East Midlands Airport is served by several bus routes, most of which run 24/7.
Car hire and of course taxis are also available.
There are no trains to the airport and the shuttle service to the nearest train station, "East Midlands Parkway", which was used in the past, is no longer in operation.
Compare hotels near East Midlands Airport
Skylink buses and regional services
Regional and city buses run from the airport to all surrounding towns.
There is an airport bus stop just outside the arrivals terminal. Departures are a 2-minute walk along the outdoor walkway.
Tickets
On all routes, you can buy your ticket inside the bus. The most convenient way to pay is with your own contactless card, which you can swipe against the reader at the driver's desk when boarding and alighting. Although many people do not attach the card to the reader when getting off the bus, it is important for the correct fare calculation.
If you don't attach the card when you get off the bus, you may be charged the maximum amount for a day's fare in that region at the end of the day, which can be as high as 10 gbp.
With a slight surcharge over card payment, tickets can also be purchased in cash.
- Fare information: trentbarton.co.uk/fares-and-tickets
- Search for connections and timetables: trentbarton.co.uk
Buses to Nottingham
Nottingham is served by two bus routes from the airport. Both run at the same prices.
- Skylink Nottingham - blue buses run through the villages of Castle Donington and Long Eaton.
- Price - GBP 6
- Journey time - 70 minutes
- Frequency - 20 minutes
- Operating Hours - 24/7
- Detailed timetable: trentbarton.co.uk/skylinknottingham
- Skylink Express - blue and black buses run a fast route along the A453 with a short detour to Clifton
- Price - 6 GBP
- Journey time - 40 minutes
- Frequency - 25-30 minutes
- Operating Hours - 4:05am to 10:30pm
- Detailed timetable: trentbarton.co.uk/skylinkclifton
In Nottingham, both lines stop outside the train station, at Broadmarsh bus station and terminate at Friar Lane right in the city centre.
Buses to Leicester
Direct services are provided by the Skylink Derby line, which is served by yellow buses. When boarding at the airport, pay attention to your destination as the same line runs the other way to Derby city.
- Price - GBP 8
- Journey time - 65 minutes
- Frequency - 20 minutes
- Operating hours - 24/7
- Detailed timetable: kinchbus.co.uk/skylink-derby
Buses to Derby
Derby is served by Skylink Derby with its yellow buses. When boarding at the airport, pay attention to your destination as the same service also runs the other way to Derby city.
- Price - GBP 5,20
- Journey time - 45 minutes
- Frequency - 20 minutes
- Operating hours - 24/7
- Detailed timetable: kinchbus.co.uk/skylink-derby
Buses to Loughborough
The nearest major town from the airport is connected to the terminal by yellow Skylink Derby buses. To get to Loughborough, board a bus in the direction of Leicester.
- Price - GBP 4,10
- Journey time - 30 minutes
- Frequency - 20 minutes
- Operating Hours - 24/7
- Detailed timetable: kinchbus.co.uk/skylink-derby
Buses to Burton-upon-Trent
There is a 9 bus service to Burton-upon-Trent from the airport. It also stops at the station, where you can change trains to Birmingham, for example.
- Price - GBP 2,70
- Journey time - 80 minutes
- Frequency - 60 minutes
- Operating hours - 3:05 to 22:37
- Detailed timetable: diamondbuses.com/em-9-airway
Buses to other villages
There are direct services from the airport to other minor towns around the airport.
Ticket prices vary between 2 gbp and 6 gbp depending on distance.
- Ilkeston - line my15
- Long Eaton - lines my15 and skylink Nottingham
- Castle Donington - my15, skylink Nottingham and skylink Derby
- Coalville - line skylink Nottingham
Car Hire
Car hire sites are located approximately 1km from the terminal and can be reached by following a signposted footpath.
Weekly rental rates in the summer season are around 280 gbp.
Taxi, Uber
The official airport taxis are operated by Arrow Cars. The counter to order a car and get an indicative price is located in the arrivals hall.
Often cheaper fares are offered by taxis through the Uber mobile app.
Indicative prices from East Midlands Airport are as follows:
- Nottingham - GBP 27
- Derby - GBP 30
- Leicester - 35 GBP
By train in England
There are no trains directly to the airport, but if you're heading anywhere other than Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Loughborough or Burton upon Trent, trains are the most convenient and straightforward long-distance transport.
Which are the nearest stations to major English cities?
- Birmingham - shortest journey from Burton-on-Trent (35 minutes)
- Manchester - shortest journey from Derby (90-105 minutes)
- Stoke-on-Trent - shortest journey from Derby (50 minutes)
- Sheffield - shortest journey from Nottingham (50 minutes)
- London - shortest journey from Leicester (70 minutes)
