Trains to and from Luton Airport
London Luton Airport is one of the international airports in and around London. For convenience and to save on costs, many travelers take the train to get there. Located around 35 miles north of London, Luton Airport is around an hour’s train journey from London city center.
The airport has one terminal. The train stops at Luton Airport Parkway train station – from here, you can travel on the Luton DART which will connect you to the airport terminal in around 4 minutes. Thameslink and East Midlands Railway services run between major London stations and Luton Airport Parkway station.
Read on to learn more about buying Luton Airport train tickets, timetables, and possible connections.
What's in this guide?
How to get from Luton Airport to London by train
Flying into Luton Airport? To get to London city center, you can take the train.
Once you’ve landed, you’ll find yourself in the Arrivals area in Luton Airport’s terminal. Luton Airport doesn’t have its own train station, but don’t worry – Luton Airport Parkway train station is just a few minutes away.
From the airport terminal, you can catch the Luton DART to get from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway train station. This shuttle service runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
From Luton Airport Parkway train station, you can travel with one of the following train operators to central London:
- East Midlands Railway: EMR run trains from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International, with the fastest services taking just 22 minutes to connect you to the capital. From London St Pancras station, you can travel across London using London Underground (‘Tube’) and bus services.
- Thameslink: You can also catch a Thameslink train from Luton Airport Parkway station into central London. These services tend to have more stops along the way, so the journey can take slightly longer, but they will stop at other major London train stations such as Farringdon, London Bridge and City Thameslink.
You can book a combined DART and train ticket. When looking up a trip in our Journey Planner, select ‘Luton Airport’ as your origin station and your chosen London train station (like ‘London St Pancras International’) as your destination station.
Where should I travel next after London?
Sure, you might have had a good time in London, but your European adventure doesn’t have to stop there. Why not check out some of these trips below?
Travel to Edinburgh
If you’d like to explore more of the UK by train, why not head to Edinburgh? You can get from London to Edinburgh in a little over 4 hours on the fastest LNER or Lumo services. As soon as you get off your train, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history right away.
Board a train to Manchester
It’s easy to travel from London to Manchester with Avanti West Coast. The train leaves from London Euston station (easily accessible from central London on public transport). It can take a little over 2 hours, which means less time spent waiting around and more time to explore! So, what are you waiting for?
Speed away to Paris
Want to visit another of Europe’s bustling capitals? Paris might be the place for you. Boasting fascinating architecture, delicious cuisine and much more, there’s plenty to see and do in the French capital.
The journey from London to Paris can take just 2 hours and 16 minutes, and there’s no waiting around for your baggage once you’re in France – you can just grab your bags and go!
How to get from London to Luton Airport by train
Flying from Luton Airport and not sure how to get there? We’ve got you covered!
Train operators from London to Luton Airport
There are several train operators that connect London city center with Luton Airport:
- East Midlands Railway: You can hop on an East Midlands Railway train from London St Pancras International station and it’ll take you straight to Luton Airport Parkway station. From here, you can use the Luton DART to get to the airport terminal.
- Thameslink: Thameslink trains run from major London stations such as Farringdon and London St Pancras to Luton Airport Parkway station. Again, from here you’ll need to catch the Luton DART for the last leg of your journey to the airport.
Getting from Luton Airport Parkway train station to the airport terminal
Once you’ve arrived at Luton Airport Parkway train station, there’s just one more step to get to the airport terminal. Follow the signs from the platforms and cross the footbridge to the Luton DART terminal.
The Luton DART shuttle leaves every 4 minutes at peak times, so you’ll be at the airport in no time! It’ll drop you directly outside London Luton Airport.
To make things easier, why not buy a combined ticket for the train and the Luton DART? Select ‘Luton Airport’ as your destination when you book a ticket using our Journey Planner.
More information on the Luton DART
Launched on March 27, 2023, the Luton DART replaced the shuttle bus services that run between the airport and Luton Airport Parkway, as it's not possible to walk between the two.
When booking your train travel, choose Luton Airport as the starting point for your journey and the Luton DART will be included as part of your rail ticket and is available as a digital ticket. If your ticket starts from Luton Airport Parkway, don’t worry as there are ticket machines at the airport where you can buy a separate DART ticket before you enter the shuttle terminal.
The journey from Luton Airport Parkway to Luton Airport takes around 4 minutes in total.
How to get from Luton Airport to other UK destinations by train
Traveling from Luton Airport to Birmingham, Oxford, or another city in the UK? Keep reading for more information on how to get there by train.
How to get from Luton Airport to Birmingham by train
If you want to travel to Birmingham from Luton Airport by train, you can!
First, you’ll need to get to Luton Airport Parkway station using the Luton DART. Next, take a Thameslink train from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International station. Transfer from London St Pancras to London Euston on foot (it’s around a 10-minute walk), then hop on an Avanti West Coast service up to Birmingham New Street station.
Overall, this journey takes around two and a half hours on the fastest services. Other routes are possible – take a look at our Journey Planner for more details.
How to get from Luton Airport to Oxford by train
If you’re traveling from Luton Airport to Oxford by train, you’ll need to make at least 2 changes on the way.
First, take the Luton DART from Luton Airport to Luton Airport Parkway station. From here, you can jump on a Thameslink train to Farringdon in London. Transfer to the Elizabeth line and get off at Paddington, before finally boarding a Great Western Railway (GWR) train to Oxford.
It’s also possible to travel with East Midlands Railway from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International station. From here, take the Circle (yellow) or Hammersmith & City (pink) London Underground lines to Paddington before hopping on your GWR train to Oxford.
In total, the journey can take between 2 and 2 and a half hours by train.
Traveling between Luton and the other London airports
Need to travel from Luton Airport to another London airport but not sure how to get there? Read on for more information.
How to get from Luton Airport to Gatwick Airport by train
Need to travel from Luton Airport to Gatwick Airport by train? No problem! You’ll need to take the Luton DART first – it’s a passenger transit system that takes you from the airport to the station in just under 4 minutes. You can then take a direct Thameslink service from Luton Airport Parkway to Gatwick Airport train station. In total, the journey can last a little over an hour.
How to get from Luton Airport to Stansted Airport by train
Get the Luton DART service from the airport to Luton Airport Parkway station. Then, take an East Midlands Railway service to London St Pancras International. Hop on the London Underground (a.k.a. the Tube) to Tottenham Hale – you'll need the Victoria line. Finally, take a Greater Anglia train from Tottenham Hale to Stansted Airport.
You can also take a Thameslink service from Luton Airport Parkway to Farringdon station, change to the Elizabeth line to London Liverpool Street station, and then take a Greater Anglia service to Stansted Airport from here.
This journey takes around 2 hours.
How to get from Luton Airport to Heathrow Airport by train
To get to Heathrow Airport from Luton Airport, take the Luton DART to Luton Airport Parkway train station. Next, hop on a Thameslink train to Farringdon station. Change to an Elizabeth line service towards Heathrow Terminal 5 or Heathrow Terminal 4 (both stop at Heathrow Terminals 2&3) and get off at whichever terminal you need.
In total, the journey takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
How to buy cheap Luton Airport train tickets
We want to make train travel easier for you, which is why we’ve compiled a selection of useful travel tips to help you on your way.
Book your train ticket in advance
Want to save money? Booking your train ticket in advance can be cheaper than buying it on the day. Advance tickets are made available by train operators up to 12 weeks in advance. We recommend you book your ticket as early as possible as advance fares tend to sell out fast.
Travel at Off-Peak times
Your journey can be expensive if you travel to a popular destination like Gatwick Airport at a busy time. If possible, travel outside peak hours (also known as Off-Peak times) to snap up the cheapest fares.
Traveling as a group? Save money with GroupSave
If you’re traveling as a group, you can buy your tickets and get a GroupSave discount. You can get 1/3 off your train tickets when you’re traveling with a group of 3-9 people at an Off-Peak time.
Buy a First Class ticket – it can be cheaper than you think
Don’t want to give up comfort while traveling by train? Get a First Class ticket. You can sometimes save money by traveling First Class. When demand for First Class tickets is low, they will be reduced in price, so you may be able to get them at a lower or similar cost to standard fares.
Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about train travel to and from Luton Airport, so you can find the answer you're looking for easily.
Which trains go to Luton Airport?
Thameslink and East Midlands Railway are the two main operators running trains that go to Luton Airport from central London.
Does Luton Airport have a train station?
The closest train station to Luton Airport is Luton Airport Parkway. From here, you can hop on the Luton DART which will take you straight to the airport in around 4 minutes.
Can you buy train tickets at Luton Airport?
Yes, you can buy train tickets from the ticket hall at Luton Airport Parkway. However, we recommend you buy them online with Trainline so you can save time and get them straight onto your phone. You can buy a combined ticket for the Luton DART and the train when you select ‘Luton Airport’ as your origin or destination station.
Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and choose the best ticket option for you.
How much does it cost to go to Luton Airport from London?
The cost of a trip from London to Luton Airport can vary based on factors such as when you’re traveling and which class you choose to travel in. Check our Journey Planner for the most up-to-date times and prices.
Is the Luton DART shuttle free?
No, the Luton DART shuttle is not free. However, you can buy a combined Luton DART and train ticket with Trainline – select ‘Luton Airport’ as either your origin or destination station and the DART will be included in the price of your ticket.
Is there a train from Luton Airport to Heathrow Airport?
Yes, you can take a train from Luton Airport to Heathrow Airport. First, take the Luton DART to Luton Airport Parkway station. Next, hop on a Thameslink train to Farringdon. Finally, transfer to an Elizabeth line service towards Heathrow Airport.
How can I get to Luton Airport when there’s a train strike?
If there’s a train strike, we recommend you travel with National Express – it’s a UK bus operator that will take you from London Victoria Coach station to Luton Airport. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to find the best bus options for you.