- Must visit
Wardown House, Museum and Gallery
Luton's main museum in a Victorian mansion, covering local history, hats, lace, and changing exhibitions in a well-kept park setting.
Cheapest price on Sep 19
$25
Average ticket price on Sep 19
$27
Fastest journey on Sep 19
3 h 45 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
5 h 26 m
Buses on Sep 19
4
Distance
129 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Nottingham to Luton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Nottingham to Luton will cost around $27 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $25.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 4 buses from Nottingham to Luton, including 4 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct buses cover the 129 km distance in an average of 5 h 26 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 45 m .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest buses will take 6 h 25 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Nottingham to Luton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $39 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 58m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $39, while a train costs an average of $62.
Distance: 80 miles (129 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$39 Average price Cheapest | $62 Average price | $36 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 51m Average total duration 3h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 58m Average total duration Fastest 1h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 53m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Nottingham to Luton:
A bus is $23 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Nottingham to Luton costing on average $62.
Other travel options to Luton take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 21m.
Tickets start at around $39 compared to roughly $36 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-3.14. The journey takes 3h 21m versus 1h 53m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:45AM | Arrival Time 03:45AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:15AM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 04:30AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 04:55AM | Duration 2h55 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:15AM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:35AM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 2h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:10AM | Arrival Time 07:40AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:15AM | Arrival Time 06:15AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:20AM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:20AM | Arrival Time 07:40AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:45AM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:05AM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:15AM | Arrival Time 09:35AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:35AM | Arrival Time 09:35AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:40AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:05AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 11:20AM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:05AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:05PM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 3h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:25PM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:45PM | Arrival Time 04:00PM | Duration 3h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:55PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 05:15PM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:55PM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 08:35PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:35PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 09:35PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 01:45AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 10h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $23 |
The table below shows live departures for Nottingham to Luton buses for today, Friday, September 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX230 | 12:05 PM Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station | 3h15 | 3:20 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX230 | 12:45 PM Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station | 3h15 | 4:00 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX230 | 1:45 PM Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station | 3h30 | 5:15 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX230 | 3:35 PM Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station | 3h20 | 6:55 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX450 · NXA2 | 3:45 PM Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station | 5h50 | 9:35 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX450 · NXA1 | 5:00 PM Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station | 5h25 | 10:25 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX450 · NXA2 | 6:15 PM Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station | 5h15 | 11:30 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX230 | 10:45 PM Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station | 3h00 | 1:45 AM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, September 19 | |||||
![]() | 1:15 AM Nottingham | 3h45 | 5:00 AM Luton | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:20 AM Nottingham | 6h25 | 9:45 AM Luton | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Nottingham to Luton run on average 21 times per day, taking around 3h 21m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $14 if you book in advance.
There are 14 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 80 miles (129 km) distance in 2h 5m.
Distance 80 miles (129 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 21m |
Cheapest ticket price $14 |
Buses per day 21 |
Direct buses 14 |
Fastest bus 2h 5m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Luton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Luton trip today.
Luton's main museum in a Victorian mansion, covering local history, hats, lace, and changing exhibitions in a well-kept park setting.
Museum complex with rural life displays, carriages, gardens, and archaeology, making it one of Luton's strongest family-friendly heritage sites.
Working hat factory museum explaining Luton's famous hat-making trade through machinery, displays, and guided tours in an authentic setting.
Large formal park with lakes, bridges, museum, and broad lawns, ideal for relaxing walks and one of Luton's best-loved green spaces.
Historic town centre square beside St Mary's Church, valued for events, heritage surroundings, and an authentic sense of old Luton.
Extensive parkland with gardens, play areas, and museum access, popular for family walks and exploring Luton's former estate landscape.
A Bedfordshire pastry with chopped meat, suet, onions and seasoning. It is closely tied to the county around Luton and is a classic local comfort food.
A suet dumpling stuffed with currants or jam. Long associated with Bedfordshire home cooking, it is a traditional local pudding served warm.
A rich fruit cake packed with dried fruit and spices. It is a historic Bedfordshire bake often made for family gatherings and festive occasions.
Established Turkish restaurant known for grilled meats, meze and generous portions. Casual atmosphere and dependable local favourite.
Well-known Indian restaurant with polished service and a long-standing reputation. Popular for classic curries in a smart but relaxed setting.
Popular South Indian venue serving dosas, idli and vegetarian dishes. Simple setting, strong reputation and reliable regional flavours.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels near the airport can be pricey, but dining and local transit are usually cheaper than central London.
Service may be included. If not, tip 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Tipping in cafes is optional.
Traveling from Nottingham to Luton by bus is convenient and quick, with plenty of options to choose from. Every day, 6 National Express services depart from Nottingham Station Street, and take between 2 hours 40 minutes and 3 hours 15 minutes to reach either Luton Airport or Luton Bus Station.
All buses to Luton from Nottingham are provided by National Express, which runs a daily service straight to Luton Airport and Luton Bus Station.
Buses from Nottingham will take between 2 hours 40 minutes and 3 hours 15 minutes to reach Luton. No changes are needed at any stage.
National Express offers 6 direct connections between Nottingham and Luton's two arrival points: Luton Airport and Luton Bus Station. Additionally, customers can book 9-10 indirect services with the same company. These buses will tend to take 1-2 hours longer and require a change at Milton Keynes. However, some take just over 3 hours, so are almost as fast as direct buses.
Departure station: All buses from Nottingham to Luton will leave from the Station Street Bus Station in Nottingham. The bus stop is located right next to Nottingham Train Station, making transfers from nearby towns easy. Students at Nottingham University or Nottingham Trent can catch the tram directly to the station, while trams also provide rapid connections to the city center. Leave 10-15 minutes to get from central locations to the bus stop.
Arrival Stations: Buses from Nottingham will arrive at either Luton Airport or Luton Bus Station. This is an important difference, as Luton Airport is a few miles out of town, while the Bus Station is centrally located. Those taking international flights should alight at Luton Airport, which is right next to the coach stop. Anyone heading for the city center or the University of Bedfordshire campus should take services to Luton Bus Station. From there, passengers can catch local buses to Dunstable, walk to central shopping areas, or transfer to trains which run straight into central London.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Nottingham to Luton by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Luton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Nottingham to Luton buses use the Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station to Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Luton, Station Interchange. Use this guide to compare Nottingham and Luton bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Broadmarsh (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station), Coffee Corner (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station.
Available at Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Nottingham, Broadmarsh Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
Nottingham, University of Nottingham has practical services for this route, including Parking, ATM, WC, and Bike Parking.
ATMs are available at Nottingham, University of Nottingham.
Available at Nottingham, University of Nottingham: Parking, WC.
Available at Nottingham, University of Nottingham: Bike Parking.
Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R) is 5 km from Nottingham city centre. Public transport options include:
Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R). ATMs are available at Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R).
Ticket office support is available at Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R).
Available at Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Nottingham, Millennium Way East (Phoenix Park P+R): Wheelchair accessible paths available.
Luton, Station Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafes and fast food options nearby.
WiFi is available at nearby facilities. ATMs are aTM available within short walking distance.
Ticket office support is available at Luton, Station Interchange.
Available at Luton, Station Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton, Station Interchange: Ramps and accessible routes available for wheelchairs.
Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) is 3 km from Luton city centre. Public transport options include:
Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney). ATMs are available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney).
Ticket office support is available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney).
Available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney): Limited accessibility.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need