Frequently asked questions
Browse Luton Airport Express FAQs
Getting to Luton Airport
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Monday to Friday the Luton Airport Express runs from 05:45 to 23:54 between London St Pancras International and Luton Airport Parkway.
On Saturday trains from London St Pancras start at 05:33 and run until 22:18.
On Sunday the Luton Airport Express runs from 12:14 to 22:12. There are earlier services to Luton Airport Parkway on EMR Intercity from 09:00, with the last train leaving London St Pancras at 23:00.
If you’re travelling from the North, there are trains running from Corby, stopping at Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford and Luton before arriving at Luton Airport Parkway.
The Luton DART runs between Luton Airport and Luton Airport Parkway station 24 hours a day. Shuttles leave up to every four minutes at peak times.
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Travelling from Luton Airport to London late at night? From Monday to Friday the last Luton Airport Express train to London St Pancras leaves Luton Airport Parkway at 23:25, and 22:28 on Saturday.
On Sunday the last Luton Airport Express train is at 21:58, but there are later EMR Intercity services to London St Pancras until 22:46.
The Luton DART runs 24 hours a day.
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The nearest train station to London Luton Airport is Luton Airport Parkway. From here it’s a speedy four-minute shuttle ride to the airport on the new Luton DART service. There’s step-free access, with lifts and escalators to the footbridge between the train platforms and the DART terminal.
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The trip from London St Pancras International to Luton Airport can take as little as 32 minutes. This includes the train to Luton Airport Parkway and the Luton DART shuttle that connects the station to the airport.
If you’re traveling by coach with operators like Greenline or National Express, the journey typically takes around 1 hour and 6 minutes.
For the latest updates on your travel dates, check your journey online or explore our timetable for more details.
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Luton Airport Parkway is on the EMR Connect line. From Luton Airport Parkway station, trains run between London St Pancras International to the south and Corby to the north. Our fully electric Class 360 trains run seven days a week in both directions, connecting with services across the UK and to the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras. Our trains to Luton Airport run every 30 minutes from early morning to late at night Monday to Saturday, with regular services on Sundays too.
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The Luton DART takes you from Luton Airport Parkway station to the Terminal station at London Luton Airport in less than four minutes. Shuttles leave the station every four minutes at peak times. Speed up your journey with a combined ticket for the train and the Luton DART - just choose Luton Airport as your destination when you book.
The Luton DART opened in March 2023 and replaces the former shuttle bus service from Luton Airport Parkway station to the airport.
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A covered footbridge links the train platforms at Luton Airport Parkway station with the Luton DART terminal. Lifts and escalators offer step-free level access to all platforms.
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You can book assistance for any train journey or station in the UK up to two hours before travel through Passenger Assist:
Phone 08000 11 33 23
Call the EMR customer service centre 03457 125678 (open 24/7)
Message us on WhatsApp +447501330988
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You can use the new Passenger Assistance app to book help with your journey. Here you can: set up and manage your profile, plan your rail journey and request the type of assistance you need, and view your travel history.
The Passenger Assistance app is available for Android and Apple devices:
Ticket FAQs
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Absolutely. Train tickets to Luton Airport cover the cost of the DART shuttle, meaning you won’t need to pay extra for the transfer between Luton Airport Parkway and the terminal. When booking, ensure your ticket specifies Luton Airport rather than just Luton Airport Parkway.
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You can use contactless payments if you’re travelling between London St Pancras International and Luton Airport Parkway. Other stations on this route don’t currently support contactless payments.
The Luton DART also offers contactless payments between Luton Airport and Luton Airport Parkway if you haven’t pre-purchased a combined ticket.
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No. Luton Airport Parkway station and Luton Airport are outside the London fare zones so you can’t use an Oyster card to travel here.
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You can buy Anytime and Off-Peak tickets for your EMR Smartcard. Buy online and two hours later you can load tickets to your Smartcard by tapping it on a card reader at your selected collection station. Or buy tickets at a station ticket office or ticket machine and load them straight onto your EMR Smartcard.
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Our Advance train tickets start at just £10 one-way or £20 return from London St Pancras International to Luton Airport.
You’ll get the cheapest fares to Luton Airport when you buy in advance. But be quick because there are a limited number of Advance tickets available. You can buy tickets up to 12 weeks before you travel until just before you board.
Another way to get cheap train tickets is to travel at quieter times of day. Our Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets offer great value and convenience and are valid on any off-peak/super off-peak train on the date shown on your ticket.
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Yes, you can. If you didn’t book your train tickets ahead of time, you’ll find ticket machines in the Onward Travel Centre within the Arrivals area of Luton Airport, before you leave the terminal. Additionally, train tickets can also be bought at vending machines located at the DART station.
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Absolutely. There are several ways to cut costs when travelling to Luton Airport by train, whether it’s through early booking, travelling during quieter hours, or using a Railcard. Here’s how you can save:
1. Plan ahead and book Advance tickets up to 12 weeks before your trip to secure the best prices for your journey.
2. Choose Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak tickets to enjoy lower fares when traveling during less busy times of the day.
3. Make the most of a National Railcard to get up to 1/3 off your train fares whenever you travel to Luton Airport.
Start saving today and make your trip more affordable.
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Advance tickets are non-refundable. You can only claim a refund on Advance tickets if your train is cancelled or delayed.
If you have an Anytime, Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak ticket you can claim a refund if you decide not to travel. A £10 fee applies for claiming a refund. Find out more about refunding your ticket.
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If your flight is delayed, please speak to a member of our team at the train station and they’ll be able to advise you. If you have an advance train ticket, you will need proof of the delay to be able to access the next Luton Airport Express service.
On-board the Luton Airport Express FAQs
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Our Luton Airport Express trains offer ample room for passengers to store their luggage during the journey to London Luton Airport.
Each traveller is permitted to bring up to three pieces of luggage: two larger suitcases and one smaller bag.
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Travelling to Luton Airport Parkway is easy with our express services. Enjoy plenty of luggage storage, accessible toilets with baby changing amenities, and complimentary WiFi throughout your journey. Skip the hassle of driving and choose a stress-free, quick train ride instead. Learn more about what’s available onboard by visiting our facilities page.
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We aim to make family travel as simple as possible. Our trains are equipped with onboard toilets that include baby changing facilities, and many of our stations offer the same. Pushchairs and prams are allowed on board but should be folded and stored securely during your trip. Remember to leave designated wheelchair spaces available for those who need them.
While there’s no food service on the Luton Airport Express, you might want to bring some snacks to keep everyone happy during the ride. Alternatively, grab something to eat or drink from the food outlets at our stations before boarding.
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The Luton Airport Express doesn’t have specific spaces for bicycles, but folding bikes are welcome. Just ensure they’re fully folded and securely stored for the duration of your trip.
Full-size bikes are allowed during off-peak hours and can be kept in the vestibule area. Be sure to stay with your bike and avoid blocking doorways or the designated wheelchair space. However, during peak times on weekdays (before 10:00 for trains arriving at London St Pancras International, and between 16:00 and 19:00 for trains departing from London), full-size bikes are not permitted.
Luton Airport Parkway train station FAQs
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Trains from London to Luton Airport Parkway operate every half hour, running from early morning until late evening, Monday through Saturday. Sunday services are also available, though travel times may vary slightly.
To view the complete schedule, check out the Luton Airport train timetable
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Located in Luton, Bedfordshire, Luton Airport Parkway is just a mile away from London Luton Airport. This makes it an ideal transport hub for travellers heading to or from the airport.
The station's address is: Parkway Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3JW.
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At Luton Airport Parkway train station, the ticket office operates from 06:00 to 00:30 on weekdays.
Weekend hours are slightly shorter, running from 06:30 to midnight on Saturdays, and 07:30 to midnight on Sundays.
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Help points are available at various locations around the station, including one conveniently located near the ticket office, which doubles as the meeting spot for assistance.
Luton Dart Shuttle FAQs
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Launched in March 2023, the Luton DART is a modern transport link connecting Luton Airport Parkway station to the Terminal station at London Luton Airport. Replacing the old shuttle bus service, the DART offers passengers a faster, more efficient way to travel between the station and the airport terminal.
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For those without a combined ticket to Luton Airport, a separate ticket for the DART is required, costing £4.90 per adult. To simplify your journey, you can add the DART fare directly when purchasing your train ticket to or from Luton Airport, instead of selecting Luton Airport Parkway, avoiding the need to pay for it separately.
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Kids under 5 can travel without any charge. For those aged 5 to 15, tickets cost £2.45, which is 50% of the adult fare.
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The Luton DART runs 24 hours a day, ensuring passengers can travel easily no matter the time, day or night.
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The Luton DART provides a quick connection between Luton Airport Parkway station and London Luton Airport, completing the journey in less than four minutes. During peak hours (06:00–09:30 and 14:00–18:00 daily), the service runs every four minutes, while off-peak intervals extend to up to seven minutes between departures.
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Absolutely. The Luton DART is designed to be fully accessible, offering step-free access for travellers with limited mobility, those carrying luggage, or anyone with pushchairs.
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Yes. The Luton DART is built with airport travellers in mind, offering plenty of space to handle luggage of all sizes, including larger suitcases.
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Yes. You can arrange assistance for your journey using our Passenger Assist service. Visit our accessible travel section to learn more.
London Luton Airport FAQs
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For international flights, aim to arrive at the airport 2 to 3 hours before departure. For domestic flights, plan to get there 1.5 to 2 hours early to ensure you have enough time for check-in and security.
If you're traveling to London Luton Airport by train, be sure to account for potential rail delays and give yourself extra time for the journey.
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Yes, London Luton Airport features two lounges: No1 Lounge and My Lounge. Both can be accessed through pre-booking or as a walk-in if space allows. These lounges offer a relaxing atmosphere with free food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and cosy seating for a more comfortable airport experience.
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London Luton Airport offers a variety of shops and eateries to suit all tastes. From duty-free outlets and popular retail stores to dining spots like Nolito, Pret A Manger, and The Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen, there’s something for everyone to enjoy before their flight.
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London Luton Airport adheres to general security regulations. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, visit their website. Keep in mind that individual airlines often have their own baggage rules, so it’s a good idea to confirm directly with your airline.
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If you require support, you can arrange assistance directly through the airline you’re flying with. Make sure to contact them to set up any necessary accommodations for your journey.
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You can enjoy up to four hours of complimentary Wi-Fi at Luton Airport. Just connect to the airport’s network and stay connected while you wait at the terminal.
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