- Recommended
Folkestone Museum
Small local museum covering Folkestone’s history, archaeology, and changing seaside life. A useful first stop for understanding the town.
Cheapest price
$98
Average price
$100
Fastest journey
1 h 45 m
Average duration
1 h 46 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
142 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Luton to Folkestone is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Luton to Folkestone will cost around $100 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $98.
Of the 2 trains that leave Luton for Folkestone on Wed, Aug 05, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct trains cover the 142 km distance in an average of 1 h 46 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 45 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest trains will take 1 h 47 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 Luton to Folkestone among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $37. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 30m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $37, and a train costs an average of $98.
Distance: 88 miles (142 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$100 Average price | $42 Average price Cheapest | $40 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 25m Average total duration 4h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 4m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Luton to Folkestone:
A bus is $59 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Luton to Folkestone costing on average $100.
Other travel options to Folkestone take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 55m.
You'll arrive about 34m sooner (1h 30m by train vs 2h 4m by car). Tickets start at around $100 compared to roughly $40 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.
The table below shows live departures for Luton to Folkestone trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:55 AM Luton | 1h47 | 10:42 AM Folkestone | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:56 AM Luton | 1h45 | 11:41 AM Folkestone | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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.
Trains from Luton to Folkestone run on average 7 times per day, taking around 1h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $98 but you can travel from only $37 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 04:40, the last at 23:04. The fastest train covers the 88 miles (142 km) distance in 1h 45m.
Distance 88 miles (142 km) |
Average train duration 1h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $98 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 1h 45m |
First train 4:40 AM |
Last train 11:04 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Folkestone — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Folkestone trip today.
Small local museum covering Folkestone’s history, archaeology, and changing seaside life. A useful first stop for understanding the town.
Changing contemporary art exhibitions in a leading regional gallery. Known for ambitious programming and strong links to the town’s creative revival.
Volunteer-run military museum in nearby Capel-le-Ferne with artefacts from wartime Kent. Compact but informative for local defence history.
Clifftop park and promenade with gardens, family spaces, and wide sea views. One of the town’s best walking areas from coast to harbour.
Revived harbour promenade with public art, events, and dramatic views over the Channel. A signature place in modern Folkestone.
Historic hillside lane in the Creative Quarter, lined with independent shops, art spaces, and old buildings. Ideal for a characterful stroll.
Fresh Dover sole landed on the Kent coast, usually grilled or pan-fried. A classic local seafood choice tied to Folkestone’s fishing heritage.
Briny oysters from the nearby Kent coast, often served raw with lemon. They reflect the area’s long shellfish tradition and seaside identity.
Lightly battered local fish with chips, a staple of English seaside towns. In Folkestone it is prized for very fresh catch and harbour setting.
Popular casual seafood spot on Folkestone Harbour Arm serving fresh fish, oysters and shellfish with a lively seaside atmosphere.
Established harbour restaurant specialising in mussels, fish and Belgian-style dishes. Relaxed, dependable and well known among locals.
Refined restaurant in The Harbour Arm area known for seasonal small plates and polished cooking in a stylish modern setting.
Moderate for a UK seaside town. Hotels and dining are often cheaper than London, but peak-season stays and seafront meals can raise daily costs.
Service is sometimes included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Round up taxi fares. Cafe tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Folkestone Central -> The Leas, Folkestone
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton to Folkestone 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 Folkestone, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Luton to Folkestone trains use the Luton to Folkestone West station pair, with some services arriving at Folkestone Central. Use this guide to compare Luton and Folkestone train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Luton has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Luton.
Wi-Fi is available at Luton. ATMs are available at Luton.
Ticket office support is available at Luton.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Luton: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Luton: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category B3 station: Step free access via lift to platform 5 only (some trains to Bedford/ the East Midlands) only. Steps to all other platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office. This station doesn't have tactile surfaces along all platform edges. Please pay attention to where the platform surface changes from smooth to paved or contact us for assistance, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Luton Airport Parkway is 1 km from Luton city centre. Public transport options include:
Luton Airport Parkway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Luton Airport Parkway.
Wi-Fi is available at Luton Airport Parkway. ATMs are available at Luton Airport Parkway.
Ticket office support is available at Luton Airport Parkway.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Luton Airport Parkway: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Luton Airport Parkway: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton Airport Parkway: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Folkestone West is 2 km from Folkestone city centre. Public transport options include:
Folkestone West has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Folkestone West.
Ticket office support is available at Folkestone West. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0345 322 7021 or Text relay 18001 0345 322 7021 Freephone 0800 783 4524 or Text Relay 18001 0800 783 4524, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Folkestone West: Parking, WC.
Available at Folkestone West: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Folkestone West: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B2. This station has a degree of step-free access to the platform, which may be in both directions or in one direction only - please check details - Step Free access to Platform 1 via main entrance off Shorncliffe Road. Step free access to platform 2 via side entrance off Station Road. Step access between platforms via station subway. Step free Interchange between platforms via steep roads is in excess of 500 metres, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not wheelchair accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: by entrance to platform 1, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Folkestone Central has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Folkestone Central.
Ticket office support is available at Folkestone Central. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0345 322 7021 or Text relay 18001 0345 322 7021 Freephone 0800 783 4524 or Text Relay 18001 0800 783 4524, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Folkestone Central: Parking, WC.
Available at Folkestone Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Folkestone Central: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A. This station has step free access to all platforms - Step free access via lift or steep ramps from main entrance, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not wheelchair accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: In the booking hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Monday - Friday 24 Hours a Day Saturday 24 Hours a Day Sunday 24 Hours a Day, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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