The cheapest and fastest trains from London Luton Airport to Cardiff
Cheapest price
$88
Average price
$138
Fastest journey
3 h 15 m
Average duration
3 h 31 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
198 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from London Luton Airport to Cardiff is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London Luton Airport to Cardiff will cost around $138 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $88.
Of the 4 trains that leave London Luton Airport for Cardiff on Sat, Dec 20, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Dec 20 the direct trains cover the 198 km distance in an average of 3 h 31 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 15 m .
On Sat, Dec 20 the slowest trains will take 3 h 58 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.








Travel Information
Compare bus and train for London Luton Airport to Cardiff
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from London Luton Airport to Cardiff 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 47m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €19, and a train costs an average of €33.
Distance: 123 miles (198 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus |
|---|---|
€64 Average price | €28 Average price Cheapest |
3h 17m Average total duration Fastest 2h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 32m Average total duration 5h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
London Luton Airport to Cardiff train times
The table below shows live departures for London Luton Airport to Cardiff trains for today, Friday, December 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:51 AM London Luton Airport | 3h25 | 12:16 PM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, December 20 | |||||
![]() | 7:10 AM London Luton Airport | 3h31 | 10:41 AM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:21 AM London Luton Airport | 3h20 | 10:41 AM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:39 AM London Luton Airport | 3h58 | 11:37 AM Cardiff | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets London Luton Airport to Cardiff 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.
Dec 20
Dec 21
Dec 22
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Why should you book London Luton Airport to Cardiff trains with Omio?
Great Western Rail operates all train services from London Luton Airport to Cardiff. Omio is the only official third party seller for Great Western Rail tickets.
Why book with Omio vs Great Western Rail?
- 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 Rail with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from London Luton Airport to Cardiff.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Official reseller: Great Western Rail tickets can only be bought on Omio or Great Western Rail's website as Omio is the only official third party seller for Great Western Rail tickets. Trainline, RailEurope, and Rail.Ninja do not sell Great Western Rail tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from London Luton Airport to Cardiff.
Journey information
Overview: Train from London Luton Airport to Cardiff
Trains from London Luton Airport to Cardiff run on average 5 times per day, taking around 2h 47m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $41 (€33) but you can travel from only $24 (€19) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 07:19, the last at 18:21. The fastest train covers the 123 miles (198 km) distance in 3h 14m.
Distance 123 miles (198 km) |
Average train duration 2h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price $41 (€33) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 3h 14m |
First train 07:19 |
Last train 18:21 |
Train companies: Great Western Rail from London Luton Airport to Cardiff trainsGreat Western Rail trains will get you between London Luton Airport and Cardiff from $24 (€19). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Rail
FAQs: Trains from London Luton Airport to Cardiff
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London Luton Airport to Cardiff 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 Cardiff, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from London Luton Airport to Cardiff
- Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
- Free Wi-Fi in the station.
- Type of shops available: News agent and convenience store
- Car Park: Brewery Car park
- Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen
- Pret a Manger
- Tesco Express
- Taxi: Taxi rank is on the right as you exit the main station entrance
- There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platforms 1 to 8. The National Key toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The National Key/Accessible toilets are located in the East Subway near the lifts and on Platform 8; these toilets are operated by a RADAR key and are only available during staffing hours.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Clayton Hotel Cardiff
- Cardiff Marriott Hotel
- Travelodge Cardiff Central
- Waiting rooms location: On platforms 1/2, 3/4, 6/7 and 8.
- Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
- Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: East end of platforms 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 6 and 7 - also at the front and rear of the station.
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Commuter rail lines: City Line, Rhondda Line, Rhymney Line, Valley Line, South Wales Main Line
- Train lines: Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the rear car park (Penarth Road entrance)
- Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 07:40 - 18:00 Sunday 10:00 - 15:30 Temporary opening hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 4. The National key toilets are located on the Main Concourse to the right of the Ticket Office; these toilets are operated by a radar key and are only available during staffing hours.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Travelodge
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: to the right of the station front
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Onward travel information: Limited service from stop outside station Mondays to Fridays
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: For services towards Cardiff Central use the bus stop at the front of the station. For services towards Cathays use the bus stop in front of the shop opposite the station entrance. Please ask a member of station staff if you are unsure of which stop to use.
- Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 07:30 - 18:30 Saturday 09:30 - 15:30 Sunday Closed
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Travelodge
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Arrival screens
- Onward travel information: The nearest bus stop is on Park Place
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the bus stops adjacent to the Cardiff University Students' Union on Park Place
More options for your journey from London Luton Airport to Cardiff
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