London Luton Airport (LTN) has one terminal building, two floors, and five parking zones. Ground floor handles check-in, security, and arrivals. The upper floor is the departures lounge, with 30+ gates across three piers. The terminal drop-off zone is ANPR-enforced at £9 for up to 12 minutes. Car Park 1 is a 2-minute walk; Long Stay is a free 10-minute shuttle.
Author: Stansted Airport Taxi Editorial Team | Licence: Uttlesford PHV | Companies House: 13506378. Prices last updated and last reviewed: October 2026.
⚙ Quick Answer: Luton Airport Map
London Luton Airport has one terminal, two floors and five parking zones. The ground floor handles check-in, security and arrivals; the upper floor is the departures lounge with 30+ gates across three piers.
The terminal drop-off zone is £9 for up to 12 minutes, then £1 per minute, with a 30-minute maximum. Charges are enforced by ANPR cameras.
The Luton drop-off charge is included in every Stansted Airport Taxi fare to Luton Airport. The Long Stay car park is free for up to 2 hours, with a free shuttle of about 10 minutes.
Luton Airport Map: Journey Details
The headline facts before the detail.
| Journey Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport | London Luton Airport (LTN) |
| Terminal postcode | LU2 9LY |
| Number of terminals | 1 (single terminal building) |
| Terminal floors | 2 (Ground: check-in/arrivals; Upper: departures/gates) |
| Departure gates | 30+ across 3 piers |
| Drop-off charge | £9 up to 12 minutes (ANPR enforced, effective October 2026) |
| Drop-off max stay | 30 minutes |
| Car Park 1 walk time | 2 minutes (passenger link bridge) |
| Long Stay shuttle time | ~10 minutes (free, 24/7, every 20 minutes) |
| DART journey time | About 4 minutes (terminal to Luton Airport Parkway) |
| Train to St Pancras | ~22 minutes (East Midlands Railway from Parkway) |
| From-price saloon (PHV) | Fixed fare confirmed at booking (£9 drop-off included) |
| Off-peak from London | ~35–45 minutes |
| Peak from London | 55–80+ minutes (M1 J6a–J10) |
| Operator licence | Uttlesford District Council PHV Licensed |
Quick Answers
How many terminals does Luton Airport have?
Luton Airport has one terminal. It's a single two-storey building — ground floor for check-in, security, and arrivals; upper floor for the departures lounge and gates. There is no Terminal 2. All airlines, all gates, and all passenger services operate from the same building at LU2 9LY.
What is the drop-off charge at Luton Airport?
The drop-off charge at Luton Airport is £9 for up to 12 minutes, enforced by ANPR cameras. After 12 minutes, the charge rises by £1 per additional minute, with a 30-minute maximum. Stansted Airport Taxi includes the £9 charge in every fixed fare to Luton Airport — the confirmation price is the total, with nothing added at the terminal.
Where is the pick-up zone at Luton Airport?
Arriving passengers exit through the ground floor arrivals hall onto the Ground Transport Hub directly outside the main terminal exit. Pre-booked private hire collections take place here — drivers can wait in the Mid Stay or Long Stay Car Park (free up to 2 hours in Long Stay) and time their approach to the terminal exit as the flight lands. The pick-up zone is clearly signposted from the arrivals exit.
How do I get from Luton Airport to the train station?
The Luton DART people mover runs from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway railway station in about 4 minutes. It runs around the clock and runs on its own dedicated track. Pre-book DART tickets online; a standalone single ticket costs £4.90. From Luton Airport Parkway, East Midlands Railway runs to London St Pancras in approximately 22 minutes.
What car parks are closest to Luton Airport terminal?
Terminal Car Park 1 is the closest — a 2-minute walk via a dedicated passenger link bridge, with Level 2 designated as Priority Parking. Terminal Car Park 2 is the next closest at 5 minutes via an underground tunnel. Both are multi-storey, covered options. Mid Stay (10-minute walk) and Long Stay (10-minute free shuttle) are further out but significantly cheaper for longer stays.
Luton Airport Terminal Map: One Building, Two Floors
The single most useful thing to know about navigating Luton Airport is that there is only one terminal. Unlike Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted — where arriving at the wrong terminal means a bus transfer and a missed check-in window — at Luton, everyone uses the same building. Every airline, every gate, every check-in desk is in the same place.
The building runs across two floors, and the flow is straightforward: ground floor for arrivals and departures check-in, upper floor for the gates.
Terminal floor layout:
| Floor | Main Facilities | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Floor | Main entrance/exit doors · 62 check-in desks · Security control hall (advanced CT scanners) · Arrivals hall and baggage reclaim · Pre-security: bookstore, currency exchange, baggage wrapping | Manages entry, check-in, security, and arrivals exit. All passenger types pass through this floor. |
| Upper Floor | Main departures lounge · 30+ departure gates across 3 piers · Premium airport lounges · World Duty Free · Burger King · Starbucks · Pret A Manger | Reached via stairs or lifts immediately after security. Gates assigned 45–60 minutes before departure. |
One practical note on the CT scanners at security: Luton's security hall uses advanced imaging, which means you do not need to remove laptops or liquids from your bag in the standard lanes. That said, queues can build quickly during morning bank departures — allow at least 20 minutes for security during busy periods.
Gates are spread across three piers off the main departures lounge. Once through security, follow the pier signs to your gate area. Aim to be at your gate 30 minutes before departure — screens in the lounge show gate assignments as they're confirmed, typically 45–60 minutes out.
Luton Airport Parking Map: All Car Parks Explained
There are five distinct parking zones at Luton Airport, ranging from a 2-minute walk to a 10-minute shuttle. Which one is right depends on how long you're travelling and how important proximity to the terminal is.
| Car Park | Walk/Transfer Time | Access Route | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal Car Park 1 | 2-minute walk | Dedicated passenger link bridge | Business travellers, short stays, Level 2 Priority Parking |
| Terminal Car Park 2 | 5-minute walk | Underground pedestrian tunnel | Short to medium stays |
| Mid Stay Car Park | 10-minute walk | Direct to main terminal building | Medium-term stays, passenger collection |
| Long Stay Car Park | 10-minute free shuttle | 24/7 shuttle bus (every 20 minutes) | Long-term holiday parking, most affordable option |
| Ground Transport Hub | Directly outside main exit | — | Taxis, coaches, Luton DART people mover |
Car Park 1 is the closest option to the terminal — the link bridge drops you right at the entrance, and Level 2 is specifically designated as Priority Parking for those who need fast access. If you're dropping a vehicle and heading straight to check-in, this is the fastest walk.
Car Park 2 is a multi-storey accessed via an underground tunnel. Five minutes on foot from the main terminal doors — a practical choice for short-to-medium stays where proximity matters but premium pricing is a factor.
Mid Stay is a 10-minute walk on a direct path to the main building. If you're parking for 2–5 days, it balances cost and convenience without requiring a shuttle.
Long Stay is the furthest option but comes with a fully free 24/7 shuttle running every 20 minutes. The journey from the car park to the terminal is around 10 minutes. This is the most cost-effective choice for week-long or longer holidays, and the free shuttle makes it practical even for early-morning departures.
For a downloadable PDF version of the official car park layout, the London Luton Airport website publishes an interactive map and ground transport guide at their official ground transport page.
Luton Airport Drop-Off Map: Where to Stop and What It Costs
The terminal drop-off zone sits directly outside the main entrance, managed by ANPR camera enforcement. As of October 2026, the charge is £9 for up to 12 minutes, rising to £1 per additional minute up to a maximum stay of 30 minutes. The cameras read the number plate, and the charge is paid online by midnight the following day.
Our drivers at Stansted Airport Taxi have the drop-off charge built into every Luton Airport fare. The £9 figure in your booking confirmation is included — you won't pay anything extra at the terminal, and there's no cash or card transaction needed.
Drop-off and pick-up options at a glance:
| Option | Cost | Walk to Terminal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal Drop-Off Zone | £9 (up to 12 min), then £1/min | 2–3 minutes | ANPR enforced. Ideal for departing passengers. |
| Mid Stay Car Park | Car park rate applies | 10 minutes | Used for longer drop-offs or early arrivals. |
| Long Stay Car Park | Free up to 2 hours | ~10 min via free shuttle | Best for passenger collection — meet in the car park, not at the terminal. |
For passenger collection: the most cost-effective approach is to use the Long Stay Car Park as a waiting area — it's free for up to 2 hours, and the shuttle gets you to arrivals in about 10 minutes. We recommend passengers confirm their bag collection time before you leave for the terminal, so you can time the shuttle to meet them at the arrivals door.
The drop-off zone is not suitable as a waiting area. The 12-minute window covers a quick stop-and-unload for departing passengers, but it's not long enough to park and wait for an arriving flight.
Luton Airport Pick-Up Map: Where to Collect Passengers
The pick-up zone and passenger collection point at Luton Airport is separate from the drop-off area. Arriving passengers exit the terminal through the ground floor arrivals hall — after baggage reclaim and customs — into the ground transport hub directly outside the main exit.
For private hire collections, drivers can wait in the Mid Stay Car Park or Long Stay Car Park rather than circling. We monitor inbound flights from the number provided at booking — when the aircraft lands and bags start moving, we time the approach accordingly.
The ground transport hub outside the main exit is where regional coaches, the Luton DART people mover, and pre-booked taxis all connect. It's a clearly signposted area — arriving passengers following the exit signs will reach it within 2–3 minutes of leaving the terminal building.
Luton DART Map: Getting to and from the Train Station
The Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) is Luton Airport's dedicated people mover connecting the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway railway station. It's a journey of about 4 minutes between the terminal and the station, running on its own dedicated track separate from the road network.
A few things worth knowing about the DART that aren't obvious from the name:
- The DART is not the train. It's a shuttle between the terminal and the station. You still need a separate train ticket for the rail journey itself.
- Pre-book online. Buy in advance through the Luton DART website. A standalone single ticket costs £4.90.
- From Parkway station: East Midlands Railway runs frequent services to London St Pancras, with journey times of approximately 22 minutes. There are also services to Bedford, Leicester, and Nottingham.
The DART runs around the clock, which makes it a practical option for early-morning and late-night flights — but factor in both the DART journey and the train journey when calculating door-to-terminal times. From central London, the total is typically 50–70 minutes depending on your starting point and train frequency.
For passengers coming from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, or north Hertfordshire, a direct taxi is usually faster than the train-DART combination — and removes the luggage-with-connections element entirely.
Luton Airport Departures Map: Gates, Shops & Lounges
Once through security on the ground floor, stairs and lifts take you up to the main departures lounge on the upper floor. The layout is a central lounge area with three piers branching off it — gates are numbered and follow a logical sequence along each pier.
What's in the departures lounge:
- World Duty Free — the main retail concession, covering perfume, spirits, confectionery, and travel accessories
- Starbucks — coffee and food, pre and post-security (there's also a pre-security café on the ground floor)
- Burger King — fast food option in the departures lounge
- Pret A Manger — sandwiches, salads, and hot drinks
- Premium lounges — available for direct purchase or through Priority Pass and other lounge access programmes
Gate assignments appear on departure boards in the lounge, typically 45–60 minutes before the scheduled departure time. At busy periods — particularly during morning bank departures when multiple easyJet and Ryanair flights depart simultaneously — gates can be a walk of 5–8 minutes from the main lounge area. Allow time.
The general rule: be through security and in the departures lounge no later than 45 minutes before departure. Be at your gate 30 minutes before. The three-pier layout means you won't be surprised by a long walk once you know your gate.
Google Maps & Directions to Luton Airport
Driving postcode: LU2 9LY — this drops you at the terminal approach road and is correct for all major sat-nav systems and Google Maps. Do not use "Luton Airport" as a destination in older sat-navs — postcode entry is more reliable.
From the south (London, M1 corridor): M1 northbound to Junction 10. At J10, follow the A1081 and the airport signs. The airport entry road is well signed from J10 — it's approximately 3 miles from the motorway junction to the terminal drop-off zone.
From the east (Hertfordshire, A505 corridor): The A505 approaches the airport from the east directly. From Hitchin, Stevenage, or Baldock, the A505 is a direct route.
Google Maps satellite view is useful for getting a sense of the site before you arrive — you can clearly see the single terminal building, the car park positions relative to the terminal, and the Ground Transport Hub layout at the front of the building. The satellite view also shows the DART track running from the terminal south towards Luton Airport Parkway station.
For real-time traffic, the M1 between J6a/J7 (M25 interchange) and J10 is the main variable on journeys from London — check Google Maps live traffic before departure, particularly on weekday mornings from 7am.
Voice Search Answers
"Hey Siri, how do I get to Luton Airport terminal?"
Drive to postcode LU2 9LY for Luton Airport terminal. From the M1 south, take Junction 10 and follow the A1081 north, then the A505 into the airport — the terminal is about 3 miles from the motorway junction. The drop-off zone is directly outside the main entrance and costs £9 for up to 12 minutes, enforced by ANPR cameras.
"OK Google, what is the drop-off charge at Luton Airport?"
The drop-off charge at Luton Airport is £9 for up to 12 minutes. After 12 minutes, it rises to £1 per additional minute, with a 30-minute maximum. The charge is enforced by ANPR cameras at the terminal drop-off zone. If you've booked with Stansted Airport Taxi, the £9 is already included in your fixed fare.
"Alexa, where do I pick someone up from Luton Airport?"
For passenger collection at Luton Airport, arriving passengers exit through the Ground Transport Hub directly outside the main terminal exit. The most cost-effective approach is to wait in the Long Stay Car Park — it's free for up to 2 hours — and use the free shuttle (10 minutes) to time your arrival at the terminal exit as your passenger clears baggage reclaim.
"What car park is closest to Luton Airport terminal?"
Terminal Car Park 1 is the closest car park to Luton Airport terminal — it's a 2-minute walk via a dedicated passenger link bridge. Level 2 is Priority Parking. Terminal Car Park 2 is 5 minutes via an underground tunnel. Both are covered, multi-storey options. For longer stays, the Long Stay Car Park runs a free 24/7 shuttle that takes about 10 minutes.
Vehicle Options for Luton Airport Transfers
Pre-booked transfers are available in eight vehicle classes, from saloon to executive MPV. Every fare is charged per vehicle, not per passenger. A wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) is available on request — confirm at booking.
| Vehicle class | Passengers | Luggage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | Up to 4 | Up to 3 cases | Solo, couple, small group |
| Estate | Up to 4 | Up to 5 cases | Family with pushchair or ski bags |
| MPV5 | Up to 5 | Up to 5 cases | Small group or family |
| MPV6 | Up to 6 | Up to 6 cases | Small group or family |
| MPV7 | Up to 7 | Up to 7 cases | Family with multiple children or large luggage |
| MPV8 | Up to 8 | Up to 8 cases | Larger groups |
| Executive Saloon | Up to 4 | Up to 3 cases | Business travel |
| Executive MPV | Up to 7 | Up to 7 cases | Business group |
See our standard cars, MPV cars, executive taxi and minibus fleet pages.
Why Passengers Travelling Through Luton Choose Stansted Airport Taxi
We cover Luton Airport journeys from across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, north London, and the home counties. Our drivers know the Luton site well — the fastest approach at different times of day, when the M1 J10 exit is clear versus when the A1081 slip is backed up, and how to time a terminal drop-off to land within the 12-minute ANPR window without rushing.
A few things that matter at Luton specifically:
The drop-off timing. Twelve minutes sounds short — and it is if you're unloading multiple bags for a group of five. Our drivers pull into the drop-off zone, help with bags if needed, and move on efficiently. It's a well-practised routine on a route we cover every day.
Flight monitoring. For collections, Stansted Airport Taxi monitors your inbound flight from the number you provide at booking. If your easyJet flight from Alicante lands 40 minutes late, your driver knows before you've touched down and adjusts accordingly. The fixed fare doesn't change for delays.
One terminal, no confusion. This sounds minor, but passengers flying from multi-terminal airports regularly ask us to confirm which terminal. At Luton, the answer is always the same — one building, LU2 9LY.
All Stansted Airport Taxi drivers hold DBS Enhanced clearance, NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Transport, and a PCO licence. Our fleet includes saloon, estate, MPV and executive vehicles, and a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) is available on request. Uttlesford District Council PHV licensed operator, Companies House registration 13506378.
How to Book Your Luton Airport Transfer
- Enter your pickup address and select London Luton Airport as the destination (or reverse for a return collection)
- Choose your vehicle type — saloon, estate, MPV (MPV5 to MPV8), or executive
- Add your flight number — we'll monitor it for delays
- Your fixed fare is confirmed with the £9 drop-off charge already included
All bookings are pre-paid. No cash and no extra charges at the terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a Luton Airport map PDF I can download?
A: Yes — the London Luton Airport official website publishes an interactive map and a downloadable PDF covering terminal layout and ground transport. Search "Luton Airport official map" or navigate to the ground transport section of the London Luton Airport website (london-luton.co.uk) for the most current version. We don't reproduce the official map here, but the postcode LU2 9LY and the floor plan table above cover the key navigation points.
Q: How many terminals does Luton Airport have?
A: One. Luton Airport has a single terminal building — two floors, one entrance, one arrivals hall, one departures lounge. There is no Terminal 2. Every airline at LTN uses the same building. This is one of Luton's practical advantages for passengers unfamiliar with the airport — there's no risk of going to the wrong terminal.
Q: Is there a Luton Airport Terminal 2?
A: No. There is no Terminal 2 at Luton Airport. The airport operates from a single terminal building (LU2 9LY). Any reference to "Terminal 2" is a confusion with other airports. All check-in desks, all gates, and all arrivals are in the same building.
Q: Where is the Luton Airport car park map?
A: The full car park layout is published by London Luton Airport on their official website, with an interactive map showing all car park positions relative to the terminal. In summary: Car Park 1 is a 2-minute walk via a link bridge; Car Park 2 is 5 minutes via an underground tunnel; Mid Stay is 10 minutes on foot; Long Stay is a 10-minute free shuttle.
Q: Where is the arrivals area at Luton Airport?
A: Arrivals is on the ground floor of the single terminal building. Passengers collect their bags from baggage reclaim on the ground floor, clear customs, and exit into the Ground Transport Hub directly outside the main exit. Private hire collections, taxis, coaches, and the DART people mover are all accessed from the Ground Transport Hub.
Q: What shops and restaurants are in Luton Airport departures?
A: The main retail and food options in the departures lounge (upper floor, past security) are: World Duty Free, Burger King, Starbucks, and Pret A Manger. There are also premium lounge facilities available on a pay-per-use or membership basis. Pre-security, the ground floor has a bookstore, currency exchange, and a café.
Q: Where is the drop-off zone at Luton Airport?
A: The terminal drop-off zone is directly outside the main entrance on the ground floor approach road. It is enforced by ANPR cameras at £9 for up to 12 minutes. Stansted Airport Taxi includes this charge in all Luton Airport fares — the fare shown at booking is the total.
Q: Where is the Mid Stay Car Park at Luton Airport?
A: The Mid Stay Car Park is a 10-minute walk from the main terminal building on a direct pedestrian path. It sits between the Terminal Car Parks and the Long Stay in terms of both distance and pricing. For stays of 2–5 days, it's a practical balance of walking distance and daily rate. The official car park map on the Luton Airport website shows its exact position relative to the terminal.
About Stansted Airport Taxi
Stansted Airport Taxi is an Uttlesford District Council PHV Licensed private-hire operator. We cover all major London airports, seaports, and train stations across the UK. Our licensed address is 10–16 Tiller Road, London E14 8PX. Companies House number: 13506378.
Explore More Luton Airport Guides
- Taxi to Luton Airport from London — Fixed Fares 2026 — Coverage across all London zones
- Luton Airport Drop-Off Charges Explained (2026) — Full ANPR fee guide
- Luton Airport Parking: All Options Compared — Car Park 1 to Long Stay full comparison
- Taxi from Harpenden to Luton Airport — 7 miles, closest town
- Taxi from Hatfield to Luton Airport — A1(M) direct route guide
- Taxi from Hemel Hempstead to Luton Airport — A4147/M1 corridor
- Taxi from Hertford to Luton Airport — A414/M1 route, ~26 miles
- Taxi from Enfield to Luton Airport — A10/M25/M1 corridor
- Luton DART: Costs, Times & How to Book (2026) — Terminal to Parkway station guide
- Taxi from St Albans to Luton Airport — AL1/AL3 postcode coverage
Fare disclaimer: Transfer fares are fixed prices confirmed at booking via our fare calculator. The £9 Luton Airport ANPR drop-off charge is included in all fares. Car park rates and ANPR charges are set by London Luton Airport and subject to change — check the official airport website for the most current figures. Our confirmed booking price is locked from the moment you complete your booking.
Sources
Book Your Luton Airport Taxi
Choose your vehicle class, add your flight number and confirm your fixed fare.
- ✔ Fixed fare confirmed at booking, Luton Airport drop-off charge included
- ✔ Saloon through Executive MPV, with a wheelchair accessible vehicle on request
- ✔ Child seats available on request at £15 per seat
See our full Luton Airport taxi hub and Luton Airport taxi prices pages.
Get your fixed quote — call +44 20 3617 7825 or book online.
Find us on Google for directions and reviews. Read our reviews on Facebook, ProvenExpert and TripAdvisor, or get the Google Play app.
Stansted Airport Taxi · 10–16 Tiller Road, London E14 8PX · Registered in England and Wales — Companies House No. 13506378 · Uttlesford District Council PHV Operator Licence · info@stanstedairport-taxi.com. Drivers: Enhanced DBS checked · NVQ Level 2 Road Passenger Transport · PCO licensed. Last reviewed October 2026.
