If you’re planning a summer break from East Midlands Airport next summer, you’ll be in good company. More than one million passengers passed through the airport during the school summer holidays and that figure is likely to be even higher this year with a choice of new destinations and a new airline.

There are some steps you need to take sooner rather than later, however, to get the most out of your week or two of summer sunshine. Here the team at East Midlands Airport have shared some top tips to prepare, some important factors not to forget – and how to avoid running over your budget.

Choosing flight times and accommodation

Booking well in advance generally means you can secure a better price for your flight, with more choice of departure times and a wider range of accommodation available at your destination. It’s cheaper to book flights midweek and outside school summer holidays, but if that’s not possible, the sooner you can book the better. Flights early in the morning tend to be cheaper than later in the day.

With accommodation, consider what’s most important to you – is it closeness to the beach, proximity to amenities like bars, restaurants or public transport connections, the amount of space, privacy, or finding a property with a pool? Once you know what is essential and what you’re willing to compromise on, it’ll be easier to find accommodation that suits your needs at a reasonable price.

Ensure your passport is in date and check Visa / entry requirements

Most countries require you to have six months’ validity remaining on your passport when you arrive in the country – so if you’re planning on going away this summer and your passport expires before the end of 2026, consider replacing it now to avoid facing any problems later. This will allow plenty of time for your new passport to be processed ahead of your holiday.

It’s also worth checking other entry requirements at your destination. The EU is introducing a scheme at the end of 2026 which requires you to apply and pay for clearance before you set off. Some other countries require you to have a Visa in advance too – but in most cases you can apply online.

Plan your trip to the airport and book parking in advance

When planning your journey to East Midlands Airport, consider public transport options or taking advantage of the airport’s free drop-off facility, with regular shuttle buses offering seamless connections to the airport’s terminal. For forecourt drop-off, the airport has a barrierless drop-off system, with payment made online or by phone before midnight the following day – or you can set up an account on the airport website that will pay any charges that are due automatically. There’s also a free drop-off option in the airport’s mid-stay car park, with a quick and convenient shuttle bus transfer that drops you at the terminal doors.

East Midlands Airport also has a range of official parking options to suit all budgets, from long-stay car parks with connecting shuttle buses, to meet and greet valet parking – but in each case you’ll get the best deals by booking in advance, rather than just turning up.

Consider an airport lounge for a bit of extra comfort

Airport lounges are increasingly popular and can be booked out months in advance – so if you’d like to make use of one, consider booking it now. East Midlands Airport operates an Escape Lounge which offers the perfect environment to relax ahead of your flight with comfortable seating, charging points for electronic devices, complimentary WiFi and flight information screens.

Escape caters for travellers of all ages with a complimentary buffet, salad bar and unlimited hot and soft drinks. Escape starts from £35.99 per person.

Sort out your travel insurance

Every year, travellers end up thousands of pounds out of pocket because they have failed to arrange adequate travel insurance. Don’t leave it to chance – medical bills can be exorbitantly expensive overseas without cover, and if an unexpected illness, injury, a family bereavement, or other emergency interrupts your trip or prevents you from travelling, you won’t get any money back without an insurance policy that covers this.

Last-minute policies can be pricier or more restricted, and by taking out a policy earlier, you’ll give yourself one less thing to remember as your holiday gets closer.

Book popular tourist attractions in advance

If you want to tour the Colosseum or climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it’s no good just turning up without a ticket. For each of these world-famous attractions, and many more, booking weeks or even months in advance is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. You’ll find the same is true of the most popular restaurants – so if there’s a particular eatery you want to try out, do a bit of research before you travel and book ahead if needed.

Set a budget and start to put money aside now

Setting a realistic budget before you travel will help you to get the most out of your trip, reduce your stress levels by helping you stay in control of what you’re spending, and ensure you’re not left missing out on anything you wanted to do because of a lack of funds. Factor in your travel, accommodation, food and drink, and activities and entertainment when you pull together your budget and then, based on this, plan how much you want to save each month between now and when you travel, to avoid any nasty surprises.