East Midlands Airport (EMA)

Flying from/to East Midlands Airport

Find out the best way to get from East Midlands Airport to the city centre by doing some research in advance. Should you take a train, coach or a tram from the airport to and from the city centre? Our guide to East Midlands Airport and the facilities mean you can find your way around the terminal upon arriving and plan the rest of your trip—whether its for a short weekend or a little longer.

travelling from the East Midlands to East Midlands Airport

East Midlands Airport is situated between four cities in the middle of England: Loughborough, Derby, Nottingham and Leicester, serving as each of those cities' main airport. The airport is close to several train stations, including Long Eaton and East Midlands Parkway, and is also well connected to the cities surrounding it by coach. The airport itself is not that large, being the 11th coachiest in the UK, but serves as a hub for international airlines such as Jet2 and Ryanair.

What's the best way to get to the airport from the surrounding area?

The easiest way to get to East Midlands Airport from most places in the vicinity is to take the direct, dedicated coach service, the Skylink. This runs throughout the day and night from Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Loughborough. The service departs every twenty minutes through the day and leaves hourly through the night, so there will be no issues if catching an early flight. East Midlands Airport does not have its own train station, but is close to two: East Midlands Parkway and Long Eaton. There is a Skylink service between the airport and Long Eaton, and a RailLink service between East Midlands Parkway and the airport. Passengers can travel to East Midlands Parkway from most destinations in the area, and to Long Eaton from destinations to the south, including London.

How far is it from the surrounding area to the airport? 

East Midlands Airport lies 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Loughborough, 20 from Derby, 32 from Leicester and 23 from Nottingham. Taking the Skylink from Nottingham city centre to the airport takes around 50 minutes, although this depends slightly on traffic. The journey from Leicester takes a similar amount of time, while from Loughborough it is shorter, with the journey from the high street to the airport clocking in at around 20 minutes. From Derby city centre to the airport takes around half an hour. It is possible to take the train, but it is probably not worth it from the closer cities like Loughborough and Derby. From Leicester, a train to Long Eaton takes around 20 minute where passengers can board the Skylink to the airport, with the coach adding another 15 minutes to the journey.

What facilities are there at the airport? 

East Midlands Airport has a small selection of shops, including the technology store Dixons, JD Sports, World Duty Free and WHSmith, where passengers can pick up a book or magazine for the flight. Considering its size, the food offering at East Midlands Airport is a strong one. Passengers can choose from fast food chains like Greggs, Burger King and Leon, or for more of a sit down meal at Proof 65 or Frankie & Benny's. The airport is very well equipped for those with limited mobility. All of the terminal building and car parks are either step-free or have step-free access routes, and the airport operates lift facilities for boarding the plane for those who need them. The airport also offers quiet rooms and restroom facilities throughout the airport.

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility 

The Skylink coach services between the surrounding cities and the airport are completely accessible with wheelchair ramps and designated spaces in the coaches for wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Assistance dogs can also be taken on the coach. East Midlands Parkway is fully step-free, and has ramps available for boarding the train. Long Eaton has step-free access to the platform, but does not provide ramps for boarding the train, so for wheelchair users it is better to go to East Midlands Parkway. Both Derby and Nottingham train stations are fully accessible.

Local tips: how to travel to the airport like a local

Most locals would take the Skylink to the airport, not least because it serves all of the surrounding towns. It also has the advantage, being a coach, of making several stops at different locations in each of the surrounding cities. For luggage, it is an excellent option because it goes right to the terminal, and there is therefore no need to be dragging luggage for long distances.