Luton Airport coach transfers: bay M and the Mid Stay layover
Luton keeps private hire coaches away from the terminal until the flight is down. The coach waits in the Mid Stay car park, then collects from bay M outside the terminal building.
Holding in the Mid Stay car park
While the flight is in the air, the coach sits in the Coach Layover Area of the Mid Stay car park; it may stay four hours. A pick-up permit is required. Drivers buy it on the day or reserve it at the parking office in Mid Stay, where arrival times are shown as well.
The coach may enter the bus bay area only once the flight it is meeting has landed. Send the flight number with your booking so the move can be timed.
Bay M suits larger coaches only
Bay M works on a drive-in, reverse-out basis, and the gate for boarding is worked by the driver. It is limited to coaches of at least 20 seats fitted with reversing cameras. A smaller vehicle, or a coach without cameras, uses the standard drop-off and pick-up areas instead.
The Drop Off and Pick Up Zone takes cars and minibuses of up to 19 seats. It is about five minutes' walk from the terminal and charged; payment is online only, due by midnight the following day, and there is no Blue Badge concession. If a passenger struggles with that walk, a coach at bay M may be the better booking.
Where the driver meets you
- Private hire coaches collect groups from bay M in the bus bay area outside the terminal building, and may enter the bus bay area only once the flight they are meeting has landed. The bay works on a drive-in, reverse-out basis and the driver opens and closes the gate for passengers to board.
Where coaches wait
- While waiting for a flight, private hire coaches park in the Coach Layover Area in the Mid Stay car park for up to four hours. A pick-up permit is needed, bought on the day or pre-booked at the car parking office in the Mid Stay car park, where drivers can also check arrival times.
Drive to the city centre
- about 34 miles by road to Trafalgar Square, about 1 hour in light traffic; longer at peak times
Outbound groups
Free drop-off is in the Long Stay car park, which has no height restriction and a shuttle bus of about 10 minutes to the terminal. It saves the charge but adds a transfer with luggage. For a school group with cases, ask the operator to set down as close to the terminal as the vehicle is allowed.
Luton to central London
Trafalgar Square is about 34 miles by road, around an hour in light traffic. In the morning or evening peak, allow considerably more.
Once inside London, a coach heavier than 5 tonnes is judged against the Low Emission Zone: Euro VI, or a daily charge. A smaller minibus falls under the ULEZ. Vehicles with 9 or more seats get the full Congestion Charge discount, automatically if registered as a bus.
Questions
Can the coach wait at the terminal before we land?
No. It waits in the Coach Layover Area in the Mid Stay car park and may enter the bus bay area only after the flight has landed.
Our group is 14 people. Where do we meet the minibus?
A minibus of up to 19 seats uses the Drop Off and Pick Up Zone, about five minutes' walk from the terminal, not bay M.
Does every coach use bay M?
No. Bay M takes coaches of 20+ seats that have reversing cameras. Anything else uses the standard pick-up areas.
Is Blue Badge parking free in the drop-off zone?
No. That zone has no Blue Badge concession. Tell us about mobility needs up front; the vehicle and meeting point can then be chosen to suit.
Cities
Airports
Vehicles
- Full-size coach — 49-57 seats
- Midi coach — 29-35 seats
- Minibus — 9-16 seats
- Executive Sprinter-style minibus — 9-16 seats
- Executive car (saloon or MPV) — 1-3 seats
- Wheelchair-accessible minibus — Varies by layout; wheelchair positions replace seats seats
Book a coach for a Luton arrival
Include flight numbers, headcount, bags and the address you are heading to. Licensed partner operators quote; nothing is booked until you accept.
Request a quote or call 447479275840