Luton Airport Travel Guide — Transport, Parking, Shops & Transfers

London Luton Airport (IATA: LTN) is one of the UK's five major London airports, located approximately 35 miles north of central London in Bedfordshire. It handles around 15–17 million passengers annually, with easyJet as its dominant carrier — making it the busiest easyJet base in the UK. Wizz Air and Ryanair also operate extensively from Luton, giving it a strong low-cost carrier focus across European leisure and short-haul routes.This guide covers everything you need to know before travelling through Luton — from how to get there and parking options, to what's in the terminal and how to reach other London airports.

Need a transfer to or from Luton Airport? UK Airport Transfer Services provides fixed-price private hire from LTN to anywhere in the UK — meet-and-greet in arrivals, free flight monitoring, no hidden fees.

Get a quote →

How to get to Luton Airport

By train — Thameslink to Luton Airport Parkway

The train is the most popular way to reach Luton Airport from London. Thameslink services run from London St Pancras International (and also from Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, and London Bridge) to Luton Airport Parkway station.

• From St Pancras to Luton Airport Parkway: approximately 32–45 minutes (fast trains 32 mins, stopping services longer)

• Frequency: up to 4 trains per hour during peak times

• Cost: approximately £17–27 single depending on time of booking and train type

Important: Luton Airport Parkway is not at the terminal — it is connected by the Luton DART (see below). Allow at least 15 additional minutes for the DART journey and the walk between the station and boarding point. In total, budget approximately 50–60 minutes from St Pancras to the terminal.

The Luton DART — station to terminal

The Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) is a dedicated automated shuttle connecting Luton Airport Parkway station to the terminal in approximately 4 minutes. It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Single fare: £9.90 (must be pre-purchased — no cash on the DART)

• Return fare: £18.80

• Walk from Parkway station to DART boarding: approximately 5 minutes

• Operating hours: 24/7

The DART is often overlooked when passengers calculate journey times. Factor in the DART fare on top of your train ticket, and the walk at both ends — St Pancras to the Thameslink platform, then Luton Airport Parkway to the DART, then DART to the terminal.

By bus or coach

National Express operates direct coach services from London Victoria Coach Station to Luton Airport, with journey times of approximately 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.

Green Line route 757 is the most popular bus route, running from Baker Street and Victoria directly to Luton Airport. It stops at multiple central London points and is a good option for passengers who live or work near the route. Journey time from Victoria is typically 60–90 minutes.

Other National Express services connect Luton Airport from Birmingham, Oxford, Northampton, and other UK cities — useful for passengers travelling from outside London.

• National Express/Green Line from Victoria: approximately 60–90 minutes, from around £10–20 when booked in advance

By private transfer

A pre-booked private transfer is the most direct and reliable way to reach Luton Airport — particularly for passengers with luggage, travelling in a group, or on an early morning or late-night flight when public transport is limited or unavailable.

UK Airport Transfer Services provides fixed-price door-to-door transfers to and from Luton Airport from any UK address, with no hidden charges. All transfers include:

• Fixed price confirmed at booking — from £75 from central London

• Meet-and-greet in arrivals with a name board

• Free flight monitoring — your driver tracks your flight in real time

• 30 minutes' free waiting time from actual landing

• Available from 3am for early departures

• 8-seater MPVs for families and groups

Book your Luton Airport transfer →

By car

Luton Airport is accessible via the M1 (junction 10a) and the A1081. The road approach is straightforward from most directions, though the M1 can be congested during peak morning and evening periods.

A drop-off charge applies at the terminal forecourt — book parking in advance to manage costs, or use a private transfer service where airport access charges are included.

Parking at Luton Airport

Luton Airport offers several parking tiers, and the difference in cost between booking in advance and turning up on the day is significant. Always pre-book.

Short stay parking (Terminal Car Park 1)

The closest car park to the terminal — a short covered walk. Best for drop-offs and quick collections.

• Typical cost: from £5 per hour, rising steeply for longer stays

Mid stay parking

A more economical option approximately 10 minutes' walk from the terminal. Suitable for stays of a few days.

• Typical cost: from around £8–12 per day booked in advance

Long stay parking (Luton Airport Long Stay)

Best value for trips of 3 days or more. A free shuttle bus runs every 15–20 minutes between the long stay car parks and the terminal.

• Typical cost: from around £5–8 per day booked well in advance

• Shuttle frequency: every 15–20 minutes, 24 hours a day

• Important: Long stay is significantly cheaper than short stay for any trip longer than a day. Book as early as possible — prices rise as availability decreases.

Meet and greet parking

A driver meets you at the terminal drop-off, parks your car in a secure car park, and returns it to arrivals when you land. Convenient but more expensive than self-park options.

• Typical cost: from around £15–20 per day

Tip: Compare prices across the airport's official site and approved third-party operators like Purple Parking, APH, and BCP — prices for the same dates can vary considerably.

Shops and facilities at Luton Airport

Shops (airside — after security)

Most of Luton Airport's retail is airside, so plan to do your shopping after clearing security:

• World Duty Free — perfumes, spirits, tobacco, confectionery, and beauty

• Boots — travel essentials, medicines, cosmetics

• WH Smith — books, magazines, snacks, gifts

• Dixons — electronics and travel tech

• Various food and drink outlets including Wetherspoon (a popular pre-flight option with competitive prices)

Landside (before security) options are limited — mainly a small café and newsagent near check-in.

Eating and drinking

Airside options include Wetherspoon, Frankie & Benny's, Pret a Manger, Burger King, Costa Coffee, and various grab-and-go snack outlets. Quality and variety are adequate but more limited than at Heathrow or Gatwick.

Lounges

The No1 Lounge is the main independent lounge at Luton Airport, located airside. It offers complimentary food and drinks, barista coffee, free Wi-Fi, and a quieter environment than the main terminal.

• Accessible via Priority Pass, Lounge Key, and select credit cards

• Walk-up fee available — book in advance online for better rates

• Opens from approximately 4:30am on most days

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal. Connect to the network and follow the login instructions.

Accessibility

Luton Airport is step-free throughout the terminal. Assistance is available for passengers with reduced mobility — contact your airline at least 48 hours before travel to arrange support.

Luton DART accessibility

The DART is fully accessible for wheelchair users and passengers with reduced mobility, with level boarding and space for mobility aids.

How early should I arrive at Luton Airport?

• Short-haul / European flights: arrive at least 2 hours before departure

• Long-haul or international flights: arrive at least 3 hours before departure

• During peak summer season (June–August): add an extra 30–45 minutes — security queues at Luton can be longer than at other London airports during school holiday periods

Remember to add journey time from Luton Airport Parkway if travelling by train, including the DART connection.

Transfers from Luton Airport to other London airports

Luton's position north of London means transfers to other airports require crossing or skirting the city. Here are the most practical options:

Luton Airport to Heathrow (LTN → LHR)

There is no direct public transport. By train and Tube the journey takes 90 minutes or more. A private transfer by road takes approximately 60–75 minutes and is the most practical option for passengers with luggage or a connection to make.

• From Luton to Heathrow with UK Airport Transfer Services: from £80

Luton Airport to Stansted (LTN → STN)

National Express operates a direct coach service — approximately 75–90 minutes. A private transfer takes approximately 55–70 minutes by road.

• From Luton to Stansted with UK Airport Transfer Services: from £95

Luton Airport to Gatwick (LTN → LGW)

Train via St Pancras and London Bridge takes approximately 90 minutes or more. A private transfer takes approximately 80–100 minutes by road depending on traffic.

• From Luton to Gatwick with UK Airport Transfer Services: from £125

Luton Airport to central London

• By train: approximately 45–50 minutes total (train + DART) to St Pancras

• By bus: approximately 60–90 minutes from Victoria

• By private transfer: approximately 50–65 minutes from central London

Get a fixed-price quote for any Luton transfer →

Frequently asked questions

• How do I get from Luton Airport Parkway station to the terminal?

  Take the Luton DART — a dedicated automated shuttle that connects Luton Airport Parkway station to the terminal in approximately 4 minutes. It runs 24/7 and costs £9.90 single (pre-purchase required). The walk between the station platform and the DART boarding point takes approximately 5 minutes.

• How long is the train from London to Luton Airport?

  From London St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway takes approximately 32–45 minutes on Thameslink services. Add 15 minutes for the DART connection and station walk, making the full journey from St Pancras to the terminal approximately 50–60 minutes.

• What parking options does Luton Airport have?

  Short stay (closest, most expensive), mid stay (10-minute walk, mid-range cost), long stay (shuttle included, cheapest for longer trips from around £5–8/day booked in advance), and meet and greet. Always pre-book — prices rise significantly close to departure.

• Does Luton Airport have a lounge?

  Yes — the No1 Lounge is airside and accessible to all passengers via Priority Pass, Lounge Key, or a walk-up fee. It offers complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, and a quiet environment.

• What shops are at Luton Airport?

  The main airside shops are World Duty Free, Boots, WH Smith, and Dixons. Eating options include Wetherspoon, Pret, Costa, and Burger King. Most shopping is done after security — landside options before check-in are very limited.

• How do I get from Luton Airport to Heathrow?

  There is no direct public transport link. The most practical option for most passengers is a private transfer, which takes approximately 60–75 minutes by road with no changes. By public transport the journey involves the DART, a Thameslink train to London, and then the Tube or Elizabeth line to Heathrow — typically 90 minutes or more.

• Is there a bus from London to Luton Airport?

  Yes. Green Line route 757 runs from Victoria and Baker Street directly to Luton Airport. National Express also operates coaches from Victoria Coach Station. Journey times are approximately 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.

• How many terminals does Luton Airport have?

  Luton Airport has a single terminal. All check-in desks, security, arrivals, and departures are within one building, which makes navigation straightforward.