Trains from Luton Airport
Getting a train from Luton Airport Parkway Station to London is an accessible option if you’re flying into Luton Airport. From London, you can take a train to Cambridge, Canterbury, Oxford, Brighton and other major cities and towns of South East England. Thameslink and East Midlands Trains operate direct to London St Pancras International station. They run every 10 minutes during peak times, 7 days per week.
From 27th March 2023, the Luton DART will replace the shuttle bus service between Luton Airport Parkway and London Luton Airport. The Luton DART is a passenger transit system that will take you to the airport in just under 4 minutes. If you choose Luton Airport as the start or end point of your journey, the Luton DART is included as part of your rail ticket.
Read on to learn more about buying train tickets, timetables and possible connections.
The Luton DART: All you need to know about the new shuttle system at Luton Airport
Launched on the 27th March 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.
The Luton DART is a passenger transit system that takes you from the airport to the station in just under 4 minutes – that's quick!
How do I buy a ticket for the Luton DART?
When booking your train travel, choose Luton Airport as the starting point for you 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 from before you enter the shuttle terminal.
Luton DART prices as of June 2023
- Adult single £4.90
- Child single £2.45
How do I get from the airport to the Luton DART terminal?
It’s really easy! Once you step out of arrivals at the airport and head towards the exit, you'll see signs for trains. Just follow the covered walkway that takes you down to the Luton DART terminal, where you'll need your ticket to get through ticket barriers.
How often does the DART run?
There are three different timetables for the Luton DART:
|
|
Time of day |
Number of DART shuttles running |
|
Peak |
Between 06:00 and 09:30 and 14:00 and 18:00 |
Up to every 4 minutes |
|
Super Off-Peak |
Between 22:00 and 04:00 |
4 to 6 times an hour |
|
Off Peak |
All other times |
Up to every 7 minutes |
Onboard the Luton DART
Whilst you wait to board at one of the two platforms in the DART terminal, you’ll be able to see how long it is until the next shuttle arrives. Inside the DART trains are wide and spacious, with seating along the sides and at both ends of the carriage, plus poles throughout to hold onto if you’re standing. There’s also priority seating and dedicated wheelchair spaces.
Digital screens along the DART will show you the latest updates for upcoming flights.
The journey from Luton Airport Parkway to Luton Airport takes around 4 minutes in total.
Where does the Luton DART arrive at the train station?
At the end of your quick journey, you arrive at another station which is just a few minutes’ walk away from Luton Airport Parkway train station. You need to pass through ticket barriers out of the DART terminal, then another set of ticket barriers to get into the train station. From there you can take the lift or the escalators down to the train platforms for your onward journey.
Getting from London Luton Airport to London
You can book cheap tickets from London Luton Airport to London St Pancras International station. This saves time and money on taxis and eliminates the need for airport parking. It also helps when you want to budget to recover from your holiday spending. For the lowest prices, we recommend you book tickets far ahead of the journey. If you use a National Railcard, then you can save a further 1/3 on an adult journey, with kids travelling at 60% off.
A Thameslink train runs from Luton Airport Parkway to St Pancras International station in London. After that, the train also stops at Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars and Gatwick. An East Midlands train station also follows the same line as far as London St Pancras International station. Trains run every 10 minutes at peak times up to every hour at night. They run 7 days a week and the journey takes 20 to 50 minutes.
From St Pancras International, you can take the London Underground to other London train stations and then a direct train to major UK cities. You can also take a direct train to Leicester, Dover, Brighton and Ashford International direct from the airport.
The Luton DART is a passenger transit system that runs from the airport to Luton Airport Parkway train station in just under 4 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi from the airport to the train station takes only 10 minutes.
Useful travel tips
We want to make travel easier for you, which is why we’ve compiled a selection of useful travel tips to help you on your way.
Off-peak fares
Learn more about peak and off-peak fares, and how they can affect the cost of your journey.
Seat reservations
Need information about seating? Read our guide to find out more about what's available.
Railcards
Want to see how much you could save by using a railcard? Read our handy guide on all the different railcards available.
What to see in London
London St Pancras International is one of the busiest train stations in Britain. As a result, it has a large selection of places to eat and shop. Eateries at the station include Starbucks, Pret A Manger, and other various bars, coffee shops and restaurants. Shops include Marks & Spencer, WHSmith, Boots and many more.
Kings Cross St Pancras tube station is adjacent to St Pancras International station. From there, you can take the London Underground Northern Line, Victoria Line or Piccadilly Line to central London. Take the Northern Line to Embankment and then change for the Circle or District lines to Westminster station for the Big Ben, the London Eye, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and a view of the River Thames.
From Westminster station it’s around an hour walk to The Tower of London. A stroll northward then eastward along the opposite side of the Thames will take you past the National Theatre, the Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London Bridge and Tower Bridge.
Recommended itineraries
Need inspiration for your next trip to the UK? Pick one of our recommended itineraries below.