London Luton Layover Guide (LTN)

What are you looking for in LTN?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

London Luton Airport (LTN) is an international airport located in Luton, Bedfordshire. It’s situated about 48 km (30 miles) from central London. The airport first opened officially in 1938. London is the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom and is considered one of the world’s leading financial centers. It’s known for iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, diverse culinary scenes, and vibrant arts and entertainment offerings.

Can you leave London Airport (LTN) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
You can leave London Luton Airport during a layover if you clear UK immigration. Passengers needing a UK visa must hold a valid entry visa or transit visa; nationals exempt from visa requirements may enter without one. Travellers should always carry valid passports and proof of their valid onward travel. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• British Museum Home to an extensive global collection, the British Museum showcases Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone, and classical sculptures, providing immersive cultural insights into human history. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: From Heathrow: Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road (public transport))
• Tower of London Started as a Norman fortress in 1078, the Tower of London houses the Crown Jewels, ravens, and medieval armaments, narrating centuries of royal history through guided tours and ceremonial rituals. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: From Heathrow: Piccadilly line to Green Park, Circle line to Tower Hill (public transport))
• London Eye Overlooking the River Thames, the London Eye offers panoramic 360° views of iconic landmarks in climate-controlled capsules, allowing visitors to enjoy a sightseeing experience in under thirty minutes per rotation. (Time required: 30 minutes. / Airport to here: From Heathrow: Piccadilly line to Green Park, Jubilee line to Waterloo (public transport))
• Westminster Abbey Gothic masterpiece Westminster Abbey hosts royal coronations, weddings, and burials, showcasing intricate medieval architecture, poet’s corner tributes, and monuments within its ornate chapels and cloisters, reflecting centuries of British heritage. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: From Heathrow: Piccadilly line to Green Park, Circle line to Westminster (public transport))
• Tate Modern Located on the South Bank, Tate Modern houses contemporary and modern art collections in a sprawling converted power station, featuring works by Picasso, Warhol, and Hockney within its industrial-chic galleries. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: From Heathrow: Piccadilly line to Green Park, Jubilee line to Southwark (public transport))
• Borough Market Historic Borough Market offers diverse artisanal food stalls, from fresh produce and gourmet cheeses to international street food, perfect for sampling British and global culinary delights in a open-air setting. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: From Heathrow: Piccadilly line to Green Park, Jubilee line to London Bridge (public transport))
• St Paul’s Cathedral Iconic St Paul’s Cathedral features its majestic dome, ornate interiors, and Whispering Gallery; visitors can climb to panoramic city views while richly exploring its crypt and chapels steeped in history. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: From Heathrow: Piccadilly line to Holborn (public transport))
• Camden Market Eclectic Camden Market in Camden Town features quirky stalls selling vintage fashion, handmade crafts, diverse global street food, and live music venues, offering an energetic alternative to central London’s attractions. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: From Heathrow: Piccadilly line to King’s Cross St. Pancras, Northern line to Camden Town (public transport))

Things to Do in London Airport (LTN)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
London Luton offers two airside executive lounges—No1 Lounge (Gate 17) and My Lounge (central terminal). Both feature complimentary seasonal buffet-style dishes, premium drinks, fast WiFi, charging points, runway views and comfortable seating. Entry from £37.99 per person for three-hour access, ideal for stress-free pre-flight relaxation. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Several hotels are within a five-minute drive or walk of LTN, including Holiday Inn Express, Ibis London Luton Airport, Holiday Inn London–Luton Airport, Hampton by Hilton and Courtyard by Marriott. All offer on-site parking, free WiFi, en-suite rooms and shuttle or walking access to the terminal for convenient overnight stays. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
London Luton has no dedicated sleep pods or rest zones; seating areas in both departures and arrivals lounges must suffice. The terminal closes overnight (generally between 23:00–05:00), so staying on-site can be noisy and uncomfortable. For safety and comfort, booking a nearby hotel is recommended.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Free public WiFi is available throughout the terminal. Simply connect to the “LLA Free WiFi” network and follow the on-screen instructions for unlimited access. Speeds are generally sufficient for browsing, emailing and messaging, but may vary at peak times.

SIM/eSIM Card: Prepaid UK SIM cards (including data plans) are available from WHSmith or airport newsagents airside and landside. Alternatively, consider purchasing an international eSIM online before travel for instant mobile data upon landing. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: A licensed taxi rank operates directly outside the arrivals exit. Journeys to Central London cost around £60–£80 and take 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic. Major credit cards are accepted, but confirm fare estimates with the driver before departure.

Train: Regular rail services run from London St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway with East Midlands Railway; journey time is about 30 minutes. From there, the Luton DART automated shuttle takes four minutes direct to the terminal. Tickets can be booked through National Rail or the Luton Airport Express website (more info).

Bus: National Express coaches and Greenline 757 buses link Luton Airport with Central London (Victoria, Paddington, etc.) 24/7. Services depart every 15 minutes by day, hourly overnight. Journey time is approximately 50 minutes. Tickets and timetables are available on the LLA website (more info).

Shuttle: The Luton DART is a fully automated, electric people-mover connecting Luton Airport Parkway station and the terminal in under four minutes. Services run 24/7 up to every four minutes, offering seamless, step-free transfers. Tickets are £4.90 one-way or contactless “tap & go”.

Car rentals: All major car-hire providers operate from the on-site Car Hire Centre. A free 24/7 shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes between the terminal and the centre. Pre-booking is advised for best rates and vehicle availability. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: LLA offers a range of on-site parking options—Mid Stay, Long Stay, Priority Parking and Meet & Greet—all Park Mark® safer parking certified. Pre-book online to save up to 55% and secure Blue Badge spaces. All car parks are open 24/7.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

There are no official lockers at the terminal for security reasons, but the on-site Luggage-Point facility offers secure, insured left-luggage services in Arrivals. Alternatively, nearby third-party services like Stasher and Radical Storage provide bag storage options with online booking. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- London Airport (LTN) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks