Luton Airport is located in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, situated 1.7 miles east of the town centre and 29 miles north of Central London. The train station, called Luton Airport Parkway, is located just outside the airport terminal, approximately a mile away. It usually provides around 513 trains per day to London St Pancras International, which is served by East Midlands Railway and Thameslink.
Both East Midlands Railway and Thameslink offer direct train services to London St Pancras International. East Midlands Railway runs a non-stop service, taking around 23 minutes. However, Thameslink provides options with varying amounts of stops and usually takes between 30 to 45 minutes. During this journey, you have the flexibility to disembark at Harpenden, Elstree & Borehamwood, and St Albans City, depending on the service.
You'll arrive at London St Pancras International station, located on Euston Road in the London Borough of Camden. The station is served by East Midlands Railway, Thameslink, Southeastern, and Eurostar, and is well-connected to various destinations, including Luton Airport, Gatwick Airport, Nottingham, Leicester and Sheffield. It also connects to the London Underground system, specifically the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Piccadilly, Northern, and Victoria lines.
First-class tickets
You can travel from Luton Airport to London in even greater comfort with First Class Tickets.
As this route is covered by multiple providers, it's best to check whether this is applicable for your specific journey when booking and what is included with the ticket. Depending on provider, this ticket may include:
- Access to the London St. Pancras First Class lounge
- Wider seats with extra legroom for greater comfort onboard
- Tables with plug and USB sockets – perfect for those using laptops
- Enhanced Wi-Fi onboard for those working, streaming or browsing
- A range of drinks and snacks, including teas, coffees, juices, sodas, biscuits, cakes and crisps.
For more details about First Class Tickets, please check our Change, Refund, and Delay Repay Policy.
How do I get from Luton Airport to London?
There are several ways to get from Luton Airport to London:
- Train: Thameslink and East Midlands Railway trains run from Luton Airport Parkway station to various stations in London, including St Pancras International, Farringdon, and Blackfriars. To get to Luton Airport Parkway from the airport, you can take the shuttle bus, which takes about 10 minutes. The train journey to Central London takes around 23-45 minutes, depending on your destination.
- Coach - National Express: National Express operates coach services from Luton Airport to several locations in London, including Victoria Coach Station, Marble Arch, and Paddington. The journey typically takes an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic.
How much is the train from Luton Airport to London City?
The cost of a train ticket from Luton Airport to London varies depending on factors such as the time of booking, type of ticket (peak or Off-Peak), and train operator. Generally, prices start from around $9.59 for a single ticket when booked in advance, though they often average around $31.82.
Does a train go straight to Luton Airport?
Yes, there are direct train services to Luton Airport. Thameslink and East Midlands Railway operate trains that go directly to Luton Airport Parkway station. From Luton Airport Parkway, there is a shuttle bus service that takes passengers to the airport terminal, which is a short ride away.
What is the best transfer from Luton to London?
The best transfer option from Luton Airport to London depends on your priorities, such as convenience, cost, and travel time. Here are the main options:
- Train: A fast, frequent service with direct connections to Central London stations like St Pancras International, Farringdon, and Blackfriars. The journey to Central London takes around 23-45 minutes.
- Coach: Direct service from the airport without the need for a shuttle. It's relatively affordable, though the travel time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you prefer a cost-effective option and don't mind a longer journey, coaches are a good choice.
Is the Luton airport shuttle free?
No, the Luton Airport DART shuttle service is not free, and there is a fare for using this service. The fare for a single journey on the Luton Airport DART is around £4.90 for adults.
*Prices are dynamic and subject to change. Ticket prices vary based on time of day, route, and class. Prices shown do not include split ticket and Railcard discounts.