/
• Official Parking Booking Page: https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/parking/

Arrivals & Pick-Up Parking at East Midlands Airport (EMA)

When collecting passengers arriving at East Midlands Airport:

• Short Stay Car Parks: These are the most convenient for pick-ups due to their proximity to the terminal. Standard Short Stay rates will apply. Check signage for any specific pick-up tariffs or designated areas within Short Stay.
• Free Pick-Up Option: East Midlands Airport often offers a period of FREE parking in a designated area (e.g., often in Mid Stay or a specific pick-up zone) for a short duration (e.g., up to 30 minutes or 1 hour – verify current offer on the website). Passengers may need to take a short walk or shuttle from the terminal to this free waiting area.
• The Rapid Drop-Off Zone is NOT for pick-ups.

Departures & Drop-Off Parking at East Midlands Airport (EMA)

For dropping off passengers departing from East Midlands Airport:

• Rapid Drop-Off Zone: Located directly outside the terminal building for maximum convenience for quick drop-offs.
• Cost: This is a chargeable zone. Charges typically apply for very short stays (e.g., £5 for 10 minutes, with prices increasing for longer stays). Payment is usually made at the exit barrier via card. This zone is for active unloading only, and vehicles must not be left unattended.
• Short Stay Car Parks: If you wish to spend more time, accompany passengers into the terminal, or if the Rapid Drop-Off Zone isn't suitable, park in one of the Short Stay car parks. Standard tariffs will apply.
• Free Drop-Off Option: As with pick-ups, there might be a FREE drop-off facility for a short duration in a designated car park (like Mid Stay), with passengers then walking or taking a shuttle to the terminal. Check the official EMA website for current free drop-off arrangements.

East Midlands Airport (EMA) Parking Map and Car Park Locations

East Midlands Airport has one main terminal. The official car parks are clearly signposted on approach roads (e.g., via the A42/M1).

• Meet & Greet: Follow specific instructions on your booking, typically involving a designated drop-off point very close to the terminal.
• Short Stay Car Park: Located closest to the terminal, just a 1-5 minute walk.
• Mid Stay Car Park: Situated a 6-7 minute walk from the terminal.
• Long Stay Car Park: Located a bit further, served by a free shuttle bus (approx. 3-5 minute journey).
• JetParks: Also located further afield, served by a free shuttle bus (approx. 7-8 minute journey). This is usually the most budget-friendly on-site option for extended trips.

The official East Midlands Airport website provides maps and detailed directions for each car park within its parking section. Road signage on airport approach roads will clearly direct you to your chosen or pre-booked car park.

References for East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, UK

• East Midlands Airport Official Website: https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/
• East Midlands Airport Official Parking Page: https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/parking/