Introduction:
- Location & Transportation
London Luton Airport (LLA) is NOT technically in London, but it’s so well connected that you can forgive the misnomer. An established commuter town, Luton town itself lies 29 miles (47 kms) north of the capital in the county of Bedfordshire.
Once considered a sort of lesser Stansted, Luton is shaping up to be a worthy rival in its own right having gone through several facelifts over recent years and installing the much needed shuttle train connecting the train station to the airport.
Serving European City Break favourites, plus Morocco and the Middle East to boot; big hitters Easyjet, Ryanair and Wizz Air all fly out of Luton with Amsterdam, Palma, Malaga and Budapest topping the list.
Getting there
(i) By train:
The Luton Airport Express runs out of St Pancras International. The platform is located upstairs just behind the Eurostar. It’s a beautiful train station, and there’s something quite glamorous about knowing that people are leaving for Paris and Brussels mere metres away.
When you arrive at St Pancras International (Underground station: King’s Cross St Pancras), follow the signs for Platforms 1-4. You’ll need to go up the escalator.
The Luton Airport Express is operated by East Midlands Railway (EMR), and Luton Airport Parkway is the first stop. The train’s final destination is actually Corby.
Luton Express is a slightly misleading name since the train won’t take you to the airport itself. You’ll need to change at Luton Airport Parkway to board the shuttle train (known as the DART).
The journey time is a speedy 27 minutes. Get off at Luton Airport Parkway and follow signs up the escalator to the DART.
You’ll need to go through another set of ticket barriers to board the DART train, so have your tickets to hand.
IMPORTANT
When purchasing your ticket online, make sure you buy a ticket to LUTON AIRPORT and not just LUTON AIRPORT PARKWAY.
The DART (which was only opened in December 2023), while wonderfully efficient, managed to cost unspeakable amounts of money, and therefore (unlike many airport shuttle services) you need a ticket to use it. It will be included in the price if your ticket is for LUTON AIRPORT and not just Luton Airport Parkway.
Should you need to purchase a DART ticket separately, you can do so online via their website. Alternatively, you can also use contactless payment by tapping your card at the ticket barrier on the way in and out.
Your e-ticket should look something like this.
Ads on board the DART reminding you what kind of ticket you need.
The futuristic DART will get you to the airport (but not directly inside the terminal) in just over 5 minutes.
Alternatively, regular Thameslink services running from Brighton to Bedford will take you to Luton Airport Parkway, with central London stops including St Pancras International, London Bridge and London Blackfriars. This line will also connect you to Gatwick Airport for onward travel.
(Above: Airport Bus Terminal)
(ii) By Coach (bus)
Green Line or National Express
Green Line Coach (bus) services has a well-established route leaving from various spots in central London and arriving at LLA bus terminal (pictured above). Run by bus company Arriva, Greenline 757 Coach services run 7 days a week, including during public holidays, and every 30 minutes for most of the day.
You can view the 757 timetable here. The bus leaves you at the main entrance of the airport..
IMPORTANT
Victoria Green Line Coach Station is located in a separate building from Victoria Coach Station. It’s about half way up Buckingham Palace Road between the Train Station and the Coach Station. It’s tucked away on Bulleid Way, just off Buckingham Palace Road and it will be clearly signposted.
National Express coaches leave from Victoria Coach station, about a five to ten minute walk up a gently sloping street from Victoria Underground / Train Station. Perhaps not the most convenient option if carrying lots of luggage, but a manageable walk if you’re travelling light.
Journey times on the coach range from 60-90 minutes depending on time of day.
(iii) Taxi
Taxis to central London operate from the taxi pick up area, located just after Bus Bay A as you exit the airport. No need to pre-order, just join the queue.
(iv) Car Hire
If you have chosen to hire a car during your stay in the UK, LLA provides a transfer service to their Car Hire Centre via a free Shuttle Bus.
Board from Bay C in the Terminal bus station.
- Terminals
LLA has just one terminal. Departures, which are on the right as you enter the airport’s main entrance (just after Pret a Manger) will take you through to the duty free shopping area and then onto the main lounge replete with bars and restaurants and more shopping.
There are only 30 departure gates in total; all within an easy peasy 5-10 minute walk (or less) from the main lounge area.
Arrivals are on the left, just after Burger King and Marks and Spencer’s.
- Arrival and Departures
Departures
Departures couldn’t be any easier. As you enter through the main entrance, signs will indicate Arrivals to the left and departures to the right. Walk past the circular Currency Exchange desk, past security, and straight ahead you will see a bank of check-in desks. Use these if you need to check in your luggage or if you were unable to check in online.
Otherwise head straight to security with your printed out boarding pass or have it ready to show on your phone. You won’t need your passport- just scan the QR codes at the barriers to be let through.
Going through security
Security fast track is available to book online on the LLA website and will currently set you back from £4 per person, when booked in advance. Alternatively, they are available to buy from designated kiosks at the airport on the day for £8.
We are still adhering to the 100ml liquid container rule for cabin bags in the UK. All liquids must be placed in a see-through plastic bag (you can pick one up at LLA), and placed in a tray separate from your jacket and electronic devices.
It’s recommended that you allow two and a half hours for all flights.
Arrivals
Before collecting your luggage, you need to go through passport control.
There are two separate queues: one for the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), British nationals and Swiss nationals, and a second for all other nationalities.
LLA has fully embraced epassports (biometric passports) and epassport gates.
You can use the gates if:
- you are a passport holder of a country in the EEA – including the UK –
- you have a passport from Switzerland, and you have the EEA chip logo on your passport.
Remember that you cannot use the gates with a national identity card.
The exit out of the terminal is just after the baggage carousels.
As you come out, you will see signs indicating the exit and an M&S Simply Food on your left (Marks and Spencer’s). It’s a short five minute walk to the exit (no endless corridors like Heathrow and Gatwick!).
- Amenities
No. 1 Lounge
Premium airport lounge chain No. 1 Lounge is now resident at Luton (kind of how you know Luton’s on the up). Booking in advance will still set you back the best part of £40, however, it’s pretty nice in there! Access gives you hot and cold prepared meals, a range of snacks, a full bar, work stations, all in comfortable and on trend design spaces.
There is a dress code, however. Noted in the rules were “no fancy dress (costumes), no flip flops, no exposed shoulders on men”. The demographic and particular type of holiday goer they have in mind is quite clear. They’re also not too keen on tracksuits, so comfort-minded travellers, be warned. Although they do specify that guests are welcome to change into more appropriate clothes in their bathrooms.
The maximum stay is for three hours and opening times are from 4:30am to 8:30pm.
Shopping
LLA boasts over 40 shops to choose from including Airport favourites Boots (for all your essential toiletries) and Accessorize (for last minute sunglasses and swimsuits) as well as Boss, Kurt Geiger and Rituals. Inmotion is where to head to for your electronics needs, and trusty WHSmiths has you covered for holiday reads and specialist mags.
(Above: Famous London Toy Store Hamleys for last minute gifts for any little ones you know!)
(Above: WHSmiths for books, mags and some last minute souvenirs too).
Dining
You’ll find coffee shop chains Pret a Manger as well as Starbucks for your pre-journey caffeine hits. There are also a range of bars from the sophisticated Italian Bar and Grill (pictured below) for cocktails and light bites, to more generic pub fare including pints, fish and chips and burgers.
(Above: Grab a relaxed pre-flight drink at the Bar)
Big Smoke Taphouse offers classic pub grub with a metropolitan twist (pictured above).
For those who like to start their mornings with something hot and hearty, you’ll find a range of options here at Breakfast Box (pictured below).
Extras
You’ll find dedicated currency exchange desks both before and after security. There’s a multifaith prayer room, a kids zone as well as a quiet room for those who want to get away from the crowds or live with sensory overload. Special assistance for those with mobility issues or other special needs is available throughout the airport.
Smoking
Be advised that there is no smoking or vaping permitted whatsoever within the airport. (Not even those air-conditioned smoking cabins.)
There’s a smoking area outside and to the left of the bus station (when you have the airport behind you).
(Above: Prayer room , Kids Zone, and a quiet space all indicated clearly after security).
- Accommodation
LLA doesn’t have any airports of its own on site, but there are several which are extremely closeby.
(Image taken from London Luton Airport website)
Prices range from approximately £90 (Ibis hotel group) to £220 per night at the top end of the scale (Courtyard by Marriott).
They are standard hotel airport fare, meaning free wifi and continental breakfasts come as standard. For convenience, the Ibis and Holiday Inn hotels are within walking distance.
The Hampton by Hilton hotel is located next door to the DART (direct air-rail transit) – LLA’ s shuttle train service, which has a journey time of just five minutes to the airport.
The other hotels are connected to the airport via the Green Line Bus or dedicated hotel shuttle services leaving from directly in front of the airport.
- Attractions
St Albans
Cathedral city charm, quaint side streets and a peaceful park for a leisurely stroll, St Albans is just 25 minutes away on the train from Luton Airport Parkway.
Visit the impressive St Albans Cathedral, and, believe it or not, an Ancient Roman theatre at Verulamium Park! All that plus traditional pubs with locally brewed ale and cute cafes make St Alban’s a worthy pitstop, located midway between central London and Luton Airport.
Luton for Wardown House, Museum & Gallery
A short bus ride from Luton Town Centre will take you to the historical house, museum and gallery where not only will you be transported back in time, surrounded by sumptuous works of art, but also be able to enjoy a classic English Afternoon Tea whilst admiring picturesque Wardown Park.
It’s open from Sunday to Thursday from 11am – 5pm and is free to enter. Regular Green Line buses from Luton Airport will take you into Luton city centre.