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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.

Luton to London by train

It takes an average of 51m to travel from Luton to London by train, over a distance of around 29 miles (46 km). There are normally 650 trains per day travelling from Luton to London and tickets for this journey start from £2.70 when you book in advance.

First train

02:40

Last train

01:40

Departure station

Luton

Arrival station

London

Journey time

From 26m

Distance

29 miles (46 km)

Frequency

650 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £2.70

Train operators

East Midlands Railway, Thameslink

How to get from Luton to London by train in less than half an hour

Considering a trip to the capital and looking for more information on the journey from Luton to London by train? Start your journey with us! 

Usually, the journey from Luton to London by train takes around 49 minutes, but can take just 25 minutes on the fastest services. With around 806 direct trains running from Luton to London every day, you don’t need to change along the way, so you can sit back and relax.  

On this route, you’ll jump on either an East Midlands Railway or Thameslink train at Luton station. Whatever service you decide to travel on, you’ll enjoy onboard amenities such as free WiFi and comfortable seating. Fancy travelling in style? Upgrade to First Class and take advantage of quieter carriages, spacious seats and wider tables. In just 25 minutes, you’ll travel through 29 miles of picturesque scenery and arrive at London St Pancras station.  

Once you’ve exited the station, you’re a short tube or bus journey from the city’s main landmarks. Not sure where to begin? Check out our guide to the 14 best things to do in London, including a trip to the Natural History Museum and Buckingham Palace.  

Want to book the cheapest fares? Try booking an Off-Peak time – tickets are generally cheaper when you travel Off-Peak compared to taking the train at Peak times. If you’d like to save even more, get yourself a Railcard and save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year.  

Eager to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from Luton to London in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. If you’d like to learn a bit more about the journey first, you’ll find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap train fares and our FAQs, including first and last train times.  

Journey details

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

How long does the train from Luton to London take?

The average journey time by train between Luton and London is 51 minutes, with around 650 trains per day. 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.

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

The fastest journey time by train from Luton to London is 26 minutes.

How much does the train from Luton to London cost?

Train ticket prices from Luton to London can start from as little as £2.70 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Luton to London?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Luton to London without having to change trains. There are 650 direct trains from Luton to London each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from Luton to London leave?

The first train from Luton to London leaves at 02:40. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Luton to London leave?

The last train from Luton to London leaves at 01:40. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Luton and London by train?

Trains travelling from Luton to London cover a distance of around 29 miles (46 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from London to Luton.

Cheap train tickets from Luton to London

Train tickets from Luton to London start at £2.70 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Luton to London is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

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.

Luton to London in under forty minutes

I travelled from Luton to London having spent the day in Bedfordshire.  The journey took just under 40 minutes, ensuring I arrived in London in good time.

There are a handful of options for travelling from Luton to London. 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 operates the bulk of services throughout the day, but there is the occasional EMR service which takes just 22 minutes and runs direct to London.

The journey

I opted for the faster Thameslink service. A friendly staff member at Luton station helped me find the right platform and the train arrived on time. Thameslink carriages are quite modern, resembling a cross between a normal train carriage and a Tube carriage. The information boards were very useful in showing me exactly where we were on the journey, and there was ample storage room for my luggage.

Arriving in London

London St Pancras is very well-connected to the TfL network via the Kings Cross St Pancras underground station. It was a nice day so I chose to walk home – but to anyone considering walking between Kings Cross and Angel, the incline up Pentonville Road is rather steep!

About Freddie

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

† 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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