Cardiff to London Luton Airport train with Great Western Railway

Thu, Jul 09
+ Add return
Great Western Railway
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
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Frecciarossa
2,000+ travel companies
Great Western Railway
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
iryo
Frecciarossa
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Cardiff to London Luton Airport

Showing times and prices for Jul 09

Cheapest price

$74

Average price

$101

Fastest journey

3 h 27 m

Average duration

3 h 29 m

Trains per day

5

Distance

198 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to London Luton Airport is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cardiff to London Luton Airport will cost around $101 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $74.

Fast trains

Of the 5 trains that leave Cardiff for London Luton Airport on Thu, Jul 09, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Thu, Jul 09 the direct trains cover the 198 km distance in an average of 3 h 29 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 27 m .

On Thu, Jul 09 the slowest trains will take 3 h 34 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.

  • Great Western Railway
    9:50 AM3h27
    Cardiff
    1:17 PMLondon Luton Airport
    $741One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western Railway
    10:50 AM3h27
    Cardiff
    2:17 PMLondon Luton Airport
    $811One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western Railway
    10:13 AM3h34
    Cardiff
    1:47 PMLondon Luton Airport
    $841One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western Railway
    9:49 AM3h28
    Cardiff
    1:17 PMLondon Luton Airport
    $871One-way
    0 transfers
  • Great Western Railway
    9:18 AM3h29
    Cardiff
    12:47 PMLondon Luton Airport
    $1771One-way
    0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare bus and train for Cardiff to London Luton Airport

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to London Luton Airport among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $19. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 53m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $19, and a train costs an average of $53.

Distance: 123 miles (198 km)

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Bus
Driving

$81

Average price

$30

Average price

Cheapest

$53

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 23m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 21m

Average total duration

4h 51m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 56m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Great Western Railway

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Cardiff to London Luton Airport is a bus with an average price of $30 (€25).

This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to London Luton Airport:

A bus is $51 (€42) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to London Luton Airport costing on average $81 (€67).

The fastest way to travel from Cardiff to London Luton Airport is by train with an average journey time of 2h 53m.

Other travel options to London Luton Airport take longer:

Bus takes on average 4h 51m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff and London Luton Airport including taking a bus and train.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from Cardiff to London Luton Airport among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 3m sooner (2h 53m by train vs 2h 56m by car). Tickets start at around $81 (€67) compared to roughly $53 (€43) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Cardiff to London Luton Airport train times

The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to London Luton Airport trains for today, Wednesday, July 8. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Great Western RailwayW35432+ThameslinkW32970+MetroLuton Dart+TubeTube from London Paddington to Farringdon
On time
9:19 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
3h58
1:17 PM London Luton Airport (LUA)
3 transfers
Great Western RailwayG15006 · G14900+MetroLuton Dart+ThameslinkW45565
On time
9:28 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
4h06
1:34 PM London Luton Airport (LUA)
4 transfers
Great Western RailwayW35178+MetroLuton Dart+East Midlands RailwayC41898+TubeTube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International
On time
10:18 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
4h00
2:18 PM London Luton Airport (LUA)
3 transfers
Great Western RailwayG15008 · G14902+TubeTube from London Paddington to Farringdon+ThameslinkW45372
On time
10:30 AM Cardiff Central (CDF)
4h04
2:34 PM London Luton Airport (LUA)
4 transfers

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to London Luton Airport by bus or train

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.

Thu
Jul 09
Fri
Jul 10
Sat
Jul 11
Sun
Jul 12
Mon
Jul 13
Tue
Jul 14
Wed
Jul 15

Why should you book Cardiff to London Luton Airport trains with Omio?

Great Western Railway operates all trains services from Cardiff to London Luton Airport.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cardiff to London Luton Airport.

Why book with Omio vs Great Western Railway?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Great Western Railway with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to London Luton Airport.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff to London Luton Airport.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Cardiff to London Luton Airport

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Cardiff to London Luton Airport run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 53m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $53 (€43) but you can travel from only $19 (€16) by bus.

The earliest train runs at 07:51, the last at 13:50. The fastest train covers the 123 miles (198 km) distance in 3h 15m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Bus from $19 (€16)
Distance
123 miles (198 km)
Average train duration
2h 53m
Cheapest ticket price
$53 (€43)
Trains per day
7
Fastest train
3h 15m
First train
7:51 AM
Last train
1:50 PM
Cheapest Month
Jun
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Sun
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Bus from $19 (€16)

Train companies: Great Western Railway from Cardiff to London Luton Airport trainsGreat Western Railway trains will get you between Cardiff and London Luton Airport from $19 (€16). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Great Western Railway

About
Great Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London Paddington to the West of England, South Wales and the Cotswolds. It also operates services from London Paddington to Oxford, Reading and Bristol. It offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and catering services. The most popular routes for Great Western Railway are London Paddington to Bristol, Reading and Oxford.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 15m
Cheapest Price
$53 (€43)
Luggage included
Two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, dedicated luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches. First Class at-seat service on some routes
Seat reservation
Optional seat reservations available for a fee. Free in First Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

FAQs: Trains from Cardiff to London Luton Airport

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to London Luton Airport by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at London Luton Airport, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Train ticket prices from Cardiff to London Luton Airport can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $53 (€43), while the average price is around $81 (€67).
The train from Cardiff to London Luton Airport takes 3h 15m and runs 7 per day.
The first train from Cardiff to London Luton Airport leaves at 7:51 AM.
The distance by train from Cardiff to London Luton Airport is 123 miles (198 km).
The last train from Cardiff to London Luton Airport leaves at 1:50 PM.
There is no high speed train available from Cardiff to London Luton Airport.
There is no direct train service currently available from Cardiff to London Luton Airport.
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Cardiff to London Luton Airport.
The cheapest way to get from Cardiff to London Luton Airport is by bus, with a cost of around $19 (€16).
The train journey from Cardiff to London Luton Airport offers views of the scenic Welsh countryside, passing through rolling hills and fields, particularly on the initial leg through South Wales, before transitioning to more urban landscapes closer to London.
A day trip from Cardiff to London Luton Airport is not feasible as the journey takes 3h 15m. However, there are 7 train trips available per day. The distance between the two locations is 123 miles (198 km).
Yes, you can take the train from Cardiff to London Luton Airport.
Since neither Cardiff nor London Luton Airport are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United Kingdom and United Kingdom. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
Popular day trips by train from London Luton Airport include London, Bedford, St Albans, Nottingham, Leicester.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from Cardiff to London Luton Airport among Omio's users.
Items not allowed on trains typically include hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, and illegal drugs. Additionally, large or bulky items that may obstruct aisles or emergency exits, as well as pets without proper carriers, may be restricted. Specific prohibited items can vary by train operator and region, so please check the rules for your particular journey.
Yes, rail passes such as the BritRail Pass are valid on most trains within the United Kingdom, offering unlimited travel on participating train operators for a set period.
The currency used in the United Kingdom is the British Pound Sterling (GBP). For travelers, using a card is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially in cities and for transportation tickets, though carrying some cash can be useful for small purchases or in rural areas.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Cardiff to London Luton Airport

Most Cardiff to London Luton Airport trains use the Cardiff Central to Heathrow Terminal 5 station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and London Luton Airport train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Cardiff
Arrival train stations in London
Cardiff CentralCentral Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP, United Kingdom+44 3457114141WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Cardiff Central from Cardiff city centre

Bus24, 25, 27, 86, 62, 30, 35, 21, 136, 7, 23, 63, 64 · 3m · $2 · every ~47 min
C1 · 5m · every ~8 min

Cardiff Central train station facilities and services

Cardiff Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food options include: Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located outside of the main entrance.

Tickets and information

The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30, Sat: 05:40 - 21:30, Sun: 07:30 - 21:30.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Cardiff Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Cardiff Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Central: There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central.

CathaysCathays station, Plas-y-Parc, Cardiff, Cardiff, CF10 3LUParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Cathays from Cardiff city centre

TrainCardiff Central - Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff Central - Treherbert, Cardiff Central - Pontypridd, Aberdare - Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff Central - Radyr, Radyr - Radyr · 6m · $1 · every ~8 min
BusC1 · 16m · every ~8 min

Cathays train station facilities and services

Cathays has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Cathays.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Cathays. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Arrival screens.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Cathays: Parking.

Bike and car services

Available at Cathays: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Cathays: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B3. While both platforms are step-free, there is no facility for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users or persons with reduced mobility to cross between Platform 1 and 2 due to a steep footbridge. Customers who have travelled from the Valleys and wish to access the University or the Civic Centre are advised to travel to Queen Street station, change onto a North-bound service and alight at Cathays on the return service, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) take cash, and major debit and credit cards. The machine on the Cardiff-bound platform is only available during staffing hours. The machine on the Pontypridd-bound platform is available all the time, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Travelodge.

Cardiff Queen StreetCardiff Queen Street station, Station Terrace, Cardiff, Cardiff, CF10 4EYParkingDiningTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Cardiff Queen Street from Cardiff city centre

Bus52, 57, 58 · 13m · $2 · every ~25 min
C1 · 21m · every ~8 min

Cardiff Queen Street train station facilities and services

Cardiff Queen Street has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Cardiff Queen Street.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Cardiff Queen Street. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Cardiff Queen Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Cardiff Queen Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Queen Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machines are near the main entrance and take cash and major debit and credit cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Travelodge.

Most popular trains to and from London Luton Airport and Cardiff

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