Luton Airport: Sleep Or No Sleep?

can you sleep in luton airport

London Luton Airport is open 24 hours and has free WiFi, charging stations, and 24-hour food concessions. While there are no dedicated sleeping areas, travellers have reported that airport staff tolerates overnight sleepers. The airport is brightly lit and there are frequent loud announcements, so earplugs and an eye mask are recommended. If you're looking for a more comfortable option, there are hotels within a 10-minute walk of the airport, and some that offer shuttle services.

Characteristics Values
Sleeping spots in the airport The airport has limited seating, with travellers pointing to the benches in the Arrivals area as the best spot for napping. There are also soft armchairs between Gates 5 and 6 (Airside). If you can't get through security, you'll have to sleep in the main entrance.
Noise and lighting The airport is brightly lit and noisy, so consider bringing an eye mask and earplugs.
Safety The airport is safe and brightly lit, but keep your valuables close.
Food and drink There are 24-hour food concessions, and vending machines selling snacks, coffee and drinks.
WiFi and charging Free unlimited WiFi is available, but it can be unreliable when it gets busy. There are limited power outlets, but charging stations can be found near Gates 6, 7, 22, and 30 and near the coffee stations in Gates 22 and 30.
Lounges Lounges can be accessed by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program. The Aspire Lounge is pay-to-use.
Hotels There are hotels within a 10-minute walk of the airport, including the Holiday Inn Express London Luton Airport.
Showers There is a shower inside the "adult changing facility" located airside in the departure lounge.

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Sleeping spots in the airport

If you are looking for a place to sleep at Luton Airport, there are several options available. The airport is open 24 hours, and there are 24-hour food concessions available on both the landside and airside. However, there are no dedicated sleeping areas or rest zones. If you are arriving before you can go through security, you will need to find a spot on the floor in the main entrance, which can be noisy and brightly lit. After going through security, there are quieter spots to catch some sleep. Most travellers recommend the benches in the Arrivals area. There are also soft, comfy armchairs between Gates 5 and 6 (airside), although these can be hard to find. If you are on the landside, Pret a Manger has padded benches that are good for lying down and the staff are generally accommodating. There is also a quiet room next to Gate 17, but this is specifically for passengers with disabilities.

If you want a more comfortable sleeping spot, there are hotels within a 10-minute walk of the airport, including the Holiday Inn Express London Luton Airport. There is also a lounge, Aspire, that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program. This lounge offers sleep pods, food and drink, and mixed reviews.

If you are looking for a quieter option, the chapel outside the airport is a good choice for evening layovers. It offers four comfortable chairs and a quiet environment, although it is located near a bus stop, so there may be some noise.

Overall, while there are no dedicated sleeping areas, there are several spots in the airport where you can get some rest, and there are also nearby hotels and lounges that can provide a more comfortable sleeping experience.

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Nearby hotels

If you're looking for a more comfortable option than sleeping in the airport, there are several hotels nearby. Luton Airport is located about an hour outside of London, and there are hotels within a 10-minute walk of the airport.

One option is the Holiday Inn Express London Luton Airport. This hotel offers comfortable rooms with triple-glazed windows, a bar, and a restaurant serving breakfast and evening meals. A shuttle bus runs frequently from opposite the hotel to the airport.

Another option is the Premier Inn, which offers budget-friendly rooms with comfortable beds and free Wi-Fi. However, there is no free shuttle, and parking is chargeable.

There are also other hotels near Luton Airport that offer shuttle services, such as the Ibis Hotel, which is located on-site, about a 10-minute walk from the terminal.

If you're looking for a place to rest during the day, there are some spots within the airport as well. The Arrivals area has benches that are noted as a good area for napping. There are also padded benches in Pret a Manger that offer a good spot for lying down, and the staff is generally accommodating. Additionally, if you can access the airside area, there are soft, comfy armchairs between Gates 5 and 6.

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Lounges and sleep pods

Luton Airport does not have dedicated sleeping areas or rest zones. However, there is a ""quiet room"" for passengers with disabilities, including autism, dementia, or cognitive impairments. The airport staff and security are generally tolerant of overnight sleepers.

If you are arriving before you can go through security, you will need to find a spot on the floor in the main entrance to lie down. While it is not uncomfortable, it is brightly lit and noisy. After going through security, there are quieter spots to catch some sleep. The benches in the Arrivals area are pointed to as the best area for napping. There are also soft, comfy armchairs between Gates 5 and 6 (airside), although they might be hard to find.

There are pay-to-use lounges at Luton Airport, such as the Aspire Lounge, which offers food and drink. Reviews of the sleep pods are mixed, but there is an option to have food and drink included, which could be good value.

If you are looking for uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport, some within a 10-minute walk. These include the Holiday Inn Express London Luton Airport.

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Food and drink

Luton Airport has a large selection of shops, cafes, and restaurants, including Pret, Starbucks, and Krispy Kreme. These eateries are open until late in the evening. After that, vending machines sell snacks, coffee, and drinks. There are also 24-hour food concessions available.

The airport's website lists all the cafes and restaurants, some of which are open 24 hours. Drinking water fountains can be found on the airside, next to the lifts in the Departures Lounge.

If you are looking for a quiet place to eat, the chapel outside the airport is a great option for evening layovers. It offers four comfortable chairs without armrests and a peaceful environment, although it is a bit noisy due to its proximity to a bus stop.

For those seeking a more luxurious dining experience, Luton Airport's 'hidden gem' lounge offers unlimited food and drink, along with 'nap pods' for a quick rest. The pay-to-use Aspire Lounge is another option, located on the first floor opposite Accessorize.

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Safety

If you're spending the night at Luton Airport, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your safety and comfort. Firstly, the airport is brightly lit, so consider bringing an eye mask to block out the light. The airport also has frequent loud announcements, so earplugs can help improve your sleep quality. It's important to keep your valuables close to you, especially if you plan on dozing off in a public area. While there are no recent reports of safety issues at the airport, older reports have indicated the presence of homeless or vagrant individuals wandering the public/landside zones at night.

When choosing a place to sleep, it's worth noting that the airport has limited seating, and good sleep spots are scarce. The benches in the Arrivals area are generally considered the best place for napping. If you're arriving before you can go through security, you may need to find a spot on the floor in the main entrance, which can be noisy. After passing through security, you'll find quieter spots, including soft armchairs between Gates 5 and 6 (Airside). There is also a ""quiet room" specifically designated for passengers with disabilities, including autism, dementia, or cognitive impairments.

If you prefer more privacy and comfort, there are hotels within a 10-minute walk of the airport, including the Holiday Inn Express London Luton Airport. These hotels offer comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi, and shuttle services to and from the airport. Additionally, Luton Airport has introduced sleep pods under the brand name 'Aspire', which offer mixed reviews regarding their value.

To stay safe and comfortable, it's recommended to bring warm clothing, as the temperature in the airport may be cool. It's also a good idea to download your media before arriving, as the free airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable when it gets busy. Charging your devices in advance is also advisable, as power outlets are limited.

Lastly, if you're travelling to the airport from London, it's recommended to take the Thameslink train line to Luton Airport Parkway station. Keep in mind that you'll need to purchase a separate ticket for the shuttle bus from the station to the airport.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, it is safe to sleep in Luton Airport for both male and female passengers as the airport is brightly lit. However, as with most things, it is best to keep your valuables close to you.

There are limited good sleep spots in the airport due to limited seating. Most travellers point to the benches in the Arrivals area as the best area for napping. If you can access it, there are soft, comfy armchairs between Gates 5 and 6. There is also a chapel outside the airport that is open all night and rarely visited, making it a safe and quiet place to sleep.

Yes, there are hotels within a 10-minute walk of Luton Airport, such as the Holiday Inn Express London Luton Airport. There are also hotels that offer shuttle services to the airport, such as the Premier Inn.

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