Luton Airport: Taxi Availability And Your Options

London Luton Airport offers a range of taxi services for arriving and departing passengers. The airport's official partner taxi service is Addison Lee, but there are also other licensed taxis and private hire companies available. It is recommended to pre-book a taxi to get the best price and avoid long waits. The taxi rank is located outside the terminal exit, and passengers can also be dropped off or picked up in the Mid-Stay Car Park for free.

Taxi ranks at Luton Airport

Luton Airport has a range of taxi options for arriving and departing passengers. The taxi rank is located just outside the terminal exit, adjacent to the private hire area.

Official Taxi Service

The official taxi partner at the airport is Addison Lee, but there are also licensed Hackney carriages available. Taxis are equipped with Wi-Fi and charging ports, and the travel time to London city centre is around 40 minutes.

Pre-Booking a Taxi

Pre-booking a taxi is the most cost-effective option. When pre-booking, you can request a meet-and-greet service, where the driver will wait for you in the arrival hall holding a sign with your name on it. Alternatively, you can meet your pre-booked taxi at the designated pick-up and drop-off point, situated on the ground floor of the terminal car park 2.

Private Hire Vehicles

If you wish to hire a private vehicle or minicab, this must be pre-booked by phone or in person at the operator's office. Private hire vehicles are licensed by Luton Borough Council and must pass a stringent test to ensure roadworthiness and cosmetic immaculacy.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zones

If you are being dropped off at the airport, your taxi can use the Drop Off/Pick Up Zone situated just outside the terminal front for a fee of £5 for 5 minutes, and £1 per minute thereafter, with a maximum stay of 20 minutes. Alternatively, your driver can drop you off for free in the Mid-Stay Car Park, from which you can walk to the terminal (around 10 minutes) or catch a bus.

Pre-booking a taxi

When pre-booking, you can choose your vehicle based on the size of your party and the number of luggage pieces you have. You can also request additional services, such as child or baby seats and female drivers. If you are travelling with a large group, you can book an 8-seater minibus or a large minibus that can accommodate up to 16 passengers and luggage.

When you pre-book a taxi, you can lock in the quoted price and avoid any unexpected charges. You will also have the convenience of a driver monitoring your flight information, so they will be there even if your flight is delayed or early.

There are two main ways to meet your pre-booked taxi: a meet-and-greet service or a designated pick-up point. For the meet-and-greet service, the driver will wait for you inside the arrival hall, holding a sign with your name on it. For the pick-up point option, you will need to go to the ground floor of the terminal car park 2, which is located just outside the arrival hall. There will be signs guiding you to this location.

Taxi costs

The cost of a taxi from Luton Airport to London city centre can be up to £110 per person, depending on traffic and your exact destination. It's not the cheapest option, as the airport is quite far from the city. A taxi ride to the city centre takes about an hour, but it can be as little as 40 minutes.

The official partner taxi service at the airport is Addison Lee, but there are also Licensed Hackney carriages available. It's worth noting that taking a taxi that is waiting outside Luton Airport can be extremely expensive—they charge over double the rate compared to pre-booking. Pre-booking a taxi is the easiest and most cost-effective option. You can pre-book in just 30 seconds, and when you arrive, a driver will be waiting to take you to your destination.

There are a range of taxi options available at Luton Airport, including saloon cars, estate cars, executive cars, people carriers, and minibusses. These can accommodate different group sizes, ranging from 4 to 16 passengers. It's important to note that only licensed hackney carriages are allowed to pick up at Luton's taxi rank. If you want to hire a private hire vehicle or minicab, it must be pre-booked by phone or in person at the operator's office.

When pre-booking a taxi, you can often lock in the quoted price, and there are no extra costs for flight delays or pick-up/drop-off charges. Some companies offer fixed prices with no hidden charges, and you can get instant quotes online. It's recommended to book in advance to get the best value for money and quality service.

Additionally, consider car-sharing companies like Uber, Free Now, and Ola, which offer more affordable options for travelling to and from Luton Airport.

Private hire vehicles

If you opt for a private hire taxi, it is recommended to use one of the firms listed on the Luton Airport website. These include Fred and Franks Airport Transfers, REAL, and A1 Minibus & Coach LTD. REAL, for example, is a luxury transfer company that serves major London airports and five major ports. They pride themselves on the high level of service and professionalism they offer their clients and hand-pick the perfect drivers for the job.

Another option is 1ST Airport Taxis LTD, which offers a meet-and-greet service where the driver will wait for you in the arrival hall holding a sign with your name on it. They also offer a standard pick-up and drop-off service at the ground floor of the terminal car park 2.

Luton Airport Taxis LTD is yet another option, guaranteeing the lowest price for airport taxi services. They offer an easy online booking service and their drivers monitor flight information, ensuring that they are there to greet you whether your flight is delayed or early.

When booking a private hire taxi, you can expect to find vehicles that cater to different group sizes, ranging from 4-seater saloon cars to 16-seater minibusses. These taxis are licensed by the Luton Borough Council and must pass a stringent test to ensure roadworthiness and immaculate cosmetic condition. The appropriate yellow plate must be displayed inside and outside the vehicle, and the driver must have photo ID.

Pick-up and drop-off points

When picking up passengers, only licensed hackney carriages are allowed to use the taxi rank at the terminal exit. If you've booked a private hire vehicle or minicab, it must be pre-booked, and your driver will meet you in the designated area. For pre-booked taxis, the pick-up and drop-off meeting point is on the ground floor of Terminal Car Park 2. As you exit the arrival hall, take a left turn and walk straight down past the buses, taxi ranks, and lifts to the car park. Continue walking straight for about 3 minutes, and you'll reach the pickup and drop-off point.

Frequently asked questions