If you only need to drop someone off, you can park free for a full hour at East Midlands Airport. If you need to leave your car for a holiday, JetParks and Long Stay car parks at official EMA prices are competitive with off-airport providers. The catch is, you need to know which providers are real, what the actual prices are, and how to avoid being upsold. Here is the honest 2026 price picture.
The free hour at Long Stay 2
East Midlands Long Stay 2 car park is free for the first hour. Drive in, park, walk to the shuttle stop, take the free bus to the terminal. The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes (less often November to March, so factor that in for winter trips). The walk back to the car park takes 5-10 minutes if you prefer to walk. If you are dropping off and only need to escort someone to check-in, you can do it for £0 with planning. Most people use the £5 Rapid Drop-Off out of habit and pay needlessly.
JetParks: the cheapest pre-booked option
JetParks is EMA's budget Park & Ride product. From £42 for 8 days when booked ahead (around £5.24 per day), it is typically the cheapest official option. The trade-off is location: JetParks is a few minutes further from the terminal than Long Stay 1 or 2, with a slightly longer shuttle ride. For most leisure travellers, the saving is worth it. Booking 4-8 weeks ahead gets the best rates.
Real 8-day stay prices, 2026
Here are typical EMA prices for an 8-day midweek stay in May 2026, booked 4 weeks ahead: JetParks around £42-£50, Long Stay 1 or Long Stay 2 around £45-£50, Mid Stay around £77 (5-7 min walk from terminal), Short Stay 1 around £89 (2-4 min walk from terminal), Meet & Greet £48-£75 depending on tier. These figures move week to week, so always compare on the day.
When the airport car parks are actually worth it
Short Stay 1 (2-4 minute walk to terminal) is the right call for stays under 24 hours – you avoid the shuttle hassle. For 1-3 day stays, Mid Stay offers a good balance of cost and walking distance. For 4+ day stays, Long Stay 1, Long Stay 2 or JetParks are usually the best value. Meet & Greet wins when you have luggage, kids, mobility issues, or just want the fastest possible terminal entry.
Booking lead time matters
Booking 4-8 weeks ahead gives the best prices. Less than a week before travel typically adds 30-50% to the cost. Some providers (like APCOA Connect for the airport-run options, or Midlands Parking for Meet & Greet) offer pre-booked discounts of up to 70% versus turn-up rates. Always pre-book if you can. Most products allow free cancellation up to 72 hours before arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to park at East Midlands Airport?
For drop-offs, Long Stay 2 is free for 1 hour with a free shuttle. For longer stays, JetParks from £42 for 8 days (around £5.24 per day) is the cheapest pre-booked option.
How much is 8 days parking at East Midlands?
For an 8-day stay in 2026, expect £42-£50 for JetParks, £45-£50 for Long Stay 1 or 2, around £77 for Mid Stay, around £89 for Short Stay 1, and £48-£75 for Meet & Greet depending on flexibility tier.
Is Park & Ride or Meet & Greet cheaper at East Midlands?
JetParks Park & Ride is cheaper, typically by £15-£30 over an 8-day stay. With Park & Ride you park your own car and take a shuttle to the terminal. With Meet & Greet a driver meets you at Short Stay 1 (just a 2-4 minute walk from terminal) and parks the car for you – much faster but more expensive.
How early should I book East Midlands parking for the best price?
Booking 4-8 weeks ahead gives the best prices. Booking less than a week before travel typically adds 30-50% to the cost. Pre-booking can save up to 70% compared to turn-up rates.
Compare live East Midlands parking prices across providers at park4travels.co.uk.