East Midlands Airport - Flight Information and Guide (EMA)

How to get to East Midlands Airport

Nottingham town centre is several kilometres from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 30-40 minutes by Skylink bus.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach Nottingham, Derby o Leicester in about 25-40 minutes a seconda della destinazione.

By Train

There is no direct railway station: the Skylink buses connect to the stations in Nottingham, Long Eaton and Derby, from which you can continue by train.

By Bus

The Skylink buses, active 24 hours a day, connect the airport to the stations in Nottingham, Long Eaton and Derby.

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Tips A single Skylink Derby ticket costs £4.70, while Skylink Express costs £6.60 if purchased on board: verify which line is more direct for your destination.

Average travel time to EMA

TrainNot available (Skylink bus to rail stations)

Shuttle busService available (Skylink, 24/7)

Taxi / Private hire25-40 minutes

Parking near East Midlands Airport

A multi-storey car park structure stands next to the terminal.

Parking rates follow the customary standards for the region.

How to get to Nottingham from EMA

By Train

There is no direct railway station serving the airport.

By Bus

Skylink buses, operating 24/7, connect the airport to Nottingham, Long Eaton and Derby; single ticket 4.70-6.60 GBP depending on the route.

By Taxi

Taxi fares to Nottingham or Derby are generally in line with regional standards; always check the meter before departing.

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Car rental at East Midlands Airport

Leading car rental companies operate dedicated desks near the arrivals area.

A license, passport and credit card are sufficient for EU citizens, who are exempt from the IDP requirement.

Hotels near East Midlands Airport

East Midlands Airport sits halfway between Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, and none of the three cities is within reach of the terminal: you always arrive by car or taxi, in twenty minutes or more. Those wanting to visit Nottingham, with its castle and the Lace Market, find an aparthotel in the centre convenient, about twenty minutes from the flight. Those after a quieter stay can instead choose the Nottinghamshire countryside, among converted farmhouses and historic pubs of the Vale of Belvoir, useful especially for those who don't need to return to the airport straight away.

City centre

Nottingham, Lace Market

About 20 minutes by car or taxi from the airport (23 km) along the A453; there's no direct train from the terminal.

Best for: handy for those wanting to explore Nottingham's historic centre, from the castle to the Lace Market, before or after the flight

Pros

In the heart of the Lace Market, close to the castle
New aparthotel, opened in 2025, with a kitchen in the room

Cons

20 minutes by car from the terminal, a taxi or rental car is needed
University area, lively in the evening at weekends

Recommended hotels

St Marys Quarters Aparthotel in an eighteenth-century building restored in 2024 in the Lace Market, with a kitchenette and coffee machine in every room View availability

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Nearby town

Cotgrave

About 25 minutes by car from the airport (25 km); there are no direct buses, a car or taxi is needed.

Best for: those seeking a quiet countryside stay with quality breakfast, half an hour from the terminal

Pros

Freshly prepared English breakfast, with homemade bread
Free parking and some ground-floor rooms

Cons

Few rooms, it's worth booking well in advance
No direct bus to the airport, a car is needed

Recommended hotels

Primrose House B and B Listed seventeenth-century farmhouse with an award-winning English breakfast and some ground-floor rooms View availability

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Nearby town

Colston Bassett and the Vale of Belvoir

About 45 minutes by car from the airport, in the countryside of the Vale of Belvoir; no direct public transport link.

Best for: the right choice for a signature dinner in a historic Nottinghamshire pub, with no rush to get back to the airport

Pros

Cuisine from a historic pub led by a MasterChef-winning chef
Seventeenth-century building, listed as Grade II

Cons

Only 4 rooms, often fully booked at weekends
Too far for a simple short layover

Recommended hotels

The Martins Arms Seventeenth-century pub in the Vale of Belvoir, cuisine overseen by chef Laurence Henry, champion of MasterChef: The Professionals View availability

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Airport services

The airport serves the central region of England (Nottingham, Derby, Leicester), with connections to Europe and playing an important role as a national cargo hub.