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London Luton Airport

Explore how to travel between London Luton Airport and central London easily by public transport.
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Entrance to London Luton Airport with passengers walking their suitcases up stairs
Fly into London Luton Airport for easy reach of the city by public transport. Credit: London Luton Airport. Image courtesy of London Luton Airport.

Key Luton Airport information

  • London Luton Airport (LTN) is located north-west of central London. 

  • Many low-cost airlines offering cheap flights are based at Luton Airport. 

  • Luton Airport Parkway train station is four minutes from the airport via a dedicated rail link known as the Luton DART.

  • Trains from London Luton Airport to central London take as little as 32 minutes.

  • Luton Airport has a range of car hire options and short-term, mid-term and long-term car parks.

London Luton Airport (LTN) is the UK's fifth busiest airport. It's a major base for low-cost airlines and is located 56km (35 miles) north-west of central London.

Arriving and departing from London Luton Airport

London Luton Airport has one terminal building. The Luton Airport arrivals hall has shops, restaurants, a currency exchange and an onward travel centre where you can book train and coach tickets to London.

The Luton Airport departures lounge has shops, restaurants, bars, a kids play area and two lounges.

How to travel by train from London Luton Airport to central London

Sun shining down onto a modern looking train with large windows

London Luton Airport terminal is connected to central London via fast rail services with journey times from 32 minutes.

You can travel between the airport and Luton Airport Parkway station on the Luton DART in just four minutes. Tickets cost £4.90 and can be purchased at the airport, or paid for using a contactless payment card.

Luton Airport Parkway station has frequent trains to central London. The Luton Airport Express runs every 30 minutes with a journey time of 23 minutes to St Pancras International. Tickets can be purchased in advance from as little as £10 including the DART transfer from the terminal. 

Thameslink also operates 24-hour services to London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St Pancras International. Many local London stations are also served by Thameslink, including Brent Cross West, West Hampstead and Greenwich. Tickets can be purchased in the airport terminal, or paid for using a contactless payment card. 

How to travel by coach from Luton Airport to central London

National Express has 24-hour services to destinations across London. The journey time is approximately one-hour-long.

The A1 National Express route runs to Victoria Coach Station, stopping at Golders Green, Finchley Road & Frognal Overground station, Finchley Road London Underground station, St John's Wood, Baker Street, Paddington train station, Marble Arch and Victoria Coach Station. The A2 National Express line travels the same route but ends at Paddington.

You can also travel between London Luton Airport and Victoria Coach Station on Green Line 757, with stops at Finchley Road, Baker Street, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and Oxford Street. Green Line services also operate 24 hours a day.

Taking a taxi from London Luton Airport

Licensed taxis are also available at London Luton Airport. Fares vary based upon destination and times of day. Enquire with the driver or minicab company beforehand to find out how much your journey will cost. Only use licensed taxis or a reputable minicab company and never use unauthorised drivers.

For a more luxurious experience, you can book a private transfer to or from Luton Airport*. 

Car hire options at London Luton Airport

The airport's Car Hire Centre is a short ride from the terminal via the airport's free shuttle bus which departs from Bay C directly outside the terminal building. Avis, Enterprise and Europcar offer a range of rental options from London Luton Airport. 

Accessible transport from London Luton Airport

National Express and Green Line coaches are fully accessible to wheelchair users. To ensure that an accessible coach is available for your journey, you should call at least 24 hours in advance. Luton Airport Parkway and DART stations are fully step-free. Thameslink and East Midlands Railway also provide support for passengers with disabilities, from booking your journey to help getting off and on trains.

Luton Airport hotels

Luton Airport has a number of hotels a short walk away including Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Courtyard and Ibis. Many more accommodation options can be found a few kilometres from the terminal.

Luton Airport parking

If you drive and want to leave your car at London Luton, the airport has short-term, mid-term and long-term car parks.

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