Leicester to Marmaris Complete Guide 2026
Everything Leicester travellers need to know about flying from East Midlands Airport to Marmaris, Turkey
For holidaymakers across Leicester and surrounding towns — Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Birstall Loughborough — East Midlands Airport (EMA) is your closest and most convenient departure point for a Turkish Riviera escape. Located just off the M1, EMA is only 25 minutes from Leicester city centre, making it far more practical than trekking to Birmingham or Manchester. With direct flights to Dalaman operating from April through October, you can reach Marmaris in just 4 hours. In this complete 2026 guide, we cover every airline, the smartest booking strategies, and insider tips specifically for Leicester-based travellers heading to Turkey.
Flight Time
~4h 00m
Distance
2,880 km
From
£79 return
Season
Apr – Oct
Airlines from East Midlands to Dalaman
Jet2
Best value from East Midlands — 3x weekly direct flights (Tue, Thu, Sat) with 22kg baggage included
From £89
TUI Airways
ATOL-protected package deals with hotel and transfer bundles. Mon, Wed, Fri departures
From £99
easyJet
Cheapest flexible fares from £79. Seasonal direct flights on Fridays and Sundays (Jun–Sep)
From £79
Pegasus Airlines
Ultra-budget year-round option via Istanbul SAW. Good for winter travel and flexible dates
From £69
Getting to East Midlands Airport from Leicester
Skylink Bus
Direct from St Margaret's Bus Station, Leicester to EMA. Every 20–30 min, 24 hours. Single fare £5–6, journey ~45 min. Best for city centre residents
Drive & Park
Via M1 J21 or J22 — just 25 minutes from Leicester centre. Long-stay parking from £45/week. Ideal for families with luggage or early morning flights
Taxi / Uber
Approximately £30–40 from Leicester city centre. £25–30 from Oadby or Wigston. Pre-book for best rates, especially for 5am departures
Leicester Traveller Tips
Jet2's Tuesday and Thursday departures from EMA are often £10–20 cheaper than Saturday flights — worth the day off work
The Skylink bus from St Margaret's Bus Station is the cheapest way to reach EMA from Leicester — no parking stress, no M1 traffic
Leicester is EMA's largest catchment city — demand is high, so book Jet2 and TUI packages 8–12 weeks ahead for best prices
TUI package holidays from East Midlands frequently include 15kg hold luggage and resort transfers as standard
If you live in Oadby, Wigston, or Blaby, a taxi split between 3–4 people can work out cheaper than Skylink + parking
Pegasus via Istanbul starts from just £69 one way — ideal for Leicester students or flexible travellers wanting to explore Istanbul
Why Fly to Marmaris from Leicester via East Midlands?
With a population of over 360,000, Leicester is the largest city in the East Midlands — yet many residents still default to Birmingham or London airports out of habit. In reality, East Midlands Airport is just 25 minutes from Leicester city centre via the M1, making it closer than Birmingham (55+ minutes) and dramatically closer than Gatwick or Stansted.
For residents of Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Birstall, and Loughborough, EMA is the obvious choice. The Skylink bus from St Margaret\'s Bus Station runs every 20–30 minutes, meaning even non-drivers have a reliable, affordable route to the terminal. Parking at EMA starts from just £45 per week — significantly cheaper than Birmingham or Manchester equivalents.
Jet2\'s strong presence at EMA means competitive pricing for Leicester travellers, and the airport\'s smaller size translates to shorter queues and faster security — a genuine advantage when travelling with children. The 4-hour flight time is among the shortest UK-to-Turkey routes, and with multiple weekly departures across Jet2, TUI, and easyJet, you are not tied to inconvenient slots. Whether you are a family from Clarendon Park, a couple from Aylestone, or a group from Loughborough University, East Midlands is your best gateway to the turquoise waters of Marmaris.
Average Return Flight Prices from Leicester Area 2026
*Average prices for direct return flights per person from East Midlands Airport. Prices vary by airline and booking date.
Dalaman Airport to Marmaris Transfer
Dalaman Airport (DLM) is 95 km from Marmaris town centre — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by road. The transfer follows the scenic D400 coastal highway, offering your first glimpse of Turkey\'s turquoise coastline.
Private Transfer
£45 return. Door-to-door service in 1h 20m. Best for families and groups. Pre-book before departure
Shared Shuttle
£18 return. Drops at major hotels. Journey time 1h 45m–2h 15m depending on stops
Taxi
£70 one way. Not recommended unless pre-booked via hotel. Risk of overcharging at airport rank
Flying from a Different UK City?
Leicester travellers have EMA on their doorstep, but nearby cities may offer deals on specific dates. If you are comparing prices from nearby cities, check our dedicated guides for Nottingham to Marmaris, Derby to Marmaris, and the full East Midlands overview. West Midlands travellers should compare Birmingham\'s direct Dalaman flights — larger choice of airlines but further to drive. North West holidaymakers will find Manchester\'s 50+ weekly Turkey flights hard to beat on price and schedule. We also have complete guides for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool, Bristol, Belfast, and Cardiff.
Book Your Leicester to Marmaris Holiday
Compare the best deals for Leicester, Oadby, Wigston & Loughborough travellers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fly direct from Leicester to Marmaris?
Leicester does not have its own international airport, but East Midlands Airport (EMA) — just 25 minutes by car from Leicester city centre — offers direct flights to Dalaman (DLM), the gateway to Marmaris. Jet2 operates direct flights three times weekly (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) from May to October. TUI Airways flies direct on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from April to October. easyJet offers seasonal direct flights on Fridays and Sundays. Flight time is approximately 4 hours.
Which airlines fly from Leicester area to Dalaman?
From East Midlands Airport (EMA), which serves Leicester, Jet2, TUI Airways, easyJet, and Pegasus Airlines all fly to Dalaman (Marmaris). Jet2 offers the best value direct flights with 22kg baggage included. TUI provides ATOL-protected package deals. easyJet offers the cheapest flexible fares from £79. Pegasus Airlines connects via Istanbul for ultra-budget year-round travel from £69.
How much is a holiday to Marmaris from Leicester?
A 7-night all-inclusive package holiday to Marmaris from the Leicester area starts from approximately £439 per person in May, rising to £679+ in peak August. This includes direct flights from East Midlands Airport, airport transfers, and 4-star all-inclusive hotel. Jet2holidays and TUI both offer EMA departures with ATOL protection. DIY bookings can start from £370pp in low season.
How do I get from Leicester to East Midlands Airport?
East Midlands Airport is approximately 25 minutes by car from Leicester city centre via the M1 (Junctions 21 or 22). The Skylink bus connects St Margaret's Bus Station in Leicester to EMA every 20–30 minutes with a single fare around £5–6 and journey time of approximately 45 minutes. Long-stay parking at EMA starts from £45 per week. A taxi or Uber from Leicester city centre costs approximately £30–40.
Is it cheaper to fly from Leicester or Birmingham to Marmaris?
For Leicester residents, East Midlands Airport is usually cheaper overall once you factor in travel costs and time. Birmingham may offer slightly more airline choice, but the M1/M6 drive and higher parking costs often erase the difference. EMA's smaller terminal means faster check-in and security — a genuine advantage for families. Our advice: check both, but EMA is almost always the better option for Leicester-based travellers.
Is East Midlands Airport better than Birmingham for Leicester residents?
For Leicester residents, East Midlands Airport is significantly more convenient than Birmingham Airport. EMA is just 25 minutes via the M1, versus 55–70 minutes to Birmingham. Parking at EMA is cheaper, the terminal is smaller and less stressful, and the Skylink bus offers a direct public transport option that Birmingham cannot match for Leicester. Unless Birmingham has a significantly cheaper flight on your specific dates, EMA wins on convenience every time.
Related City Guides
Flying from another UK city? Explore our complete Marmaris holiday guides for every major departure point.
Manchester to Marmaris
~3h 55m • From £85
Birmingham to Marmaris
~4h 05m • From £89
Glasgow to Marmaris
~4h 15m • From £94
Edinburgh to Marmaris
~4h 20m • From £98
Bristol to Marmaris
~3h 55m • From £88
Newcastle to Marmaris
~4h 10m • From £92
Leeds to Marmaris
~4h 05m • From £91
Liverpool to Marmaris
~4h 00m • From £88
Belfast to Marmaris
~4h 25m • From £109
Cardiff to Marmaris
~4h 10m • From £99
East Midlands to Marmaris
~4h 00m • From £79