Roberta Aguirre
London Luton Airport is located just off Junction 10 of the M1 motorway, making it easily accessible by car. The airport is also well-connected to London via rail and coach services. The Luton DART shuttle connects the airport to Luton Airport Parkway station, which is accessible via Thameslink and East Midlands Railway trains from St. Pancras International. While Oyster cards are not accepted at Luton Airport Parkway or the airport itself, contactless card payments are accepted on Thameslink services and the Luton DART.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can Oyster card be used to travel to Luton Airport? | No, Luton Airport Parkway station and Luton Airport are outside the London fare zones. Oyster cards are not valid on the train to/from Luton Airport. |
| Alternative payment methods | Contactless card, paper ticket, or EMR Smartcard |
| Shuttle service from Luton Airport Parkway to Luton Airport | Luton DART, a high-speed passenger transit system that takes less than 4 minutes |
| Train services from Luton Airport Parkway | Thameslink, East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains, and Eurostar |
| Train frequency | Every 30 minutes from early morning to late at night Monday to Saturday, with regular services on Sundays |
| Travel time to London St Pancras International | As little as 32 minutes |
| Travel time to London by car | Around 30 minutes to reach North London via the M1 motorway |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Oyster cards are not valid at Luton Airport or Luton Airport Parkway station
- The Luton DART shuttle connects Luton Airport Parkway station to the airport
- You can use a contactless card or device to pay for the shuttle
- Oyster cards are not supported on Thameslink services to Luton Airport
- Driving to Luton Airport is a convenient option, with parking available
Oyster cards are not valid at Luton Airport or Luton Airport Parkway station
If you are travelling from London to Luton Airport, you can use your Oyster card until Elstree & Borehamwood or Radlett, the last stops on the Oyster network. From there, you can use a contactless card or device, or buy a paper ticket.
The Luton DART offers contactless payments between Luton Airport and Luton Airport Parkway. The Luton DART is a shuttle service that runs between Luton Airport and Luton Airport Parkway station 24 hours a day. The journey takes less than four minutes, with shuttles leaving up to every four minutes at peak times.
If you are travelling from London St Pancras International to Luton Airport, you can take the Luton Airport Express or EMR Intercity train to Luton Airport Parkway station, and then take the Luton DART to the airport. The entire journey can take as little as 32 minutes.
Allegiant Tickets: Buying Options at the Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Luton DART shuttle connects Luton Airport Parkway station to the airport
You cannot use an Oyster card to travel to Luton Airport as it is outside the London fare zones. The last stop where Oyster is valid is Radlett. You can, however, use a contactless card or device, or buy a paper ticket.
You can buy a combined ticket for the train and the Luton DART by choosing Luton Airport as your destination when you book. You can also buy separate tickets for the train and the Luton DART. If you are travelling by train and want to use the DART shuttle, you will need to exit the terminal, turn left, and follow the 'Trains' signs. Go through the ticket barriers and take the first train that arrives.
The Luton DART shuttle service opened in March 2023, replacing the former shuttle bus service from Luton Airport Parkway station to the airport.
Bringing Your Dog to Gatwick Airport Arrivals: Is It Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
You can use a contactless card or device to pay for the shuttle
You cannot use an Oyster card to travel to Luton Airport as it is outside the London fare zones. The Oyster card system runs on a legacy backend system that cannot handle the extra outside-of-London zones. If you try to use an Oyster card, you will receive an error 75 message, meaning "Oyster card not supported".
However, you can use a contactless card or device to pay for the shuttle from Luton Airport Parkway to Luton Airport. This includes using a bank card or mobile device. The Luton DART shuttle takes less than four minutes and runs 24 hours a day, with shuttles leaving up to every four minutes at peak times. You can also use a contactless card to pay for the train to Luton Airport Parkway.
If you prefer to use a ticket, you can buy Anytime and Off-Peak tickets for your EMR Smartcard. You can buy these online or at a station ticket office or ticket machine. You can also buy cheaper 'Advance' singles, but these are non-refundable if you miss your train.
Uber Drop-off at Cancun Airport: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Oyster cards are not supported on Thameslink services to Luton Airport
You can, however, use a contactless payment card or device from Luton Airport Parkway to St Pancras International, which costs £16.60 at peak times and £12.30 off-peak. You can also use a contactless card to pay for the Luton DART shuttle train from Luton Parkway to the airport, which costs £4.90.
Alternatively, you can buy a paper ticket for the train to Luton Airport. 'Advance' singles are cheaper but must be booked for a certain time and are non-refundable if you miss your train. You can buy these tickets from the train station ticket machines and ticket offices.
If you are travelling by car, the airport is located just 5 minutes from Junction 10 of the M1 motorway, and can be reached by following signs for the M1 on the A1081.
Airport Lounge Access: Worth the Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Driving to Luton Airport is a convenient option, with parking available
You cannot use an Oyster card to get to Luton Airport as it is outside the London fare zones. However, driving to Luton Airport is a convenient option, with parking available. The airport is easily accessible via the M1 motorway, with clear signposting from Junction 10. Ample parking options are available on-site, catering to different budgets and preferences.
For short-term parking, Terminal Car Park 1 offers direct access to the terminal via a link bridge. This car park also includes Priority Parking on the second floor, where you can collect your keys from reception and proceed to your designated bay. Alternatively, the Mid Stay Car Park offers a free 15-minute drop-off and pick-up service, while the Long Stay Car Park is ideal for longer stays.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, off-site car parks provide competitive rates and are usually located very close to the airport. These can be booked through third-party platforms like JustPark, which guarantees a parking spot upon arrival. Additionally, Meet and Greet services are available, where a chauffeur will drive your car to a secure car park, allowing you to proceed directly to check-in.
When travelling to the airport, it is advisable to arrive 2 to 3 hours before your flight to ensure a smooth check-in and security process. Luton Airport also offers a range of facilities in the departure lounge to enhance your travel experience.
Traveling with Candy? TSA Rules to Know Before You Go
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Oyster cards are not valid on the Luton DART shuttle train from Luton Airport Parkway to Luton Airport. You can use a contactless card or device, or buy a paper ticket.
No, Oyster cards are not supported on Thameslink services to Luton Airport. You can use a contactless card or device, or buy a paper ticket.
No, Oyster cards are not supported on East Midlands Railway services to Luton Airport. You can use a contactless card or device, or buy a paper ticket.
No, Oyster cards are not valid on coaches to Luton Airport. You can buy a paper ticket or use a contactless card or device.
