East Midlands Airport arrivals: how to pick someone up
Last checked 14 November 2026 by Alpine Chauffeurs, Nottingham
Quick answer
To collect someone from East Midlands Airport, use Short Stay 1 (£12 for up to 30 minutes, £14 for up to an hour) and meet them inside arrivals. Or use Long Stay 2, which is free for 60 minutes but a 15 to 20 minute walk. The Rapid Drop Off zone outside the terminal is for drop-offs only.
Where to wait
| Car park | Charge | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Short Stay 1 | £12 up to 30 mins · £14 up to 1 hr · £18 up to 2 hrs · £22 up to 3 hrs | Walking into arrivals to meet someone |
| Long Stay 2 | Free for 60 mins, then £1 a minute | Saving money, if they can walk with their bags |
| Rapid Drop Off | £8 up to 10 mins | Drop-offs only, not pick-ups |
Checked against eastmidlandsairport.com on 14 November 2026.
Time it right
A landing time isn't when someone walks out. Allow time for the plane to taxi, passport control and baggage reclaim. Check the flight's status before you leave home, and don't drive into the car park until they've landed.
Blue Badge holders
With a valid Blue Badge, Short Stay 1 is free for up to 30 minutes and Long Stay 2 for up to 60 minutes, for pick-ups and drop-offs.
Paying
Charges are paid online. Unpaid charges bring a £100 Parking Charge Notice, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
Or let us collect them
We track the flight, wait inside arrivals with a name board and drive them home. The first 45 minutes after landing are free, parking is included, and the fare to Nottingham is a fixed £50.
We'll collect them for you
East Midlands Airport to Nottingham is £50 fixed, with meet & greet in arrivals and flight tracking included.
Sources
Common questions
Where do you pick up at East Midlands Airport?
Short Stay 1 is the closest car park for walking into arrivals. Long Stay 2 is free for 60 minutes but further away.
Can I pick up from Rapid Drop Off at East Midlands Airport?
No. Rapid Drop Off is for dropping passengers off only.
How much does it cost to pick someone up from East Midlands Airport?
£12 for up to 30 minutes or £14 for up to an hour in Short Stay 1, or free for 60 minutes in Long Stay 2.
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