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Airport Transportation

East Midlands Airport

Also known as: EMA Airport, Nottingham Airport. Formerly Nottingham East Midlands Airport.

EMA · EGNX · Castle Donington

Airport facts

Name
East Midlands Airport
IATA code
EMA
ICAO code
EGNX
City
Castle Donington
Country
England
Address
East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2SA, United Kingdom
Coordinates
52.8311, -1.3281
Time zone
Europe/London
Terminals
One passenger terminal handling all flights

About East Midlands Airport

East Midlands Airport (EMA) is the airport for the East Midlands of England, serving Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. It stands at Castle Donington in north-west Leicestershire, beside the junction of the M1, the A42 and the A50, about 10 miles (16 km) from Loughborough, 12.5 miles (20 km) from Derby, 14 miles (23 km) from Nottingham and 20 miles (32 km) from Leicester.

Most passenger flights are leisure routes. Jet2 and TUI, the two based airlines, fly to Spain, the Canary Islands, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt, while Ryanair adds year-round flights to Ireland, Poland and Latvia and seasonal city breaks across Europe. Aer Lingus links the airport with Belfast City, and Loganair flies to Jersey in summer. The airport handled about 4 million passengers in 2025.

All passenger flights use one terminal, with the coach station for the Skylink buses beside it. East Midlands is also one of the UK's main cargo airports, a hub for DHL, UPS and FedEx.

From the airport, most travelers head into Nottingham, Derby or Leicester, to Loughborough and its university, or to Donington Park, the motor racing circuit next to the airport. East Midlands Parkway railway station, about 4 miles (6 km) away, connects with trains to London St Pancras and Sheffield.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Manchester Airports Group (MAG)

Passengers per year

About 4 million in 2025

Runway

One, 09/27, 2,893 m

Cargo

More than 400,000 tonnes in 2025

Opened to passengers

1965

Arrival tips for East Midlands Airport

International arrivals go through UK passport control first, where many visitors can use the eGates. Most visitors who do not need a UK visa, including EU and US citizens, must hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they fly. Flights from Ireland and Belfast are within the Common Travel Area.

East Midlands has one terminal, so there is no terminal to choose: after baggage claim you pass through the green or red customs channel into the arrivals hall. If you booked assistance through your airline, the Assisted Travel team meets you on the aircraft, and there is a dedicated waiting area in baggage claim.

In the arrivals hall, Arrow Cars, the airport's official private hire company, has a booking desk. The Skylink buses to Nottingham, Derby and Leicester leave from the coach station next to the terminal. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals hall.

The UK uses pounds sterling and is on GMT in winter and BST (GMT+1) in summer.

Ground transportation

The Skylink buses are the cheapest way into Nottingham, Derby and Leicester; a taxi or pre-booked car is easier with luggage or late at night.

  • Skylink bus to Nottingham

    Trent Barton's skylink Nottingham runs from the coach station next to the terminal every 20 minutes by day and hourly at night, and the faster skylink express serves central Nottingham every 30 minutes from early morning to late evening. Cheap, but you carry your own luggage.

  • Skylink bus to Derby and Leicester

    skylink Derby/Leicester runs every 15 minutes by day and hourly at night, also calling at Loughborough. It makes many stops on the way.

  • Taxi from East Midlands Airport

    Arrow Cars, the airport's official private hire company, has a booking desk in the arrivals hall and pick-up points right outside the terminal. Cars go door to door, but at busy times you may wait.

  • Train from East Midlands Parkway

    East Midlands Parkway station, about 4 miles (6 km) away, has trains to Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Sheffield and London St Pancras. You need a taxi or shuttle to reach it from the airport.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals hall, useful for families, groups, late arrivals and addresses away from the bus routes.

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Terminals

Passenger Terminal

The single terminal handles every passenger flight, international and domestic, with check-in, security, the departure lounge and baggage claim under one roof.

Airlines and destinations

All airlines share one terminal.

Aer Lingus

Belfast City

Jet2

Alicante, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Funchal, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Málaga, Malta, Paphos, Tenerife South, Corfu (seasonal), Dalaman (seasonal), Palma de Mallorca (seasonal), Rhodes (seasonal) and more

Loganair

Jersey (seasonal)

Ryanair

Alicante, Belfast International, Dublin, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Knock, Kraków, Lanzarote, Málaga, Riga, Tenerife South, Wrocław, Barcelona (seasonal), Rome Ciampino (seasonal) and more

TUI Airways

Alicante, Gran Canaria, Hurghada, Lanzarote, Málaga, Sharm El Sheikh, Tenerife South, Antalya (seasonal), Corfu (seasonal), Dalaman (seasonal), Heraklion (seasonal), Larnaca (seasonal), Palma de Mallorca (seasonal), Paphos (seasonal), Sal (seasonal) and more

Facilities

  • Wi-Fi

    Free airport Wi-Fi is available in the terminal.

  • Cash machines

    Cash machines in the terminal dispense pounds sterling, euros and US dollars.

  • Currency exchange

    A travel money service in the terminal exchanges currency.

  • Shops and duty free

    World Duty Free and other shops are past security, with Reserve & Collect for ordering ahead.

  • Restaurants and bars

    Restaurants, bars and cafes are in the terminal, including family-friendly options.

  • Multi-faith prayer room

    A quiet multi-faith room for prayer is in the terminal.

  • Quiet room

    A quiet room away from the bustle of the terminal is near gates 18 to 23.

  • Baby change

    Baby change facilities have space to change and breastfeed.

  • Water refill

    Water refill points let you fill a bottle after security.

  • Lost property

    The airport runs a lost property service for items left in the terminal.

Airport lounges

  • Escape Lounge

    Airside on the ground floor, past security and the shops, opposite Gate 17. Pay at the door or pre-book at least 24 hours ahead; Priority Pass, DragonPass, Lounge Key and other lounge programs are accepted subject to space, and guests can enter up to 3 hours before departure.

Accessibility and passenger assistance

  • Requesting assistance

    Book assistance through your airline before you travel. When departing, report to the Assisted Travel desk in the main check-in hall at least 1 hour 30 minutes before departure.

  • Reduced mobility

    On arrival, the Assisted Travel team meets you on the aircraft and escorts you through immigration, with a dedicated waiting area in baggage claim. Airport buses from the parking lots are wheelchair accessible.

  • Hearing and visual support

    British Sign Language interpretation is available on demand through the InterpretersLive! app, 7 days a week.

  • Non-visible disabilities

    Assistance is available for non-visible disabilities, and you can ask the Assisted Travel desk for a quieter route through the departure lounge.

Parking

Meet & Greet

Pre-book only; you hand over the car about 1 to 2 minutes from the terminal.

Short Stay

The closest general parking, about 1 to 5 minutes from the terminal, also used for pickups.

Mid Stay

About 6 to 7 minutes from the terminal.

Long Stay

Pre-book only, about 3 to 5 minutes from the terminal; closed over winter.

JetParks

Pre-book only, about 7 to 8 minutes from the terminal; closed over winter.

Frequently asked questions

How far is East Midlands Airport from Nottingham?

East Midlands Airport is about 14 miles (23 km) south-west of Nottingham, at Castle Donington near the M1. The skylink Nottingham and skylink express buses run from the coach station next to the terminal to the city, and taxis and pre-booked cars go door to door, which is easier with luggage or late at night.

How far is East Midlands Airport from Derby and Leicester?

Derby is about 12.5 miles (20 km) north-west of the airport and Leicester about 20 miles (32 km) to the south. The skylink Derby/Leicester bus links the airport with both cities and Loughborough, every 15 minutes by day and hourly at night, from the coach station beside the terminal.

Is East Midlands Airport the same as Nottingham Airport?

Mostly, yes. Many people call East Midlands Airport (EMA) Nottingham Airport, and it was briefly named Nottingham East Midlands Airport between 2004 and 2006. A small general aviation airfield at Tollerton, south-east of Nottingham, also uses the Nottingham name, but airline flights to the area land at East Midlands.

How many terminals does East Midlands Airport have?

East Midlands Airport has one passenger terminal, used by every airline. Check-in, security, the departure lounge and baggage claim are all in the same building, and every arriving passenger exits into the same arrivals hall, with the coach station for the Skylink buses next to the terminal.

Which airlines fly from East Midlands Airport?

Jet2 and TUI Airways are the based airlines, flying mainly to Spain, the Canary Islands, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt. Ryanair flies to Ireland, Poland, Latvia, Spain and seasonal European cities, Aer Lingus flies to Belfast City, and Loganair flies to Jersey in summer.

Is there a bus from East Midlands Airport?

Yes. Trent Barton's Skylink buses leave from the coach station next to the terminal: skylink Nottingham every 20 minutes by day, skylink express to central Nottingham every 30 minutes, and skylink Derby/Leicester every 15 minutes by day. The Nottingham and Derby/Leicester routes keep an hourly service at night.

Is there a train station at East Midlands Airport?

No. The nearest station is East Midlands Parkway, about 4 miles (6 km) away, with trains to Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Sheffield and London St Pancras. You need a taxi or shuttle to reach it, so most travelers headed for the nearby cities take a Skylink bus or a car instead.

Where can I get a taxi at East Midlands Airport?

Arrow Cars is the airport's official private hire company, with a booking desk in the arrivals hall and pick-up points right outside the terminal. Cars go door to door to Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Loughborough. At busy times you may wait, so many travelers pre-book a car instead.

Do I need an ETA to fly into East Midlands Airport?

Most likely, yes, unless you are British or Irish or hold a UK visa. Visitors who do not need a visa, including EU and US citizens, must have an Electronic Travel Authorisation before they travel to the UK. Apply online through the official UK government service well before your flight.

Is there a lounge at East Midlands Airport?

Yes. The Escape Lounge is airside on the ground floor, past security and the shops, opposite Gate 17. You can pay at the door or pre-book at least 24 hours ahead, and Priority Pass, DragonPass, Lounge Key and other lounge programs are accepted subject to space.

Where can I park at East Midlands Airport?

The airport runs Meet & Greet, Short Stay, Mid Stay, Long Stay and JetParks parking, from about 1 to 8 minutes from the terminal. Meet & Greet, Long Stay and JetParks are pre-book only, and Long Stay and JetParks close over winter, so check before you travel.

Can I be picked up at East Midlands Airport?

Yes. Drivers collecting passengers park in the Short Stay parking lot, a short walk from the terminal, and can meet you in the arrivals hall. The Rapid Drop-Off lane right outside the terminal is for drop-offs only and carries a charge payable by midnight the following day.

What assistance is available at East Midlands Airport?

The Assisted Travel team helps passengers with reduced mobility and non-visible disabilities. Book through your airline before you fly; on arrival the team meets you on the aircraft, and when departing you report to the Assisted Travel desk in the check-in hall at least 1 hour 30 minutes before departure.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

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