Cheap Car Hire at London Luton Airport (LLA)
Welcome to London Luton Airport!
London Luton Airport (LTN), located around 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of central London, is one of the UK’s busiest airports and a popular choice for both international and domestic travellers. With its convenient location in the town of Luton close to the M1 motorway, easy access to the UK’s extensive road network, and affordable car hire options, London Luton Airport serves as the perfect starting point for exploring London and beyond. The airport is well-connected to many major attractions, cities, and scenic destinations, making it ideal for those who wish to explore the surrounding areas by hire car. Whether you're heading straight into the buzz and the bustle of capital city London, enjoying a countryside escape, or visiting nearby towns and cities, having a rental car gives you the freedom to plan your own adventure at your own pace. Several other airports in the region provide alternative arrival points to London Luton. These include Heathrow Airport (LHR), Gatwick Airport (LGW), Southend Airport (SEN), Stansted Airport (STN), and City Airport (LCY). Heathrow is approximately 47 kilometres (29 miles) from Luton, while Gatwick is 70 kilometres (43 miles) away. Southend Airport is 94 kilometres (58 miles), Stansted is 64 kilometres (40 miles) to the east of Luton, and City Airport is 53 kilometres (33 miles) south. All have hire car desks. At London Luton, the car hire desks are conveniently located within the terminal building, and a variety of vehicles are available to suit all types of travellers, from compact cars for city driving to larger vehicles for those planning longer journeys. Once you've picked up your hire car from Luton Airport, you'll be ready to start exploring the local area. London itself is just a short drive away, with attractions such as Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the West End theatre district all waiting to be discovered. However, the charm of Luton and its surroundings isn’t limited to the city. The airport’s location in leafy Bedfordshire offers easy access to a number of scenic destinations and historic sites that are well worth the drive. Luton’s road network is well-developed and offers easy access to the M1 motorway, which connects to both London and the Midlands. This major route allows for convenient travel to a variety of destinations, including scenic drives to the Chiltern Hills and the hallowed university city of Oxford. Be prepared for the occasional traffic congestion, especially during peak travel times, as London and its surrounding areas can be busy.
After collecting your hire car at London Luton Airport, the journey begins with the kind of charm that only the English countryside can deliver. As you steer away from the airport and onto the rolling roads of Bedfordshire, a panorama of lush pastures and undulating fields opens up. The car hums gently beneath you as you pass meadows sprinkled with grazing sheep and black-and-white cattle, their presence timeless against the vibrant green backdrop. Overhead, the sky is alive with birds, their graceful arcs drawing your gaze toward the horizon where hedgerows and copses frame the land like an impressionist painting.
Driving in Luton
Driving in the UK is a pleasant and manageable experience, especially with its well-maintained roads and clear signposts. Motorways and A-roads are generally in excellent condition, with smooth surfaces and efficient layouts, while smaller rural lanes offer scenic charm despite their narrower widths. Road signs are clear, standardised, and easy to follow, providing ample warning for turns, exits, and speed changes. Roundabouts, a common feature, help maintain traffic flow smoothly. Navigation is straightforward with hires fitted with modern GPS systems. Landmarks are often well-signposted and whether traveling through bustling cities or peaceful countryside, the UK’s road network supports both comfort and exploration. Keep your eyes peeled through the hire car windows and you’ll see the landscape shifts from soft hills to tidy villages, their honey-coloured stone cottages adorned with climbing roses and quaint pub signs that sway gently in the breeze. The Chiltern Hills soon beckon in the distance, their wooded slopes hinting at ancient mysteries and scenic trails perfect for those with a taste for adventure. Fields stretch endlessly here, golden with ripening grain or lush with the promise of harvest, broken only by the occasional church spire rising stoically above the tree line.
Approaching the historic charm of the elegant city of St Albans, the sight of its awe-inspiring cathedral—the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain—rises like a beacon. As you continue, the rivers glint in the sunlight, their banks dotted with swans and lined by willows that bow gracefully to their reflections. A detour toward the fine university city of Cambridge takes you past orderly farmlands and into a realm of academia, where the manicured lawns and grand colleges are framed by quiet waterways. Meanwhile, a southern loop might lead you through the majestic city of Windsor’s regal expanse, its castle commanding the town with medieval grandeur, or to handsome Oxford, where the "city of dreaming spires" unveils centuries of scholarly tradition. Nearby villages such as Leighton Buzzard offer historic high streets and the warm hum of local markets. Even the modern boxy sprawl of Milton Keynes has its charm, with landscaped boulevards and open spaces interspersed with sleek architecture, while the swan-scattered green of Bedford’s riverbanks invite a leisurely pause, its pathways alive with the chatter of dog walkers and cyclists, all set against a skyline of Georgian façades and leafy parks. Each mile from Luton tells a story, and as you venture further, the countryside's quiet rhythm becomes part of your own, promising discovery and serenity at every turn.
Tips and FAQs
When picking up your hire car at London Luton Airport, be sure to a valid driving license, International Drivers Permit (IDP), credit car, proof of ID, booking confirmation. Booking your hire car in advance is strongly recommended, particularly during busy travel periods like summer or the Christmas holidays, as it ensures you have the best selection of vehicles and competitive rates.
London Luton Airport (LTN)
Number of terminals: 1 terminal
Location of car rental desks: Ground level of the terminal building
Distance to fuel station: Around 1 km (0.6 miles) from the airport
Nearest city: Luton
Major roads: M1 motorway, A505
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