Luton Airport (LTN)

Arrivals process through passport control, baggage reclaim, and customs before entering the public landside arrivals hall.

• Follow overhead signage along the arrival corridor to Passport Control (UK Border Force).
• Eligible passport holders (including UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, NZ, and Japan) can use the ePassport gates if aged 10 or over with a biometric passport.
• Pass through passport control into the baggage reclaim hall and check flight monitors for designated carousel numbers.
• Proceed through Customs: choose Green channel if you have nothing to declare, or Red channel if carrying goods over duty-free limits.
• Exit customs doors straight into the public landside arrivals area, where transport links and airport facilities are clearly signed.

• Train

  Luton DART + Rail

  Take the Luton DART automated shuttle from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway station, then catch a Thameslink or East Midlands Railway train directly to London St Pancras International.

  Time:

  Typically 35-50 minutes total to central London.

  Typical cost:

  Roughly £15.00 - £25.00 one way depending on time and ticketing.

• Train

  Express Coach

  National Express and Green Line coaches depart directly from the bus bays outside the main terminal building to central London stops including Marble Arch and Victoria.

  Time:

  Typically 60-90 minutes depending on London traffic conditions.

  Typical cost:

  Roughly £10.00 - £16.00 one way.

• Ride-hailing

  Taxi / Rideshare

  Official rank taxis and Uber/rideshare pickups operate from designated zones adjacent to the terminal building.

  Time:

  Typically 60-90 minutes to central London depending on destination and traffic.

  Typical cost:

  Roughly £70.00 - £110.00 depending on final destination and surge pricing.

• Car rental

  Car Rental

  Car rental desks are located in the designated Car Rental Centre, reachable via a short free shuttle bus ride from the terminal front.

  Time:

  Drive to central London is roughly 60-90 minutes via the M1 motorway.

  Typical cost:

  Varies by provider, length of rental, and vehicle type.

London Luton Airport is designed primarily for point-to-point travel; self-transfers require exiting landside and re-clearing security.

• All connecting passengers must clear UK passport control, collect any checked luggage, and exit customs.
• Proceed to the departures hall on the first floor to check luggage in for the onward flight.
• Pass back through central airport security to reach departure gates.
• Allow a minimum of 2.5 to 3 hours for self-connecting between flights.

Free Wi-Fi access is available to passengers throughout the terminal.

• Select the network name ' LLA Free Wi-Fi ' on your mobile device.
• A registration landing page will open automatically in your web browser.
• Accept terms and conditions to connect to the internet.
• Session time is unlimited for standard internet browsing and email.

The currency is British Pound Sterling (GBP). The airport and wider UK transport network operate largely cashless.

• ATMs accepting international Debit/Credit cards are located landside and airside.
• Currency exchange desks operated by Travelex are available in the arrivals and departure areas.
• Contactless card payments, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted virtually everywhere in the terminal and on UK transport.
• Carrying small amounts of cash is optional, as cash payments are increasingly restricted.

A range of food outlets, coffee shops, and quick-service dining options are available both before and after security.

• Landside arrivals features basic coffee shops and grab-and-go food outlets.
• Airside departures offers a wider selection of pubs, casual restaurants, and sandwich shops.
• Options catering to dietary requirements (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free) are marked on menus.
• Most food outlets operate from early morning until the final flight departure.

Pay-per-use executive lounges are available in the departures area after security.

• Executive lounges (such as Aspire Lounge) are located airside after central security.
• Access can be booked in advance online or purchased at the lounge entrance subject to capacity.
• Lounges offer complimentary food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and quiet seating areas.
• Entry typically requires a valid departure boarding pass for that calendar day.

Several major hotel chains are located within walking distance or a short shuttle ride of the terminal.

• Hotels such as Holiday Inn Express, ibis, and Hampton by Hilton are within 5-10 minutes' walk of the terminal.
• Additional hotels near Luton Airport Parkway station are reachable via the DART shuttle.
• No sleeping pods or hotels are located inside the secure airside transit zone.
• Reservations are recommended prior to arrival during peak travel seasons.

Baggage facilities include reclaim carousels, left luggage, and lost property services.

• Baggage reclaim carousels are located in the secure arrivals hall immediately after passport control.
• Over-sized luggage is delivered to designated collection points near the main carousels.
• Excess baggage storage (Left Luggage) services are available landside for a daily fee.
• For baggage left on board aircraft, contact your airline's ground handling agent directly.

The airport provides practical facilities for passengers travelling with babies and young children.

• Baby care rooms for changing and feeding are positioned alongside main toilet blocks landside and airside.
• Pushchairs/strollers can be used up to the aircraft door, then collected at the baggage hall or airside arrival point depending on airline policy.
• Children aged 10 to 17 holding biometric passports can use ePassport gates when accompanied by an adult.

• Free Wi-Fi
• ATMs & Currency Exchange
• Left Luggage / Excess Baggage
• Baby Care Rooms
• Prayer & Multi-Faith Room
• Executive Lounges
• Smoking Areas (Landside only)

Local emergency number: 999 or 112 for UK emergency services.

• Dial 999 or 112 from any phone for emergency police, fire, or medical response.
• First aid and airport duty staff are available 24/7 inside the terminal building; inform any uniformed airport employee for urgent assistance.
• If you lose your passport, contact your embassy or high commission in London immediately after clearing airport duty officers.

• Check your passport validity and any visa, ETA or entry declaration required.
• Confirm your departure terminal on your boarding pass the day before.
• Activate a travel eSIM so you are online the moment you land.
• Download offline maps and screenshot your hotel address and booking reference.
• Tell your bank you are travelling and carry a backup payment card.
• Save the local emergency number and your embassy contact in your phone.
• Photograph your passport and store the copy somewhere you can reach offline.
• Check baggage allowance and any restricted items for your destination.

Airport operations change. Always confirm terminals, fares and timetables with the official sources below before you travel.

• London Luton Airport Official SiteOfficial airport source
• UK Border Force - GOV.UKGovernment source
• HM Revenue & Customs - GOV.UKGovernment source
• Thameslink RailwayOfficial transit source
• National Express CoachesOfficial transit source
• NHS Emergency & Health ServicesGovernment source