Luton to Stansted chauffeur service, easyJet to Ryanair

M1, northern M25, M11

From junction 10 the car takes the M1 south to the M25 at junction 21, then runs clockwise past the A1(M) at junction 23, the A10 and Waltham Abbey to junction 27. The M11 leads north from there to junction 8 and the airport.

The section near South Mimms is the one most likely to slow, especially on Friday afternoons. The chauffeur checks it and the cross-country roads through Hertfordshire before setting off, while the fare stays fixed.

Your pickup at Luton

Luton has one terminal. Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a board showing your name and takes the trolley once you're through baggage reclaim.

Set down at Stansted

Stansted also has a single terminal, and the car stops at the departures set-down, a short walk from Ryanair's bag drop and the security entrance. The driver unloads every case onto a trolley before you head inside, so the last few metres are the only ones you carry anything.

Rail and coach alternatives

No train runs between the two airports. Rail means the Luton DART, Thameslink into London, a Tube or Elizabeth line hop to Liverpool Street and the Stansted Express: four legs with luggage. Coach links run less often than the London routes.

A private car keeps it to one hour on the road. For two or more people with bags, it's the simpler way to connect, and the fare is settled before you fly rather than counted up ticket by ticket.

Changing from easyJet to Ryanair

Separate bookings mean you'll reclaim your bags at Luton. Ryanair expects online check-in before you reach the airport and closes bag drop 40 minutes before departure, so do the check-in during the drive and arrive with the boarding pass ready.

If the first flight runs late

The chauffeur still meets you, whatever time you land. On separate tickets, though, a missed Ryanair flight is a matter between you and the airline, which is why the three and a half hour gap matters so much on this route.

Late arrivals into Luton

easyJet and Wizz Air land a steady stream of evening flights at Luton. After about 21:00 the M25 and M11 are usually quiet, and a Stansted hotel for the night is under an hour away.

Weekend groups

Stansted is a popular starting point for group trips to European cities. The Sprinter minibus carries up to 19 passengers with 16 bags, priced as one vehicle rather than per head, with room for the whole party's luggage in the back.

An overnight stop

For a dawn departure from Stansted, an airport hotel the night before can be the calmer option. Give the hotel as your drop-off and the fare is calculated for it. The first Ryanair wave leaves from around 06:00, so staying close by takes the pressure off an early alarm and a dark, busy motorway before sunrise.

A sensible connection time

Allow three and a half hours between landing at Luton and departing Stansted. Border control, the hour on the road and Stansted's security all need room, and summer weekend mornings are the busiest. Arrivals from the Common Travel Area, such as Dublin, usually clear Luton faster.

The right vehicle

Two travellers with cases are comfortable in Business Class. The Mercedes-Benz Vito takes 8 passengers with 10 bags, and child seats are fitted on request. Mention golf bags or bikes so the right van is assigned and nothing gets left behind.