London Luton Airport (LTN)
London Luton Airport (LTN) is one of the five London airports and handles 18 million passengers per year from a single terminal in Luton, Bedfordshire — 30 miles north of central London. It is growing rapidly and a major new terminal expansion is planned to increase capacity significantly.
Wizz Air operates its largest UK base at Luton, with over 80 routes across Europe, North Africa and beyond. easyJet and Ryanair also have a strong presence at LTN, and Jet2 offers package holiday routes. The carrier mix makes Luton one of the UK's most competitively priced airports for short-haul European travel.
The DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) automated people-mover links the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway station in 4 minutes (£5.50). From Parkway, fast Thameslink services reach London St Pancras International in as little as 22 minutes — making this a genuinely viable option for travellers in North London, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
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Luton Airport terminal
Luton Airport currently operates a single terminal. A major new terminal is under development (opening expected 2026–2027) which will significantly expand capacity and improve the passenger experience. The DART automated people-mover operates 24 hours and connects both the existing terminal and the new terminal building to the railway station.
⚠️ Allow extra time during peak summer and bank holiday periods — security can be busy. Arrive at least 2 hours before departure for European flights.
Transport to Luton Airport
| DART to Luton Airport Parkway | 4 min · £5.50 · runs 24 hours |
| Thameslink to St Pancras International | 22–30 min from Parkway · from £18 |
| Thameslink to Blackfriars / City | ~30 min from Parkway · from £18 |
| Green Line 757 coach to Victoria | 60–90 min depending on traffic · from £8 |
| Taxi to central London | ~45–75 min · approx £60–80 |
| Drive (M1/A1081) | 30 miles north of central London · M1 Jct 10a |
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Pre-booking online can save up to 60% compared to turning up without a reservation.
Airlines flying from Luton Airport
Luton Airport FAQs
The DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) is a fully automated people-mover that connects Luton Airport Parkway railway station to the terminal in just 4 minutes. It costs £5.50 per person each way, runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and departs every 4–8 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the station or through the DART website. From Luton Airport Parkway, Thameslink trains reach London St Pancras International in as little as 22 minutes.
Take the DART from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway station (4 minutes, £5.50), then a Thameslink train to London St Pancras International (22–30 minutes, from £18). Trains also call at Blackfriars, City Thameslink and Farringdon. Fast services run approximately every 15 minutes during the day.
It depends where you live. Luton suits North and North-West London best — the DART + Thameslink to St Pancras is fast and direct. Stansted is better for East London and the Cambridge catchment. Gatwick suits South London and the South East. On price, Wizz Air, easyJet and Ryanair all fly from Luton, so compare all three London airports before booking.
Yes. Wizz Air operates its largest UK base at London Luton Airport with over 80 routes to Central and Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Luton is central to Wizz Air's UK expansion strategy, and new routes are added regularly.
Luton Airport's new terminal expansion (LLAL Court / Terminal 2) is planned to open around 2026–2027. The development will substantially increase capacity and improve facilities. The DART connects both terminals to the railway station. Check the official Luton Airport website for the latest updates on the opening schedule.
Luton Airport does operate some night flights, restricted by a noise quota and movement cap between 23:30 and 06:00. Early departures (from 05:30) and late arrivals are possible. If noise is a concern, the airport publishes a noise action plan and flight track data on their website.
Yes. Car hire desks are in the terminal arrivals area. Major operators include Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise, Budget, Sixt and National. The M1 motorway is immediately adjacent, making it convenient for travelling north or south. Pre-book online to save significantly on walk-up rates.
The DART to Luton Airport Parkway costs £5.50. A Thameslink train to St Pancras costs £18–25 depending on time of travel. The Green Line 757 coach to Victoria takes 60–90 minutes and costs from £8. Taxis to central London cost £60–80 and take 45–75 minutes.