Directions for International travellers to Luton and Bedford

St Pancras International Station (London)

The three London railway stations St Pancras International, St Pancras and King's 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 Thameslink and Great Northern train

Thameslink and Great Northern trains for Luton and Bedford leave from St Pancras International every 15 - 20 minutes. Take a northbound train to and 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 Thameslink and Great Northern 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 Thameslink and Great Northern 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 Thameslink and Great Northern train

Take a Thameslink and Great Northern 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 Thameslink and Great Northern train

Take a train to Tottenham Hale, London; then take the Underground to King's Cross. Thameslink and Great Northern trains for Luton leave from St Pancras International station every 15 - 20 minutes. Take a northbound train and get off at Luton (not at Luton Airport Parkway). The train terminates in Bedford.

6. From Stansted Airport by bus/coach

Take the Flightlink Airport Service from Stansted Airport Coach Station to Luton. The journey takes about two 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 three hours and a single ticket costs about 10 GBP. But your ticket 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 Thameslink and Great Northern 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 Thameslink and Great Northern train to Bedford. The train terminates in Bedford.

2. From London Gatwick Airport by Thameslink and Great Northern train

Take a Thameslink and Great Northern 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 Thameslink and Great Northern train

Take a train to Tottenham Hale, London; then take the Underground to King's Cross. Thameslink and Great Northern 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 Thameslink and Great Northern 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 King's Cross St Pancras. From St Pancras International station take a Thameslink and Great Northern train (northbound) to Bedford. The train terminates in Bedford.

From London Gatwick Airport

To Luton and Bedford: Take the Thameslink and Great Northern 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 King's Cross St Pancras. From St Pancras International take a Thameslink and Great Northern train (northbound) to Luton and Bedford.