How to Take the London Luton Airport Trains: DART + Express
London has several airports, with various ways to get to/from the city. For Heathrow and Gatwick in particular, you can take a direct train, but Luton takes a few extra steps.
If you’re flying with airlines like Wizz or Ryanair, you’ll likely fly into or out of London Luton.
And while it’s pretty straightforward, it can seem confusing if it’s your first time, especially with pricing, since you don’t want to get overcharged, which London’s train system is notorious for.
So I want to share exactly how to take the London Luton Airport trains, so it’s a simple, easy-to-follow process for you.
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My Experience taking the train to/from London Luton Airport
On two occasions, I had to get to and from London Luton Airport.
First trip: On my first day, I flew in around 11 AM, so buses and trains were running to/from London. The first time I used a contactless card to pay for everything, which cost about $30, but don’t quote me on that as it can change and I can’t explain why it cost that.
Second trip: When I flew out of London Luton, though, my flight was at 6 AM, which meant I had to arrive at the airport around 3 AM, and the train was still my best option (especially since I was staying near London St Pancras Station, more on that later).
There are options like the bus, but because I find trains the fastest and most convenient, I opted for them.
Klook.comQuick Notes on How to Take the London Luton Airport Train
Here are a few quick things to keep in mind if you’re planning to catch the London Luton Airport train + DART.
- The trip requires one connection. From the airport to London, take the DART (a rail shuttle that connects to Luton Airport Parkway Station), then connect to either the Thameslink or the Luton Airport Express trains.
- A ticket machine is outside the DART; I tried to use it, but the interface is complicated so it’s better to just skip it. It’s best to use a contactless card for the DART or bundle it with your Thameslink ticket (buy ahead of time).
- Both trains start and end at St Pancras Station, which connects to 6 different tube lines.
- You can use a contactless card for both the DART and train, but the train ticket may cost more than buying it ahead of time.
- To make the journey smooth, download a UK eSIM so you can connect once you land. I love Klook eSIMs because they’re more affordable than other major providers.
Types of Trains & Tickets: Thameslink or Luton Express
As mentioned, London trains are notorious for having a variety of prices available and ticket types. The first step in figuring out how to take the London Luton Airport trains is sorting out your best ticket options.
The first time I took the train, I just tapped my card, and the second time, I bought my tickets online ahead of time.
I bought my tickets from the Thameslink website, but depending on whether you choose a specific time or any time, they can apply to either Thameslink (~45 minutes) or the Luton Express (~30 minutes) trains. Both pass through Luton Airport Parkway Station.
You’ll receive your tickets by email, and there’s also an app, so you just need the QR code to enter and exit the stations.
Advance Tickets
When you order advance tickets, you must select the date and train you plan to take. Yes, that means taking the train at the time you book it for. Those tickets can be very cheap if you book them early. As you can see in the screenshot, the Luton Airport Express/Thameslink + DART combined can be rather affordable.
So if you book the Thameslink, you need to be on the Thameslink train at the time you reserve. And the same goes for the Express train. If someone checks your ticket on board, you could be fined if you’re on the wrong train.
Advance tickets can save money, but if your flight arrives late, you’re out of luck. That said, an advance ticket can work well for booking the train to the airport.
Offpeak Tickets
Off-peak tickets are available on select days and times, so you won’t always see them when you search. The great thing is that if you can snag one, you’ll have a flexible time window to take the trains. They cost a bit more than Advance tickets but less than Anytime tickets.
Anytime Tickets
Anytime tickets are, as the name suggests, basically anytime. You still need to pick the day you’ll use the ticket, but you can choose whichever train is most convenient during that day.
I did this when I was heading back to the airport, but looking back, I should have bought a cheaper advance ticket since I knew which train I wanted to take.
This is the best option if you don’t have off-peak options and don’t wanna risk missing your train after landing if your flights are delayed.
Or Go Contactless
It’s an option to simply tap to enter both the DART and either train to/from Luton Airport.
When I went from Luton to St Pancras, it cost about $30, but honestly I’m not 100% sure, as I took other trains that day and it’s hard to know exactly what it costs in the end.
But if you go contactless, it’s hard to predict exactly what you’ll pay until you see it on your bank statement.
I wouldn’t advise going contactless but you still can, but you never know when the TFL will surpirse you!
Luton Airport Trains + DART Timetables
The great news is that train service to and from London Luton Airport is available almost 24/7. Here are more specifics.
DART: Luton Airport to/from Luton Airport Parkway Station
The DART runs 24/7. During peak hours, it runs about every 4 minutes. Overnight, it runs about every 15 minutes. It’s a few minutes’ ride.
Trains: Thameslink & Luton Express
The good news about the Thameslink & Luton Express trains is they run practically 24/7.
During daytime hours, they run every 5-15 minutes. Even overnight, trains run hourly, though they are Thameslink, meaning they are the slower service.
If you need to go to/from the airport late at night, choose your best option based on where you’re staying. I was a 15-minute walk from St Pancras, so I decided to walk there at about 1 AM. To take the bus, I would have had to take a taxi, then catch a bus, which would have cost more time/money in the end.
If you’re traveling with friends at night to/from Luton, splitting a cab may also be a good idea.
How to Take the DART + Luton Airport Trains into London
Now that I’ve covered the basics of the tickets and must-knows, here’s how to get from Luton Airport into London. And if you’re heading to the airport, then you just need to do these steps in reverse.
Step 1: DART
Cost: £5; you can use a contactless card. But if you buy your tickets ahead of time, you can bundle the train + DART ticket. Pay when you arrive at or exit from Luton Airport Parkway Station.
How to Take the DART
Since London Luton is a small airport, the DART is just a two-minute walk from the station.
All you have to do is head into the station, take the escalators or elevators down, and hop on the DART.
Pro tip: You can buy your ticket online ahead of time, combining the DART and airport ticket. Buy it on the Thameslink website.
You can also use contactless if your London Luton Airport train ticket doesn’t include the DART. When entering from the airport side, there’s nowhere to pay, but when you arrive at London Luton Airport Parkway, you tap your card to exit. So if you’re going to the airport, you’ll tap in before you get on, unless you have your ticket pre-booked.
The ride takes only a few minutes, and from there you can transfer to the train station and head into London.
Catching the London Luton Airport Trains
Train Cost: Varies; check ticket information above. With contactless payment, prices vary, so for a guaranteed price, buy ahead of time on the Thameslink website.
Train Options
You have two train options from Luton Airport Parkway Station into London.
If you buy an advance ticket, you must take the train you bought it for, either Thameslink or the Luton Airport Express. The Luton Airport Express is faster, while the Thameslink takes about 45 minutes.
If you have an Anytime ticket or an Off-Peak ticket, then you can take either train.
When you buy your tickets on the official website, double-check the terms.
Luggage Storage on the Trains
I ended up taking the Thameslink to and from London Luton Airport, and neither had dedicated luggage storage spaces. I mean, there are, but they aren’t massive.
If there is anywhere convenient to put your luggage and there are a lot of people, the spaces will usually be taken. But since everyone knows these trains are packed with people and luggage, finding space is usually fine.
I even sat with my large suitcase between my knees on a full train, and if I had to adjust it, I just moved it out of the way.
Arriving at London St Pancras Station
One of the best things about arriving at St Pancras Station is that it connects to six underground tube lines.
You can also easily find taxis waiting outside.
Klook.comFAQs About How to Take the Train to/from London Luton Airport
Is it safe around St Pancras Station at night?
As a solo female traveler, I want to cover this question because I went to St Pancras Station at about 1:30 in the morning.
I walked there from near the British Museum, and while I generally wouldn’t recommend it, I felt okay overall. Keep in mind, though, I used to live in Philadelphia, a city where you really need to watch your back almost all the time. Of course, you never know who you may run into at whatever time, but I would do this walk again.
The main thing I’d say is to keep your phone out of sight, because it would be horrible to have it snatched from your hands, whether you’re coming or going from the station.
Arriving at the station was comfortable, too. If you arrive at night, enter through the west-side entrance, as the main entrance is closed.
Are Luton Airport Trains included in the Interrail Pass?
The Interrail Pass includes both the Thameslink and Luton Airport Express trains as part of the UK national rail network.
Keep in mind, though, that the DART isn’t included in the Interrail Pass, so you’ll need to buy it separately by tapping your contactless card.
Can you take a bus from London Luton Airport into the city?
Yes, there are a few bus operators. National Express is one of the most popular options, and when you arrive at London Luton, you can even buy a ticket on the spot, although it might be more expensive.
Explore More London Guides
If you found my guide on how to take the Luton airport train helpful, I’ve written plenty more about London to help you make the most of your trip. Here are more articles to check out:
