Take the train to the airport

Q: What stations can I travel to Luton Airport from?

You can travel with us to Luton Airport by train from Brighton, London and Hertfordshire. Our direct trains set off from these stations: Brighton Gatwick London Bridge London St Pancras International London Blackfriars London City Thameslink Farringdon Bedford St Albans Rochester

Q: Does my train ticket include Luton DART?

Yes, if you book your ticket to 'Luton AIrport' it will include Luton DART. If you already have a Luton DART ticket, to avoid paying for a second Luton DART ticket you can book your train ticket to 'Luton Airport Parkway'.

Q: How do I get to the Luton DART from the train?

Take the Thameslink train to Luton Airport Parkway train station. There is a sheltered walkway that connects the train platforms to the Luton DART terminal. Both lifts and escalators ensure step-free access to all platforms, for those with reduced mobility, luggage, or traveling with pushchairs.

Q: Can I take luggage on the train?

Yes, Thameslink trains have luggage rack space. Find out more about taking luggage on Thameslink trains .

Q: Can I still use my train ticket if my flight is delayed?

Yes, if you have bought a ticket for a specific date and your flight is delayed after midnight of that day your Thameslink train ticket is valid until 4:29am the following day, and Luton DART tickets are valid until 3:30am the following day. If your flight is delayed past these times you will need to buy a new ticket.

With Thameslink, all through-tickets to Luton Airport include the DART shuttle, giving you a smooth, seamless connection to the terminal.

Why take the train to the airport with Thameslink?

Whether you’re heading on holiday or visiting friends abroad, get your trip off to a great start with fast and frequent trains to London Luton Airport. Go from Central London to Luton Airport with direct routes from over 50 stations, and frequent services up to 8 times per hour.

Frequency

Up to 8 trains an hour to Luton Airport Parkway.

Connectivity

Direct connections to over 50 stations.

Availability

Over 100 trains to Luton Airport Parkway a day.

Speed

Journey time from 24 minutes from central London to Luton Airport Parkway.

Plan your journey

Check live train departures and arrivals from any station, with details of platform numbers, cancellations and delays.

You can also check your flight and get instant updates on departure and arrival times at London Luton Airport.

Live train times Live flight times

How to get to the airport by train

Luton Airport Parkway is the closest rail station to the airport which connects to Luton Airport via the Luton DART shuttle service. When you book your Thameslink train ticket to or from “Luton Airport”, your DART ticket is automatically included, allowing seamless travel without the need for a separate ticket.

Book your train ticket with your destination as 'Luton Airport'
Take the Thameslink train to 'Luton Airport Parkway' station
Transfer to the Luton DART shuttle service at 'Luton Airport Parkway' to travel to 'Luton Airport'

What is Luton DART?

Luton DART is a shuttle service that provides convenient transfer from Luton Airport Parkway station to Luton Airport in just under 4 minutes. The DART runs 24-7 with up to 14 journeys an hour at peak times. It is fully accessible with step-free access and seamless assistance if required from train to terminal. The DART is owned and operated by Luton Rising. Ticket prices for the DART are set by Luton Rising, but you can purchase a ticket through Thameslink, by choosing a through-ticket to Luton Airport. For any DART non-ticket related customer enquiries please visit their website.

Luton DART website

Things to remember

Railcards and GroupSave

When you book your ticket all the way to Luton Airport, your Railcard or GroupSave savings include the Luton DART too. Please note: discounts don’t apply if you buy the DART ticket separately.

Concessionary discounts

If you are eligible for concessionary discounts on Luton DART, you will need to apply in advance and book your Luton DART ticket seperately to your train ticket.

Check before you travel

Before you travel, please check the National Rail website for terms and conditions to ensure you’re aware of any restrictions on your ticket.

Ticket options

Flexible ticket options from Anytime, Off-Peak, or Advance tickets to suit your needs whether you're travelling for business or leisure.

Railcard discounts

Combine your train tickets with a Railcard and get 1/3 off. Most Railcards cost £35 for a year and can be purchased on our app or online.

Travel together

If you’re travelling in a group of 3-9 adults, GroupSave gives you a 1/3 discount on Off-Peak travel, which includes all day on weekends and Bank Holidays.

Children under 5

Children under five years of age may travel free of charge without a ticket when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, as long as they don’t require a separate seat.

Kids for £2 tickets

Up to four children can travel for just £2 each at Off-Peak times on most journeys across the Thameslink network, when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.

Buy tickets with the app

Save time by buying your train tickets through the Thameslink app — book, download, and use your ticket directly on your phone for a quick and easy journey to the airport.

Frequently asked questions

What stations can I travel to Luton Airport from?

Does my train ticket include Luton DART?

How do I get to the Luton DART from the train?

Can I take luggage on the train?

Can I still use my train ticket if my flight is delayed?

Can I get a refund if my plans change?

What if I need assistance getting to the airport?

If you need assistance travelling on Thameslink trains you can contact our Assisted Travel team.

For assistance on the Luton DART it is recommended to book your accessibility service via your chosen airline and Thameslink, this notification will be passed to the Luton DART team to assist your handover between London Luton Airport and Luton Airport Parkway station.You can also contact Luton DART directly.

You may also qualify for concessionary discounts on Luton DART, please check in advance before booking your tickets.

For assistance at London Luton Airport please contact the airport Assisted Travel team.

Don’t just take it from us – here’s what our customers think

Taking the Thameslink train to the airport was such a breeze! With three kids in tow, I needed something reliable and stress-free. The spacious carriages and friendly staff made our journey enjoyable from start to finish – and the best part? Kids under 5 travel free, which made it even more affordable for our big family!

Katrina, mum of three
As someone who travels frequently for work, the Thameslink train is my go-to option for getting to the airport. It's punctual, comfortable, and offers great Wi-Fi so I can stay productive on the go.

James, business traveller
We chose Thameslink for our trip to the airport at the start of our honeymoon and couldn't have been happier with our decision! The ride was smooth and relaxing – just what we needed before our long flight.

Sarah & Tom, honeymooners
Using Thameslink to get to the airport was incredibly convenient! As a student on a budget, I appreciated how affordable it was without compromising on comfort or efficiency.

Alex, student

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