Ruth Haines
London Luton Airport is located 56km (35 miles) northwest of central London. Travellers can get from Luton Airport to central London via bus, coach, train, or car. The fastest option is to take the train, which can get you to London St. Pancras International in as little as 24 minutes. The Luton DART shuttle runs 24 hours a day and takes just four minutes to travel from the airport to Luton Airport Parkway, where you can catch a direct train to St. Pancras International. From there, you can travel to any area of Central London via the underground or overground services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | London Luton Airport is located 56km (35 miles) north-west of central London |
| Transport options | Coach, bus, private transfer, car, or train |
| Coach | National Express coaches travel to London Victoria Coach Station up to 47 times a day, with fares starting from £6 one-way and a journey time of 40 minutes |
| Bus | National Express and Green Line run frequent services from many central London locations |
| Train | The Luton DART shuttle runs 24 hours a day and takes 4 minutes to get from the airport to Luton Airport Parkway, from where trains run frequently to St Pancras International with a journey time of 21-32 minutes |
| Train ticket prices | Tickets for the Luton DART cost £4.90, while train tickets start from £10 one-way |
| Train ticket purchase | Tickets can be purchased at the airport, online, or via contactless payment |
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What You'll Learn
- By train: Take the Luton DART shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway, then a train to St. Pancras
- By coach: National Express coaches to London Victoria Coach Station
- By bus: Local bus services to key London locations
- By car: Driving from Luton Airport to central London takes 30+ minutes
- By taxi: Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall
By train: Take the Luton DART shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway, then a train to St. Pancras
If you want to get from Luton Airport to Central London by train, you'll first need to take the Luton DART shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway. The Luton DART is an environmentally friendly shuttle that takes just 4 minutes to travel between the airport and Luton Airport Parkway station. It runs frequent services 24/7, so you won't have to wait long for a shuttle. The shuttle offers spacious carriages with plenty of room for you and your luggage, and it's a stress-free way to start your journey. You can buy a DART ticket separately online, at the station, or via a contactless payment. If you book a train ticket to Luton Airport with Thameslink, Luton Airport Express, or East Midlands Railway, your DART journey is automatically included.
Once you arrive at Luton Airport Parkway, you can take a train to St. Pancras International. The train journey takes as little as 22 minutes, and trains depart every 30 minutes. You can purchase tickets in advance for as low as £10 one way, which includes the cost of your DART connection. There are also through-the-night trains available about once every hour, so you can travel whenever it suits you.
When you arrive at St. Pancras International, you'll have several options to continue your journey. The station is connected to six London Underground lines, so you can easily transfer to the tube. You can also use your existing contactless credit or debit card to enter and exit the Underground, which is often cheaper than buying a paper ticket.
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By coach: National Express coaches to London Victoria Coach Station
National Express coaches offer a convenient and affordable way to travel between Luton Airport and London Victoria Coach Station. With fares starting from as low as £6 one-way, you can take advantage of their regular and reliable services to get to your destination comfortably.
The coaches operate up to 47 times a day, providing you with a flexible travel option. The first coach departs from Luton Airport at 12:09 am, arriving at Victoria Coach Station at 1:25 am. Throughout the day, you can expect frequent departures, with the last coach leaving Luton Airport at 11:30 pm and reaching Victoria Coach Station at 12:55 am. The journey typically takes around 1 hour and 47 minutes, covering a distance of 28 miles (46 km).
London Victoria Coach Station is conveniently located in the heart of London, just 300 meters from the tube network. It is served by the Victoria Line, the District Line, and the Circle Line, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city. Additionally, the coach station offers a range of facilities, including cafes, shops, restrooms, ATMs, and a taxi rank for your convenience.
When travelling from Luton Airport, you can board the coach at the airport's bus station, which is just a short walk from the terminal. The coach will then take you directly to London Victoria Coach Station, with some services offering additional stops along the way. The coaches are equipped with comfortable seats and footrests, and you can bring one large suitcase or two medium cases, along with a soft hand luggage item.
National Express also offers a "Change & Go" add-on for just £5 each way. This allows you to board any coach to or from your chosen location within a 24-hour flexibility period (12 hours pre-departure or 12 hours post-departure), giving you even more flexibility for your journey between Luton Airport and London Victoria Coach Station.
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By bus: Local bus services to key London locations
National Express runs frequent 24/7 coach services between Central London and Luton Airport, with four departures an hour during the daytime. There are two routes, both of which pick up at major rail and Underground stations.
The A1 service runs from London Victoria Coach Station, calling at Victoria Rail Station, Marble Arch, Portman Square, Baker St, St John's Wood, Finchley Rd, Finchley Rd & Frognal Underground Station, and Golders Green. The fastest coach journey from Luton Airport to London Victoria Coach Station takes 35 minutes, while the fastest journey to the Golders Green stop takes 40 minutes.
The A2 service runs from London Paddington Station via Baker St and calls at the same stops as the A1 to Luton Airport.
The Green Line 757 coach service also runs to Victoria Coach Station twice hourly throughout the day, with coaches departing every 30 minutes during the day and hourly through the night. This service also picks up and drops off outside Luton Airport's terminal building.
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By car: Driving from Luton Airport to central London takes 30+ minutes
Driving is a great option for travellers who value privacy and convenience. If you're driving your own car, you can park at London Luton Airport, which offers short-term, mid-term, and long-term parking options. The airport also has a car hire centre, where you can rent a car from companies like Avis, Enterprise, and Europcar.
The drive from Luton Airport to central London takes just over half an hour, depending on traffic conditions and your final destination. When planning your route, keep in mind that London's traffic can be challenging, especially during peak hours.
If you prefer a more relaxed journey, you can book a private chauffeur or minicab to drive you directly from the airport to your hotel in London. Prices for a private driver typically start at £50 for a standard 5-seater car with airport pickup. This option is particularly cost-effective for groups. It is recommended to book a private driver in advance online, as regular taxis from the airport to London can be expensive.
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By taxi: Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall
If you prefer to travel by taxi, you can find them readily available outside the arrivals hall at Luton Airport. London Luton Airport Taxis, for example, offer fixed prices with no hidden charges, and they even monitor flight arrivals so you won't be charged extra if your flight is delayed. They offer a range of vehicles, from standard saloon cars to executive cars, MPVs, minibuses, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Twelve Transfers is another taxi company that offers transfers from Luton Airport to London, with prices starting at £48. They also offer flight tracking, meet and greet services, and 30 minutes of free waiting and parking time.
MiniCabRide is a private hire minicab and taxi transfer company that provides services from Luton Airport to London. They claim to be up to 30% cheaper than other companies and have over 3000 4.7-star reviews on Trustpilot. They offer a variety of vehicle options, including standard saloon cars, executive cars, MPVs, and minibuses, ensuring that you can travel in comfort and style.
When taking a taxi from Luton Airport to Central London, it is important to consider potential traffic delays, especially during peak hours. Taking public transportation, such as the Luton DART or coach services, might be a more cost-effective option, but taxis provide a more direct and private journey.
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Frequently asked questions
Take the Luton DART shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway, which takes four minutes. From there, you can take a train to St. Pancras International, which takes 21-32 minutes. You can also take a Thameslink train to Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and St. Pancras International.
Tickets cost £4.90 for the Luton DART shuttle, and tickets for the train to St. Pancras International start from £10 one-way. Tickets for Thameslink trains cost £11.20 off-peak and £15.50 peak.
National Express and Green Line run regular bus and coach services from Luton Airport to London Victoria Coach Station, with fares starting from £6 one-way. The fastest journey is 40 minutes.
