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Short Stay Parking at East Midlands Airport: Prices & Tips

The Short Stay car parks at East Midlands Airport offer pricing from £6.00 for 30 minutes gate or up to £45.00 per 24 hours, or £98.58 to £110.98 for an 8-day stay if pre-booked online. Conveniently situated 1 to 5 minutes on foot from arrivals, they offer walk access saving on shuttle transfers.

Prices checked September 2026.

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

If you choose Short Stay as your holiday parking option, pre-booked parking is available for £98.58 – £110.98 for 8-day holiday in Short Stay 1 or Short Stay 3. However, the roll-up gate charge would be £45.00 per 24 hours to stay in the Short Stay area for 7 to 8 days if you turn up without a booking.

The table below outlines the current turn-up and pre-booked pricing across the terminal car parks:

(Data source: East Midlands International Airport Limited official gate tariffs and booking records. Prices checked September 2026.)

While Short Stay provides the closest self-park bays to terminal check-in, extended stays are significantly more economical when booked in dedicated Long Stay or Park & Ride areas unless walking directly from your car is essential.

What are the East Midlands Airport drop-off charges?

East Midlands Airport has separate areas for dropping off departing travellers, all enforced by automated camera enforcement:

• Rapid Drop-Off Zone: Just outside the departures concourse, this facility charges £8.00 for stays up to 10 minutes, plus £1.00 for every running minute after. Maximum stay is restricted to 30 minutes to avoid congestion.

• Short Stay Car Parks (Pick-Up & Drop-Off): Drivers wishing to accompany passengers inside the terminal can park in Short Stay 1 or Short Stay 3. The initial fee is £6.00 for up to 30 minutes, £8.00 for up to 1 hour, and £12.00 for up to 2 hours.

• Payment Compliance: Terminal barrier entry lanes record license plates via APCOA cameras. Drivers using drop-off areas must settle parking charges on site or online promptly to avoid an automatic £100 Parking Charge Notice.

Is there free parking at East Midlands Airport?

Yes. East Midlands Airport provides up to 1 hour of completely free parking in Long Stay 2 for those picking up or dropping off passengers.

• Long Stay 2 Free Hour: Drivers can park free of charge for up to 60 minutes. From Long Stay 2, passengers can take the complimentary airport shuttle bus directly to the main terminal doors (3 to 5-minute transit) or walk across the airport footpaths.

• Overstay Penalty Warning: If your stay in Long Stay 2 exceeds 60 minutes, the tariff charges £1.00 per minute after. For longer visits, moving to Short Stay 1 is recommended.

• Blue Badge Concession: Blue Badge holders receive 30 minutes of free parking in Short Stay 1, just immediately opposite departures. Scan your Blue Badge barcode at the exit barrier or present it to customer services.

Should you book Short Stay or meet and greet?

When comparing Short Stay with official east midlands airport parking meet and greet, consider your schedule and baggage:

• Walking Distance: Both Short Stay 1 and Meet & Greet place you within a 1- to 2-minute covered walk from check-in desks. Short Stay 2 and 3 require a slightly longer 4- to 7-minute walk.

• Valet vs Self-Park: In Short Stay you park your own vehicle, retain your keys, and keep full custody of your car. With Meet & Greet, an insured valet moves your car to a secure compound while you walk straight into departures.

• Price Comparison for a Week: Official Meet & Greet for 8 days starts at £73.00 to £97.00, noticing cheaper than advance Short Stay (£98.58 to £110.98) and saving hundreds compared to drive-up gate rates.

What happens to your parking if your flight is delayed?

Returning behind schedule can cause unnecessary anxiety about barrier fees. East Midlands Airport applies clearly defined grace periods depending on the car park you use:

• ANPR Overstay Buffer: Official pre-booked parking spaces have a built-in grace period (typically 2 to 6 hours) to account for customs delays, baggage collection holdups, or airline schedule changes.

• Extended Delays: If your flight is rescheduled or diverted overnight, your booking automatically shifts to the car park's standard daily overstay tariff when exiting (approximately £15.00 per 24 hours in Long Stay, or the standard daily gate rate in Short Stay).

• Payment at Exit: You do not need to call the parking desk for same-day delays. The exit barrier automatically calculates any remaining balance based on your actual ANPR exit timestamp, payable via contactless debit or credit card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn up and park in Short Stay without pre-booking?

Yes. Short Stay 1 and Short Stay 3 are available for Turn Up & Park. However, gate rates run at £45.00 per 24 hours, so pre-booking online is strongly advised for stays exceeding a single afternoon.

Are there height restrictions in East Midlands Short Stay car parks?

Standard Short Stay car parks accommodate vehicles up to 2.0 metres (6 feet 6 inches) in height. Taller vehicles, trailers, motorhomes, and commercial vans must use JetParks or Long Stay car parks.

Where do I enter Short Stay 1?

Follow the A453 into East Midlands Airport (postcode DE74 2SA). Take the second exit at the main airport roundabout towards the passenger terminal; the barrier entrance to Short Stay 1 is immediately on your left. Drivers using independent valet providers like Midlands Parking also meet their dedicated driver inside Row C of Short Stay 1.

Avoid expensive £45/day turn-up gate rates! Compare competitive valet rates and book your space online at emaparking.co.uk before arriving at East Midlands Airport.

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