Directions for International travellers to Luton and Bedford

St Pancras International Station (London)

The three London railway stations St Pancras International, St Pancras and Kings Cross are located very close to each other. They form a 'hub' where many London Underground 'tube' services and many national and international (Eurostar) train services stop or terminate. Trains for Luton and Bedford depart from St Pancras International.

To Luton and Bedford - from London St Pancras International by First Capital Connect train

First Capital Connect trains for Luton and Bedford leave from St Pancras International every 15 - 20 minutes. You should take a Northbound train. Get off at Luton (not at Luton Airport Parkway). The train terminates in Bedford.

Getting to Luton from UK airports

1. From London Heathrow Airport by Underground ('tube') and First Capital Connect train

At Heathrow the London Underground train station (Piccadilly Line) is located directly under the central bus station for terminals 1, 2 and 3, and is clearly signposted from all Terminals. Terminals 4 and 5 have their own, separate station.

Underground services are available from around 05:30 to 23:30.

Take the London Underground train, Piccadilly Line, from Heathrow to London. Change at King’s Cross St Pancras station onto the First Capital Connect train to Luton. Get off at Luton (not at Luton Airport Parkway).

2. From London Heathrow Airport by bus/coach

Take the National Express public coach service direct to Luton – this
coach leaves from the Central Bus Station for Terminals 1,2 and 3, and from
directly outside the terminal building for Terminals 4 and 5.

You can buy a ticket (cost around 20 GBP) at the National Express ticket office in the Central Bus Station or directly from the driver. This is a high frequency service – there is a bus to Luton every hour 7 days a week from 06:00 to 23:00.

3. From London Gatwick Airport by First Capital Connect train

Take a First Capital Connect train from the North Terminal. Trains for Luton leave every 30 minutes. Get off at Luton (not at Luton Airport Parkway). The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and a single ticket costs up to 30 GBP (the price varies depending on what time of day you are travelling).

4. From London Gatwick Airport by bus/coach

Take a Jetlink Coach to Luton. A single ticket costs around 20 GBP.

5. From Stansted Airport by train, Underground ('tube') and First Capital Connect train

Take a train to Tottenham Hale, London; then take the Underground to Kings Cross. First Capital Connect trains for Luton leave from St Pancras International station every 15 - 20 minutes. You should take a Northbound train. Get off at Luton (not at Luton Airport Parkway).

6. From Stansted Airport by bus/coach

Take the Flightlink Airport Service from Stansted Airport Coach Station to Luton. The journey takes about 2 hours and a single ticket costs about 10 GBP. Advanced reservation is strongly advised. Also available is a Jetlink Service from Stansted Airport Coach Station via Cambridge to Luton. The journey takes about 3 hours and a single ticket costs about 10 GBP. The ticket can be bought at the airport or from the bus driver.

7. From London Luton Airport by taxi or bus

Take a taxi or the regular airport bus to Luton Town Centre. The journey takes about 10 minutes. A taxi costs around 5 - 6 GBP.

Getting to Bedford from UK airports

1. From London Heathrow Airport by Underground ('tube') and First Capital Connect train

At Heathrow the London Underground train station (Piccadilly Line) is located directly under the central bus station for terminals 1, 2 and 3, and is clearly signposted from all Terminals. Terminals 4 and 5 have their own, separate station.

Underground services are available from around 05:30 to 23:30.

Take the London Underground train from Heathrow into London. Change at King’s Cross St Pancras station onto the First Capital Connect train to Bedford. The train terminates in Bedford.

2. From London Gatwick Airport by First Capital Connect train

Take a First Capital Connect train from the North Terminal. Trains for Bedford leave every 30 minutes. Get off at Bedford, which will be the last stop on the line. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and a single ticket costs up to 30 GBP (the price varies depending on what time of day you are travelling).

3. From Stansted Airport by train, Underground ('tube') and First Capital Connect train

Take a train to Tottenham Hale, London; then take the Underground to Kings Cross. First Capital Connect trains for Bedford leave from St Pancras International station every 15 - 20 minutes. You should take a Northbound train. Get off at Bedford which is the last stop on the line.

4. From London Luton Airport by bus and train

Take the regular airport bus to Luton Airport Parkway railway station. The journey takes about 10 minutes. Then take the First Capital Connect train (northbound) to Bedford. The train terminates in Bedford.

Recommended travel options to Luton and Bedford

From London Heathrow Airport

To Luton: Take the National Express public coach service direct to Luton from the Central Bus Station for Terminals 1,2 and 3, and directly from outside the terminal building for Terminals 4 and 5.

To Bedford: Take the London Underground train (Piccadilly line) from Heathrow to Kings Cross St Pancras. From St Pancras International station take a First Capital Connect train (northbound) to Bedford. The train terminates in Bedford.

From London Gatwick Airport

To Luton and Bedford: Take the First Capital Connect train service from the airport train station direct to Luton and Bedford.

From Stansted Airport

To Luton and Bedford: Take a train to Tottenham Hale, London; then take the Underground (Victoria Line) to Kings Cross St Pancras. From St Pancras International take a First Capital Connect train (northbound) to Luton and Bedford.