My son and I are landing at Gatwick in a couple of weeks (I know, totally last minute!) and will be in London for 2 nights before flying out of Luton on an 8am flight. I’d like to stay the 2 nights close to the Luton airport but would also like easy access to get into London as we’d like to go to the Churchill war room and maybe a museum during our one full day there. Any hotel recommendations in this area?
Posted by
Land of La
8645 posts
Be aware travel time from Luton Airport into London can take at a minimum a half hour but don’t be surprised your transport time takes much longer.
Churchill War Room tickets are massively popular these days and you need to research to see if any are available for your dates.
I Have never arrived or departed from Luton.
Best for you to peruse their website.
https://www.london-luton.co.uk/
And as far as nearby hotels;
https://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/luton_hotels.htm
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Thanks Claudia! I just booked my Churchill tickets and the Luton website looks very helpful. Thanks so much.
Posted by
UK
1015 posts
There’s a Premier Inn near Luton Airport.
Or you could stay in London, near St Pancras - the Thameslink trains arrive there from Gatwick, and continue onwards to Luton Airport Parkway through the night.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32700 posts
The Luton Airport Parkway station is some distance from the airport and at the moment it is linked by a shuttle bus between the station (downstairs and outside from the platforms) and the departure/arrivals halls. Not the speediest bus. In the relatively near future - a year or two - there will be an automatic cable car type system, like Gatwick and Birmingham, which will whisk you into the airport. But for now we have what we have.
That same bus stops near, but not at, a Premier Inn, a Holiday Inn Express and some sort of Marriott on the way to the terminal.
If you take the train you must get off at Luton Airport Parkway, don't miss it and get off at Luton. You won't be happy.
Easyjet? 2 hours ahead. Do everything ahead and on the app to save money.
The Thameslinks - as said above - run all night, so staying in London the last night and getting a silly early train is quite do-able.
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1097 posts
We flew out of Luton on EasyJet last summer, to Tel Aviv. We got there three hours ahead and had to wait for the counter to open to check in. Lots of waiting, but the closer it got to flight time, the more crowded it got. Crazy crowded. Everything went fine but it was a bit of a cattle call, and we had preferred seats. Totally worth the extra cost.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
We’re flying Ryan air and I opted for the preferred seating/bag check option. We’ll be flying to Athens - should we arrive 2 hours before flight time with that airline?
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1097 posts
I have no experience with RyanAir, but you should follow whatever their guidance is for international flights. If they say 3 hours before, I'd be there 3 hours before. But I'm risk averse like that. I hate to be rushed.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32700 posts
RyanAir? Read every single rule and regulation, and then read them again. They are very strict. Be there before they say you must. Be sure you don't need to print anything out before you arrive or they will charge a lot to do it for you. Make sure that the luggage meets all their rules, they will check.
If you follow everything to the letter you can get there quite cheaply.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
I will be sure to read everything thoroughly. Opted to stay at holiday inn express, we can walk to the airport in 10 minutes. On the return we have 3 nights and fly out in the afternoon so I will find a place to stay that is closer to the city and has a more local vibe. Excited! Thanks all.