If you’re flying into London on a budget, chances are you’ll land at either London Luton or Stansted. These are the two busiest low-cost hubs in London which plenty of budget airlines like EasyJet, Ryanair and WizzAir use. I visited London multiple times over the years, and I know how confusing it can be trying to decide which airport fits your travel plans better. While I sometimes opt for London’s more central and premium airports of London Heathrow or London Gatwick, I have also traveled to London’s budget airports: Stansted and Luton.
Each airport has its perks (and quirks), so in this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the right choice. I will compare mainly the transport links and hidden fees involved to continue your journey into central London. I will also compare average flight prices and compare the package costs to those at Heathrow and Gatwick
Whether you’re a first-time visitor trying to save money or a frequent flier comparing Ryanair and Wizz Air routes, this comparison is based on my own personal experience and research, with the aim of helping you travel smarter and cheaper. Let’s dive in and find out which airport between Luton or Stansted is the better fit for your next London adventure.
London Luton or London Stansted – Overview
Being both considered budget airports and inferior to the more central and premium airports London Heathrow and London Gatwick, it is sometimes tough to choose between the 2 airports. Here is a brief overview and essential information on each airport, which airlines operate from where, their location and some of the more popular destinations from both airports.
Which Airport is Closer to London – Luton Or Stansted
Luton Airport is located 35 miles north of Central London near the town of Luton. It is connected via the M1 motorway. Stansted Airport is about 40 miles northeast and it is in fact closer to Cambridge. The M11 serves Stansted Airport.
This makes Luton Airport ever so slightly closer to central London if you are traveling by car. However it may not be the case when traveling by public transport. This is covered in the upcoming section.
Flight Availability and Airlines
Both airports have overlapping factors and destinations but there are some subtle differences. London Stansted has more routes on offer and it is surprisingly the third busiest airport in the UK. London Luton serves more domestic routes.
Flights Operating from Luton
Luton serves roughly 125 destinations in 39 countries and it mainly does so through budget airlines of easyJet Ryanair and WizzAir. This year (2025) Jet2 added a new base at Luton and added 17 holiday destinations. Here is a list of all destinations served from Luton airport
Flights Operating from Stansted
Like I said, London Stansted offer more routes but one route that does catch my eye is the fact that Emirates serve London Stansted to Dubai. It is also one of RyanAir’s biggest hubs. This makes London Stansted spoilt for choice and serves over 200 destinations. Here is a full list of destinations served from Stansted on the airport’s official website.
Which Airport is Easier to Get to Central London – Luton Or Stansted?
It is all well and good knowing which airlines serve which airport. The likelihood that you are traveling to Luton or Stansted is that you want to properly visit the English Capital. So which airport transports you the quickest and easiest and cheapest to the heart of the city.
How to Get from Luton to Central London
The Luton Airport Parkway station connects to Kings Cross St.Pancras in around 45 minutes. From the airport to the train station the newly introduced Luton DART gets you there in around 4 mintues. The cost to get to central London is between £12-18 depending on time of day. You can buy tickets to the Luton Express on the airport’s website
Jonathan Dann, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to Get from Stansted to Central London
The Stansted Express takes you directly to Liverpool Street Station in about 50 minutes. The train costs around £20. A slightly cheaper but longer option are the National Express buses to Victoria/Stratford. These buses take an hour and a half to reach central London.
Travel Time and Costs Comparison
| Public Transport Time | Destination Station | Costs | |
| Luton | 35-45 mins | St.Pancras | £12-18 |
| Stansted | 50mins-1hr | Liverpool Street | approx. £20 |
Airport Facilities and Services
Security and Immigration Time
- Luton has recently revamped its terminal, which has helped reduce queues but mornings can still be chaotic.
- Stansted has more gates and bigger facilities but tends to have longer queues, especially during summer.
Food and Shopping Options
- Both airports offer typical airport fare: Pret A Manger, Starbucks, WHSmith, duty-free, and a few sit-down restaurants.
- Stansted has a slightly wider selection and more seating.
Wi-Fi, Lounges, and Seating Areas
- Free Wi-Fi is available at both, but Stansted’s lounge options are better overall. Since Emirates operate from here they also have their own lounge.
- Seating is limited in Luton during peak hours.
Costs and Budget Considerations
There are no particular specific hidden costs and considerations to take other than those you do at any other airport. Prices for coffee and water are a rip off as well as a small sandwich meal will set you back £10
Tips to Save Money at Each Airport
- Book train tickets in advance online.
- Carry a reusable water bottle (free water fountains available).
- Avoid peak travel times: early morning = longer queues and higher prices.
- Use travel passes like Oyster or Contactless on connecting trains where possible.
Final Thoughts: Stansted or Luton?
In all honesty this really depends on the situation. Both airports do a great job of serving budget airlines and travelers heading to London. If you’re looking to save money on transport, Luton is usually your best bet. If your priority is wider flight availability especially internationally, then Stansted wins.
Personally, I switch between the two depending on the flight deal. The most important thing is to not just look at the airfare but factor in the travel time, ticket costs, and even where your hotel is in London. That way, you get the best deal overall and start your London adventure with less stress and more pounds in your pocket.
Which Airport Should You Choose?
- Best Overall Experience – Stansted
- Best for Quick London Access – Luton
- Best for Cheap Flights – Both!
Hope that this clarified any dilemmas and questions whether you want to visit these airports, if you had reservations having heard bad things in the past or skeptical about the travel time to get to London. If you are still not convinced maybe you want to read about London’s two main airports London Heathrow and Gatwick
