London Luton and Heathrow are about 35 miles apart, Luton to the north of London and Heathrow to the west. You can take a direct coach, the train with one change in London, or a taxi from one terminal to the other. This guide compares them honestly, for either direction.
Coach and train details are taken from London Luton Airport’s own website and were checked in October 2026. Timetables change, so check before you travel.
At a glance
| Option | How it works | Changes | Typical time | At night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coach | National Express, airport to airport | None | About 50 minutes | From Luton around 2am to 9pm; from Heathrow around midnight to 10:30pm |
| Train | Thameslink to Farringdon, then the Elizabeth line to Heathrow | One, plus the Luton DART | About 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes | Limited late at night |
| Taxi | Terminal to terminal | None | Usually 45 to 50 minutes, longer at busy times | Any hour, 24/7 |
Luton to Heathrow by coach
National Express routes 230, 231 and 240 run directly between the two airports, up to 16 times a day in each direction, taking about 50 minutes. From Luton the first coach leaves around 1:55am and the last around 8:55pm; from Heathrow they run from around 0:05am to 10:30pm.
At Heathrow the coach stops at Heathrow Central Bus Station for Terminals 2 and 3; check which stop serves your terminal when you book. The coach suits travellers on their own with light luggage.
Luton to Heathrow by train
There is no direct train. The usual route is:
- The Luton DART from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway (under 4 minutes).
- Thameslink south to Farringdon.
- The Elizabeth line west to Heathrow.
London Luton Airport puts the trip at about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. A second option changes at St Pancras and Paddington instead, with the Heathrow Express for the last part, but it has more changes.
Luton to Heathrow by taxi
A pre-booked taxi takes you from one terminal to the other with no changes. It is about 35 miles, usually 45 to 50 minutes, longer at busy times on the M1 and M25.
- Fixed price: the price you are quoted includes the airport charges, so there is nothing extra to pay on the day.
- Any hour: we work 24/7, so an early-morning or late-night connection is booked the same way as a midday one.
- Late flights: we track your flight, so your pickup moves to the actual landing time at no extra cost, however late it is, and your driver waits 45 minutes free from the time it lands.
- Meeting your driver: your driver meets you at the airport’s pickup point or a meeting point you agree, or inside the arrivals hall if you add Meet & Greet (£10).
- Groups: one MPV takes up to 8 passengers, and the fare is per vehicle, not per person.
See our Luton Airport transfers and Heathrow Airport transfers pages, or get an instant fixed price.
Which should you choose?
- Travelling alone and light: the coach is direct and quick.
- Travelling light, outside the coach times: the train.
- A family or group, lots of luggage, a tight connection or a late arrival: a taxi, because there are no changes and the fare is for the whole car.
Common questions
How far is Luton Airport from Heathrow?
About 35 miles by road, usually 45 to 50 minutes by car.
Is there a direct coach from Luton Airport to Heathrow?
Yes. National Express runs direct coaches between the two airports, up to 16 a day, taking about 50 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Luton Airport to Heathrow?
No. The quickest train route changes once, at Farringdon, onto the Elizabeth line.
Can I book a taxi from Heathrow to Luton Airport?
Yes. We cover both directions at a fixed price, at any hour.
Get your fixed price
Get an instant fixed-price quote for your transfer between Luton Airport and Heathrow, or call us 24/7 on +44 1582 800333. Our Heathrow terminals guide explains drop-off and pick-up at each terminal.
