East Midlands Airport sits between three major cities, so costs vary significantly depending on where you are going. The distances are longer than most UK airport-to-city routes, which pushes taxi and transfer prices higher than you might expect.
Price comparison by destination
| Destination | Distance | Skylink bus | Taxi | Transfer (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham | 20 km | Check the operator's fare finder | Agree the fare before you set off | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Derby | 16 km | Check the operator's fare finder | Agree the fare before you set off | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Leicester | 35 km | Check the operator's fare finder | Agree the fare before you set off | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Loughborough | 15 km | Check the operator's fare finder | Agree the fare before you set off | Fixed, quoted at booking |
Fixed-price private transfer
EMA Nottingham City Center
From€60for 2 passengers
Other destinations
Bus fare details
Skylink fares are set by Kinchbus and trentbarton and vary by route — Derby, Nottingham and Leicester are not priced the same, so there is no flat airport fare. Returns, day tickets and reduced child fares are usually available. Look your journey up on the operator's fare finder before you travel.
One thing worth knowing: England's GBP 3 national bus fare cap does not apply here. The government's own guidance excludes airport services from the scheme, so a Skylink fare above GBP 3 is normal and not an overcharge, and under 5s ride free. You can pay contactless on the bus — no need to buy tickets in advance.
The flat fare structure means the bus is particularly good value for the longer routes to Leicester, where a taxi would cost 10–15 times more.
Taxi fare factors
EMA taxis are mostly pre-booked or quoted at the rank. Fares vary by:
- Destination distance — the primary factor
- Time of day — late-night and early-morning fares are 20–30% higher
- Traffic — the M1 motorway and A50 can add time (and cost) during rush hours
- Vehicle type — standard saloons are cheaper than people carriers
There is no luggage surcharge, but if you need a larger vehicle, the fare increases.
The group calculation
EMA's longer distances make the group math interesting. For four people heading to Nottingham:
- Bus: four single fares, but 50–60 minutes each way. Look up the fare and multiply by four
- Taxi: one fare for the car, split four ways — usually a modest premium over four bus tickets for half the journey time
- Minivan transfer: GBP 60–80 total, at GBP 15–20 per person — with car seats and flight tracking, and door-to-door service
For groups of 3 or more, the per-person cost of a taxi or transfer becomes very competitive with the bus, especially considering the time saved.