Owais Crawford
London Luton Airport is one of the main airports serving London and its surrounding areas. The airport is located roughly 28-35 miles north of Central London, providing direct links to the capital city. Getting to the airport from London is fast and convenient, with several train operators connecting London city centre with Luton Airport. The Luton Airport Express service takes you seamlessly from London St Pancras International to London Luton Airport terminal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Train Operators | East Midlands Railway, Thameslink |
| Train Stations | London St. Pancras International, Luton Airport Parkway |
| Train Facilities | Ample luggage space, accessible toilets, free WiFi |
| Luton DART | Shuttle service from Luton Airport Parkway to the airport terminal, runs 24/7 with up to 14 journeys per hour at peak times, under 4-minute travel time |
| Train Travel Time | As little as 32 minutes from London St. Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway |
| Train Timings | First train leaves London St. Pancras International before 6:00 AM from Monday to Saturday, half-hourly service until late; on Sundays, trains start at 12:14 PM and run until 10:12 PM |
| Train Tickets | "Through-ticket" to Luton Airport includes train ticket to Luton Airport Parkway and Luton DART transfer, starting from £10 one-way from London |
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What You'll Learn
London St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway
London St Pancras International and Luton Airport Parkway are around 26 miles (42 km) apart. The fastest trains can cover this distance in approximately 22 minutes, with an average journey time of 39 minutes. There are around 179 trains running between the two stations daily, with 237 of these being direct trains. The first train from London St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway leaves at 02:43. The train journey is served by East Midlands Railway (EMR) and Thameslink, with tickets starting from as little as $3.37 when booked in advance.
Once you arrive at Luton Airport Parkway, you can take the Luton DART shuttle to the airport. This shuttle takes around four minutes and runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day). The Luton DART shuttle leaves every four minutes at peak times. You can buy a combined ticket for the train and the Luton DART to make your journey easier.
If you are travelling from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International, the average journey time is 37 minutes, with around 242 trains running along the route daily. The fastest journey time is 22 minutes.
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Thameslink trains to Luton Airport Parkway
Thameslink trains run from major London stations such as Farringdon, London St Pancras, and City Thameslink to Luton Airport Parkway station. The average journey duration from City Thameslink to Luton is about 42 minutes, with the fastest journey lasting 31 minutes. The first train from City Thameslink to Luton departs at 05:08, and the last train at 22:58. Thameslink services from London to Luton Airport Parkway station are fast, efficient, and cost-effective, with tickets priced at £15.70 for an anytime single ticket.
From Luton Airport Parkway station, you can then take the Luton DART passenger shuttle to the airport terminal in under 4 minutes. The Luton DART runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day). It is recommended to buy a combined ticket for the train and the Luton DART to save costs and for a seamless journey.
If you are travelling from south of Gatwick Airport, you can secure discounted Advance fares, with tickets from Brighton to Luton Airport Parkway starting from £17.80.
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Luton DART shuttle to the airport terminal
Luton DART is a shuttle service that connects Luton Airport Parkway train station to the airport terminal. The shuttle service runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day). The journey from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal takes around four minutes. The shuttle departs every four minutes during peak hours and up to every seven minutes during off-peak hours. Peak hours are 06:00–09:30 and 14:00–18:00 daily.
The Luton DART shuttle is accessible to everyone. It has a lift and escalators for step-free access between the DART terminal and the train platform. It is also fully accessible for those with reduced mobility, and those travelling with luggage or pushchairs.
Tickets for the Luton DART shuttle can be purchased in advance or on the day of travel. Fares for adults are £4.90, while children under five travel for free. Children aged 5–15 years old can travel for £2.45, and concessionary fares are available for specific users, such as those with a registered disability badge or Luton residents. Combined tickets for the train and the Luton DART shuttle are also available.
The Luton DART shuttle service replaced the former shuttle bus service in March 2023. It is a modern, electric service that provides a quick and convenient connection to the airport terminal.
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Trains from Brighton, London Bridge, Blackfriars
If you're travelling from Brighton, London Bridge, or Blackfriars, there are several train options to get you to Luton Airport. The journey time will vary depending on your starting point and the number of transfers, but you can generally expect to be en route for 1-3 hours.
Brighton to Luton Airport
Direct trains from Brighton to Luton Airport Parkway are available every day, with around 47 trains travelling this 73-mile (117 km) route. Thameslink is the primary operator for this journey. The average travel time is 2 hours and 9 minutes, but the fastest services can get you there in 1 hour and 49 minutes. Ticket prices start at £25.04 for advance bookings, but they tend to be pricier if purchased on the day of travel. Off-peak travel and railcards can help you save money.
London Bridge to Luton Airport
You can easily get to Luton Airport from London Bridge by train, avoiding the hassle of London traffic. The average journey takes 50 minutes, while the fastest services can get you there in 48 minutes. The first train usually departs Luton Airport at 4:41 AM, and the last one leaves at 22:44. There are typically 94 services running daily.
Blackfriars to Luton Airport
Travellers can take advantage of the Thameslink service from London Blackfriars to Luton Airport. Buying tickets in advance, travelling off-peak, and using railcards are great ways to save money on your fare. You can also purchase a book of 5 or 10 Carnet tickets to save 10% on your trips to the airport.
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London Luton Airport to London city centre
London Luton Airport is located 56km (35 miles) northwest of central London. There are several ways to get from the airport to the city centre. Here are some options:
Train
The Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) is a dedicated rail link that connects the airport to Luton Airport Parkway railway station in just 4 minutes. From there, you can take a train to central London. The East Midlands Railway Express train, also known as the Luton Airport Express, offers a seamless journey to London St Pancras International in as little as 23 to 32 minutes. This service runs every 30 minutes and tickets can be purchased in advance for as little as £10, including the DART transfer from the terminal. Thameslink also operates 24-hour services from Luton Airport Parkway to London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and St Pancras International. These trains run frequently, with an average journey time of 40 minutes.
Bus
National Express and Green Line coaches provide accessible and affordable options for travelling between Luton Airport and London Victoria Coach Station. The journey takes approximately one hour, with the fastest service taking 40 minutes to the Golders Green stop. Coaches depart up to 47 times a day, with fares starting at £6 one-way.
Car
London Luton Airport offers a range of car hire options through companies like Avis, Enterprise, and Europcar. The airport also provides short-term, mid-term, and long-term parking for those who prefer to drive their own vehicle.
Taxi
Taxis are also available outside the airport and can take you directly to your destination in London. This option may be more expensive but offers a direct and convenient journey.
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Frequently asked questions
The Luton Airport Express service takes you from London St Pancras International to Luton Airport. The East Midlands Railway Express train goes to Luton Airport Parkway, where you can connect to the Luton DART to get to the airport terminal. Thameslink also operates trains from London stations such as Farringdon and London St Pancras to Luton Airport Parkway.
The train journey from London to Luton Airport takes about 32 minutes on average. The train from Luton Airport Parkway to the airport terminal on the Luton DART takes under 4 minutes.
Fares from London to Luton Airport start at £10 one-way. If you are travelling with a group or children, it may be cheaper to buy an open return ticket. You can get up to 1/3 off by travelling in a group or using a railcard.
The first train to Luton Airport leaves London St. Pancras International before 6:00 from Monday to Saturday, with a half-hourly service until late. On Sundays, trains start at 12:14 and run until 22:12.
