London Luton Airport
LTNA popular choice for budget travellers heading to Europe, with good rail and road connections to London and the Midlands.
London Luton Airport (LTN) is one of London's five main airports, handling around 16 million passengers a year. Located 30 miles north of central London in Bedfordshire, it operates a single terminal and is a major base for easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. Luton is particularly popular for budget travel to European sun destinations. The airport is connected to the national rail network via Luton Airport Parkway station, with a short shuttle bus transfer to the terminal.
The Terminal
Luton operates a single terminal that has been expanded in recent years. It is compact and straightforward to navigate. A major redevelopment project is ongoing, which may affect some areas of the terminal during your visit.
Departures
Check-in desks and bag-drop are on the ground floor. Online check-in is available with most carriers. Security and the airside departure lounge are on the upper level, with a range of shops and restaurants.
Arrivals
Arrivals are on the ground floor. Baggage reclaim is well signposted. The shuttle bus to Luton Airport Parkway station, taxi rank, and bus stops are all within a short walk of the arrivals exit.
Airlines serving this airport
Getting to Luton Airport
Luton Airport is connected to the national rail network via Luton Airport Parkway station, with a shuttle bus transfer to the terminal.
Train to Luton Airport Parkway
Thameslink operates frequent services from London St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway in around 22–45 minutes depending on the service. From the station, a shuttle bus runs to the terminal in around 10 minutes. Buy a combined rail and shuttle ticket for convenience. East Midlands Railway also serves Luton Airport Parkway from the Midlands.
22–45 min to Parkway + 10 min shuttle · Frequent · From ~£10 advance
National Express & easyBus Coach
National Express and easyBus operate coach services from Luton Airport to London Victoria and other destinations. Cheaper than the train but journey times are longer and subject to traffic. Good value for passengers heading to west London.
~60–90 min to Victoria (off-peak) · From ~£5 advance
Driving & Drop-off
Luton Airport is accessed via the M1 (Junction 10). Drop-off charges apply at the terminal. A free set-down area is available on the approach road. The airport is well signposted from the M1.
M1 J10 · Drop-off charges apply · Well signposted from M1
Parking at Luton Airport
Luton offers a range of parking options from terminal-adjacent short stay to budget long-stay parks. Pre-booking is essential.
Short Stay
Multi-storey car park directly connected to the terminal. Ideal for quick drop-offs and pick-ups. The most expensive option per day.
Long Stay
A short shuttle bus ride from the terminal. Significantly cheaper for trips of more than a day. Pre-book well in advance online.
Meet & Greet
Drive to the terminal, hand your keys to a valet, and collect your car on return. Convenient for families and those with heavy luggage.
Facilities & Lounges
Luton's terminal has a functional range of airside dining, retail, and lounge options.
Airport Lounges
The Aspire Lounge is available airside and accepts Priority Pass. Access can be purchased online in advance. The lounge offers complimentary food, drinks, and Wi-Fi.
Dining & Bars
Airside dining includes Wetherspoons, Pret a Manger, Costa, and a range of grab-and-go options. The selection is functional for a budget-focused airport.
Shopping
World Duty Free is the main retail anchor airside, alongside Boots and WHSmith. The retail offer is more limited than at larger airports but covers the essentials.
Families & Accessibility
Family security lanes are available. Baby changing facilities are located airside. Assisted travel services can be arranged in advance through the airport or your airline.
Tips for Travelling Through Luton
Do not forget the shuttle bus between Luton Airport Parkway station and the terminal — it takes around 10 minutes and runs frequently. Buy a combined rail and shuttle ticket to avoid paying separately at the station.
Thameslink services from St Pancras are the most convenient rail option from London. The fastest trains take just 22 minutes to Luton Airport Parkway. Book in advance online for the best fares.
Security queues at Luton can be long during peak summer departures. Allow at least two hours for short-haul flights. The airport publishes live security wait times on its website.
Pre-book parking as far in advance as possible. Luton's parking prices rise sharply close to travel dates. Book through the official London Luton Airport website for the best rates.
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