East Midlands Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our East Midlands Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

The security staff are the spawn of Satan himself, they delight in letting you just get off to sleep and then they wake you up by shouting at you. -Vince

EMA Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at East Midlands Airport.

What to Expect

East Midlands Airport (code: EMA) has a single terminal that serves a wide variety of low-cost carriers and seasonal routes. Amenities include several eateries and shops, though none are open 24 hours. WiFi is free for four hours. For added comfort while you wait, economy class passengers can pay to enter an airport lounge.

Sleeping in East Midlands Airport

Older reviews say that overnight sleepers have no issues with airport staff. It seems there are padded, armrest-free benches both landside and airside, comfortable enough to catch some Z’s. It may be a bit noisy or cold, so bring along your earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones and dress in layers. For uninterrupted sleep, hotels are nearby. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info.

Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our East Midlands Airport Guide.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are several hotels within walking distance or a short drive from East Midlands Airport:

Leonardo Hotel East Midlands Airport (0.2 mi)
Premier Inn East Midlands Airport Hotel (0.7 mi)
Holiday Inn Express East Midlands Airport Hotel (0.7 mi)
Radisson Blu Hotel East Midlands Airport (0.9 mi)

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program.

Escape Lounge – Location: Airside, Departures, after Security, near Gate 17. Hours: 4:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (£36 per person) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs • Complimentary access for select business-class passengers and frequent flyer members.

Food & Drinks

Food outlets operate in line with flight schedules. The airport states that limited food options are available 24 hours a day; however, specific outlets and exact hours can vary, especially overnight. If you are staying late or arriving very early, consider purchasing food before closing time.

Options typically include Burger King • Castle Rock Tap Room & Kitchen • Flat White Coffee Club • Frankie & Benny’s • Grab and Fly • Greggs • LEON • Pork & Pickle • Proof 65 • Starbucks.

Vending machines are available landside and airside.

Drinking Water
Water bottle refill stations are available airside, including opposite Gate 12 and near Gates 18–23 (outside the toilets), according to a traveller report (June 2025).

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

Power outlets are available in seating areas throughout Departures.

Showers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi/Internet

Free internet access is available at the East Midlands Airport for four hours. Connect to the “EMA Public Wifi” network. Premium service is also available for purchase should you require faster service. Rates: from £5.00 (per hour) • £10.00 (per day) • £30.00 (per month).

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Aeropark – The Aeropark is an aviation museum and outdoor viewing area located on the northwest side of the airport grounds. It’s a popular spot for plane spotting and photography, featuring retired aircraft displays. You’ll need a vehicle to reach it, though Derby and Leicester Skylink buses also stop nearby. Hours: open Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission: £5 (ages 16+).
ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit before travelling. Some Travelex machines dispense British Pounds, Euros and US Dollars.
Baby Care Facilities – Breastfeeding is permitted throughout the terminal. For added privacy, baby care rooms with changing facilities are available both landside and airside, typically located near women’s washrooms.
Baggage Carts – Luggage trolleys are available for a £1 coin deposit, which is refunded when the trolley is returned.
Changing Room – A height-adjustable adult changing bench and accessible toilet are available on the first floor. A key is required and can be collected from a nearby restaurant on the same level. Open 24 hours.
Children’s Play Area – There is no children’s play area.
Currency Exchange – There are no full-service currency exchange counters.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Shopping options include a World Duty Free store and several high street brands such as Accessorize • Boots • Dixons Travel • InMotion • JD Sports • Superdrug • WHSmith.
Fast Track Service – Fast Track security is available for a fee (from £5 when booked online). This service provides access to a priority security lane to help reduce waiting times during busy periods.
Information Desk – An information desk is located landside in the main terminal building.
Massage Chairs – Coin-operated massage chairs are available in the departures area.
Postal Services – A public mailbox is located in the check-in hall for posting letters and postcards.
Prayer Room – A multi-faith prayer room is available and open 24 hours.
Smoking – Smoking is not permitted inside the terminal. A designated smoking area is available airside on the mezzanine level.

Airlines

East Midlands Airport is served by the following airlines: Aer Lingus • Aurigny • Balkan Holidays • Channel Islands Direct • Hurtigruten • Jet2.com • Newmarket Holidays • Olympic Holidays • Omega • P&O Cruises • Premier Holidays • RyanAir • Transun • TUIFly.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus and Coach

Skylink offers 24-hour bus service, with departures available every 20 minutes during the day, and hourly at night. Reservations are not required, and tickets are sold onboard the bus. All buses stop directly in front of the passenger terminal. For fares, destinations and schedules, visit the East Midlands Airport website.

National Express offers coach service to a variety of destinations throughout the UK.

Car Rentals

On-site car rental agencies include Alamo • Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz • National • Sixt. Location: Arrivals.

Compare car rental prices on Expedia

Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Taxis are available 24 hours a day in the ground transportation area. Arrow Cars has an office, open 24 hours a day, opposite the Arrivals Area. Credit cards are accepted, and taxis can be pre-booked and paid for online or via smartphone app.

Train

East Midlands Parkway Station is the nearest train station to the airport, linked by bus service (see the Skylink Bus details above).

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Last updated: 2026-02-19

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.