The only way to travel between Luton Airport Parkway station and the London Luton Airport terminal is the Luton DART — a 2.1km automated electric shuttle that takes approximately 4 minutes. An adult single costs £4.90. The DART runs 24/7, every 4 minutes at peak times. The old shuttle bus was replaced by the DART in March 2023.
Author: Stansted Airport Taxi Editorial Team | Licence: Uttlesford PHV | Companies House: 13506378. Prices last updated and last reviewed: October 2026.
⚙ Quick Answer: Parkway to Terminal
The only link between Luton Airport Parkway station and the terminal is the Luton DART — an automated electric shuttle taking about 4 minutes. It runs 24 hours a day.
An adult single costs £4.90; children aged 5–15 pay £2.45; under 5s travel free. The fare is included if your rail ticket is booked to "London Luton Airport".
The old shuttle bus was replaced by the DART in March 2023. A direct Stansted Airport Taxi goes straight to the terminal, with the £9 Luton drop-off charge included in the fixed fare.
Luton Airport Parkway to Terminal: Journey Details
The headline facts before the detail.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Route | Luton Airport Parkway → London Luton Airport Terminal (LTN) |
| Distance | 2.1km |
| Journey time | ~4 minutes |
| Service | Luton DART (automated electric people mover) |
| Opened | March 2023 |
| Replaced | Former shuttle bus (no longer operating) |
| Operating hours | 24/7, except 25–26 December |
| Adult single | £4.90 |
| Child single (5–15) | £2.45 |
| Under 5 | Free |
| Peak frequency (06:00–09:30, 14:00–18:00) | Every 4 minutes |
| Off-peak frequency | Every 7 minutes |
| Super off-peak (22:00–04:00) | 4 to 6 times per hour |
| Terminal postcode | LU2 9LY |
| Parkway station | Luton Airport Parkway (National Rail) |
| Step-free access | Yes — lifts and escalators throughout |
| Payment accepted | Contactless, phone wallet or pre-booked ticket |
Quick Answers
How do I get from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal?
Take the Luton DART from the platform at Parkway station. Follow DART signs through the sheltered footbridge and lifts — the route is step-free. Tap your contactless card or pre-booked ticket at the drop-off zones and board. The automated shuttle takes approximately 4 minutes and deposits you directly at the London Luton Airport terminal ground floor.
Is there a bus from Luton Airport Parkway to Luton Airport?
No. The shuttle bus that connected Parkway station to the terminal was permanently removed in March 2023 when the Luton DART opened. No bus service currently operates this route. Any information suggesting otherwise is out of date. The DART is the only direct link between the station and the terminal — a 4-minute automated electric shuttle.
How much is the shuttle from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal?
An adult single on the Luton DART costs £4.90. Children aged 5–15 pay £2.45, and under-5s travel free. If you booked your train ticket to "London Luton Airport" rather than "Luton Airport Parkway," the DART fare is already included — tap the same ticket at the drop-off zone and walk through.
Is the DART free with a train ticket?
Only if you booked your train to "London Luton Airport" (station code LUA). Booking to "Luton Airport Parkway" does not include the DART — you'd pay £4.90 separately at the drop-off zone. Thameslink, East Midlands Railway, and the Luton Airport Express all offer through-tickets to "London Luton Airport" with the DART included.
How long does it take to get from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal?
The DART ride takes approximately 4 minutes. Walking from the train platform through the footbridge to the DART barriers adds 3–5 minutes. Allow 10–15 minutes door to door from stepping off your train to entering the terminal, including any barrier queue time. The DART runs every 4 minutes at peak, so you're unlikely to wait long during the day.
How to Get from Luton Airport Parkway to the Terminal: Step by Step
This is the part most people need. Whether you're heading for check-in or collecting someone from arrivals, here's the exact route from platform to terminal door.
Step 1 — Arrive at Luton Airport Parkway Your train pulls in at Luton Airport Parkway station — a National Rail station served by Thameslink, East Midlands Railway, and the Luton Airport Express. Don't exit the station building.
Step 2 — Follow the DART signs From the platform, follow the blue DART signage through a sheltered footbridge with lifts and escalators leading directly to the DART station platform. The route is step-free throughout — if you're travelling with a wheelchair, pushchair, or heavy luggage, lifts are available at every level change. The DART platform is part of the Parkway station complex — you won't need to go outside.
Step 3 — Pay or tap in At the DART barriers, you have three options:
- Tap a contactless card or phone wallet directly (the fare is deducted automatically — £4.90 adult)
- Scan a pre-booked ticket QR code from your phone
- Buy at the self-service kiosk on the concourse
If you've booked your train ticket to "London Luton Airport" rather than "Luton Airport Parkway," your DART fare is already included — tap the same ticket and the gate opens without an additional charge.
Step 4 — Board the DART The shuttle departs every 4 minutes during peak hours, every 7 minutes off-peak. The ride itself takes about 4 minutes. It's automated — no driver, fully climate-controlled, with luggage space and priority seating.
Step 5 — Exit at the terminal The DART drops you directly at London Luton Airport. Exit the shuttle and you're on the terminal's ground floor — check-in desks, the security hall, and the arrivals baggage reclaim are all directly ahead depending on your direction of travel.
Door to door from train platform to terminal entrance: allow 10–15 minutes, including walking time, queue at barriers, and the 4-minute ride.
Luton DART Fares: What You'll Pay
| Passenger Type | Single Fare |
|---|---|
| Adult | £4.90 |
| Child (ages 5–15) | £2.45 |
| Under 5 | Free |
| Disability Badge holder | Concessionary fare (registration required) |
| Bus Pass holder | Concessionary fare (registration required) |
| Approved Luton resident | Half price |
Fares confirmed October 2026. Subject to change — verify at the official DART website before travel.
A word on concessions: concessionary fares for Disability Badge and Bus Pass holders require pre-registration with the DART operator — you can't simply present the card at the drop-off zone on the day without registering first. If you haven't registered, the standard adult fare applies.
DART Timetable: How Often Does It Run?
| Time Window | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Peak (06:00–09:30 and 14:00–18:00) | Every 4 minutes |
| Off-peak | Every 7 minutes |
| Super off-peak (22:00–04:00) | 4 to 6 times per hour |
The DART operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except 25–26 December when the railway station is closed. There are no last-service times to worry about. For very early morning or late-night flights — a 4am check-in or a midnight landing — the lower frequency in the super off-peak window is the main thing to factor into your timing. If you're cutting it fine for a connection, it's worth knowing you might wait up to 15 minutes at the drop-off zone between 10pm and 4am.
The Through-Ticket Tip That Saves You £4.90
This is the most practically useful information on this page. When booking your train to Luton Airport, the destination name matters:
- Book to "London Luton Airport" (station code: LUA) → DART fare automatically included in your rail ticket
- Book to "Luton Airport Parkway" (station code: LTN) → DART fare NOT included; you pay £4.90 separately at the drop-off zones
The two options look almost identical in booking apps, and a lot of passengers book to "Luton Airport Parkway" — which is technically correct as a station name — without realising the DART isn't included. They find out when they tap through to the DART platform and the barrier charges their contactless.
All three major operators serving Luton offer through-tickets to "London Luton Airport": Thameslink, East Midlands Railway, and the Luton Airport Express. When searching on National Rail, Trainline, or the individual operator apps, always select "London Luton Airport" as your destination, not "Luton Airport Parkway." If you've already booked to Parkway and want to avoid the £4.90 charge, you can usually add the DART separately via the DART website before travel.
Is There Still a Bus from Luton Airport Parkway to the Terminal?
No. The shuttle bus that previously connected Parkway station to the terminal was permanently removed in March 2023 when the Luton DART opened. There is no bus service between Luton Airport Parkway and London Luton Airport terminal.
Some older travel guides, Google Maps results, and third-party websites still reference the bus — this information is out of date. The DART is the only direct link. If you're searching for "Luton Airport Parkway to terminal bus" or "bus from Parkway to Luton Airport," the answer is the same: that service no longer exists. The DART takes about 4 minutes and runs frequently.
Is the DART a Tram, a Train, or a Shuttle?
It's none of the above in the traditional sense. The Luton DART is an automated electric people mover — sometimes described as a cable-driven shuttle. It runs on a dedicated elevated guideway between Parkway station and the terminal. It's not a tram (it doesn't share road space), not a conventional train (no locomotive, no National Rail network connection), and not a bus. Think of it as a continuous airport connector — similar in concept to the Heathrow pod or the Gatwick shuttle.
The distinction matters if you're searching for "Luton Airport Parkway to terminal tram" or "train from Parkway to terminal" — neither term is technically accurate, but both searches lead to the DART. It's the only link between the station and the terminal.
Getting Back: Terminal to Luton Airport Parkway
The return journey uses exactly the same DART service at exactly the same fares. From inside the terminal, follow the DART signs from the ground floor — the same step-free route through footbridge and lifts brings you to the DART platform. The 4-minute ride deposits you directly at Luton Airport Parkway station for your onward National Rail connection.
This direction matters particularly for passengers who've just landed. After collecting your bags from the ground floor baggage reclaim, you're already at the level from which the DART departs. Allow 10 minutes from exiting the terminal to being on the train platform at Parkway — more if the DART is running at its off-peak or overnight frequency when you land.
For passengers catching Thameslink trains southbound to St Pancras International (East Midlands Railway takes about 22 minutes; Thameslink takes longer), East Midlands Railway services northbound, or the Luton Airport Express into central London: check your train's departure time before leaving the terminal. If you have 15 minutes or less, the DART frequency is the variable that matters most.
Do You Need the DART at All? Taxi Alternative
The DART exists because Parkway station is 2.1km from the terminal and there's no other connection. But not every passenger travelling to or from Luton Airport goes via Parkway station.
If you're travelling by taxi directly from home or your hotel: a pre-booked Stansted Airport Taxi takes you door-to-terminal. No train, no Parkway, no DART. The £9 Luton Airport ANPR drop-off charge is included in your fixed fare — confirmed at booking, no surprises at the terminal.
If you're being collected from Luton Airport Parkway after a train journey: we cover Parkway station pickups for onward journeys to any destination. If you're travelling from, say, St Albans or Welwyn Garden City and have taken the train to Parkway, a pre-booked taxi from Parkway to your final destination avoids the DART fare plus a second transport step.
Group travel note: the DART fare applies per person. For two adults, that's £9.80 each way. For a family of four, it's £14.70 one way (two adults, two children). A pre-booked taxi for the same group from a Hertfordshire town goes directly to the terminal — no Parkway stop, no per-person DART cost, no waiting for shuttle frequency. Whether taxi or DART makes more sense depends on your starting point and group size.
Our fleet includes saloons, estates, MPVs (5 to 8 passengers) and executive vehicles, and a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) is available on request — all with pre-booking.
Voice Search Answers
"Hey Siri, how do I get from Luton Parkway to the airport terminal?"
From Luton Airport Parkway station, follow the DART signs through the sheltered footbridge and lifts to the shuttle platform — the route is step-free and signed throughout. Tap your contactless or pre-booked ticket at the drop-off zones. The DART takes about 4 minutes and drops you directly at the terminal ground floor. The old bus no longer runs — the DART replaced it in March 2023.
"OK Google, is there a bus from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal?"
No — the shuttle bus from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal was permanently removed in March 2023. The Luton DART replaced it. It's a 4-minute automated electric shuttle costing £4.90 for an adult single. If you've booked your train ticket to "London Luton Airport" rather than "Luton Airport Parkway," the DART fare is included automatically.
"Alexa, how much is the shuttle from Luton Parkway to the airport?"
The Luton DART from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal costs £4.90 for an adult single. Children aged 5 to 15 pay £2.45, and under-5s travel free. If you booked your train to "London Luton Airport," the DART fare is already built in to your rail ticket and you won't be charged separately at the drop-off zones.
"How long does it take to get from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal?"
The DART ride itself is about 4 minutes. Walking from your train platform through the footbridge to the DART barriers takes another 3 to 5 minutes. Door to door — from stepping off your train to entering the terminal — allow 10 to 15 minutes. During peak times, the DART runs every 4 minutes so you won't wait long.
Vehicle Options for Luton Airport Taxi Transfers
Pre-booked transfers are available in eight vehicle classes, from saloon to executive MPV. Every fare is charged per vehicle, not per passenger. A wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) is available on request — confirm at booking.
| Vehicle class | Passengers | Luggage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | Up to 4 | Up to 3 cases | Solo, couple, small group |
| Estate | Up to 4 | Up to 5 cases | Family with pushchair or ski bags |
| MPV5 | Up to 5 | Up to 5 cases | Small group or family |
| MPV6 | Up to 6 | Up to 6 cases | Small group or family |
| MPV7 | Up to 7 | Up to 7 cases | Family with multiple children or large luggage |
| MPV8 | Up to 8 | Up to 8 cases | Larger groups |
| Executive Saloon | Up to 4 | Up to 3 cases | Business travel |
| Executive MPV | Up to 7 | Up to 7 cases | Business group |
See our standard cars, MPV cars, executive taxi and minibus fleet pages.
Why Stansted Airport Taxi Passengers Skip Parkway Entirely
One of the questions we're asked most often is whether passengers need to use Parkway at all. The answer depends entirely on how they're travelling.
Every Stansted Airport Taxi booking to or from Luton Airport goes directly to the terminal. There's no train involved, no Parkway stop, no DART fare to consider. Your driver pulls up to the terminal drop-off zone — the £9 ANPR charge included in your fixed fare — and you walk straight in. On the return, we track your inbound flight and meet you at arrivals. The route home is your front door.
For passengers who ask whether a direct taxi from their home compares well with train plus DART, our answer is usually this: for a single traveller from central London, the train wins on price. For two or more people from Hertfordshire towns — Harpenden, Hatfield, St Albans, Hertford, Hemel Hempstead — the numbers get close quickly once you factor in the per-person DART fare on top of the rail ticket. And for very early morning or late-night travel, the reduced DART frequency between 10pm and 4am is a consideration that a direct taxi removes entirely.
A wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) is available on request for passengers with accessibility requirements. All Stansted Airport Taxi drivers hold DBS Enhanced clearance, NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Transport, and a PCO licence. Uttlesford District Council PHV licensed; Companies House registration 13506378.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I get from Luton Parkway to the airport?
A: Take the Luton DART — follow DART signs from your train platform through the sheltered footbridge and lifts to the shuttle platform. Tap contactless or your pre-booked ticket at the drop-off zone. The 4-minute ride takes you directly to the terminal ground floor. Step-free access throughout.
Q: Is there a shuttle from Luton Airport Parkway to Luton Airport?
A: Yes — the Luton DART is the dedicated shuttle. It's a 2.1km automated electric people mover running 24/7. Adult single fare is £4.90. The old shuttle bus was permanently removed when the DART opened in March 2023.
Q: Is the Luton DART free?
A: Not unless you booked your train to "London Luton Airport" (LUA) — in which case the DART fare is included in your rail ticket. If you booked to "Luton Airport Parkway," you pay £4.90 at the drop-off zone. Concessionary fares are also available for registered Disability Badge holders and Bus Pass holders, and half price for approved Luton residents.
Q: How long is the journey from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal?
A: The DART ride takes approximately 4 minutes. Add 3–5 minutes for walking from the train platform through the footbridge to the DART barriers. Total door-to-door time is around 10–15 minutes from arriving at Parkway to entering the terminal.
Q: What happened to the bus from Luton Parkway to the airport?
A: The old shuttle bus was permanently removed in March 2023 when the Luton DART opened. No bus currently operates between Parkway station and the terminal. Any search result or website still referencing the bus is out of date.
Q: Can I use contactless to pay for the DART?
A: Yes — contactless card and phone wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are both accepted at the DART barriers. You can also pre-book a ticket online and scan the QR code, or buy at the self-service kiosks at Parkway station.
Q: How do I get back from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway?
A: Follow DART signs from the terminal ground floor through the footbridge and lifts to the DART platform. Same service, same fares, same frequency. The 4-minute ride deposits you at Parkway station for your National Rail connection. Allow 10 minutes from exiting the terminal to being on the train platform.
Q: Can I pre-book a taxi from Luton Airport Parkway?
A: Yes. Stansted Airport Taxi covers Luton Airport Parkway for station pickups — useful if you've arrived by train and need onward road transport. We also handle full door-to-terminal journeys that bypass Parkway entirely. Use the fare calculator for your postcode.
Explore More Luton Airport Guides
- 🚕 Luton Airport Drop-Off Charges Explained (2026) — ANPR fees, free alternatives
- 🚕 Taxi from Harpenden to Luton Airport — 7 miles, closest town
- 🚕 Taxi from Hatfield to Luton Airport — A1(M) direct route
- 🚕 Taxi from Hemel Hempstead to Luton Airport — A4147/M1 route
- 🚕 Taxi from Hertford to Luton Airport — A414 corridor guide
- 🚕 Taxi from St Albans to Luton Airport — AL1/AL2 postcodes
- 🚕 Taxi to Luton Airport from London — Fixed Fares 2026 — Full London coverage
- 🚕 Luton Airport Parking: All Options Compared — Car Park 1, 2, Long Stay
Fare disclaimer: Stansted Airport Taxi fares are fixed at booking and confirmed by email — the price shown in your booking confirmation is the total. The £9 Luton Airport ANPR drop-off charge is included. DART fares shown are as published by the DART operator as of October 2026 and are subject to change; verify current fares at the official DART website before travel.
Sources
Book Your Luton Airport Taxi
Choose your vehicle class, add your flight number and confirm your fixed fare.
- ✔ Fixed fare confirmed at booking, Luton Airport drop-off charge included
- ✔ Saloon through Executive MPV, with a wheelchair accessible vehicle on request
- ✔ Child seats available on request at £15 per seat
See our full Luton Airport taxi hub and Luton Airport taxi prices pages.
👉 Get your fixed quote — call +44 20 3617 7825 or book online.
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Stansted Airport Taxi · 10–16 Tiller Road, London E14 8PX · Registered in England and Wales — Companies House No. 13506378 · Uttlesford District Council PHV Operator Licence · info@stanstedairport-taxi.com. Drivers: Enhanced DBS checked · NVQ Level 2 Road Passenger Transport · PCO licensed. Last reviewed October 2026.
