Airport Tips & Quick Reference Guide to London Luton Airport (LTN)

Luton Airport Car Hire

Information compiled by David Enrich, aviation and airport guide expert since 1999.

Car Rental at London Luton Airport (LTN)

Renting a car at London Luton Airport (LTN) is one of the best ways to explore London and the surrounding areas such as Oxford, Cambridge or the English countryside. Due to limited direct public transport to some destinations, car rental offers flexibility, comfort and independence.

Passenger Tip: Booking your car at least 2–3 weeks in advance can significantly reduce prices and avoid availability issues.

Car Rental Companies & Location

Several major international and local companies operate at Luton Airport, including:

  • Hertz
  • Avis
  • Budget
  • Enterprise
  • Europcar
  • Sixt
  • Alamo
  • Green Motion
  • Drivalia

All rental companies are located in the Car Hire Centre, accessible via a free shuttle bus from outside the terminal (Bay C), with a journey time of around 5–10 minutes.

Passenger Tip: Follow “Car Rental Shuttle” signs after arrivals for the fastest route to the rental centre.

Average Prices & Car Types

Car Type Avg Price / Day Best For
Economy £11 – £25 Budget travel, city trips
Compact / Sedan £20 – £40 Urban & short trips
SUV £30 – £60 Families, comfort
Minivan £50 – £90 Groups
Luxury £60+ Premium travel

Prices can start from as low as £11/day for economy cars depending on season and availability.

Popular Destinations by Car

Destination Distance Drive Time Why Visit
Central London 55 km 45–70 min Main attractions
Oxford 95 km 1h 20m Historic university city
Cambridge 60 km 1h Architecture & culture
St Albans 20 km 25 min Local day trip

Passenger Tip: Luton Airport has direct access to the M1 motorway, making road trips very convenient

Car Rental Insurance Explained

  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Covers damage to the rental vehicle.
  • Theft Protection: Covers vehicle theft.
  • Third-Party Liability: Covers damage to others.
  • Excess Insurance: Reduces deductible costs.

Many credit cards include basic insurance coverage, so always check before purchasing extras.

Passenger Tip: Always choose “full-to-full” fuel policy to avoid extra charges.

Rental Companies Comparison

Company Price Level Customer Rating Best For
Alamo Medium 9.1 / 10 Service quality
Avis Medium 9.1 / 10 Business travel
Sixt Medium-high 8.8 / 10 Premium vehicles
Europcar Medium 8.8 / 10 Balanced option

Estimated Waiting Times

Service Type Average Wait Peak Time
Standard pick-up 15–25 min 30–45 min
Budget companies 20–30 min 40+ min
Fast-track / digital 5–10 min 15 min

Passenger Tip: Choose companies offering keyless or self-service pick-up to skip queues.

Car rental companies

In Luton Airport you can find the following car rental companies:

Alamo

Alamo

Contact: +44 1582 390969
Website: www.alamo.co.uk
Location: Airport Terminal
Avis

Avis

Contact: +44 344 544 6021
Website: www.avis.co.uk
Location: Airport Terminal
Budget

Budget

Contact: +44 344 544 4646
Website: www.budget.co.uk
Location: Airport Terminal
Enterprise

Enterprise

Contact: +44 1582 390969
Website: www.enterprise.co.uk
Location: Airport Terminal
Europcar

Europcar

Contact: +44 371 384 3413 / +44 371 384 5919
Website: www.europcar.co.uk
Location: Airport Terminal and Out of the airport
Green Motion

Green Motion

Contact: +44 1582 246750
Website: greenmotion.co.uk
Location: Out of the airport
Sixt

Sixt

Contact: +44 20 7018 8246 / +44 20 7018 8246
Website: www.sixt.co.uk
Location: Out of the airport and Out of the airport
Thrifty

Thrifty

Contact: +44 1582 343380
Website: www.thrifty.co.uk
Location: Out of the airport