Looking for cheap car hire at Luton Airport? Whether you are flying into LTN for a London city break, a business trip or to explore the countryside North of the capital, getcarhire.com compares deals from the leading suppliers to find you the right hire car at the right price. As one of Britain’s busiest budget airports, Luton is known for low fares, and that value carries through to car hire Luton Airport, with some of the keenest rates of any London airport.
All the major car hire brands operate from the Car Hire Centre, a short free shuttle ride from the terminal, with the M1 just minutes away. That puts London, the Chiltern Hills and the historic towns of the South East all within easy reach, making car hire Luton Airport a smart choice for exploring. This guide covers where to collect, what it costs, driving into London and the best destinations on the doorstep.
Quick answer: Car hire at Luton Airport (LTN) is one of the cheapest ways to reach London and the South East. All major suppliers are at the Car Hire Centre, a free shuttle from arrivals. Prices start from around £13 per day, and you can be in central London in about 45 minutes via the M1, or the Chiltern Hills in half an hour.
Car Hire Luton Airport at a Glance
| Airport code | LTN (London Luton Airport) |
| Distance to London | About 30 miles South via the M1, around 45 minutes to an hour |
| Typical price | From around £13 per day, average £40 to £55 |
| Collection | Car Hire Centre, free shuttle from Bay C, every 15 minutes |
| Best for | London, the Chilterns, St Albans, Oxford and Cambridge |
| Cheapest month | November; summer is busiest, so book ahead |
London’s South-Coast gateway to Brighton and the Downs. Car Hire UK →
Compare deals across every major UK airport and city.
Collecting Your Hire Car at Luton Airport
Luton Airport (airport code LTN) keeps collection simple. The major suppliers, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National, Alamo and Sixt, are based together at the Car Hire Centre, a short ride from the terminal. To reach it, head to Bay C at the bus station outside arrivals and take the free shuttle bus, which runs every 15 minutes around the clock and takes about 5 to 10 minutes. See the official London Luton Airport site for terminal details.
A few tips for smooth cheap car hire Luton Airport. Bring your driving licence, a credit card in the main driver’s name and your booking confirmation, and if you hold a UK licence bring your DVLA check code. Book online in advance for the best rates, as Luton’s low fares make pre-booked deals especially good value. A fuel station sits near the airport exit for an easy full-to-full return, and out-of-hours drop-off is available.
How Much Does Car Hire at Luton Airport Cost?
Car hire at Luton Airport is among the best value of any London airport, with prices from around £13 per day for a small car and an average of £40 to £55 per day across the year. As the home of budget airlines, Luton attracts price-conscious travellers, and the car hire Luton Airport market is competitive to match, so booking ahead pays off.
Season is the main driver of price. November is typically the cheapest month, while July and the summer holidays are the busiest and most expensive. Booking around 2 to 3 weeks ahead usually secures a good rate for cheap car hire Luton, though for peak summer dates it pays to book earlier. The table below shows the seasonal pattern.
| Season | Demand | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| November and winter | Lowest | Best value, from around £13 per day |
| July and August | Peak | Highest demand, book early |
| Rest of year | Moderate | Good value, book 2 to 3 weeks ahead |
Driving from Luton to London and the South East
Luton Airport sits about 30 miles North of London, with quick access to the M1 via Airport Way and the A1081. For the capital, join the M1 southbound, which leads to the M25 and into London in around 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Luton itself is not in any congestion or emissions zone, but central London has both a Congestion Charge and the ULEZ, so most visitors park on the outskirts and take the train in, though the majority of modern hire cars meet the ULEZ standard.
Away from London, the roads quickly open up. The M1 North leads to the Midlands, while the A505 and B655 reach the Chiltern Hills in around half an hour. This is where car hire Luton Airport really earns its keep, on the drives out to the countryside and historic towns that public transport reaches only slowly.
Choosing the Right Hire Car at Luton
For most visitors a small or medium car is the ideal choice for cheap car hire Luton, economical, easy to park and well suited to both London’s streets and the country lanes of the Chilterns. Small cars are the most popular and best value car hire Luton Airport category. For families or longer drives to Oxford or Cambridge, a medium car or compact SUV adds comfort and space.
When comparing car hire Luton Airport deals through getcarhire.com, filter by transmission, mileage and fuel policy. Choose a full-to-full fuel policy to avoid inflated refuelling charges, check for unlimited mileage if you plan a longer tour, and book an automatic in advance if you need one, as manuals are standard in the UK.
Exploring London and Beyond from Luton
Luton is a genuine crossroads, sitting North of London and almost exactly halfway between Oxford and Cambridge, which makes car hire Luton Airport a superb base for a road trip.
The Chilterns, St Albans and Family Days Out
The Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are around 30 minutes away, with rolling hills, woodland and walking trails near Dunstable Downs. The Roman city of St Albans, with its Verulamium Museum and medieval cathedral, is about 20 minutes South. Families are spoilt for choice nearby, with Whipsnade, the UK’s largest zoo, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour for Harry Potter fans, and Woburn Safari Park all within around 30 minutes.
London, Oxford and Cambridge
London is around 30 miles South down the M1, putting the capital’s history, theatre and sights within easy reach of car hire Luton Airport. Luton’s real advantage, though, is its position between two of England’s most famous university cities: Oxford lies about an hour to the West and Cambridge about an hour to the North East, making it possible to visit both on a single trip by hire car.
Car Hire Luton Airport: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car hire at Luton Airport cost?
Car hire at Luton Airport starts from around £13 per day for a small car, with an average of £40 to £55 per day. November is typically the cheapest month and summer the busiest, so booking 2 to 3 weeks ahead, or earlier for peak dates, secures the best value.
Where do you collect a hire car at Luton Airport?
All major suppliers are based at the Car Hire Centre, reached by a free shuttle bus from Bay C at the bus station outside arrivals. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes around the clock and takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Bring your licence, a credit card in the main driver’s name and your booking confirmation.
How far is Luton Airport from central London?
Luton is around 30 miles North of London, about 45 minutes to an hour by car via the M1 and M25 depending on traffic. A train also runs to central London in around 30 to 50 minutes, but a hire car is far better for exploring the wider South East.
Is car hire cheaper at Luton than other London airports?
Often, yes. As a budget airline hub, Luton tends to offer some of the keenest car hire rates of the London airports, with small cars from around £13 per day. Booking in advance and comparing suppliers through getcarhire.com secures the best value.
Can you drive to the Chilterns or Cambridge from Luton?
Yes. The Chiltern Hills are around 30 minutes from Luton Airport via the A505 and B655, while Cambridge is about an hour to the North East. Luton sits roughly halfway between Oxford and Cambridge, making a hire car ideal for visiting both.
Do you pay the ULEZ or Congestion Charge from Luton?
Only if you drive into central London. Luton Airport and the surrounding area are outside the zones. Most modern hire cars meet the ULEZ emissions standard, but the London Congestion Charge still applies in the centre, so check before driving in.
Find Your Cheap Car Hire Luton Airport Deal
From the bright lights of London to the rolling Chiltern Hills and the historic streets of Oxford and Cambridge, a hire car is the key to the South East. Compare cheap car hire Luton Airport deals with getcarhire.com, collect your car at the Car Hire Centre, and set off to explore the capital and countryside at your own pace. Enter your dates below to see the latest car hire Luton Airport deals.