CabsOn Service

East Midlands Airport Taxi Service – Reliable Rides Across the East Midlands

Fixed fares to and from EMA with meet-and-greet, live flight tracking and a 24/7 dispatch team. Book in under a minute from anywhere in the East Midlands.

Get an Instant Quote Corporate Account

Instant fixed-fare quotes for taxis and airport transfers across the UK.

  • Fixed fare — no surge
  • Licensed, DBS-checked drivers
  • 24/7 online booking

When you're flying in or out of East Midlands Airport, the last thing you want is a scramble for a ride at the kerbside or a surprise fare after a long flight. Sitting just off Junction 23A of the M1 between Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, EMA is one of the UK's busiest single-terminal airports — a big draw for Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI holiday flights and, on the freight side, home to DHL's East Midlands Hub, one of the largest air-cargo operations in Europe. CabsOn runs a dedicated East Midlands Airport taxi service around the clock, with fixed fares agreed at the point of booking, live flight tracking so drivers arrive when your plane actually lands, and a meet-and-greet option inside the terminal for passengers who'd rather not walk to the pick-up zone. Whether you're catching the early Ryanair flight to Alicante, connecting from a Jet2 return, or arriving off a late TUI charter, we can put a licensed driver on your kerb from Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Loughborough, Long Eaton, Melton Mowbray, Coalville, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and villages across the Peak District. Every booking is confirmed by SMS and email, and you'll see the driver's location on the live map from the moment the job is accepted.

Getting to and from East Midlands Airport

East Midlands Airport (IATA code: EMA) sits in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, roughly 15 miles from each of Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. Because the airport is almost equidistant from all three cities, the typical journey time by road is around 20 minutes from any of them in light traffic — usually 25 to 35 minutes in the morning peak. It's directly accessed from Junction 23A of the M1, with the A453 linking straight into Nottingham and the A50 running west to Derby, Stoke and the Potteries. Loughborough sits closer still, around 10 miles down the A6, and Leicester connects via the M1 or the A6 through Kegworth. For travellers coming from further afield — Birmingham, Sheffield, York, or the Peak District — the M1 and A50 make the airport reachable in around an hour.

Single terminal, straightforward pick-up

EMA operates a single passenger terminal, which makes meet-and-greet very simple compared with larger hubs like Manchester or Heathrow. The short-stay drop-off zone sits directly outside Departures and is free for the first ten minutes; after that a charge applies, so most of our drivers hold in the free waiting area on Beverley Road until you text to say you're at the doors. For arrivals, drivers monitor your flight number on the airport's live feed and only start moving to the kerbside when you're ready to be collected — that avoids car park charges and means you're not paying for time your driver spent circling. If you've booked a meet-and-greet, your driver will wait inside the terminal near the arrivals gate holding a name board, help with bags to the vehicle, and the short-stay car park charge is included in the fixed fare.

Typical journey times to major towns and cities

As a rough guide, and outside peak traffic, here's what to allow for a taxi journey to and from East Midlands Airport:

  • Nottingham city centre: 20-25 minutes via the A453
  • Derby city centre: 20-25 minutes via the A50 / A6
  • Leicester city centre: 25-30 minutes via the M1
  • Loughborough: 15-20 minutes via the A6
  • Long Eaton and Sandiacre: 10-15 minutes
  • Melton Mowbray: 35-40 minutes
  • Coalville and Ashby-de-la-Zouch: 15-20 minutes
  • Sheffield: 55-70 minutes via the M1
  • Birmingham: 55-75 minutes via the A42 and M42
  • Buxton and the Peak District: 60-80 minutes depending on route

Bank Holiday weekends and school-holiday getaway peaks — typically the last Friday of July and the Bank Holiday Mondays — can add 15-30 minutes to any of these journeys, so we recommend leaving a little earlier where possible.

Fleet options for the EMA run

We match the vehicle to the group and the amount of luggage, not the other way round. For a couple with two large cases plus hand luggage a saloon is usually enough, but families and groups almost always want the extra space of an estate or MPV, especially on holiday flights where the cases come home heavier than they went out.

  • Saloon: 1-4 passengers, 2 large cases plus 2 small pieces of hand luggage.
  • Estate: 1-4 passengers, 3-4 large cases — the sensible choice for a family of four.
  • 6-seat MPV: up to 6 passengers, ideal for family holiday runs with a mix of suitcases and buggies.
  • 8-seat MPV: up to 8 passengers, popular for group hen and stag flights or corporate travel.
  • Executive: E-Class or equivalent for business travellers who want a quieter cabin, tinted rear windows and complimentary bottled water.
  • Wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV): ramp-loaded, with front and rear tie-down anchors — please book at least a few hours in advance so we can allocate the right car and securing kit.

Fixed-fare pricing bands

Fares depend on distance, time of day and vehicle class, but the price is fixed at booking — no meters, no post-trip surprises. As a rough guide for a saloon at standard daytime rates, journeys typically fall in these bands (an online quote will confirm the exact price for your booking and postcode):

  • Nottingham, Derby or Leicester to EMA: typically £30-£45 for a saloon
  • Loughborough to EMA: typically £22-£32
  • Long Eaton and Sandiacre to EMA: typically £18-£28
  • Newark-on-Trent to EMA: typically £45-£60
  • Sheffield to EMA: typically £70-£95
  • Birmingham to EMA: typically £75-£105
  • Buxton or the Peak District to EMA: typically £85-£120

Overnight runs (roughly 23:00-05:00) and public-holiday journeys carry a modest surcharge, which is shown clearly before you confirm. Estate, MPV and executive vehicles carry the usual class premium — most travellers find the estate a small step up worth taking for the boot space alone.

Freight, cargo and the DHL East Midlands Hub

EMA is home to DHL's East Midlands Hub, one of the largest air-freight operations in Europe, along with UPS, Royal Mail and TNT/FedEx traffic that keeps the airport busy long after the last passenger flight has left. If you work on the cargo side of the airport, or need a taxi to any of the freight buildings off Beverley Road or Ambassador Road, just let us know at booking and we'll route the driver to the correct gate rather than the passenger terminal. Overnight shift-change pick-ups from Long Eaton, Kegworth and Castle Donington are a regular part of what we do.

Areas we cover for EMA transfers

Alongside the three big cities, our regular East Midlands Airport pick-ups include Beeston, West Bridgford, Arnold, Bulwell, Ilkeston, Long Eaton, Sandiacre, Belper, Ripley, Alfreton, Mansfield, Newark-on-Trent, Grantham, Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Uppingham, Coalville, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Hinckley, Market Harborough, and villages across Charnwood Forest and the Vale of Belvoir. Longer runs into the Peak District — Matlock, Bakewell, Buxton, Ashbourne — are quoted per journey and are usually cheaper on a fixed-fare basis than the cost of parking your own car at the airport for a week.

Onward travel and the wider region

EMA is a natural gateway not just to the three cities but to the Peak District National Park, Sherwood Forest, Rutland Water, the National Space Centre in Leicester, and the East Midlands' cluster of motorsport venues at Donington Park, Mallory Park and Bruntingthorpe. If you're arriving for an event or a break, mention it at booking — our drivers know the local shortcuts, and we can usually save you 10-15 minutes on getaway-day M1 traffic by taking the back road through Kegworth.

Luggage and vehicle capacity

As a general rule, one large suitcase plus one piece of hand luggage per passenger fits comfortably in a saloon for up to two people. Three passengers travelling with a large case each are better served by an estate, and four or more travellers should book an MPV so no bags end up on laps. Golf clubs, prams, wheelchairs, ski bags, oversized musical instruments and bicycles are all fine — just flag them at booking so the driver arrives with a vehicle that has the boot space, or the roof rack where required.

Child seats

We can supply infant carriers (0-12 months), toddler seats (9 months-4 years) and booster cushions (4-11 years) free of charge on request. Please book child seats at least a few hours in advance — during peak school-holiday getaway periods we occasionally run out at short notice, and it's easier for both sides to confirm ahead than for the driver to have to swap car en route.

Payment methods

You can pay by debit or credit card during the online booking, tap in-app once the trip completes, hand cash to the driver on arrival, or use Apple Pay or Google Pay. Business customers can settle on a corporate account with monthly VAT invoicing — useful if you're moving colleagues to and from EMA on a regular basis, or booking crew transfers for the freight side of the airport. All prices include VAT and there is no separate fuel or airport-drop surcharge on top of the fixed fare shown at booking.

Meet-and-greet and airport parking fees

Our standard airport pick-up is a kerbside collection outside Arrivals in the short-stay drop-off zone, which is included in the quoted fare. If you'd prefer a meet-and-greet at the arrivals gate — with the driver waiting inside the terminal holding a name board and helping with your bags — you can add it at booking; the short-stay car park charge is included in that price. Meet-and-greet is particularly popular with older passengers, families with young children, and business travellers arriving late at night after a long flight.

Cancellation policy

Bookings can be cancelled free of charge up to two hours before the scheduled pick-up time. Cancellations inside two hours may attract a small charge to cover the driver's dead mileage, and no-shows on the day are charged in full. If your inbound flight is delayed or diverted, there's nothing to do — our dispatch team tracks your flight number against the airport's live feed and adjusts the pick-up automatically at no extra cost, up to a full 24-hour delay window.

Wheelchair-accessible vehicles

Ramp-loaded wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) are available across the fleet with front-securing and rear tie-down anchors, forward-facing travel, and space for a folded companion chair alongside. To make sure a WAV is on shift for your journey, please book a few hours ahead where possible and let us know the chair type (manual, powered, or larger scooter) so the driver arrives with the correct ramp gradient and securing kit for a safe, comfortable transfer.

Licensed drivers Greater Manchester or TfL Private Hire (PHV) licensing on every booking
DBS-checked Background-checked drivers with airport access permits
ULEZ & Clean Air ready Modern fleet meeting London ULEZ and Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone standards
Fixed fare guarantee Drop-off charge, congestion charge and ULEZ bundled into the quote, no surge pricing
Vehicle classes

What you can book for Manchester

Saloon

  • Up to 4 passengers
  • 2 standard suitcases
  • Most economical option

Default choice for solo travel, couples and pairs heading to the airport. Modern petrol-hybrid or fully electric saloons across the fleet.

Estate

  • Up to 4 passengers
  • 4 suitcases
  • Family-friendly

Choose this when bags outnumber people. A standard family of four with full check-in luggage fits cleanly in an estate where a saloon would not.

Executive

  • Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 Series
  • Suited driver
  • Water and wifi included

Business class transport for corporate travellers, visiting clients and hotel transfers. The default for premium-postcode airport runs.

8 Seater Minibus

  • Up to 8 passengers
  • 8 suitcases capacity
  • Volkswagen Transporter or similar

Single-vehicle transport for groups of up to 8. Common on hen and stag bookings, sports teams, family airport runs and corporate group transfers.

Chauffeur

  • Mercedes S-Class
  • Suited driver
  • VIP and wedding work

Flagship class for VIP travel, weddings, premium events and corporate visiting directors. Hourly hire from 4 hours minimum or fixed-route.

Every booking includes

What is in the fixed fare

Flight tracking on every airport pickup

Pickup time auto-adjusts to actual landing. No driver-side panic if your flight runs late.

60 minutes free waiting on arrivals

Plenty of buffer for immigration, baggage claim and customs at the busiest airport hours.

Drop-off charge included

The £5 forecourt fee at every UK airport is in the quote, not added at the kerb. Same with London congestion charge and ULEZ.

Optional meet and greet

Driver waits at the terminal arrivals exit with a name board. No extra charge.

Card, PayPal, corporate invoice

Pay how you want. Corporate accounts get monthly invoicing with PO numbers and VAT receipts.

Child and booster seats

Available on request, fitted before pickup. Confirm seat type at booking so we match the right vehicle.

Coverage

Manchester on the map

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How much is a taxi from Nottingham to East Midlands Airport?

A saloon transfer from Nottingham city centre to EMA typically costs between £30 and £45, depending on your exact pick-up postcode and whether you're travelling overnight or on a Bank Holiday. Enter your postcode on the booking page for an instant fixed fare.

Do you track my flight if it's delayed?

Yes. Once we have your inbound flight number we track it against East Midlands Airport's live feed. If your flight is delayed or diverted your pick-up is automatically rescheduled at no extra charge, and the driver is only dispatched when you're ready to be collected.

Where does my taxi meet me at East Midlands Airport?

The default is a kerbside collection outside Arrivals in the short-stay drop-off zone. If you'd rather have your driver wait inside the terminal holding a name board, add meet-and-greet at booking and the short-stay car park charge is included in the fare.

How long does the journey from Derby to EMA usually take?

In light traffic Derby to East Midlands Airport takes around 20-25 minutes via the A50 and A453. Allow 30-40 minutes in the morning peak, and a little longer during Bank Holiday getaway weekends or the school-holiday Friday rush.

Can I book a wheelchair-accessible taxi to EMA?

Yes. We run ramp-loaded WAVs with proper front and rear tie-down anchors and forward-facing travel. Please book a few hours in advance and let us know the chair type so the right vehicle and securing kit are allocated to your job.

Do you accept card and Apple Pay?

Yes — you can pay by debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or cash to the driver on arrival. Business customers can also settle on a monthly corporate account with VAT invoicing across all named travellers.

How early should I be picked up for a flight from EMA?

For a standard European flight we suggest arriving at the terminal about two hours before departure, so from Nottingham, Derby or Leicester allow a pick-up around three hours before scheduled take-off — a little more during school-holiday getaway peaks.

Can I book a taxi to EMA on a corporate account?

Yes. We support business accounts with named travellers, cost-centre tagging, and monthly VAT invoicing — useful if you're moving colleagues to EMA regularly for meetings or flights out of the DHL East Midlands Hub on the freight side.

Related

Other journeys we cover

/nottingham-taxi /derby-taxi /manchester-airport-taxi /birmingham-airport-taxi