LUTON AIRPORT ULTIMATE GUIDE
It may not be as big as Heathrow or Stansted, but Luton Airport still has over 9.7 million passengers passing through its doors each year. It's a main gateway to London's attractions, free tours, museums and pubs!
Located 35 miles northwest of central London, Luton is a relatively small airport with only one small passenger terminal and one runway, which means that passengers normally don't have to wait for longer periods of time to collect their luggage. Luton Airport is also known for its low-cost and “no frills” air travel, and in recent years has grown at a much larger rate thanks to popular budget air travel companies like Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizzair. If you are looking to explore the continent from Luton Airport, search for your flight here.
Unfortunately, due to the fact that Luton is located quite a distance out of central London, there are no direct London Underground or public bus services to the airport. However, there are several different transportation options to choose from when it comes to travelling to and from Luton Airport, no matter where your home base in London is:
How to get to and from Luton Airport by train
How long does it take?
- Around 25 minutes (for St. Pancras) or 40 minutes (for Blackfriars)
How much does it cost?
- £12.50 to £15.50 (single) or £25 to £27 (return)
Where are the pick-up points?
- Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St. Pancras International (from London)
- Luton Airport's train station (from Luton)
The Pros:
- Convenient
- Reliable
- Fast
The Cons:
- More expensive than a coach
- Getting to and from the Luton Airport train station via a shuttle bus
With trains running every ten minutes during the day and every hour during the night, Luton Airport's train service is by far the most popular method of transportation between Luton and central London.
However, unlike other airports in London, all passengers will need to take a shuttle bus to get between the airport and Luton's train station, which takes around ten minutes and costs an extra £2.
There are shuttle buses running every ten minutes between 5 a.m. and midnight, as well as services throughout the night, and all passengers will be dropped off outside Luton's airport terminal at Bay T. To get on the shuttle bus after arriving at Luton Airport, all you have to do is walk outside the main entrance of the passenger terminal, and you will see the shuttle bus stop right in front of you (normally, from the first stop on the left hand side).
If you're purchasing your train ticket online beforehand remember to select “Luton Airport (LUA)” rather than Luton's railway station (Luton Airport Parkway) and your shuttle bus transfer fare will be included in the final price. You could also pay for the shuttle bus separately (which costs £2 single or £3 for an open return) if you're arriving to or departing from Luton Airport Parkway (LTN).
Please note that there may be less train services on weekends and public holidays, so you may want to check the train company's official website before your journey. There are also services provided by East Midlands Trains and Thameslink, which offer connections to Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St. Pancras with six trains departing each hour.
And remember, if you're on a strict budget or even if you want to save a few pounds on transportation costs, make sure you buy your ticket online beforehand, and try to book a train outside of peak hours as well.
How to get to and from Luton Airport by coach
How long does it take?
- Around one hour and 15 minutes
How much does it cost?
£10 to £15 (single) for Terravision
£5 to £9 (single) or £10 to £17 (return) for National Express
Where are the pick-up points?
- Bays 4, 5, 6 and 10 outside the airport terminal for National Express (from Luton)
- Finchley Road, St John's Wood, Marylebone, Portman Square, Golders Green, Victoria Rail Station and Victoria Coach Station foli National Express (from London)
- Victoria Coach Station, Coach Stop A at 214 Baker Street, Bus stop B Golders Green for easyBus (from London)
- Stop 10 in front of the terminal for easyBus (from Luton)
- Brent Cross, Baker Street, Marble Arch and Victoria Coach Station for Terravision (from London)
The Pros:
- Cheap (especially when booked online beforehand)
- Get dropped-off right outside the airport terminal
- Tons of pick-up, drop-off location options in central London
- Straight-forward
- Discounts for children and/or group bookings
The Cons:
- Takes longer than a train, taxi
- May experience delays due to heavy traffic
- Luggage restrictions
National Express, easyBus and Terravision all have services running between Luton Airport and central London, and all passengers will be dropped off just outside the terminal building near the Departures entrance (so there's no need to pay for the shuttle bus).
There are 47 National Express services running between London Victoria and Luton Airport every day, with several stops in between. Normally services operate every 15 minutes during peak hours, or up to every 30 minutes outside of peak hours. Each passenger is allowed two 20kg suitcases as well as one item of hand luggage, and every coach has free wifi, air conditioning and a toilet for passenger use.
It is highly recommended that you book your ticket online beforehand, and try to reserve a seat at least 90 minutes after your flight's scheduled arrival time in case of a delay. It may also be a good idea to purchase the "Flexible Add-On" option to your ticket (£5 each way), which allows you to board any available coach either 12 hours before or 12 hours after your expected arrival time.
EasyBus is another cheap option in getting to and from Luton Airport by coach, with services running every 15 to 30 minutes, 24 hours a day. You can save a ton of money on ticket costs by purchasing your ticket online in advance, but there is also an easyBus counter in the Arrival Hall of the airport where you can purchase your ticket as well.
Terravision also offers great deals on coach services between central London and Luton Airport, with buses departing every 20 minutes (during peak hours). Each bus makes stops at Brent Cross, Baker Street and Marble Arch before terminating at the Victoria coach station, and each ticket is valid for the following bus (which is ideal in case your flight is delayed).
How to get to and from Luton Airport by taxi
How long does it take?
- Between one to two hours (to Victoria Station)
How much does it cost?
- Around £74
Where are the pick-up points?
- Wherever you want!
The Pros:
- Reliable
- Leave when you want, where you want
- Convenient for groups, families, small children, etc.
- Stress-free
- Lots of companies to choose from
- No extra charge for luggage
- Ideal for late night/early morning departures or arrivals
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Delays due to traffic
With over 500 taxi companies serving Luton Airport, getting a taxi between Luton Airport and central London is by far the most convenient method of transportation...but it come at a high cost. However, travelling by taxi to Luton Airport is actually cheaper when compared to travelling to and from the other airports in London, so if you're going to spoil yourself with a taxi ride to at least one airport in London, make it Luton.
You can call and book your taxi beforehand (and save a ton of money by doing so), and provide your flight details so the driver can come meet you at the airport once you pass through customs and collect your luggage. If you're worried about plane delays, there are always taxi ranks located outside the airport which run on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that if you are taking a taxi any time between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., or between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, your journey time may take quite a bit longer during rush hour.
If you are coming to Luton Airport, you might also want to join any of the free tours in London that are available on offer.
