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Trains from London to Luton

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East Midlands Railway
Thameslink

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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.
  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. London to Luton

Trains to Luton from London

It takes an average of 51m to travel from London to Luton by train, over a distance of around 29 miles (46 km). There are normally 590 trains per day travelling from London to Luton and tickets for this journey start from £4.80 when you book in advance.

First train

02:36

Last train

01:48

Departure stationLondon
Arrival stationLuton
Journey time

From 25m

Distance

29 miles (46 km)

Frequency

590 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £4.80

Train operators

East Midlands Railway, Thameslink

What are the train times from London to Luton?

Get from London to Luton in as little as 25 minutes on the fastest trains, so you can make the most of your time.

The average train journey from London to Luton takes around 51 minutes. There are around 590 trains that operate on this route daily.

There are direct trains running on this popular route from London to Luton every day.

East Midlands Railway and Thameslink trains run on this route.

Tickets for this journey start from £4.80. Booking in advance often results in cheaper ticket prices.

With our Journey Planner, you can check live train times, compare prices and check routes.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from London to Luton?

Want to know more about your journey from London to Luton? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do I travel from London to Luton?

You can get from London to Luton by train in 51 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 25 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from London to Luton take?

The average journey time by train between London and Luton is 51 minutes, with around 590 trains per day running on this route. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

How much does the train from London to Luton cost?

Train tickets from London to Luton can start from as little as £4.80 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Luton by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Luton is 25 minutes.

How do I find cheap train tickets from London to Luton?

As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, our Trainline team of experts have put together these tips to help you find the cheapest tickets.

1. Book in advance

Train tickets from London to Luton start at £4.80§ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. UK train companies usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of time, and these can be cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. Sign up to Ticket Alert

If you're planning a trip more than 12 weeks ahead, sign up to our Ticket Alert to get notified when Advance tickets are released for your travel date.

3. Use a Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel throughout the year. Buy one with us and you'll be able to store it digitally in our app, so you'll always have it on your travels.

4. Book split tickets

Our handy feature SplitSave will 'split' your train journey into multiple tickets, which can be much cheaper than buying a single ticket. Find out more about split tickets.

5. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

6. Consider a Season Ticket

Best for commuters, if you catch a train on the same route more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly, weekly and flexi options available, find out if a Season Ticket for London to Luton is right for you.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

§Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.

London to Luton in under 40 minutes

I travelled from London to Luton on a Thameslink service from St Pancras station. The entire journey took just 35 minutes, calling at St Albans City, Harpenden and Luton Airport Parkway.

There are three options for travelling from London to Luton. Thameslink run two different services throughout the day: the first calls at just a handful of stations and takes between 35-40 minutes, the second calls at more stations and takes just under an hour. Thameslink operate the bulk of services to Luton from London throughout the day, but there is the occasional EMR service which takes just 22 minutes and runs direct to Luton without stopping.

Boarding the train

I took the faster Thameslink service. Trains depart from the platform beneath the station entrance; you descend on escalators to get to the platform. The train arrived on time and I hopped on board – on this occasion I had an Off-Peak ticket and therefore did not have a seat reservation.

The journey

Thameslink trains are very modern, feeling like a cross between a London Underground train and a mainline service. I was sat in Standard Class, which contained ample baggage storage and a mixture of pairs of seats facing forwards, and the occasional set of four facing each other. The modern station announcement system shows exactly where you are in your journey on a digital display, meaning I could kick back and relax on the way to Luton.

About Freddie

Freddie, a former Trainline employee, chose to share his experience of the journey between London and Luton.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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