London Luton Airport

London Luton sits north of the city in Bedfordshire and is another of the capital's low-cost airports, serving a wide spread of European scheduled and charter destinations. It is a base for easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair and TUI, and has been through a significant modernisation of its terminal and forecourt in recent years.

The airport works from a single, fairly compact terminal, which keeps walking distances short but can feel crowded during busy holiday periods — so allow time at security. You'll find a decent selection of shops, food and drink, and a pay-in lounge. Its smaller scale makes it straightforward to navigate once you're inside.