London Luton Airport (LTN) is an international airport located in Luton, Bedfordshire, approximately 28 miles northwest of Central London.
It is one of the six airports serving Greater London, including the even busier Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), and Stansted (STN). Luton is the fifth busiest airport in the UK after these four and Manchester Airport (MAN).
London Luton serves as a hub for low-cost carriers and charter airlines and is one of the leading holiday airports on the Albion. In 2024, LTN served over 16 million passengers ranking in the top 40 busiest European airports.
Major Airlines - easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Jet2.com
Luton Airport primarily caters to low-cost carriers and charter airlines. The flights offered are concentrated into a handful of airlines which nonetheless create an extensive network of many destinations in Europe and North Africa.
Notable airlines operating from Luton include:
easyJet: The airport's largest operator. With a fleet of short and medium-range aircraft, it connects Luton to over 50 destinations across the Old Continent.
Ryanair: The Irish low-cost giant provides numerous flights to destinations like Spain, Poland, and Italy.
Wizz Air: A low-cost airline that focuses on Central and Eastern European destinations like Budapest, Warsaw, and Bucharest.
Jet2.com: One of the UK’s largest airlines is set to start using Luton as an operating base in 2025 offering direct flights to many holiday destinations.
Other notable airlines with scheduled flights at Luton Airport are the holiday carriers TUI Airways and Sun Express.
To see a list of all airlines serving London Luton Airport, click here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Luton Airport operates a single terminal spread over two floors.
Ground Floor: Houses the check-in desks, security screening, and arrivals area.
First Floor: Contains the departure lounges, retail outlets, and restaurants.
In total, there are 30 departure gates split into 3 piers. The gates don’t have jetbridges and to board, you have to take a bus or walk to the aircraft.
Recently, a new project to expand Luton Airport was proposed. It will increase passenger capacity from 18 million to 32 million annually. The project includes constructing a new terminal and expanding existing facilities. There is no definitive decision taken yet and considerations are taking place.
Connecting Flights and Transit
London Luton is not a transit airport and has only point-to-point flights. No airlines at LTN offer connecting flights and there are no transit facilities at the airport.
If you are doing a “self-transfer” with two flights meeting at Luton Airport, you will have to fulfill all Immigration and Customs requirements and have all necessary documentation to enter the UK, including ETA and visa (if necessary).
After leaving the airport, simply reenter, check-in for your next flight, and cross Security one more time on your way in.
Wi-Fi at Luton Airport
There is complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the terminal. Connect by selecting “Luton Airport WIFI” from the list of available networks, then launch your web browser and follow the instructions on the welcome page that loads automatically.
Dining Options at LTN
With over 20 different places to eat and drink, Luton will not disappoint even the most avid foodies or coffee connoisseurs. From bars and restaurants, to fast food kiosks and bakeries, the airport offers something for everyone.
Here are a few of the popular places to eat at London Luton Airport:
Pret A Manger: Located after security, this sandwich shop also offers salads and organic coffee.
Burger King: Get a flame-grilled burger and fries at one of this famous chain’s outlets both before and after Security.
Breakfast Box: For healthy and hearty breakfast options after Security.
Nolito: An authentic Italian restaurant with a bright and contemporary setting. Find after Security.
Sanfords: Luton’s newest diner and loft bar with a deep menu for breakfast, brunch, or throughout the day. Located after Security.
YO! Sushi: A conveyor belt sushi plus other Japanese delicious meals. Find after Security.
It would be amiss not to list some of the coffee shops at Luton Airport. You can grab your caffeine fix at Avalon and Black Sheep Coffee after Security or Caffè Nero before Security. Starbucks has outlets in both the airside and landside areas.
Lounges at London Luton
London Luton Airport has 3 lounges, all publicly accessible for a fee. They offer similar amenities but also have notable differences.
My Lounge: Available to anyone for a fee of 38 GBP as well as card holders and frequent fliers. It offers a self-service menu and all drinks, except champagne and sparkling wine are included. The games room is a lovely perk. It’s open from 4 AM until 9 PM daily.
No1 Lounge: A premium stylish lounge at a fee of 38 GBP. It offers a buffet of hot food dishes and snacks plus a fully tended bar (champagne at an extra cost). The strong Wi-Fi and quiet work areas make it a top choice for business travelers. It’s open from 4 AM (6 AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays) until 2 PM daily.
Aspire Lounge: Another paid public or priority pass lounge in the airside zone. There are complimentary drinks (including alcohol), hot meals, and prepacked snacks. The three snooze pods set it apart from other lounges. It’s open from 4 AM until 8:30 PM.
Transport to and from London Luton Airport
Luton Airport is accessible through various public and mass transportation options. Getting to London is easy and you can easily get to other destinations in South and Central England directly from LTN airport.
Rail: The Luton Airport Parkway station is connected to the terminal by the Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit), a light rail system that commenced operations in March 2023. It takes 4 minutes between the airport and the Railway station. Trains from this station connect to London St Pancras in about 32 minutes. The same line continues to Gatwick Airport (LGW) and onwards to Brighton. Fares start at 10 GBP.
Buses and Coaches: Multiple services connect the airport to London (Victoria Station and others) and other regional destinations. Operators include National Express and Green Line, among others.
For those driving to the airport, take the M1 motorway and follow the dedicated spur road (A1081) leading directly to the terminal.
Private transport is also easy to organize. There are always taxis waiting in the designated pick-up area, located just beyond Bus Bay A. Just take the taxi in front of the queue. A trip to downtown London will cost approximately 65-80 GBP.
If you’re looking for a private transfer, check out your options here.
Parking at Luton Airport
Luton Airport offers 3 different options for parking depending on your intended length of stay.
The Terminal Car Park 1 is the closest park to the terminal, just 4 minutes away on foot via a direct link footbridge. A height restriction of 2.10 m applies. The gate price for the first 30 minutes is 11 GBP, for the first hour - 17.50 GBP, and for each day - 67.50 GBP.
The Mid Stay Car Park is about a 10-minute walk away from the terminal building. There are no height restrictions as it’s not a covered area. Parking is free for the first 15 minutes. Up to 30 minutes it costs 6 GBP, the first hour costs 15 GBP, and the daily rate is capped at 35 GBP. Motorcycles can park for free for up to 14 days.
The Long Stay Car Park is your budget-friendly option for longer stays. It’s a bit further from the terminal but a complimentary shuttle frequently makes the 10-minute journey to and from this car park every 20 minutes, 24/7. No height restrictions here either. Stays of up to an hour are free of charge and the daily rate is 30 GBP.
You can save up to 60% by pre-booking any of the car parks above online.
For really quick stays, such as drop-offs or pick-ups, you can use the zone directly in front of the terminal. The first five minutes there would cost you 5 GBP and every minute thereafter an additional 1 GBP. If you want free pick-up options, check the mid and long stay car parks above.
Hotels near London Luton
You won’t be staying inside the terminal building as there aren’t any hotels there but if you have a really early flight or a late arrival and you need a room quickly thereafter, you have a couple of hotels to choose from close by.
The closest hotel to Luton Airport is Holiday Inn Express London Luton Airport, located just 400 meters from the terminal. It offers park, stay, and fly packages.
Another option, a bit higher class, is the Courtyard Luton Airport which is about a 10-minute walk from the terminal. It offers a shuttle bus too. The onsite restaurant is a highlight for most guests.
Click here, if you’d like to see more hotels near London Luton Airport.
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