Luton is the Chilterns' handy second airport: at 40–55 minutes via the M1 it is far closer than Gatwick or Stansted, and it is the home of budget carriers flying across Europe. If your easyJet or Wizz Air flight leaves from Luton, here is how to reach it without stress.
- Luton is 40–55 minutes from Gerrards Cross via the M25 and M1, the second-closest airport after Heathrow.
- It is a hub for low-cost airlines, so many cheap European flights depart from here rather than Heathrow.
- Luton's 2026 drop-off charge is £7 for 10 minutes, then £1 per extra minute, so do not linger.
How far is Luton from Gerrards Cross?
Luton is around 40–55 minutes via the M25 and M1, making it the quickest airport after Heathrow. The run is mostly motorway, so off-peak it is brisk, but the airport approach and terminal can get congested at peak budget-airline times. See our Gerrards Cross to Luton page.
Why do so many flights leave from Luton?
Luton is a base for low-cost carriers, so a huge share of cheap European city-break and holiday flights depart from here. Travellers often book the fare first and only later realise it leaves from Luton, which is exactly why a reliable transfer to a less familiar airport is worth having.
What does it cost to drop off at Luton?
The 2026 drop-off charge is £7 for up to 10 minutes, then £1 per extra minute up to a 30-minute maximum. The terminal forecourt can be busy, so a quick, planned drop-off matters. A fixed-price transfer includes the charge and the timing for you.
When should you leave for a Luton flight?
Do not let the short journey lull you into leaving late, Luton's security and terminal get busy with early budget departures. Aim to be at the terminal two hours before a short-haul flight, then add the 40–55 minute journey and a buffer. Our when-to-leave guide has the full method.
Why Luton catches people out
Luton's biggest trap is complacency. Because it is close and the flights are cheap, travellers leave it late, then meet a congested terminal approach and busy security at peak budget-airline times, and suddenly the short journey is not the safety margin they assumed.
Treat Luton like any other airport: arrive two hours before a short-haul flight, build in a buffer for the M1, and pre-book your car so the one quick part of the trip, the drive, is the part you never have to worry about.