Luton Airport: Navigating Travel Options To Reach London's Hub

how to reach london luton airport

London Luton Airport is located about 30 miles from Central London, and it takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there by road. The fastest way to get to the airport from Central London is to drive, which takes 42 minutes and costs $11-$17. However, if you don't have a car, there are still plenty of options to get to the airport. You can take a train, bus, coach, or taxi. The cheapest way to get to the airport from Central London is by train, which costs $14, while the fastest train option takes 32 minutes and costs $20-$50. The Luton Airport Express is a popular choice, taking passengers from St. Pancras International to the airport in 22-32 minutes. Additionally, bus and coach services like the National Express and Green Line offer frequent and affordable options for travellers.

Characteristics Values
Distance from Central London 30-35 miles
Travel time by car 42 minutes
Cost of travel by car $11-$17
Travel time by train 32 minutes
Cost of travel by train £10 one-way or £20 return
Travel time by bus 1 hour 52 minutes
Cost of travel by bus $13-$25
Taxi services Blackberry Cars, Mason & Green, Twelve Transfers, Iberotransfers
Bus services National Express, Green Line, Megabus
Train services Luton Airport Express, Thameslink, East Midlands Railway

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Travel by train

London Luton Airport is located roughly 28 miles north of Central London and provides direct links to the capital city. The airport is easily accessible by train, with regular services running from various stations in London. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate your journey to the airport by train:

Train Options

The Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) is a seamless airport transfer service that has replaced the previous shuttle bus service to and from Luton Airport Parkway railway station. This means that if you are travelling by train, you will arrive at Luton Airport Parkway station and then transfer to the Luton DART to get to the airport.

Train Stations

The main train stations servicing London Luton Airport include London St Pancras International, Brighton, London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and Gatwick. These stations offer direct connections to the airport, with frequent services to ensure a smooth journey.

Train Frequency and Duration

The train journey from Central London to Luton Airport typically takes between 32 and 41 minutes, depending on the station of departure. For example, the Luton Airport Express service from St Pancras International takes approximately 32 minutes. Trains run regularly, with frequencies varying from every 10 minutes during peak times to about once every hour through the night.

Tickets and Fares

It is recommended to book train tickets in advance to secure the lowest prices. You can purchase tickets online, at the station using ticket machines or ticket offices, or via contactless payment methods where available. Ticket prices vary depending on your origin station, the number of travellers, and the day and time of travel. For example, fares from London start at £10 one-way. If you have a ticket to Luton Airport Parkway only, you can purchase a separate DART shuttle ticket for £4.90 for a standard open return. Children between 5 and 15 years old travel at half price, while under 5s go free.

Additional Benefits

Travelling by train to London Luton Airport offers various advantages, including saving time and money compared to driving and parking at the airport. The train provides a stress-free journey with ample luggage space, accessible toilets, and free WiFi on board. Additionally, the Luton DART operates 24/7, ensuring a convenient transfer to the airport terminal, located just a few minutes' walk from the departures entrance.

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Take the bus

Taking the bus to London Luton Airport is a convenient option, with several coach services connecting the airport to central London locations. Here's everything you need to know about taking the bus to London Luton Airport:

National Express Coaches:

National Express provides regular coach services between Central London and London Luton Airport. The National Express A1 service operates from London Victoria Coach Station, with stops at Victoria Rail Station, Marble Arch, Portman Square, Baker Street, St. John's Wood, Finchley Road, and Golders Green. The A1 service runs up to 27 or 43 times a day, offering frequent departures throughout the day and night. The A2 service operates from London Paddington Station via Baker Street, calling at the same stops as the A1 service. Fares for National Express coaches start at £6 one-way, and you can purchase tickets online or at the airport ticket office.

Greenline 757 Coaches:

The Greenline 757 coach service offers a simple and convenient way to travel between Central London and London Luton Airport. Coaches depart every 30 minutes during the day and hourly through the night, providing a 24-hour service. The pick-up and drop-off point for Greenline 757 coaches is right outside the terminal building, offering a seamless connection to the airport.

London Victoria Coach Station:

London Victoria Coach Station is a major transport hub, located just 300 metres from the tube network. It is served by the Victoria Line, District Line, and Circle Line, making it easily accessible from various parts of London. A bus stop is conveniently located outside the coach station, providing connections to multiple city centre routes.

London Paddington Station:

London Paddington Station is another option for those taking the bus to London Luton Airport. This station is connected to the A2 coach service, which runs to the airport via Baker Street. Paddington Station is a major transport hub, offering connections to various parts of London and beyond.

Accessibility and Recommendations:

London Luton Airport recommends arriving at the airport 2 to 3 hours before your flight's departure time to allow for check-in and security procedures. The airport also offers a handy online flight tracker and a mobile app for Android users, providing up-to-date flight information. Additionally, the airport suggests familiarising yourself with their security checklist before your journey to avoid any delays.

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Travel by taxi

London Luton Airport is located 55 km from the city centre, and one of the ways to reach the airport is by taxi. There are several taxi options available for passengers travelling to and from London Luton Airport. Official black London taxis are available 24/7 from the taxi rank outside the terminal. These taxis can accommodate 5 to 8 passengers and are metered, meaning the fare is determined by the distance travelled and the time taken. The approximate cost of a journey to the city centre is £80, but this can vary depending on your final destination, road tolls, airport surcharges, and increased fares for travelling at night, on weekends, or during holidays. It is recommended to get to the airport 2 to 3 hours before your flight to account for this variability in travel time.

You can also pre-book a licensed minicab, which offers a fixed fare with no hidden fees. This option may be more expensive than a regular black taxi, but it includes an additional £5 airport charge. Pre-booking a taxi can provide a seamless transfer without the wait, and some companies offer a ""meet and greet" service where a driver will meet you at the arrivals lounge information desk. The cost of a pre-booked taxi is typically around £56 for a saloon car that can carry 4 passengers and their luggage.

When deciding which taxi service to use, consider your budget, the number of passengers, and your desired arrival time. While regular black taxis are readily available outside the terminal, pre-booking a taxi can ensure a quicker transfer and guarantee a specific vehicle type for larger groups. Additionally, tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated by the drivers.

If you are travelling to the airport by taxi, your driver can drop you off at the closest spot to the terminal using the Priority Drop Off Zone for a charge of £5 for up to 10 minutes. Alternatively, they can drop you off for free at the Mid Stay Car Park, from which you can walk to the terminal in approximately 10 minutes.

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Drive and park

If you're driving to London Luton Airport, there are a few parking options to choose from. The airport has short-term, mid-term, and long-term car parks. You can pay more to park closer to the terminal or pay less and walk for about 10 minutes to the terminal building. You can save up to 60% on parking fees if you pre-book your spot.

If you're using a Sat Nav, use the postcode LU2 9QT to get to the airport, and then follow the road signs to your chosen car park. For priority parking, follow the signs to Terminal Car Park 1. You can also use the Drop Off and Pick Up Zone located right outside the terminal building, which costs £5 for 5 minutes and £1 per minute after that. If you want to avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot at the airport, you can use the JustPark app to book your airport parking ahead of time. This option lets you find parking spaces in nearby driveways and private lots, which can be more affordable, especially for longer stays.

London Luton Airport's official long-stay car park offers secure, on-site parking at a budget-friendly price. It's a 10-minute shuttle bus ride from the terminal, and you can keep your keys. This car park is Park Mark-certified and patrolled 24/7. Pre-booking is not required, but it can save you up to 60% on the original price. To get to the long-stay car park, use the postcode LU2 9NW if you're using Sat Nav and follow the signs once you're close to the airport.

The airport also offers a £20 Pick Up Permit, which allows you to wait in the Mid-Stay Car Park layover bay and then pick up your passengers in the Priority Drop Off/Pick Up Zone. Additionally, passengers requiring special assistance can access 30 minutes of free parking in Terminal Car Park 1.

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Travel by coach

London Luton Airport is located 56km (35 miles) northwest of central London. National Express and Green Line coaches provide fast and frequent services to and from the airport, with coaches departing every hour.

London Victoria Coach Station

The London Victoria Coach Station is conveniently located just 300 metres from the tube network, served by the Victoria Line, District Line, and Circle Line. A bus stop is also located directly outside the coach station, with routes into the city centre. The first coach leaves from London Victoria Coach Station at 00:01 am, arriving at Luton Airport Bus Station at 01:30 am. The last coach departs at 11:30 pm, arriving at 00:50 am. A one-way journey from London to Luton Airport starts from £6. The fastest coach journey from London to Luton Airport takes 35 minutes from the Golders Green stop.

Birmingham

National Express also runs a coach service from Birmingham to Luton Airport, with a journey time of just under three hours. The coach runs approximately every two hours.

Coach Drop-off and Accessibility

Private coaches can drop off passengers for free at the Coach Drop Off Lane in the Priority Set Down Area outside the terminal building. There is a maximum stay of 10 minutes. National Express and Green Line coaches are fully accessible to wheelchair users. To ensure that an accessible coach is available, it is recommended to call at least 24 hours in advance.

Frequently asked questions

The fastest way to get to London Luton Airport from Central London is by car, which takes around 42 minutes. The distance between Central London and London Luton Airport is about 35 miles.

The cheapest way to get to London Luton Airport from Central London is by train, which costs around $14.

There are several public transport options to get to London Luton Airport from Central London, including:

- Train: The Luton Airport Express takes 32 minutes and costs £10 one-way.

- Bus: The National Express runs four times an hour and covers major rail and underground stops.

- Coach: The Green Line 757 service runs twice every hour from Victoria Coach Station.

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