London Luton Airport to Cardiff train with Great Western Rail

Fri, Dec 19
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Great Western Rail
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Deutsche Bahn
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Great Western Rail
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
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Italo
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from London Luton Airport to Cardiff

Showing times and prices for Dec 20

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

Cheap tickets

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.

Fast trains

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.

Great Western Rail
10:21AM3h15
London Luton Airport
01:36PMCardiff
$881One-way
0 transfers
Great Western Rail
07:21AM3h20
London Luton Airport
10:41AMCardiff
$961One-way
0 transfers
Great Western Rail
07:39AM3h58
London Luton Airport
11:37AMCardiff
$1831One-way
0 transfers
Great Western Rail
07:10AM3h31
London Luton Airport
10:41AMCardiff
$1841One-way
0 transfers

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*

Great Western Rail

Most popular train company

National Express

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.

Last updated at 8:08 AM
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
great_western8:51 AM London Luton Airport
3h25
12:16 PM Cardiff0 transfersDirect
Saturday, December 20
great_western7:10 AM London Luton Airport
3h31
10:41 AM Cardiff0 transfersDirect
great_western7:21 AM London Luton Airport
3h20
10:41 AM Cardiff0 transfersDirect
great_western7:39 AM London Luton Airport
3h58
11:37 AM Cardiff0 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.

Sat
Dec 20
Sun
Dec 21
Mon
Dec 22
Tue
Dec 23
Wed
Dec 24
Thu
Dec 25
Fri
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?

Multiple modes of transport
  • 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

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

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.

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 $24 (€19)
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
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 $24 (€19)

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

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 14m
Cheapest Price
$41 (€33)
Great Western Rail frequency
5 a day
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 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.

FAQs
A day trip from London Luton Airport to Cardiff is not feasible as the journey duration is 3h 14m and the distance is 123 miles (198 km). However, there are 5 trains available per day.
The train from London Luton Airport to Cardiff takes 3h 14m and runs 5 per day.
A visit of 2 to 3 days is typically sufficient to explore Cardiff's main attractions, such as Cardiff Castle, the National Museum, and Cardiff Bay, while allowing time for leisure and dining experiences.
The distance by train from London Luton Airport to Cardiff is 123 miles (198 km).
The last train from London Luton Airport to Cardiff leaves at 6:21 PM.
In Cardiff, you can enjoy a variety of activities and sights. Attend performances at the Millennium Centre, explore the vibrant nightlife in the city center, or take a scenic boat tour around Cardiff Bay. For adventure, visit Cardiff International White Water for rafting and kayaking. Shop and dine at Cardiff Market. Discover history at Cardiff Castle and St Fagans National Museum of History, explore art and culture at the National Museum Cardiff, and relax in Bute Park. Cardiff Bay also offers dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions.
There is no high speed train available from London Luton Airport to Cardiff.
There is no direct train service currently available from London Luton Airport to Cardiff.
The train journey from London Luton Airport to Cardiff offers a mix of urban and countryside views, passing through areas like the Chiltern Hills and the Severn Tunnel, offering glimpses of lush landscapes and picturesque towns.
Train ticket prices from London Luton Airport to Cardiff can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $41 (€33), while the average price is around $80 (€64).
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from London Luton Airport to Cardiff.
The cheapest way to get from London Luton Airport to Cardiff is by bus, with a cost of around $24 (€19).
The first train from London Luton Airport to Cardiff leaves at 7:19 AM.
Yes, you can take the train from London Luton Airport to Cardiff.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from London Luton Airport to Cardiff

London
Cardiff
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
ShoppingShopping
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Bike RentalBike Rental
Car RentalCar Rental
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
  • Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
  • Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi in the station.
Shopping
Shopping
  • Type of shops available: News agent and convenience store
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: Brewery Car park
Dining
Dining
  • Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen
  • Pret a Manger
  • Tesco Express
Taxis
Taxis
  • Taxi: Taxi rank is on the right as you exit the main station entrance
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.
WC
WC
  • 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
Hotel
Hotel
  • Clayton Hotel Cardiff
  • Cardiff Marriott Hotel
  • Travelodge Cardiff Central
Lounge
Lounge
  • Waiting rooms location: On platforms 1/2, 3/4, 6/7 and 8.
Ticket Office
Ticket Office
  • Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30
  • Sat: 05:40 - 21:30
  • Sun: 07:30 - 21:30
Bike Parking
Bike Parking
  • 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
Public transit options for Cardiff Central
  • 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)
Amenities at train station
ParkingParking
DiningDining
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Bike RentalBike Rental
Information DeskInformation Desk
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • 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.
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: No
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • 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
WC
WC
  • 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
Hotel
Hotel
  • Travelodge
Bike Parking
Bike Parking
  • Storage sheltered: No
  • Storage location: to the right of the station front
  • Storage CCTV: Yes
Information Desk
Information Desk
  • Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
  • Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
  • Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
Public transit options for Cardiff Queen Street
  • 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.
Amenities at train station
ParkingParking
DiningDining
AccessibilityAccessibility
HotelHotel
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Bike RentalBike Rental
Information DeskInformation Desk
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 07:30 - 18:30 Saturday 09:30 - 15:30 Sunday Closed
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: No
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • 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
Hotel
Hotel
  • Travelodge
Information Desk
Information Desk
  • Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
  • Helpline Contact: 03333 211202
  • Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Arrival screens
Public transit options for Cathays
  • 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

Most popular trains to and from Cardiff and London Luton Airport

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