Luton Airport announce "Fly and Ride" scheme with free bus travel for air passengers

Holidaymakers across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire using London Luton Airport this August are being encouraged to use a free bus service being provided by Luton Airport.

The airport will be providing a month-long initiative allows adult passengers to travel free of charge on a range of Arriva and Stagecoach local bus services simply by showing a valid printed or digital boarding pass for a flight from LLA during August 2026 to the driver.

The Fly and Ride initiative complements the Department for Transport’s free summer bus travel scheme for children aged 5 to 15 in England, meaning many families can travel to the airport at no cost during the month of August.

With some services operating 24 hours a day and buses running as frequently as every seven minutes in Luton, passengers can be dropped off directly outside the terminal door.

The campaign launches as LLA gears up for its busiest summer on record and is available from any stop on the following routes between 1 and 31 August 2026:

Arriva

• 101: Stevenage via Hitchin
• X1: Milton Keynes via Bletchley and Dunstable
• X2 and X3: Milton Keynes via Bletchley, Stoke Hammond, Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable
• X4: Aylesbury via Wing, Leighton Buzzard, Stanbridge, Tilsworth and Dunstable
• A and Z: Houghton Regis and Dunstable

Stagecoach

• MK1: Bedford and Milton Keynes, also passing through Elstow, Wixams, Clophill, Silsoe and Barton-Le-Clay

Alberto Martin, CEO of London Luton Airport, said, “This is a fantastic initiative and a great example of how we continually look to extend our simple and friendly passenger experience far beyond the terminal doors. As we prepare for our busiest summer on record, we’re delighted to offer passengers the opportunity to leave the car at home, take advantage of excellent local bus services and travel to the airport for free. Fully funded by the airport, this initiative demonstrates our commitment to reinvesting in transport options that benefit both our passengers and the communities we serve. By improving access to public transport, we’re helping people save money, reduce congestion and enjoy a simple and friendly journey from the moment they leave home”.

Toby France, Commercial Director for Arriva Midlands, added, “We’re delighted to be part of this initiative with London Luton Airport. It’s a great chance for families to save money on their way to the airport, leave the car at home and start their holiday. We’re proud Arriva services are part of the scheme, and our buses run frequently and drop passengers right at the terminal door.”

Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, also said, “We are delighted to be taking part in this scheme. The bus is the quick and easy way to get to the airport, and the ideal alternative to taxi, train, Uber, or even parking. The bus takes you right to the door, is super comfy and offers you a stressless affordable start to your holiday – and will even give you a bit of extra time to finish that cliffhanger before take-off!”

The scheme excludes National Express and Greenline services, while return journeys must be made before 31 August 2026 to qualify for free bus travel.

Families travelling to LLA by train can also bag a bargain, with East Midlands Rail (EMR) offering £20 family tickets for journeys between London St Pancras and LLA on the Luton Airport Express (LEX). Valid for two adults and up to four children, the ticket also includes use of the Luton DART to take passengers right outside the terminal front.