East Midlands Airport (EMA) sits at junction 23A of the M1, with the airport's terminal entrance signposted directly from the motorway slip road. It is one of the easiest UK airports to drive to. This guide covers routes, parking, and the £5 ANPR drop off charge that replaced the old barrier system.

Best route by direction

  • From the south (M1): exit at junction 23A, follow brown airport signs. The slip road takes you straight onto the airport access road.
  • From the north (M1): exit at junction 24, then A453 or A6 east to junction 23A. Around 5 minutes once on the airport road.
  • From the west (M42 or M6): M42 north then M1 north, exit junction 23A.
  • From Nottingham: A453 west to junction 24, then south to 23A. Around 25 to 30 minutes.
  • From Derby: A50 east, A6 south, then onto the airport access road. Around 25 minutes.
  • From Leicester: M1 north to junction 23A. Around 25 to 30 minutes.

Driving time from major cities

  • Nottingham: 25 to 35 minutes.
  • Derby: 25 minutes.
  • Leicester: 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Birmingham: 60 minutes via the M42 and M1.
  • Sheffield: 60 minutes via the M1.
  • Manchester: 90 minutes via the M1 or A50.

The £5 drop off charge

East Midlands switched to barrier-free ANPR drop off on 1 May 2025. The current charge is £5 for the first 15 minutes, then £1 per minute thereafter. You pay online at eastmidlandsairport.com or via the airport's app before midnight the day after the visit. If you miss the deadline, the airport issues a penalty charge notice automatically. Set a phone reminder. Full breakdown: East Midlands Airport drop off charges 2026.

On airport parking

EMA's official parking is arranged in three tiers: Express (closest to the terminal, premium rate), Mid Stay (a 5-minute shuttle), and Long Stay (a 10-minute shuttle, cheapest of the three). All three are operated by the airport. The free pick-up and drop-off zone for Long Stay parking is genuinely free for short stops.

Off airport options

EMA's off-airport market is led by Midlands Airport Parking, which offers three Meet & Greet tiers: All Inclusive, Flexible, and Non-Flexible. The All Inclusive tier covers all transfer fees and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before drop-off. Compare East Midlands Airport parking.

Timing tips

  • The M1 around junction 23A sees moderate commuter traffic from 7 to 9am and 4 to 6pm; allow 10 to 20 minutes extra at these times.
  • EMA is heavily used by Ryanair and Jet2; their early-morning departure peak (5am to 7am) leaves the airport feeling quiet by mid-morning.
  • Cargo operations run through the night, but passenger flights are subject to night-flight restrictions.
  • If you are arriving for a return flight after midnight, the airport access road is unaffected by traffic; allow your usual journey time without buffer.

Frequently asked questions

Is there free parking at East Midlands Airport?

Long Stay's free pick-up and drop-off zone is free for short stops. Beyond that, the cheapest paid option is Long Stay at the official rate, with off-airport independents typically running cheaper for stays of 3+ days.

How does the EMA ANPR system work if I forget to pay?

The airport's ANPR cameras read your number plate on entry and exit. If you do not pay before midnight the day after your visit, a Penalty Charge Notice is issued by post. The penalty is significantly higher than the original fee.

Can I get a train to East Midlands Airport?

No, there is no train station at the airport. East Midlands Parkway (around 5 miles away) is served by East Midlands Railway services to Nottingham, Leicester and Derby; the Skylink bus connects Parkway with the terminal.

Compare East Midlands Airport parking

See live East Midlands Airport parking prices.

Routes, junctions and tariffs verified May 2026 against eastmidlandsairport.com and National Highways.