LUTON AIRPORT CAR HIRE
HIRE A CAR FROM LUTON AIRPORT
Luton Airport is located just 32 miles from Central London, close to the M1 and M25 with good transport links around the country. Over 6 million passengers fly from Luton each year and there are over 60 destinations available. Luton Town is 3 miles away, Dunstable 9 miles away, and St Albans 12 miles. Luton airport charges £1 to drop off or collect passengers (unless you use the mid-term car park and take a bus shuttle) and a non-refundable £1 for trolley hire.
By car - London Luton Airport is easily accessible and located close to the M1 and M25. From the East take the A505 dual carriageway Hitchin. The airport lies just off the A505 and is clearly signposted. From the M25 exit at Junction 21 for the access to the M1. From the M1 the airport is only 2 miles away. Exit and junction 10 and follow signs. From the West, if approaching via Dunstable, follow the airport signs. Alternatively travel via the M40/ M25 to join the M1 and then exit via Junction 10.
Luton, just three miles from the airport, was once famous as the centre of the British hat- making industry as well as the headquarters of Vauxhall Motors, the UK division of Vauxhall Motors with the one-time largest car plant in the country. It is also renown for the Luton one- day Carnival held in May, the largest of its kind in Europe. It has good shopping facilities and a wealth of visitor attractions the immediate area including the famous Luton Hoo, Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable Downs Countryside Centre and the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral.
The market town of Dunstable is perhaps best known as the gateway to the picturesque Chiltern Hills. It is, to a degree, overshadowed by Luton, which with the exception of the Dunstable Downs, shares the proximity of many of the attractions available to Luton.
The thriving yet compact city of St Albans (named afer St Alban, the first British Christian martyr, who was beheaded sometime before AD 324), dates back to Roman times, and was the first major town on the famous Watling Street as travellers from the south headed north. As the Roman city of Verulamium, it was the second-largest town in Roman Britain after “Londinium”, and the remains are a very popular visitor attraction, as is the city’s magnificent cathedral. The city has a very active cultural life, and there is also a very varied selection of shops, restaurants and bars. It is also a very popular location for the filming of television series and movies.
Airport facilities - Information desk, Bureau de Change, cash dispensers, pay phones, left luggage and oversize baggage. Baby changing facilities are available in all toilet facilities, and special babycare rooms, Executive Lounge in departures area, disabled facilities, including induction loops and free wheelchairs and porter assistance if required. There are a number of High Street names both before security and in the departure lounge, selling an impressive range of gifts, travel goods, accessories, fashion, books, magazines and pharmaceuticals. There is a well-stocked duty free. The Food Court provides everything from light snacks to burgers to sit-down meals, and there is a bar service alcoholic drinks. Special menus and offers for children are available in all airport restaurants. Baby food is available free of charge.
Hotels - there is a choice of 10 hotels on-airport and located close to the airport to choose from.
LUTON AIRPORT CAR RENTAL INFORMATION
There are five main car hire providers located in the Onward Travel Centre in the Arrivals Hall, and cars can be collected from the car rental car park in front of the Terminal. Other providers can offer a meet and greet service, but this is usually at a premium.
At an international airport such as Luton, you’ll find a good selection of vehicles available from most of the operators with special models, such as people carriers, best booked in advance. There is one van and one minibus provider. Another reason for booking in advance, aside from being able to complete most of the paperwork prior to your arrival, is being able to specify baby seats, child boosters, and other accessories as required.
If you haven’t booked in advance, you won’t have too much trouble securing a car at the airport, although you will have to complete all the paperwork on the spot. You can use dedicated smartphone aps with some of the rental companies, while with others you are just a phone call away from booking your car, but be wary of any contact telephone number beginning with 08 as these are charged at premium rates to mobile phones, and even more expensive again for mobiles on international roaming.
Your best deal will be gained by booking in advance.
Don’t forget, you will need identification, your driver’s licence and either a credit or debit card to secure your vehicle. Check that all the terms and conditions on the paperwork are as you expected, and it’s no harm in checking the car over when you take delivery to ensure you won’t be found at fault for at the end of your rental for damage the previous renter may have done!
When you take delivery, you may need to familiarise yourself with the vehicle if it is a different make to your own, more so if you are coming from a country that drives on the right. Simple things like the whereabouts of the fuel filler cap release and how to readjust the seat are worth checking before you drive off. The UK drives on the left, and you’ll find that many roads out of Luton are dual carriageway (maximum speed 60mph) and the nearby main motorway artery, the MI, has a maximum speed of 70mph.
