Trains from London Kings Cross to Luton from £3.50

Booked your flights from Luton Airport and wondering how to get there from London by train? We’re here to help. Our guide below has all the information you’ll need to plan your journey from London Kings Cross to Luton Airport, so you can focus on your upcoming holiday or business trip.

Departing from London Kings Cross

London Kings Cross is one of the city’s most iconic stations, having featured in numerous films, including the Harry Potter series. This busy transport hub operates long-distance trains to Edinburgh and Newcastle as well as commuter routes to North London and beyond.

There are lots of options for getting to Kings Cross, with Kings Cross St Pancras London Underground station being served by an impressive six tube lines (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria). Numerous bus routes also stop at London Kings Cross and you’ll find bus stops on Euston Road, Good Way and York Way. If you’re arriving from mainland Europe into St Pancras International via Eurostar, London Kings Cross is conveniently located just next door.

The station has a good range of facilities for passengers, including:

• Seating areas
• Public Wi-Fi
• ATMs
• Left luggage facilities
• Accessible toilets
• Baby changing facilities
• Water fountains
• Showers

There’s also a family lounge, ideal for travelling with younger passengers, and an assisted travel lounge. A First Class lounge Is available for LNER First Class ticket holders.

If you’ve got some time before your train departs, why not make the most of Kings Cross station’s selection of shops, cafes and restaurants? Shops including Boots and Little Waitrose are available for last-minute supplies, while there are plenty of options to grab your morning coffee, such as Black Sheep Coffee, Costa and Starbucks.

Kings Cross Station also has a shop that you won’t find at any other stations: the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾. With its connections to the Harry Potter films and books, this is a popular spot for fans, alongside the luggage trolley photo opportunity. If your schedule allows for some extra sightseeing before you head off to the airport, you’ll find Regent’s Canal, the British Library and St Pancras Old Church and Gardens nearby.

Does the train go directly from London Kings Cross to Luton Airport?

There aren’t any direct trains to Luton Airport from London Kings Cross. You’ll first need to make your way from London Kings Cross to St Pancras International, where you’ll then find direct services to Luton Airport Parkway. From Luton Airport Parkway, the final stage of the journey is to take the Luton DART to the airport.

London Kings Cross and St Pancras International are adjacent stations with a shared underground station, meaning you can walk between the two in just a few minutes. From London St Pancras International, you have two choices of trains to Luton Airport Parkway: Thameslink services or Luton Airport Express services (operated by East Midlands Railway).

Luton Airport Express trains offer the fastest option between St Pancras International and Luton Airport Parkway, with some trains making the journey in just 32m. These services generally run twice an hour. On board, you’ll find free Wi-Fi and luggage storage for hand luggage and larger suitcases.

Thameslink offers more frequent direct services from London St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway, with typically six services an hour. Of these six services, four tend to take around half an hour, generally stopping at West Hampstead Thameslink, St Albans and Harpenden, while the remaining two services are slightly slower, usually taking between 40 and 45 minutes and stopping at additional stations. Thameslink services are also available from other London departure points, including Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge.

Taking the Luton DART from Luton Airport Parkway

Once you’ve arrived at Luton Airport Parkway, you’ll need to take the Luton DART train directly to Luton Airport. These automated, electrically powered services leave every 4 minutes at peak times and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Luton DART takes just 4 minutes to reach the airport.

Do note that Luton DART has its own fare associated with it and isn’t automatically included in tickets to Luton Airport Parkway. If you’re looking for a combined ticket for the train journey to Luton Airport Parkway and the Luton DART shuttle service, you’ll need to book a ticket to ‘Luton Airport’ (and not Luton Airport Parkway). Alternatively, you can buy a ticket for the Luton DART on the day of travel.

How much is a train ticket from Kings Cross to Luton Airport?

Train tickets from London Kings Cross to Luton Airport Parkway can cost as little as £3.50, with typical prices between £10 and £20. If you’re looking to buy a combined ticket including the Luton DART, this comes with an additional fixed cost fare of £4.90.

Luton Airport Express services from London are generally cheaper than Thameslink options, especially when booked in advance. Although slightly slower and generally more expensive, Thameslink services from London to Luton Airport are more frequent than Luton Airport Express services. Make sure to head over to our journey planner to compare Kings Cross to Luton Airport schedules, tickets and prices and find the best option to suit your trip.

Arriving at Luton Airport from London

It’s usually worth making sure you arrive at Luton Airport around 2 to 3 hours before your planned flight departure, and your airline will generally advise their check-in opening times when you book. Once you disembark your Luton DART service at Luton Airport, you can explore the facilities on offer, including free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, airport lounges and currency exchange services.

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat or drink before your flight, there’s a great selection of stands, cafes and restaurants both before and after security. You could grab a cuppa at Black Sheep Coffee or sit down and enjoy a meal at the Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen. Fancy some retail therapy? You’ll find a choice of brands after security, including Rituals, Lego, Kurt Geiger and Aelia Duty Free.

Sometimes it’s more convenient to stay overnight before your flight, so be sure to check out our list of hotels near Luton Airport with the latest rates and availability. Meanwhile, if you’re travelling on from Luton Airport, you’ll find direct train services to Luton, Bedford and Corby from Luton Airport Parkway.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.