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Car hire at Luton Airport - More Than a Stopver

Luton Airport is home to some of the largest low-cost airlines, so travelling from here can save you both time and money compared to other airports such as London Heathrow. With a car hire at Luton Airport you can quickly be on your way to exploring southern England, the Midlands and other parts of the United Kingdom without the congestion found in places like London, for example.

However, the town once known for hat-making has more to offer than just low-cost flights and good connections to the capital. In Luton you can visit one of the biggest zoos in the UK, Whipsnade Zoo, take a trip on one of the few remaining light railways (the Leighton Buzzard Railway) or visit the Stockwood Discovery Centre to enjoy 100 hectares of parkland complete with its famous Victorian Greenhouses.

At Auto Europe we offer outstanding car rental services to suit all travellers' needs and budgets. Compare suppliers, vehicles, and pick-up locations to find the perfect vehicle for your next holiday in the UK. For more information on our services, and to find out what to expect when renting a car in Luton, please check out our car hire reviews in Luton section to read all the latest comments posted by our customers.

Airport Information

Previously called Luton International Airport, Luton Airport is located 1.5 miles east of Luton and 28 miles north of central London. Nowadays, it is owned by London Luton Airport Ltd, hence the name change, and it is the fourth largest airport in the UK. It serves roughly 18 million passengers a year with connections to more than 154 destinations worldwide.

Luton Airport (LTN)
Address: Airport Way, Luton LU2 9LY, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 158 240 5100
Airlines operating at Luton Airport: Blue Air, easyJet, El Al, Ryanair, SunExpress, TUI Airways and Wizz Air.

Where to pick up my car hire at Luton Airport

There are no desks at the arrivals/departures hall as the airport has its own Car Hire Centre. You can use the free shuttle service from bay C at the bus station located just outside the terminal building.

Don’t forget to have your driving licence, DVLA code, car hire voucher and your credit card ready to pick up your car hire at Luton Airport. Inspect the vehicle for any existing damage and make sure you understand the rental agreement and the insurance coverage before heading off. For more information on the pick-up procedure, please read our informative guide.

Car hire operating hours

	Alamo at Luton Airport Car Hire Centre Luton, United Kingdom LU2 9NL +44 158 239 0969	Opening Hours: 7am-10pm daily
	Avis at Luton Airport Car Hire Centre Luton, United Kingdom LU2 9NL +44 344 544 6021	Opening Hours: 7am-11pm daily
	Budget at Luton Airport Car Hire Centre, Luton, United Kingdom LU2 9NL +44 3844 544 4646	Opening Hours: 7am-11pm daily
	Enterprise at Luton Airport Car Hire Centre, Luton, United Kingdom LU2 9NL +44 158 239 0969	Opening Hours: 7am-10pm daily
	Europcar at Luton Airport Car Hire Centre Luton, United Kingdom LU2 9NL +44 371 384 3413	Opening Hours: 8am-8pm daily
	Keddy at Luton Airport Car Hire Centre Luton, United Kingdom LU2 9NL +44 371 384 3413	Opening Hours: 8am-8pm daily
	National at Luton Airport Car Hire Centre Luton, United Kingdom LU2 9NL +44 158 239 0969	Opening Hours: 7am-10pm daily

Terminals

London Luton Airport has a single 2-storey terminal so finding your way around is easy. The terminal has 60 check-in desks, modern baggage and flight information systems and a wide range of shops, restaurants and bars. The ground-floor is home to the check-in desks, security screening hall, several shops, services desks and arrivals facilities. After security, the stairs lead to the departures lounge on the upper-floor where all the departure gates can be found and more shops, restaurants and bars are located.

Airport Facilities

Close to the check-in area you’ll find a post office, information desks, bureau de change and several ATMs. There’s also a food village with Burger King and Bar des Voyageurs, while coffee lovers will find a Starbucks and Costa Coffee there. Near departures you have a wide selection of shops, including a newsagent and stores selling health and beauty items, electrical goods, gifts, books and accessories. There is a chapel open to all faiths 24 hours a day near gates 20-28. Close to the arrivals lounge you’ll find some more shops, a taxi stand, kiosks selling train and bus tickets and counters offering information and services about the nearby hotels. Smoking is not permitted anywhere and the only zone is outside the departures lounge. Travellers are entitled to 4 free hours of Wi-fi throughout the airport.

How to get to and from Luton Airport

For travellers who rent a car at Luton Airport, Luton city centre can be reached in about 10 minutes on the A505 depending on the traffic. The centre of London is a 30-mile drive south on the M1. However, it’s important to be aware that a congestion charges might apply when driving into the capital.

If you would prefer to use public transport, the most popular way to get to the centre of London is by train. You can find the train station just off the A1081 at Kimpton Road. When you arrive, there is an official Luton Airport shuttle bus service to and from the airport which takes around 10 minutes. Thameslink and East Midlands trains connect you with London, the South Coast and the Midlands region. Trains run approximately every 10 minutes throughout the day and with a frequency of 40 minutes during the night. Remember to add an extra 10 minutes to your journey for shuttle bus transfers to and from Luton Airport.

The airport is also served by local bus services that connect it with key towns and cities in the surrounding areas. The Terravision Shuttle bus departs for London’s Victoria Station every 30 minutes during peak hours, with a journey time of about an hour. The Easybus operates day and night from the airport to central London every 15-30 minutes depending on the time of day. The Greenline 757 service also runs between Luton Airport and central London 24/7, stopping at Brent Cross, Finchley Road, Baker Street, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Oxford Street and Victoria. Regular bus services connecting the airport with Luton town centre, Watford, St Albans, Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard, Harpenden and Dunstable are also available.

National Express also operates services to Luton Airport from a range of destinations throughout the UK, including Birmingham, Cambridge, East Midlands, Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes and Northampton.

Parking Tips

Although Luton Airport is located outside the designated areas, it is worth mentioning that those who wish to travel to certain parts of London between 7am- and 6pm from Monday to Friday will be subject to a Congestion Charge. The Congestion Charge Zone has been implemented to help combat heavy traffic, but it is still quite difficult to find a parking space in the city during peak hours. Other options include leaving your car rental from Luton Airport at a car park on the outskirts of London and heading into the city on public transport.

In Luton it is also quite difficult to find free on-street parking and it is recommended to opt for paid car parks or parking garages. Please also be aware that so-called Red Route Restrictions are in place on the Airport Way and inside the town centre, meaning that a no-stopping restricted zone is in place by means of double red and single red lines.

Useful links

Official website of London Luton Airport