The most straightforward way between Heathrow and Luton airports is a direct coach, run by National Express or FlixBus, taking roughly 50 to 80 minutes depending on the service and traffic. A pre-booked taxi is quicker door to door, typically 45 to 60 minutes, but costs considerably more than the coach.
Why this route needs some planning
Heathrow and Luton sit on opposite sides of London, roughly 34 to 37 miles apart by road, and there's no direct rail line between them. Getting a train would mean travelling into central London and back out again via Thameslink, which for most travellers takes longer and costs more in changes than simply taking a direct coach or taxi, so this guide focuses on those two more practical options.
Coach: National Express and FlixBus
Both operators run coaches directly between the two airports, calling at Heathrow's Terminal 4, Terminal 5 and Central Bus Station (which serves Terminals 2 and 3), and at Luton Airport's bus station.
National Express
National Express route 231 runs directly between Heathrow and Luton Airport. Published timetable examples show journeys of around 80 minutes, for instance a coach leaving Heathrow Terminal 4 at 05:50 arriving Luton Airport bus station at 07:10. Services run throughout the day, calling at T4, T5 and the Central Bus Station on the way out.
FlixBus
FlixBus also runs a direct service, with a minimum trip duration of around 50 minutes and fares advertised from £4.99 for the cheapest available seats, though typical fares will usually be higher than that headline price depending on when you book and how full the coach is. FlixBus quotes roughly 14 trips a day on this route, giving reasonable flexibility if your flight time changes.
Taxi from Heathrow to Luton
A taxi or private hire ride between the two airports commonly takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs significantly more than the coach. Independent estimates put an on-demand ride at around £75 for a roughly 45 to 60 minute journey, while pre-booked minicab transfer operators advertise fixed fares starting from around £55. As with any cross-city or inter-airport taxi trip, book in advance if you want price certainty, since a walk-up fare will be metered and can vary with traffic and time of day.
Comparing your options
| Method | Typical time | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express coach | About 80 minutes | Standard advance fares apply | Direct, calls at T4, T5, Central Bus Station |
| FlixBus coach | From about 50 minutes | From £4.99, higher on most dates | Direct, around 14 trips a day |
| Pre-booked taxi or minicab | 45 to 60 minutes | From about £55, often £75+ | Fastest, most expensive, no waiting for a service |
| Train | Not practical | Requires a change via central London | No direct rail link exists |
Which should you choose
If you're on a tight connection between flights at the two airports, especially if you're self-transferring on separate tickets rather than a single through-booking, the taxi is the more reliable option since it isn't tied to a coach timetable. If you have a couple of hours of buffer and want to save money, the coach is the obvious choice, particularly FlixBus if your dates line up with a lower advance fare.
Either way, build in more time than the headline journey figure suggests. Both coach services can be affected by traffic on the M25 and M1, and if you're catching a flight at the other end, allow for check-in and security on top of the transfer time itself. See our guide to Heathrow connection times for how much buffer is sensible if you're connecting between separate bookings.
Which Heathrow terminal do I need
Both coach operators call at all Heathrow terminals via the Central Bus Station (T2 and T3), and directly at T4 and T5. If you're not sure which terminal you're flying from, check our guide on finding your Heathrow terminal before booking your onward journey, since the pickup point can affect your overall timing.
All fares, times and distances here were checked 2026 against published National Express and FlixBus route information and independent taxi fare estimates. Coach times in particular can vary with traffic, so treat the figures above as a guide rather than a guarantee and check live departure boards on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train between Heathrow and Luton?
No. There's no direct rail line between the two airports, so travelling by train means changing in central London, which usually takes longer overall than the direct coach.
How long does the coach take from Heathrow to Luton?
National Express timetable examples show around 80 minutes. FlixBus quotes a minimum trip duration of about 50 minutes, though actual journey times vary with traffic and the specific departure.
How much does a taxi cost from Heathrow to Luton Airport?
Pre-booked minicab transfers start from around £55, while on-demand rides are commonly closer to £75, for a journey of roughly 45 to 60 minutes.
Which Heathrow terminals do the coaches serve?
Both National Express and FlixBus call at Heathrow's Central Bus Station, which serves Terminals 2 and 3, as well as directly at Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
Is FlixBus really only £4.99?
That's the advertised starting fare for the cheapest available seats. Most travellers booking closer to their travel date, or during busier periods, should expect to pay more than the headline price.
Should I take the coach or the taxi if I have a tight connection?
A pre-booked taxi is the more reliable option for a tight connection, since it isn't dependent on a fixed coach timetable and departs when you need it to.