Luton Airport bus services to/from central London

Identify best airport bus between Luton Airport and central London for your needs

National Express Luton Airport bus

London Luton Airport is around 35 miles (55km) north of Central London. The cheapest airport transfer is by one of three Luton airport bus services run by National Express and Green Line/Terravision.

There is a faster, more expensive train alternative that travels through London on a route well to the east of where the Luton airport buses run, key stations being St Pancras, Blackfriars and London Bridge.

• The National Express service is a 24/7 service with full size buses running every 15-30 minutes with several stops at strategic points in Central London and with one terminus at London Victoria, the other at Paddington Station..

   

• The Green Line/ Terravision service is almost a mirror image of the National Express service. The only real difference is not of much relevance to most visitors. The Green Line bus makes a different stop on the outskirts of London, Brent Cross instead of Golders Green that the National Express bus stops at.

   

Fastest Luton-London transfer is train, but it's more expensive than airport bus

The main downside of the Luton airport bus services is that they are relatively slow compared to the train (60 to 90 minutes) and with London's traffic you are wise to factor in a comfortable contingency in case of traffic delays which are very unpredictable.

 

The fastest option between Luton Airport and London is the Luton airport train service. With a journey time of 25 minutes and frequencies of up to 6 times an hour it's by far the fastest option and also of course doesn't suffer from unforeseen traffic congestion delays in London.

Luton Airport-Central London train service details

National Express or Green Line/Terravision Luton Airport Bus?

• Both airport bus services ply very similar routes. National Express and Green Line both stop at several Underground Stations in North London before stops in central London at Bakers Street and Marble Arch prior to their Victoria terminus. National Express operate an additional service that terminates at Paddington railway station.

   

• National Express and Green Line both operate 24/7 services. Overall frequencies between carriers are similar.

   

• Both bus lines have their own bus stands immediately outside Luton Airport passenger terminal.

   

• National Express is the only service with toilets and free Wi-Fi aboard the bus. National Express and Green Line operate full size 50 seat plus coaches.

   

• National Express have a very dynamic pricing model and have the very cheapest fares. The earlier you book the cheaper the fare. Don't expect the cheapest National Express fares purchasing a couple of days in advance.

   

• With National Express for the cheapest fares you book a specific schedule which you are expected to travel on, you are guaranteed a seat on that schedule. If you want flexibility you pay a supplement.

   

• Green Line have the most flexible luggage allowance with no set policy. National Express allow two large bags per person neither of which should weigh more than 20kg and one small piece of hand luggage like a laptop or handbag.

   

National Express Luton Airport- London Victoria bus station from £5 one way

The National Express Victoria Bus Service broadly runs every 30 minutes through the night and every 10-30 minutes from early morning to late evenings, 7 days a week.

 

Journey time is scheduled as 90 minutes for the entire journey end to end, Victoria to Luton Airport, but clearly delays through road congestion happen so do give yourself plenty of contingency going to the airport.

 

At Luton Airport the National Express bus stop is immediately in front of you when you come out of the passenger terminal doors. There is normally at least one coach available to board immediately.

The terminus in London is at Victoria Coach Station. Victoria Coach Station is just a like a busy regional airport. Coaches leave every couple of minutes, there are airport style departure screens and departure gates where you board the coach. There is a full list of facilities including a useful left luggage office.

 

From Victoria the bus makes stops at Marble Arch and Baker Street which are much closer to the major hotel districts of Paddington, Bayswater, Lancaster Gate and Oxford Street than other Luton public transport options. The first stop from Luton, Golders Green is away from the centre. Some people prefer to get off here and straight onto the Underground if they are travelling at peak times when there may be traffic congestion.

National Express Luton luggage allowance

You can carry two medium-sized suitcases - weighing up to 20kg (44lb) each - plus one small piece of hand luggage per person. Drivers loading the baggage do not weigh bags.

 

Customers will be permitted to pool their individual allowances if they are travelling in a group or as a family, but they must be travelling on the same ticket. Over this allowance and steep excess luggage charges kick in.

 

If you need to take extra luggage on your journey, this can be arranged either in advance or on your day of travel when you arrive at the coach station. However buying your extra luggage on-line in advance is much cheaper.

National Express fares - the key points

Remember: with National Express you book a seat on a specific bus schedule.

National Express fare types

National Express have three fare types:

Restricted Fare: online only - not amendable

This fare is the cheapest fare of all for a reason - it is neither refundable nor amendable.

Standard Fare: the cheapest fare. Amendable (for a fee) but not refundable

This ticket is not refundable but the journey date and time can be changed prior to your current departure date and time. Amendments must be made prior to the journey. An amendment fee will apply.

Fully Flexible Fare: unlimited amendments and refunds allowed before travel

The most expenstive option means that you can make unlimited amendments anytime prior to departure without incurring an amendment fee. You can also receive a full refund up to 24 hours before travel if you need to.

The Airport flexible add on - (Change & Go) The flexibility to switch schedule if your flight is early/late

(£5 each way)

For peace of mind if your flight is early or delayed with this add-on you may board any available coach 12 hours before or 12 hours after your original departure time you have selected on reservation.

You can amend your ticket to a new departure date as well - free of charge.

You can obtain a refund on your ticket up to 24 hours before departure.

You add the Change & Go Add On during the booking process, not at the original selection screen where you select your schedule and fare.

The option comes up on a subsequent screen with other supplemental options like excess luggage and travel insurance are offered and before payment.

National Express Group Discount (for 3 people or more)

If you're travelling on the National Express services in a group of four or more, you can travel between London's airports for just £20 per person.

Luggage supplements

The National Express coaches come with a free luggage allowance of either 2 medium or 1 large cases for the hold of the bus.

Medium cases should be no more than 70cm x 45cm x 30cm.

Large cases no more than 75cm x 50cm x 32cm.

Neither case should weigh more than 20kg (44lb).

An item of hand luggage is allowed in the passenger cabin but only laptop/handbag size.

There are steep excess luggage charges if you exceed these limits.

For supplement prices please click through on the link below.

3 extra cases is usually around twice the price to just one extra case if you book in advance, but will cost up to three times as much if you leave it to the day.

You will usually save at least a couple of pounds (or more if multiple extra bags) by booking in advance, in addition to guaranteeing yourself a space (extra luggage space can't be guaranteed on the day).

---

Green Line / Terravision Luton Airport - London Victoria bus service

The Green Line / Terravision Victoria Bus Service broadly also runs a 24/7 service every 15-30 minutes.

 

The route is virtually identical between Luton Airport and Victoria to that of National Express. The minor difference is that Green Line first stops at Brent Cross Shopping Centre and National Express stop at Golders Green Underground Station instead.

Purchasing tickets

Green Line ticketing and luggage is less regulated than National Express. There is no specific maximum luggage limit, at the end of the day it is up to the discretion of the driver.

 

Just board the first bus with your ticket. Return tickets are valid for 3 months from the outward date.

---

London - Luton Airport Comparison of Fares 2024
Service	Standard Adult Fare
	One-way from	Return from
Bus Service
National Express Bus	£8.00	£14.50
Green Line / Terravision Bus	£11.50	£18
Train Service
Thameslink (Anytime Fare)	£4.40*	£18.99
* Limited availability, Super Off-Peak Day Return

---

---