4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Cardiff to Luton
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Luton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $49 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 27m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $49, while a train costs an average of $93.
Distance: 121 miles (196 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$49 Average price Cheapest | $93 Average price | $52 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 4m Average total duration 4h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 27m Average total duration Fastest 2h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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.
Compare ways to travel from Cardiff to Luton
Compare the available ways to get from Cardiff to Luton, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Luton:
A bus is $45 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Luton costing on average $93.
Other travel options to Luton take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 4m.
Tickets start at around $49 compared to roughly $52 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $4. The journey takes 4h 34m versus 3h 1m 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.
Travel optionsfrom Cardiff to Luton
How to get from Cardiff to Luton by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Luton is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus · FlixBus6:05 AM 6h20 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 12:25 PM Luton, Dunstable Road (Challney) $24 1 One-way 1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus · FlixBus
6:05 AM 6h20 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 12:25 PM Luton, Dunstable Road (Challney) $24 1 One-way 1 transfer
Fastest
- G15042+
W45553+
Tube from London Paddington to Farringdon8:38 AM 3h19 Cardiff Central (CDF) 11:57 AM Luton station (LUT) $108 1 One-way 2 transfers
Other options
- G15043+W32970+Tube from London Paddington to Farringdon
9:49 AM 3h21 Cardiff Central (CDF) 1:10 PM Luton station (LUT) $80 1 One-way 2 transfers - W35432+
C41888+Tube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International9:19 AM 3h21 Cardiff Central (CDF) 12:40 PM Luton station (LUT) $112 1 One-way 2 transfers - W35432+W32952+Tube from London Paddington to Farringdon
9:19 AM 3h21 Cardiff Central (CDF) 12:40 PM Luton station (LUT) $112 1 One-way 2 transfers
- FlixBus · FlixBus
6:10 PM 6h30 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 12:40 AM Luton $24 1 One-way 1 transfer - FlixBus · FlixBus
11:25 PM 6h45 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 6:10 AM Luton $24 1 One-way 1 transfer - FlixBus · FlixBus
12:45 AM 5h25 Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens) 6:10 AM Luton $26 1 One-way 1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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.
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Cardiff to Luton
Travel to Luton easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cardiff to Luton.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Luton:
A bus is $45 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Luton costing on average $93.
Other travel options to Luton take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 4m.
- Around 27 buses per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and Luton as scheduled services by bus and train can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Cardiff Central (CDF) and arrive in London Luton Airport (LUA).
- Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, Sophia Gardens and arrive in Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Luton by bus.
- Travel with Great Western Railway to go to Luton by train.
Travelling from Cardiff to Luton: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Travel to popular destinations by train, bus or flight
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
