Airport Guide to East Midlands (EMA)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

East Midlands Airport is situated 18km (11 miles) from Derby, within easy reach of Nottingham, Leicester and Derby by road and public transport.

The hub for low-cost carriers bmibaby and Ryanair, flights to East Midlands Airport come in from around Europe, including Spain (Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Tenerife and Fuerteventura). Other busy routes to and from Nottingham East Midlands Airport are Dublin, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

EMA has received several awards in recent years including World’s Leading Eco Friendly Airport and Best Regional Airport (British Travel Award 2010) however many users report that increased traffic and lack of investment in infrastructure has led to long queues for security and cramped waiting areas. The airport has added facilities as needed, meaning things are spread out and often confusing to find.

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Terminal Transfer

There is only one terminal at East Midlands Airport.

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Getting into Town

Train: The closest rail station is East Midlands Parkway, 6.4km (4 miles) from the airport. There is no bus or shuttle to the station, but Arrow Cars offers a pre-booked service for £4.50 per person. There are Skylink buses to train stations in Derby and Nottingham, however. Trains from East Midlands Parkway to Nottingham run twice an hour and cost £3.50, while trains to Derby run once an hour and cost £4.

Bus: Skylink offers regular buses to Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, and Loughborough. The bus to Nottingham leaves every 30 minutes during the day and every hour at night, and the journey takes about 45 minutes for a fare of £5. The bus to Derby runs on a similar schedule, although the trip is only 30 minutes and costs £3.40.

Taxi: Arrow Cars operates the official airport taxi service, which can be booked in advance or at the airport.

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Car Parking

Short-term parking is adjacent to the terminal. Thirty minutes costs £2, up to an hour is £3, and £6.20 for two hours. Long-term parking is also nearby, and costs £25 for up to two days and £6.80 per day after that. The shuttle lots are cheaper, with the Shuttle Plus area allowing one hour free parking and up to two hours for £6.20, while parking up to two days is £23. Shuttle Economy car parks offer up to two days for £22 and £5.50 per day after that. All car parks accept credit cards except for the Rapid Drop-Off Zone, which costs £1 for up to ten minutes.

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Information Desks

There is an information desk in the main terminal building, staffed 24 hours a day.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: ATMs, currency exchange facilities and public telephones.

Luggage: Lost-luggage queries are handled by individual airlines. There is a lost-and-found service at the information desk.

Conference and business: The Penauille Servisair Executive Lounge offers desks, phone and fax services, and Internet, along with newspapers and refreshments. It’s open from 4:30am to 7:30pm, seven days a week.

Other facilities: Prayer rooms and chaplains, an auto-service centre, massage chairs, first-aid rooms, nursing rooms, children’s play areas, and a travel agent.

Wi-Fi: There is free Wi-Fi available in the terminal building for up to 30 minutes, after which it’s on a pay-as-you-go basis.

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