East Midlands Airport drop-off charge
£8 for 10 minutes. Here's how to pay it, what happens if you forget, and the free way to drop off or pick up at East Midlands Airport.
When do I have to pay by?
Pay on East Midlands's official site
We don't take payments. That link goes to the airport's own page.
The charge
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | £8.00 |
| Maximum stay | 30 minutes |
The £8 price for up to 10 minutes applies from 29 September 2026. Rapid Drop Off is barrier-free: drive through without stopping and pay afterwards.
How to pay Pay later, by midnight the day after
- Online through East Midlands Airport's payment portal
- By phone: 03452 221517
- With an AutoPay account
- No cash or cheques, and you can't pay on the way out
Can you pay in advance? No. You can only pay after your visit, or set up AutoPay.
Forgot to pay?
If it's not paid by midnight the day after, East Midlands Airport sends a Parking Charge to the registered keeper. £100 Parking Charge, cut to £60 if paid within 14 days.
You can still pay or appeal it: follow the instructions on the letter. APCOA 03452 221517 (webchat also available).
Free drop-off and pick-up
Long Stay 2 is free for up to 60 minutes for pick-up or drop-off; press for a token at the entry. After that it's £1 a minute, paid by card at the exit. It's a 15–20 minute walk or a short shuttle ride from the terminal; the free shuttle runs 24 hours a day, every 20 minutes.
Picking someone up at East Midlands
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 minutes | £12.00 |
| Up to 1 hour | £14.00 |
| Up to 2 hours | £18.00 |
| Up to 3 hours | £22.00 |
| Time | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 60 minutes | Free |
| Every minute after | £1.00 |
Short Stay 1 is a walk to and from the terminal. On the way back from Long Stay 2, the shuttle pick-up point is just outside Arrivals.
Blue Badge holders and discounts
Blue Badge holders can use Short Stay 1 free for up to 30 minutes and Long Stay 2 free for up to 60 minutes, for both pick-up and drop-off.
Where to go
Follow signs for Rapid Drop Off, right outside the terminal.
Lift or park: which is cheaper?
Being dropped off and picked up means your driver does the trip twice each way: four journeys. This adds that up using East Midlands's own charges.
15p a mile is a starting point; change it to suit your car. Parking prices change by date, so get a quote from the airport's own parking site.
Questions
How much is the drop-off charge at East Midlands Airport?
£8 for 10 minutes in the Rapid Drop Off, directly outside the terminal. The £8 price for up to 10 minutes applies from 29 September 2026. Rapid Drop Off is barrier-free: drive through without stopping and pay afterwards.
How do I pay the East Midlands drop-off charge?
Online through East Midlands Airport's payment portal; By phone: 03452 221517; With an AutoPay account; No cash or cheques, and you can't pay on the way out. You must pay by midnight the day after.
What happens if I forget to pay the East Midlands drop-off charge?
£100 Parking Charge, cut to £60 if paid within 14 days. It's sent to the registered keeper of the car.
Can I pay the East Midlands drop-off charge in advance?
No. You can only pay after your visit, or set up AutoPay.
Is there free drop-off at East Midlands Airport?
Long Stay 2 is free for up to 60 minutes for pick-up or drop-off; press for a token at the entry. After that it's £1 a minute, paid by card at the exit. It's a 15–20 minute walk or a short shuttle ride from the terminal; the free shuttle runs 24 hours a day, every 20 minutes.
Do Blue Badge holders pay to drop off at East Midlands Airport?
Blue Badge holders can use Short Stay 1 free for up to 30 minutes and Long Stay 2 free for up to 60 minutes, for both pick-up and drop-off.
Where do I pick someone up at East Midlands Airport?
Short Stay 1 car park (up to 30 minutes: £12.00). Short Stay 1 is a walk to and from the terminal. On the way back from Long Stay 2, the shuttle pick-up point is just outside Arrivals.
Sources
Checked on East Midlands Airport's own website on 15 October 2026. Airports change these charges often, so check the signs on the day. Spotted a change? Email hello@airportdropoff.co.uk.