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East Midlands Airport Parking Charges: Long Stay vs Meet & Greet

Official Long Stay parking at East Midlands Airport costs between £50.99 and £73.97 for an 8-day week stay when booked in advance. Free transfer coaches run 24 hours a day, connecting car parks to the terminal concourse in 3 to 5 minutes. You keep your own car keys throughout the trip.

Prices checked September 2026.

How much is it to park at East Midlands Airport for a week?

Holiday pricing at East Midlands Airport (EMA) varies significantly depending on whether you reserve your space weeks in advance or arrive without a booking.

For an 8-day weekly stay, pre-booking official Long Stay 1 or Long Stay 2 costs between £50.99 and £73.97. Turning up on the day at the terminal gates without a booking defaults to standard roll-up rates (£45.00 per 24-hour block), pushing an 8-day total past £300.00.

The table below outlines verified rates for a 7- to 8-day trip across all airport parking categories:

(Data source: East Midlands International Airport Limited official published tariffs. Verified September 2026).

Long Stay provides the best balance of cost and terminal access for trips exceeding 4 days, eliminating high short-stay gate tariffs while keeping transfer times under 5 minutes.

What are the East Midlands Airport drop-off charges?

East Midlands Airport enforces clear vehicle zones for dropping off or picking up passengers, managed by APCOA automated barrier camera technology:

• Rapid Drop-Off Forecourt: Located adjacent to terminal check-in doors, the charge is £8.00 for stays up to 10 minutes, plus £1.00 per additional running minute. Stays are capped at 30 minutes.

• Short Stay Car Parks: If you wish to walk passengers inside the departures hall, Short Stay 1 charges £6.00 for up to 30 minutes, £8.00 for up to 1 hour, and £12.00 for up to 2 hours.

• Avoid Penalty Notices: When using drop-off loops without a pre-booking account, you must pay your drop-off tariff on site or online promptly. Unpaid terminal forecourt visits trigger an automated £100 Parking Charge Notice.

Is there free parking at East Midlands Airport?

Yes, drivers picking up or dropping off passengers can access up to 1 hour of free parking inside Long Stay 2.

• The 1-Hour Concession: Enter Long Stay 2 and park in an open bay for up to 60 minutes free of charge. Passengers can walk between the car park and the terminal or take the free airport shuttle coach (3 to 5 minutes).

• Overstay Charges: Exceeding 60 minutes in Long Stay 2 results in a charge of £1.00 per minute thereafter. If your collection requires a longer wait, use Short Stay 1.

• Blue Badge Concession: Blue Badge holders receive 30 minutes of free parking inside Short Stay 1 directly opposite the terminal. Validate your ticket or scan your Blue Badge at the exit barrier.

Should you choose Long Stay or meet and greet?

Deciding between standard Long Stay and east midlands airport parking meet and greet comes down to whether you prefer holding your keys or walking straight into the terminal:

• Key Security: Long Stay allows you to choose your own bay, lock your vehicle, and retain your car keys for the entire duration of your trip. With Meet & Greet, an insured airport valet parks your vehicle in an access-restricted compound while you head directly to security.

• Transfer Speed: Meet & Greet reception is situated 1 to 2 minutes on foot from departures. Long Stay 1 and 2 require a quick 3- to 5-minute shuttle bus ride, though some sections of Long Stay 1 are walkable in 5 to 7 minutes.

• Pricing Gap: Long Stay is £20.00 to £35.00 cheaper on an 8-day trip than official Meet & Greet (£50.99 vs £73.00–£97.00), making it the more cost-effective option for holiday budgets.

What happens to your parking if your flight is delayed?

Travel disruptions and late return flights are common. East Midlands Airport operates practical ANPR buffer policies for pre-booked long-stay customers:

• The 6-Hour Grace Buffer: All official Long Stay bookings feature an automatic 6-hour grace window after your scheduled exit time. If customs delays or baggage holdups make you late, your barrier opens without penalty.

• Overnight Delays: If your flight is diverted or rescheduled to the following day (exceeding the 6-hour buffer), your booking converts to the car park's standard daily overstay tariff (typically £15.00 per additional 24-hour period).

• Automated Contactless Payment: You do not need to call the car park desk for same-day flight delays. The exit barrier calculates any additional time based on your plate scan, and you can tap your card to exit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Long Stay car park at East Midlands Airport?

Long Stay 1 and Long Stay 2 are located on the main airport estate off Ambassador Road and Beverley Road (postcode DE74 2SA). Follow the overhead digital signs as you enter the airport approach roads.

Do I need to book Long Stay parking in advance?

Pre-booking online is strongly recommended. Pre-booking secures guaranteed entry and provides weekly rates from £50.99, compared to drive-up gate rates of £45.00 per day.

How frequently do the Long Stay transfer buses run?

Shuttle buses run continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, departing every 10 to 15 minutes. All buses feature wheelchair access, kneeling suspension, and internal luggage racks.

Looking to skip the shuttle coaches entirely? Compare valet options and book direct at emaparking.co.uk for seamless Meet & Greet parking at East Midlands Airport.

Set a calendar reminder every quarter to review contact extensions and seasonal gate tariff tables for ongoing accuracy.

Related guides: East Midlands Airport long stay parking compared | East Midlands Airport drop-off charges explained