East Midlands Airport drop-off charges
Yes, this is current information: East Midlands Airport's drop-off charge was verified on 4 September 2026 against the official East Midlands page.
Dropping off at East Midlands costs £5 for up to 15 minutes (Rapid Drop-off, barrier-free in front of the terminal).
- Penalty if unpaid: £100
- Free alternative: Long Stay 2 car park (60 min)
- Pay by: Barrier-free — pay online by midnight the day after your visit (payment cannot be made on exit; no cash or cheque)
Cheaper to park or drop off at East Midlands?
A quick drop-off is the cheapest way in. But if you're leaving the car for the trip, it's worth comparing what parking costs at East Midlands — pre-booking is usually cheaper than paying at the drive-up gate.
What does it cost to drop someone off at East Midlands?
East Midlands levies a charge to use the drop-off forecourt: £5 for up to 15 minutes (Rapid Drop-off, barrier-free in front of the terminal); unpaid visits incur a £100 penalty charge. A free alternative, Long Stay 2 car park, is available for 60 minutes. All figures are official, date-stamped snapshots read from the airport's own published page and verified 2026-09-04.
Is there a time limit on the East Midlands drop-off zone?
You get up to 30 minutes for the £5 charge — there is no cheaper shorter band, so a 2-minute stop costs the same as the full 30 minutes. Payment is barrier-free: you can settle online by Barrier-free — pay online by midnight the day after your visit (payment cannot be made on exit; no cash or cheque). This East Midlands drop-off charge is sometimes called the East Midlands drop-off levy, the East Midlands airport levy charge, or the kiss-and-fly charge — they all refer to the same forecourt fee. These figures are read from the official East Midlands page and verified 2026-09-04.
The free alternative: Long Stay 2 car park
How long will you stop?
£5
- Long Stay 2 car park is free for 60 minutes.
If you don't pay
Penalty: £100. Rapid Drop-Off is £5 for up to 15 minutes, then £1 per minute; maximum stay 30 minutes. A £100 Parking Charge is issued if payment is not received by midnight the day after your visit, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days Payment deadline: Barrier-free — pay online by midnight the day after your visit (payment cannot be made on exit; no cash or cheque).
Pre-book to save vs paying at the drive-up gate - free cancellation on most options.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is the drop-off charge at East Midlands Airport?
£5 for up to 15 minutes (Rapid Drop-off, barrier-free in front of the terminal) (verified 2026-09-04, per the official East Midlands page).
How much does it cost to drop off at East Midlands?
It costs £5 to drop off at East Midlands Airport — £5 for up to 15 minutes (Rapid Drop-off, barrier-free in front of the terminal) (verified 2026-09-04, per the official East Midlands page).
Is there a time limit on the East Midlands drop-off zone?
You get up to 30 minutes for the £5 charge — there is no cheaper shorter band, so a 2-minute stop costs the same as the full 30 minutes.
Can I pay the East Midlands drop-off charge after I leave?
Yes — pay by Barrier-free — pay online by midnight the day after your visit (payment cannot be made on exit; no cash or cheque). Rapid Drop-Off is £5 for up to 15 minutes, then £1 per minute; maximum stay 30 minutes. A £100 Parking Charge is issued if payment is not received by midnight the day after your visit, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days
Can I pay the East Midlands drop-off charge online?
Yes — East Midlands Airport's drop-off charge is paid online (barrierless ANPR), not at a barrier. You can pay before your visit, on the day, or after you leave, by Barrier-free — pay online by midnight the day after your visit (payment cannot be made on exit; no cash or cheque). Rapid Drop-Off is £5 for up to 15 minutes, then £1 per minute; maximum stay 30 minutes. A £100 Parking Charge is issued if payment is not received by midnight the day after your visit, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days
What happens if you don't pay the East Midlands drop-off fee?
The penalty is £100. Rapid Drop-Off is £5 for up to 15 minutes, then £1 per minute; maximum stay 30 minutes. A £100 Parking Charge is issued if payment is not received by midnight the day after your visit, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days
Are Blue Badge holders exempt from the East Midlands drop-off fee?
Blue Badge holders park free for up to 30 minutes at Short Stay 1 (nearest the terminal) and up to 60 minutes at Long Stay 2, for both drop-off and pick-up. General drivers pay £6 for up to 30 minutes at Short Stay 1 (£8 up to 1 hour). No separate Blue Badge concession is published for the barrierless Rapid Drop-off lane
How much is pick-up at East Midlands Airport?
Pick-up uses the same forecourt as drop-off, so the same charge applies: £5 for up to 15 minutes (Rapid Drop-off, barrier-free in front of the terminal). For free pick-up, the Long Stay 2 car park gives 60 minutes free. Verified 2026-09-04 against the official East Midlands page.
How do I avoid the East Midlands drop-off fee?
Use the Long Stay 2 car park — free for 60 minutes. Free for up to 60 minutes for drop-off and pick-up, then £1 per minute. Long Stay 2 is a 15–20 minute walk from the terminal, or take the free shuttle bus
How does East Midlands compare to other UK airports for drop-off charges?
East Midlands Airport charges £5 to drop off, for up to 15 minutes. Here's how that compares to the UK's busiest airport and the nearest other airports — every figure read from that airport's own official page.
More at this airport
How to avoid the East Midlands drop-off charge →
Compare drop-off charges at all UK airports →
See where East Midlands ranks in the UK Airport Drop-Off Price Index →
Going abroad from East Midlands? See the full travel cost →
Latest at East Midlands
Sources & method
- Official East Midlands drop-off page — verified 2026-09-04
Every figure is read from the airport's official page and re-verified on the date shown. We never republish unverified prices.
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