Luton is well connected by transport links and is less than 30 miles from the centre of London.

Air
London Luton Airport
The town is famous for its airport, London Luton Airport, which is currently the fastest-growing airport in the United Kingdom. The airport is renowned for being a hub for budget airlines offering cheap flights.

An airport was first opened on the current airport site as Luton Municipal Airport on the 16 July 1938 by the Secretary of State for Air, Kingsley Wood. The airport is owned by the local council. (It is currently managed by an arms-length Spanish Airport Operator, on behalf on Luton Council.) During the Second World War Luton Airport was a base for the Royal Air Force 264 Fighter Squadron.

Flights from the airport increased substantially from the 1960s as new charter airlines (e.g. Court Line) flew from there rather than the London airports. Despite problems in the 1970s, a new terminal was added in 1985 by the Prince of Wales. The airport was renamed London Luton Airport in 1990, just before Ryanair took its business to Stansted. The growth of new low-cost flights rejuvenated the airport and passenger numbers more than doubled from 1992 to 1998. In 1999, a new terminal was added and a new railway station, Luton Airport Parkway, opened.

The England national football team regularly fly from the airport when playing matches abroad. The airport was mentioned in a 1970s advert for Campari featuring Lorraine Chase when asked "Were you truly wafted here from paradise?" she replied "Nah, Luton Airport!" which became a catchphrase for her for many years.

Luton Airport's operator is proposing an expansion scheme, enlarging the apron (aircraft parking) and the realignment (and lengthening) of the single runway, away from the Luton Townsfolk. Luton Council is currently constructing a dual carriageway from junction 10A (of the M1) up to the airport.

Rail
Leagrave railway stationLuton enjoys good rail connections via its three stations (Luton, Luton Airport Parkway and Leagrave) to London and through to Brighton and Sutton on First Capital Connect's Thameslink line and north to Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds and other cities on the Midland Main Line, provided by Midland Mainline. There are plans to introduce 24-hour rail services to Luton and Luton Airport Parkway.

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Road
Luton is connected to the motorway network with two junctions onto the M1 motorway, (Junctions 10 and 11). The M1 was built on the west of the town in 1959, and provides access to London and the North. The A6 passes through the town heading north to Bedford and south to St Albans (although south of the town the road has been re-numbered as the A1081).

The A5 passes though nearby Dunstable, and the A505 provides a connection towards the East and the A1(M).

Coaches
National Express serves Luton.