Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International Trains From £3.50*

Take the Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International train and arrive in the capital in as little as 33 minutes with Thameslink.

The journey is a straightforward one - you will pass through various stations on the way to St Pancras, including the beautiful Roman city of St Albans. There's plenty of interesting urban landscape to view from the window as you approach the centre of the capital, too.

Thameslink is the operating name for an important commuter line that stretches to Bedford, Peterborough and Cambridge in the north. Trains call at various Central London stations and travel to destinations in Surrey, Kent, West Sussex and East Sussex. They also link to Gatwick Airport.

Departing from Luton Airport Parkway

Luton Airport Parkway Station is the easiest way to get from Luton Airport to London. The station was opened in 1999 and provides a direct link to the capital. East Midlands Railway provides links to Corby as well as London, while Thameslink will take you to Luton, Bedford, Brighton, Three Bridges and Rainham.

To get to the airport itself, you'll need to take the Luton DART, a light rail shuttle that goes between the station and the terminal. One tip to remember when booking is that rail tickets featuring "Luton Airport" rather than "Luton Airport Parkway" include the cost of the DART shuttle.

Main stops

The quickest Thameslink Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International services are direct, while others call at Harpenden, St Albans City and West Hampstead Thameslink.

The slowest Thameslink trains take around 49 minutes, calling at Harpenden, St Albans City, Radlett, Elstree & Borehamwood, Mill Hill Broadway, Hendon, Brent Cross West, Cricklewood, West Hampstead Thameslink and Kentish Town. East Midlands Railway services go directly to London St Pancras International.

Arriving at London St Pancras International

The quickest trains from Luton Airport to London arrive at London St Pancras International Station. The station is located in the heart of the city, right next to King's Cross Station and just a short walk from London Euston. That means the three north-south main lines are all accessible from here.

Trains from St Pancras International will take you to any of the stations on the Thameslink or East Midlands Railway routes explained above. Of course, the big draw of St Pancras International is that it serves as the London terminus for Eurostar trains, which can take you to Paris, Marseille, Brussels, Amsterdam, Dortmund and many other destinations across Europe.

If you're planning to stick around in London, then you're in for a treat. Whatever you like doing, there's something for you in the big city. There's always time for a spot of shopping on Oxford and Regent Street, or why not take in a show in the West End? You could choose to see a film on the (very) big screen at the BFI IMAX on the South Bank or visit one of the capital's many sporting venues - they're all only a tube or bus ride away!

Thameslink train classes

• Standard Class: Standard Class on Thameslink trains offers a basic but comfortable experience on these predominantly commuter routes. Wi-Fi is available on some trains - look out for a blue Wi-Fi logo on the door.
• First Class: Opt to travel from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International First Class and you'll benefit from sitting in a quieter carriage and getting more room for you and your luggage. First Class seating is at the front of trains that have it.

Thameslink train travel advice

Before you buy cheap train tickets for your Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International journey, why not check to see if you can save with a Railcard? If you're eligible, it can save you a third off most off-peak tickets!

• Luggage: There is overhead storage for the most common luggage items. If you're travelling with a bulky suitcase, though, the luggage rack is the best place to put it.
• Bicycles: Non-folding bikes aren't allowed on peak-time trains. Other than that, you can bring a bike on board without booking, provided there is space. Folding bikes can be stowed as luggage.
• Children: Under 5s who can sit on your lap will travel for free. From 5 to 15, fares are normally half price. Plus, Thameslink offers tickets for up to four children for just £2 each when travelling with an adult with a valid ticket.
• Pets: Two domestic pets can accompany you. Dogs can be kept on a lead or in a carrier, while other pets need to be in a carrier no bigger than 85 x 60 x 60 cm.
• Passenger Assist: You can book assisted travel before you go, and Thameslink suggest booking two hours in advance. If you're unable to do this, you can simply 'turn up and go' - just make a member of staff aware that you'll need assistance when you arrive at the station.

East Midlands Railway operates a train from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International. It's a non-stop service that takes just 23 minutes.

East Midlands Railway primarily operates trains on the Midland Main Line, operating from London St Pancras International to Sheffield via places like Kettering, Leicester, East Midlands Parkway (for East Midlands Airport), Nottingham and Derby.

East Midlands Railway train classes

• Standard Class: Standard Class tickets on this service offer a safe and comfortable ride with plenty of room for luggage.
• First Class: First Class on East Midlands Railway offers a big upgrade to your journey, with comfy, reclining seats, at-seat power sockets and complimentary refreshments served to your table. Only a few East Midlands Railway services offer Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International First Class tickets, so check our Journey Planner results to be sure.

East Midlands Railway train travel advice

We've got all the details to help you make the most of your upcoming journey on East Midlands Railway.

• Luggage: Small bags can go under your seat. Mid-sized items will sit happily in the overhead shelving. There are also dedicated luggage racks for large suitcases, sports equipment and so on. There's a maximum luggage size of 90 x 70 x 30 cm.
• Bicycles: There are no dedicated cycle spaces on this route, but you can bring folding bikes as luggage at any time. Full-size bikes are not allowed during peak times but can be kept in the vestibule area at all other times. You should stay with your bike during the trip.
• Children: Kids under 5 get to travel for free with an adult, though they won't get a seat of their own. Tickets for 5- to 15-year-olds are half price. Further savings can be made with the Family and Friends Railcard.
• Pets: Pets are allowed on East Midlands Railway services, but there are some rules. Dogs need to be kept on a lead or a carrier, and other pets must be in a carrier. Seats are a no-go area for pets, and train staff can decide to refuse entry if they think that a pet will be disruptive or unsafe.
• Passenger Assist: You can book assistance in advance, ideally at least two hours before you travel. If that's not possible, just let staff know at the station and they'll arrange help.

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