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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

London to Luton by train

It takes an average of 51m to travel from London to Luton by train, over a distance of around 29 miles (46 km). There are normally 585 trains per day travelling from London to Luton and tickets for this journey start from £3.30 when you book in advance.

First train

02:36

Last train

01:48

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Luton

Journey time

From 25m

Distance

29 miles (46 km)

Frequency

585 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £3.30

Train operators

East Midlands Railway, Thameslink

Travelling by train from London to Luton in less than half an hour

Planning a trip from the capital to Bedfordshire and need more information about how to travel from London to Luton by train? Look no further! 

Usually, the train journey from London to Luton takes around 50 minutes, but can take just 25m on the fastest services. As there around 534 direct trains each day, you can sit back and relax as you don’t need to worry about changing along the way.  

When travelling on this route, you’ll board a train at London St Pancras operated by either Thameslink or East Midlands Railway. No matter who you’re travelling with, you’ll enjoy onboard amenities such as free WiFi and comfortable seating. In less than half an hour, you’ll travel through 29 miles of Great British countryside and arrive at Luton station. 

Once you’ve exited the station, you’ll find yourself in the centre of Luton. From here, you’re a short bus journey from Stockwood Discovery Centre and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, a large conservation centre home to lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, rhinos and more! 

Want to snap up the cheapest train tickets? Try taking the train at Off-Peak times, as tickets tend to be cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends. Also, if you travel by train more than a few times a year, get yourself a Railcard and you’ll save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year.  

Eager to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from London to Luton in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. There’s no need to wait, start today! If you’d like to learn a bit more about the journey first, keep reading for our train timetable, tips on booking cheap tickets and FAQs including first and last train times.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from London to Luton? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from London to Luton take?

The average journey time by train between London and Luton is 51 minutes, with around 585 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Luton by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Luton is 25 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Luton cost?

Train ticket prices from London to Luton can start from as little as £3.30 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from London to Luton?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Luton without having to change trains. There are 585 direct trains from London to Luton each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from London to Luton leave?

The first train from London to Luton leaves at 02:36. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from London to Luton leave?

The last train from London to Luton leaves at 01:48. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between London and Luton by train?

Trains travelling from London to Luton cover a distance of around 29 miles (46 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Luton to London.

Cheap train tickets from London to Luton

Train tickets from London to Luton start at £3.30 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Luton is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.

London to Luton in under 40 minutes

I travelled from London to Luton on a Thameslink service from St Pancras station. The entire journey took just 35 minutes, calling at St Albans City, Harpenden and Luton Airport Parkway.

There are three options for travelling from London to Luton. Thameslink run two different services throughout the day: the first calls at just a handful of stations and takes between 35-40 minutes, the second calls at more stations and takes just under an hour. Thameslink operate the bulk of services to Luton from London throughout the day, but there is the occasional EMR service which takes just 22 minutes and runs direct to Luton without stopping.

Boarding the train

I took the faster Thameslink service. Trains depart from the platform beneath the station entrance; you descend on escalators to get to the platform. The train arrived on time and I hopped on board – on this occasion I had an Off-Peak ticket and therefore did not have a seat reservation.

The journey

Thameslink trains are very modern, feeling like a cross between a London Underground train and a mainline service. I was sat in Standard Class, which contained ample baggage storage and a mixture of pairs of seats facing forwards, and the occasional set of four facing each other. The modern station announcement system shows exactly where you are in your journey on a digital display, meaning I could kick back and relax on the way to Luton.

About Freddie

Freddie, a former Trainline employee, chose to share his experience of the journey between London and Luton.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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