London Luton Airport is about 35 miles north of central London. There are three ways into the city: the train (with the Luton DART shuttle for the first few minutes), a coach from outside the terminal, or a taxi from the terminal to your door. This guide compares them honestly, so you can pick the one that suits your arrival time, your luggage and where you are staying.
Train and coach 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 | Where it takes you | Changes | Typical time | At night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train | St Pancras, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, London Bridge | One: the DART to Luton Airport Parkway, then the train | 22 minutes non-stop to St Pancras, plus the DART | Thameslink runs through the night |
| Coach | Baker Street, Marble Arch, Victoria or Paddington | None | About 60 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic | Coaches run through the night |
| Taxi | Your hotel or home | None | About 1 hour 10 minutes to central London, longer at busy times | Any hour, 24/7 |
Luton Airport to London by train
The train leaves from Luton Airport Parkway station, which is linked to the terminal by the Luton DART:
- The Luton DART takes less than four minutes and runs 24 hours a day: every 5 minutes at peak times, every 8 minutes off-peak and every 15 minutes late at night. An adult single costs £4.90. Choose “Luton Airport” as your station when you buy a train ticket and the DART is included.
- Luton Airport Express (East Midlands Railway) runs non-stop to London St Pancras in 22 minutes, every 30 minutes. It does not run all night: the last train from Luton Airport Parkway leaves at 23:25 on weekdays and earlier at weekends.
- Thameslink is the most frequent service, with up to 8 trains an hour, and runs through the night. It takes 24 to 45 minutes to St Pancras and continues to Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge.
The train is the quickest way into central London if you are travelling light and staying near one of those stations. From the station you still need to get to your hotel, which is the hard part with large cases or children.
Luton Airport to London by coach
Coaches leave from the airport bus station, right outside the terminal, and need no change:
- National Express A1: to Victoria Coach Station via Golders Green, Finchley Road, St John’s Wood, Baker Street and Marble Arch, up to 13 times a day.
- National Express A2: to Paddington via Baker Street, up to 31 times a day.
- National Express A31: to Victoria Coach Station via Baker Street and Marble Arch, up to 15 times a day.
- Green Line 757: to London Victoria via Brent Cross, Finchley Road, Baker Street and Marble Arch, every 30 minutes in the day and hourly through the night, seven days a week.
The journey takes about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic. The coach suits travellers on a budget heading for the West End or Victoria, and it runs when the trains have stopped.
Luton Airport to London by taxi
A pre-booked taxi takes you from the terminal to your hotel or home, with no changes and no carrying cases between platforms. Central London is about 1 hour 10 minutes away by road, longer at busy times.
- Fixed price: the price you are quoted includes the airport’s pick-up charge, so there is nothing extra to pay on the day.
- Any hour: we work 24/7, so a 2 am landing 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 in the airport’s Pick Up Zone or at a meeting point you agree, or inside the arrivals hall if you add Meet & Greet (£10).
- Groups: one vehicle carries up to 8 passengers, and the fare is per vehicle, not per person.
Our Luton Airport transfers page explains how it works and gives an instant fixed price.
How do I get from Luton Airport to my hotel?
First find the station or coach stop nearest your hotel. If it is close to St Pancras, Farringdon or Blackfriars, the train is quickest. If it is near Baker Street, Marble Arch, Victoria or Paddington, the coach takes you there with no change. If it is not near either, you land late, or you have a lot of luggage, a pre-booked taxi takes you straight to the door.
Which should you choose?
- Travelling light, staying near a Thameslink station: the train.
- On a budget, heading for the West End or Victoria: the coach.
- A family or group, lots of luggage, 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 central London?
About 35 miles north. By road that is usually about 1 hour 10 minutes, longer in rush hour.
Is there a train from Luton Airport to London at night?
Yes. Thameslink runs through the night from Luton Airport Parkway, and the Luton DART runs 24 hours a day. The Luton Airport Express stops in the late evening.
Do I need a separate ticket for the Luton DART?
Not if you choose “Luton Airport” as your station when you buy your train ticket: the DART is then included. On its own, an adult single is £4.90.
Is there a direct coach from Luton Airport to London?
Yes. National Express and Green Line run direct coaches from outside the terminal to Baker Street, Marble Arch, Victoria and Paddington, including through the night.
Get your fixed price
Get an instant fixed-price quote for your Luton Airport transfer, or call us 24/7 on +44 1582 800333. Travelling to Luton Airport instead? Read our Luton DART vs taxi guide.
