How to Park at East Midlands Airport for Free (when dropping off and picking up passengers)

 

My favourite part of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe” is this:

 

"But Mr Dent, the plans have been available in the local planning office for the last nine months."

"Oh yes, well as soon as I heard I went straight round to see them, yesterday afternoon. You hadn't exactly gone out of your way to call attention to them, had you? I mean, like actually telling anybody or anything."

"But the plans were on display ..."

"On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them."

"That's the display department."

"With a flashlight."

"Ah, well the lights had probably gone."

"So had the stairs."

"But look, you found the notice didn't you?"

"Yes," said Arthur, "yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying 'Beware of the Leopard'."

 

 

This is exactly what it is like trying to find information about how exactly to park for free briefly at East Midlands Airport to pick up or drop off passengers.

First of all I want to say it is possible. And if by some strange throw of the dice you have found this page then your chances have just improved even more.

This is what you need to know/do

· Leave the M1 motorway at junction 23A

· Follow the signs to East Midlands Airport

· At every roundabout follow the signs to ‘Shuttle Plus’ (or car park 6)

· It’s a long road. You will pass other car parks and a wind turbine and a lorry park.

· The Shuttle Plus car park is then the first one you see on your right.

· Follow the signs.

· At the barrier take a ticket.

· Protect this ticket and note the time for the clock has already started ticking. You have one only hour of free car parking time if you are any longer the fee shoots up to £6:20

· Drive as close as you can get to the bus stops as you can.

· There are two bus stops close to this car park. As you go into the car park they are on your far right. Closest to where other people already in the know have already parked.

· There is plenty of space in this car park so there is no stress about trying to find a place.

· Take your ticket with you.

· At the bus stop try not to stress. The buses come every fifteen minutes.

· The buses are labelled and are white.

· The buses are free.

· There is ample space for luggage on this bus.

· The journey to the departure terminal takes about six minutes.

· Everyone has to get off the bus at the departure terminal even those going to arrivals.

· Try not to panic.

· Follow the signs to the Arrivals Terminal i.e. turn right after getting off the bus. It is a four minute walk. So flat heels are needed.

· At the arrivals building just opposite the entrance door are the toilets!

· There are chairs where you can sit and a screen hanging in the middle of the ceiling (not immediately obvious) which tell you about the flights and whether or not they have landed.

· After meeting your friend/family exit go through the exit and turn left go around the blind corner and to find the bay where the shuttle bus returns from. (It’s the second bay)

· On the return journey press the bell for the bus to stop after passing the wind turbine.

· Cross the road to the Shuttle Plus car park

· Now place your ticket in the pay machine near the bus stop. This validates it. If you are under the hour there is no charge.

· Drive to the exit place your validated ticket in the machine and the barrier will lift to release you.

· Give an almighty cheer and follow the exit signs to the M1 motorway.

Here is a map and further information:

http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/emaweb.nsf/Content/LongStayParking