There are five main ways to park for a flight from East Midlands Airport: Short Stay 1 (walking distance, premium price), Mid Stay (5-7 min walk, balanced), Long Stay 1 or 2 (shuttle, cheaper), JetParks (cheapest shuttle option), or Meet & Greet (drop keys at terminal). Each has a different sweet spot. Plus there is the Rapid Drop-Off zone for setdowns only. Here is the honest comparison for 2026.
The headline comparison (8-day stay, 2026)
For an 8-day midweek stay booked 4 weeks ahead in 2026: JetParks is the cheapest at around £42 (£5.24 per day). Long Stay 1 or 2 around £45-£50 (£5.62-£6.25 per day). Mid Stay around £77 (£9.62 per day). Meet & Greet £48-£75 depending on flexibility. Short Stay 1 around £89 – too expensive for long stays but reasonable for under 24 hours. Rapid Drop-Off only makes sense for stays under 15 minutes.
Cost vs time trade-off
JetParks: cheapest, 5-10 min shuttle, you handle your own luggage onto the bus. Long Stay 1 or 2: similar shuttle setup, slightly more expensive than JetParks. Mid Stay: 5-7 min walk to terminal, no shuttle needed, more expensive. Short Stay 1: 2-4 min walk, expensive for long stays. Meet & Greet: 2-4 min walk after dropping keys, fastest option, mid-priced. The cheapest option (JetParks) costs about 30 minutes more total travel time vs Meet & Greet.
Best for: holidaymakers
Going on holiday for 1-2 weeks? JetParks or Long Stay 1/2 saves the most money. The 30 extra minutes barely registers compared to flight time. The single exception is families with three or more young children, where Meet & Greet justifies the extra cost just to make the airport leg less stressful.
Best for: business travel
Meet & Greet at Short Stay 1 is usually the right answer. Drop your keys, walk straight into departures – you can be at security within minutes of leaving the car. Time saved at both ends of the trip is worth the £6-£33 premium when work schedules are tight.
Best for: drop-offs only
Free at Long Stay 2 for the first hour. Most people use Rapid Drop-Off (£5 for 15 min) by default but the £0 option is just an extra 5 minutes drive away with a free shuttle. If you need to be at the terminal door for a 5-minute setdown with no luggage faff, Rapid Drop-Off is fine – just remember to pay online by midnight the next day to avoid the £100 fine.
How to actually compare on price
Prices change daily. The same Long Stay product can be £45 one week and £75 the next, depending on demand and how far ahead you book. Always compare on the day you book using a live comparison tool that pulls real-time prices from each operator. Booking 4-8 weeks ahead gives the best prices. Less than a week before travel typically adds 30-50%.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best parking at East Midlands Airport?
For most travellers, JetParks or Long Stay 1/2 offer the best balance of price and convenience. Cheaper than Mid Stay or Meet & Greet, with shuttle service every 10-15 minutes. For business travel, Meet & Greet at Short Stay 1 saves time at both ends.
Is airport parking cheaper than off-airport at East Midlands?
It depends. Official Long Stay and JetParks at airport prices (£42-£50 for 8 days) are competitive with most off-airport providers. Always compare both before booking.
How can I compare East Midlands parking prices?
Use a live comparison tool that pulls real-time prices from each operator. Book 4-8 weeks before travel for the best prices. The same product can vary by 30%+ in price depending on the booking date.
Which parking is closest to East Midlands terminal?
Short Stay 1 is closest at 2-4 minutes walk. Meet & Greet drops you at Short Stay 1 too. Mid Stay is 5-7 min walk. Long Stay 1 and 2 are 3-5 minute shuttle ride.
Compare live East Midlands parking prices across all car parks at park4travels.co.uk.