Looking for cheap car hire at East Midlands Airport? Whether you are flying into EMA for business or a break exploring the heart of England, getcarhire.com compares deals from the leading suppliers to find you the right hire car at the right price. Sitting right on the M1 between Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, car hire East Midlands Airport puts one of the most conveniently placed airports in the country at your disposal for a road trip.
All the major car hire brands are gathered in a car rental village just a short walk from the terminal, so you can be on the motorway within minutes of landing. With the Peak District, Sherwood Forest and three historic cities all close by, car hire East Midlands Airport is the natural choice for exploring the region. This guide covers where to collect, what it costs, driving tips and the best destinations within easy reach.
Quick answer: Car hire at East Midlands Airport (EMA) is the easiest way to explore the heart of England. The car rental village is a 5 minute walk from arrivals, just off the M1, with all major suppliers. Prices start from around £16 per day, and you can reach Nottingham in 30 minutes or the Peak District in about an hour.
Car Hire East Midlands Airport at a Glance
| Airport code | EMA (East Midlands Airport) |
| Location | Castle Donington, just off the M1 (junctions 23A and 24) |
| Typical price | From around £16 per day, average £35 to £45 |
| Collection | Car rental village on Ambassador Road, a 5 minute walk or shuttle |
| Best for | Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and the Peak District |
| One-way hire | Popular to Birmingham, Manchester and London airports |
The best drives in the Peak District, around an hour from EMA. Holiday Car Hire →
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Collecting Your Hire Car at East Midlands Airport
East Midlands Airport (airport code EMA) keeps things simple. The major suppliers, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt, have desks in the arrivals hall, with the cars in a car rental village on Ambassador Road, a short five minute walk from the terminal. See the official East Midlands Airport site for terminal details. From April to October a free shuttle bus runs between the terminal and the rental village, and outside those months it is an easy walk.
For the smoothest cheap car hire East Midlands Airport experience, bring your driving licence, a credit card in the main driver’s name and your booking confirmation, and book online in advance for the best rates. Once you have collected your car hire East Midlands Airport, you are moments from the M1, with a service station on the A453 as you leave the airport for an easy full-to-full return.
How Much Does Car Hire at East Midlands Airport Cost?
Car hire at East Midlands Airport is very good value, with economy cars from around £16 per day and an average of £35 to £45 per day across the year. As a busy regional airport with a competitive car rental village, car hire East Midlands Airport consistently offers some of the keenest rates in the Midlands, especially when you book ahead.
As ever, season drives the price. The quieter winter months are cheapest, while summer and school holidays are busiest. Booking around a week or two ahead usually secures the best rate for cheap car hire East Midlands, and weekday collection before 5pm tends to be quieter at the desks. The table below shows the seasonal pattern.
| Season | Demand | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (off-peak) | Lowest | Best value, from around £16 per day |
| June to August | Peak | Highest demand, book early |
| Rest of year | Moderate | Good value, book 1 to 2 weeks ahead |
Choosing the Right Hire Car at East Midlands
For most trips a small or medium car is the ideal choice for cheap car hire East Midlands Airport, economical, easy to park in Nottingham or Derby, and simple to handle. If you are planning to explore the winding rural roads of the Peak District with car hire East Midlands Airport, many drivers prefer an automatic for a more relaxed drive, and a compact SUV gives extra comfort and confidence on the hills.
When comparing car hire East Midlands Airport deals through getcarhire.com, filter by transmission, mileage and fuel policy. Choose a full-to-full fuel policy to avoid inflated refuelling charges, and look for unlimited mileage if you plan a longer tour of the Midlands and beyond.
Exploring the Heart of England from East Midlands
East Midlands Airport sits at the centre of England, and car hire East Midlands Airport unlocks a remarkable variety of destinations within easy reach.
Nottingham, Derby and Leicester
Three historic cities surround the airport. Nottingham, around 30 minutes away, is the legendary home of Robin Hood, with its castle and the atmospheric City of Caves. Derby, about 25 minutes away, is a gateway to the Derwent Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of early industrial history. Leicester, roughly 30 minutes away, offers rich Roman and medieval heritage. All three are easy drives with car hire East Midlands Airport.
The Peak District and Beyond
The crown jewel within reach is the Peak District National Park, around an hour away, with its dramatic dales, gritstone edges and charming villages like Bakewell and Castleton. Closer still, Sherwood Forest, Chatsworth House and the thrills of Alton Towers, around 50 minutes away, make East Midlands a superb base for families and explorers alike.
Car Hire East Midlands Airport: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car hire at East Midlands Airport cost?
Car hire at East Midlands Airport starts from around £16 per day for an economy car, with an average of £35 to £45 per day. Quieter winter months are cheapest and summer is busiest, so booking 1 to 2 weeks ahead secures the best value.
Where do you collect a hire car at East Midlands Airport?
Suppliers have desks in the arrivals hall, with the cars in a car rental village on Ambassador Road, about a five minute walk from the terminal. From April to October a free shuttle runs between the two. Bring your licence, a credit card in the main driver’s name and your booking confirmation.
How do you get from East Midlands Airport to the Peak District?
The Peak District is around an hour from East Midlands Airport, reached via the A50 and A515. A hire car is the best way to explore the national park’s villages and scenic roads, which are difficult to reach by public transport.
How far is East Midlands Airport from Nottingham?
Nottingham is around 14 miles from East Midlands Airport, about a 30 minute drive via the A453. Derby is closer at around 15 miles, and Leicester is roughly 20 miles, making all three cities easy to reach by hire car.
Is East Midlands Airport good for a one-way car hire?
Yes. Its central location and M1 access make East Midlands a popular one-way pickup or drop-off, with easy connections to Birmingham, Manchester and London airports. Compare one-way deals through getcarhire.com.
Are automatic cars available at East Midlands Airport?
Yes. While manual cars are standard in the UK, all major suppliers at East Midlands Airport offer automatics. They are worth booking ahead, especially if you plan to drive the winding rural roads of the Peak District.
Find Your Cheap Car Hire East Midlands Airport Deal
From the legend of Robin Hood in Nottingham to the dales of the Peak District, a hire car is the key to the heart of England. Compare cheap car hire East Midlands Airport deals with getcarhire.com, collect your car a short walk from arrivals, and set off to explore the Midlands and beyond. Enter your dates below to see the latest car hire East Midlands Airport deals.