Welcome to our travel guide to London Luton Airport! As one of the primary gateways to the bustling city of London and its surrounding areas, Luton Airport is an essential hub for travellers worldwide.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to navigate this bustling airport easily. We’ve got you covered, from transportation options and terminal facilities to nearby accommodations and essential tips. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, our travel guide to London Luton Airport will ensure your journey through this popular airport is smooth and hassle-free.
So, let’s dive in and discover all London Luton Airport offers!
What is London Luton Airport?
London Luton Airport (IATA: LTN, ICAO: EGGW) is an international airport located about 29 miles (47 kilometres) north of Central London, in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire, England. It is the fifth-largest airport serving the London area and is a major hub for low-cost carriers. The airport serves millions of passengers annually, offering flights to numerous destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. Due to its convenient location and accessibility via various transport options, Luton Airport is a popular choice for both leisure and business travellers.
How Big Is London Luton Airport?
London Luton Airport is the fifth-largest airport serving the London area, and it’s an important hub for low-cost carriers. However, the specific size of the airport in terms of acreage or square kilometres is not available in the provided sources. Nevertheless, Luton Airport serves millions of passengers annually and offers flights to numerous destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. With Luton’s one terminal, there is no confusion between domestic/international flights.
Three of London’s largest airports are all in close proximity to Luton;
- Stansted Airport – 56 miles
- Heathrow Aiport – 35 miles
- Gatwick Airport – 71 miles
Getting to & from London Luton Airport
Luton is conveniently situated just north of London and has fantastic travel connections with fast train links into central London within 22 minutes and only 3 miles from the M1 (junction 10) motorway.
Luton Airport By Trains
Luton has the benefit of two mainline train stations, Luton Station (ideal for Luton Town Centre) and Luton Parkway Station (ideal for London Luton Airport). Both train stations provide fast service to and from central London.
The average train journey time between Luton and London St Pancras International is 35 minutes. However, faster trains are available, with the fastest journey time being only 22 minutes.
Luton Airport Parkway Station
Luton Airport Parkway Station is the newest of Luton’s two train stations, opening in 1999. The station is served by Thameslink-operated trains on the Thameslink route and by East Midlands Trains. Parkway Station is situated approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) west of London Luton Airport, to which an airport shuttle bus service links it.
Luton Airport Shuttle Bus
A shuttle bus service is available between Luton Airport Parkway train station and London Luton Airport. This service runs roughly every 10 minutes, between 5 a.m. and midnight, and the journey takes approximately 10 minutes.
Shuttle Bus Collection Points
London Luton Airport: Bay T – Directly outside the terminal
Luton Parkway Station: Directly outside the train station, before the black cab collection point.
Shuttle Bus Cost
Adult Single: £2.40
Adult Return: £3.80
Children (5 – 15 years): Half Price
Children (0 -4 years): Free
Getting to & from Luton Airport By Coach
There are several options available to travellers for getting to and from London Luton Airport by coach. National Express buses offer convenient transfers from multiple locations across London to Luton Airport. The buses depart at a time that fits your schedule. Additionally, there is a range of coach and bus options between Luton Airport and the heart of London. Depending on the time of day and the service on offer, it is possible to travel between London and Luton Airport in just 50 minutes.
Bus travel is a low-emission mode of transportation, making it a more environmentally friendly option. All the bus operators on this route, including EasyBus, maintain modern, well-equipped fleets that offer amenities like free Wi-Fi, electric outlets, WCs, and comfortable reclining seats.
National Express
The National Express offers coach services for getting to and from London Luton Airport. Coaches are departing from multiple locations across London to Luton Airport. National Express provides up to 58 daily coach services from Luton Airport to London (Victoria Coach Station), with fares starting from £6 one-way. The fastest journey from Luton Airport to London Golders Green is 50 minutes.
The National Express coach station at Luton Airport is at the Onward Travel Centre, Terminal Building, Airport Way, Luton Airport LU2 9LU. The station is open Monday to Sunday from 07:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Greenline
Greenline provides coach services for travel to and from London Luton Airport. Greenline Route 757 runs hourly from Central London to London Luton Airport from 4 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Sunday. The Greenline Route 755 runs between Luton town centre and Central London day and night, with three morning and two evening commutes from Monday to Friday, making it ideal for commuters, shoppers, and airport transfers.
EasyBus
EasyBus also provides a service from London Luton Airport with routes starting at just £11.50. To ensure that you get your desired seat, booking as far in advance as possible is recommended. The seats on the London to London Luton Airport bus route tend to sell quickly, so booking in advance is the best way to secure a fare as low as £11.50.
Luton Airport By Taxi
Taxis are a convenient, hassle-free option when travelling to and from London Luton Airport. Therefore, it is the most popular method of transportation. If you’re being collected from the drop-off zone, be prepared to pay an extra £5.00 and ensure you’re there ready and waiting, as vehicles cannot be in this area longer than 10 mins.
Uber
Uber is probably the most popular ridesharing service in the world. To get access to Uber, you must first download the App to either your Apple or Android device and sign up. Once you have registered for Uber, you can request a car by selecting your destination. Before you confirm your ride, you will be given a price estimate.
The airport has a designated Priority Pick-up Zone for Uber users, which is located next to the taxi area. To access this area, passengers must stay to the left and follow signs for the Priority Pick-up Zone.
When a passenger requests a ride from Uber at Luton Airport, they will be instructed to meet the driver at this designated pick-up zone. It is worth noting that an airport fee of £5.00 will be charged for pickup at Luton Airport.
Private Local Taxis for Luton Airport
Local Taxis are one of the cheapest options when getting a taxi from London Luton Airport. But possibly the least convenient. You must call a local taxi company and arrange to meet at the drop-off zone. I would highly recommend asking for a price when you call the taxi company, this way avoids awkward discussions when you arrive at your destination.
Recommended Local Taxi Companies:
Five Two’s – +44 1582 722222
Silverline – +44 1582 456456
Circle Cars – +44 1582 400400
Pick-up & Drop-off at London Luton Airport
The closest option for pick-up and drop-off at London Luton Airport is the Drop-Off Zone, which is just 350m from the airport terminal building. It costs £5.00 for up to 10 minutes and £1 per minute thereafter. Payment is by card only, as the machines do not accept cash, and vehicles must not be left unattended.
Alternatively, you can use the Mid Stay Car Park for free pick-ups and drop-offs, but it is a 10-minute walk to the terminal building and offers 15 minutes of free parking.
How to Pick-up & Drop Off for Free at London Luton Airport?
Okay, so you don’t want to pay the £3.00, or you need longer than 10 mins to say your goodbyes or hellos; well, I have a FREE option for you. At London Luton Airport’s mid-term car park, you can park for free for up to 1 hour. Unfortunately, it’s a 10-15 mins walk to/from the terminal, but they provide a shuttle bus that runs every 12 mins, which will take approximately 5 mins.
To pick up and drop off for free at London Luton Airport, you can use the Mid Stay Car Park, which is the closest option for both. It is about a 10-minute walk to the terminal building, and you get 15 minutes of free parking for pick-ups and drop-offs. However, charges apply for stays longer than 15 minutes, and there’s no return within 4 hours.
Alternatively, you can use the Long Stay Car Park, which offers up to one hour of free parking, but it requires a 10-minute shuttle bus ride to reach the terminal.
FAQs
How much does it cost to drop someone off at Luton Airport?
At Luton Airport, the drop-off zone is the closest place to drop off, which is just 350m from the airport. The charges for using the drop-off zone are as follows: up to 10 minutes costs £5.00, and after that, it costs £1.00 per minute. Payment must be made by card, as cash is not accepted, and vehicles must not be left unattended at any time.
