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How to get from Luton Airport to Central London

Kristoffer Fons

Luton Airport is the United Kingdom’s fifth largest airport, thus a particularly busy one. Luton Airport, also known as London Luton Airport , is located just 34.5 miles (55.5 km) northeast of central London.

Luton Airport services a wide range of passengers whose goal is a city break in London. If you look for and book a cheap flight to London, there is a good possibility that Luton Airport will be offered as an affordable alternative airport.

In the following guide, you’ll learn all about how to get from Luton Airport to central London.

Luton Airport to London – Transport Options

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First, let’s take a look at the available options when choosing a mode of transportation from Luton Airport to central London. There is a great difference in both price and travel time amongst them depending on your choice. You’ll also get great by booking them online.

Choosing your mode of transport also depends on where you’ve booked your accommodation. Read on so you can make a smart choice.

Buses from Luton Airport to central London operate 24 hours a day. So, no matter what time you arrive at the airport, you can get to your accommodation any time of the day. Several private companies operate these buses with prices as low as a few British pounds.

The standard price is typically £10 and the trip takes about one hour and a half .

In my opinion, the most reliable bus company servicing the route is National Express.

Another option is to take the train from Luton Airport to Central London. To get to the train station, you must first take a shuttle bus from the airport to Luton Airport Parkway Station .

The shuttle bus ride takes only 5 minutes and is free if you have booked your ticket in online (recommended).

The train journey from Luton Airport Parkway to London (St. Pancras Station) can be as short as 20 minutes ( standard travel time is approximately 30 minutes ).

The price of a train ticket may vary but with a ticket purchased from VisitBritain, you can get a ticket for only £25 (single ticket costs £14.50).

Or book your train tickets in advance here (there are usually quite a few good offers if you book ahead).

If you prefer privacy and convenience, you can book a private chauffeur (a Minicab) to drive you directly from Luton Airport to your hotel in London. Prices for a private driver typically start at £50 for a normal 5-seater car with airport pick-up .

This is particularly a good choice if you’re travelling with a group.

I say it is best to book a private driver online since it will be extremely expensive if you just take a regular taxi from Luton Airport to London.

Use MiniCabit.com   to get and compare prices from various companies or read more about chauffeur services from Luton Airport to London by clicking below.

One of the easiest way to get directly from Luton Airport to Central London is by bus. Buses are stationed outside the arrivals hall at the airport.

So if you would like a direct service from airport to the city, unlike taking the train with a shuttle service in between, taking the bus is the obvious choice.

The bus is also the most economical mode of transport, thus a popular choice of many tourists that land in Luton Airport and visit London.

Tickets usually start at £10 however you can get them cheaper by booking ahead of time and taking advantage of online exclusives.

National Express buses run approximately every half hour.

We made the below map to show you the bus route stops from Luton Airport to the Victoria Station, the terminal station, in central London.

Please note that the map below is indicative only and stop points may be inserted after every train station. Bus stops may not necessarily be in front of the station.

Bus stops are as follows:

• London Golders Green
• London Finchley Road
• London St John’s Wood
• London Baker Street
• London Portman Square
• London Marble Arch
• London Victoria Rail Station
• London Victoria Coach Station

The bus ride from Luton Airport to the terminal Victoria Coach Station takes 65 to 105 minutes depending on the time of day you travel as traffic in London can be tough during peak hours.

As mentioned earlier, there are several (extra) cheap bus tickets, which you may be lucky to get your hands on if you book well in advance (several months before departure). These tickets can be bought directly from the bus company, National Express.

Check regularly and see if there are cheap tickets on your desired travel dates. However, be reminded that when buying directly from National Express in advance, you must take the departure schedule as indicated on the ticket.

This means that if your flight is delayed, there may be a chance that you will miss your bus and may waste money on the ticket. It can be a gamble.

If you are unfortunately hit by flight delay, you may still buy a bus ticket at the airport.

Luckily, there is another way to buy the bus ticket from Luton Airport to London, which ensures you a seat in ‘the next bus’. GetYourGuide, in collaboration with National Express, has a special fare for tourists who will visit London and are landing in Luton.

• Buy a voucher online at GYG’s website.
• You will receive the voucher via email that you can show on your phone.
• At the Luton Airport arrivals hall, go to the National Express counter and exchange your voucher for a designation bus ticket valid for the next bus.

You will have a worry-free transport if you choose this option as you are always guaranteed a ticket for the next bus to London.

The ticket desk at Luton Airport is open 24 hours a day. You don’t have to worry then even if you arrive in London at night because buses run round-the-clock.

Click here to buy your ticket online.

Taking the train from Luton Airport to London is also a good option, depending on where in London you have booked your accommodation.

There is no train station in Luton Airport, so you have to take a dedicated shuttle bus from the airport to Luton Airport Parkway Station – a trip that takes just under 5 minutes.

Signs to the shuttle bus are visible at the arrival hall exit, therefore quite easy to find. These buses run every 10 minutes during the day and every hour at night, as frequent as trains to London.

The train from Luton Airport Parkway to London stops include these major stations:

• London St Pancras (next to King’s Cross Station)
• City Thameslink
• Blackfriars
• Elephant & Castle

The map below shows where in London these stations are located:

The fastest journey from Luton Airport Parkway to St Pancras takes about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, there are also trains that stop at more stations on the way to London and can take up to 45 minutes.

Similar with bus tickets, VisitBritain also offers special tickets for tourists traveling by train from Luton Airport to central London.

Just choose an arrival date and you can then use this ticket to trips operated by the train company, Thameslink, on the said date.

So, it does not matter if your flight is delayed – you can take all trains all day.

When you buy the train ticket via VisitBritain, shuttle bus ticket from the airport to Luton Airport Parkway station is already included in the price.

• It costs £1.60 if you buy your shuttle bus ticket at the airport.

The train ticket price from Visit Britain is £14.50 for a single journey and £25 for a return journey.

If you’re going back to Luton Airport within 30 days, I recommend buying a return ticket, which can be used for all scheduled train departures by Thameslink. Shuttle bus is again included in the price.

Click here to buy your ticket and read more .

• Train tickets are sent via email and must be printed out.
• The ticket must be presented upon boarding the shuttle bus and upon entering the Luton Airport Parkway station where round-the-clock guides are ready to help.
• Your ticket must be shown again when you go up from the platform at the train station in London.

Yes, there are ordinary taxis right outside the airport. It is the classic black British taxis that are charming but expensive. It is definitely unwise to take a regular taxi from Luton Airport to London, as it will be extremely expensive.

The journey from Luton Airport to London takes an hour at the minimum so your meter could go astronomically high in no time!

An economically wise alternative is booking a private driver online (a minicab). This way you are assured that the price is good and you can set up a budget for the entire trip in advance.

Most privately-hired cars include a meet-up service where the driver waits for you at the arrivals hall with a sign with your name on it.

This service is free, of course, since the driver would be much inclined to finding you and getting you started on your London getaway as soon as possible.

I found several price samples for private taxis from Luton Airport to various locations in Central London. Prices are found via the Minicabit website, which I highly recommend to get a price overview of and eventually book private taxi trips from the airport to London.

Price examples :

• Luton Airport to King’s Cross Station – £51
• Luton Airport to Paddington Station – £48
• Luton Airport to Marble Arch – £48
• Luton Airport to Victoria Station – £52
• Luton Airport to Shoreditch High Street St – £57
• Luton Airport to London Bridge – £57

Minicabit is a website that compares the cost of your trip from different minicab firms. This gives you an overview of which company is cheaper.

You can also choose several different types of cars and indicate how many pieces of luggage you want to have in the car. The total price is automatically calculated on the website, so you have a full picture of what your trip down to London will cost.

See for yourself on  MiniCabit.com

If you have questions about transportation from Luton Airport to London, you are welcome to post a comment below.

I’ve flown to Luton many times so I have a good grasp of the smartest ways to get into London.

I hope you have a great trip!

It typically takes 60 minutes to get to Central London from Luton Airport by train, depending on your final destination. However, travel times can vary depending on the time of day, traffic conditions, and mode of transportation. It’s always a good idea to check schedules and plan to ensure you arrive at your destination on time.

Yes, there are direct trains and buses available from Luton Airport to Central London. Thameslink operates frequent train services between Luton Airport Parkway station (though you will need a 5 min shuttle-bus from the airport to the train station) and central London, with stops at stations including St Pancras International, Farringdon, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and London Bridge. There are also several bus companies that operate direct services between Luton Airport and Central London, including National Express and Green Line. It’s important to check schedules in advance to ensure you catch the most convenient service for your needs.

It’s always a good idea to book your tickets in advance to ensure you have a seat on the train or bus and to avoid any potential delays. However, it is possible to purchase tickets upon arrival at Luton Airport or at the train station/bus stop. Keep in mind that purchasing tickets on the day of travel can sometimes be more expensive than booking in advance. Additionally, during peak travel times, trains and buses can fill up quickly, so it’s best to plan ahead and book your tickets as early as possible.

The fastest route to London from Luton Airport is by taking the Thameslink train service. The journey takes approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on your destination in central London. The train stops at several stations, including St Pancras International, Farringdon, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and London Bridge. It’s important to note that travel times may vary depending on the time of day and any potential disruptions or delays.

The cheapest way to get from Luton Airport to London is by taking the Green Line 757 bus service. The journey takes approximately 75 minutes and stops at several locations in central London, including Victoria Coach Station, Marble Arch, and Baker Street. Tickets can be purchased online or at the airport bus stop.

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6 thoughts on “how to get from luton airport to central london”.

Hello Kristoffer. We are flying to Luton Airport and have already booked our hotel in the Paddington area (the Phoenix Hotel that you recommended in the hotel guide). What is the easiest way from Luton Airport to this hotel?

We are 2 adults and 1 child (13 years old). I thought maybe the bus and then the tube?

Thanks in advance from Rome , very good guide you have here!!

Thanks a lot, I’m glad that you have used my advice and booked the Phoenix Hotel in Paddington – that’s a great and cheap hotel!

I’d recommend you to buy tickets for the National Express bus from Luton Airport to London. Get off the bus at Marble Arch and take the Underground (tube) in the westbound direction. You’re only going to ride on the tube for 3 mins before you’ll have to get off at Queensway Station. From there you can walk to the hotel in only 6 mins – see the route on Google Maps here: https://goo.gl/maps/CKTH4ZYkD9u

I would advice you to buy the ticket FROM Luton Airport to London in the VisitBritain shop (link in the guide) and the ticket FROM London via National Express (link is in the guide as well) so that you have a secured seat on the bus.

For the Underground (and public transport in London in general) I would recommend that you buy the Visitor Oyster Card online in advance. It’ll save you 50% on all public transport in London and when you buy it from the VisitBritain shop they’ll post it to your home address so you’ll have it ready when you arrive in London.

Link to the Visitor Oyster Card here .

I hope this helps and I wish you a great trip to London 🙂

Thank you so much kristoffer!!

nice article. very informative.

Thank you, Max 🙂

Flying into london luton on Sunday lunchtime, what is the best mode of transport to get to High Street Greenwich (Near the 02) please

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London Travel Hacks is an online travel guide to the beautiful capital of England. The aim of this website is to give you all the information you need before coming to London on a trip. The website is run by Kristoffer Fons, who has been travel blogging since 2013.

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How to Travel From Luton Airport to Central London by Train, Bus, and Taxi

Jason Hawkes / Getty Images

London Luton Airport (LTN) is located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of the city center. It's one of the U.K.'s fastest-growing airports and is its fifth-largest in terms of annual passengers. It can be a good alternative to flying into Heathrow or Gatwick airports , especially for more budget-minded travelers. The Luton Airport primarily serves other European destinations and is home mostly to budget airlines.

Even though Luton is about the same distance from central London as Gatwick (about 10 miles further than Heathrow, which is the closest major airport to the city), it can be the quickest of the three to reach by train, depending on the route you take. Stansted, London's third-busiest airport, is slightly further out and takes 45 minutes—compared to Luton's 25 minutes—to connect.

Budget travelers might want to save a buck by taking the bus while others will prefer the comfort of a taxi, the most expensive option. The train, however, is the perfect middle ground: quicker than the bus , but cheaper than a taxi.

How to Get From Luton Airport to London

• Train: 25 to 45 minutes, starting at $13 (quickest)
• Bus: 70 to 80 minutes, starting at $2.50 (cheapest)
• Taxi: 1 hour, 30 miles (48 kilometers)

Luton Airport Parkway station is separated from the airport itself, but they are connected via a shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes. The price of an East Midlands rail ticket includes the shuttle bus service, which takes around 10 minutes.

East Midlands trains depart from Luton Airport Parkway station every hour and take about 25 minutes to travel between LTN and St Pancras International (across from King's Cross) in Camden. From there, you can transfer trains to travel to another part of the city.

Another option is to take the Thameslink , which departs every 15 minutes but takes about 45 minutes to get from Luton Airport Parkway to St Pancras. It stops at Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon. Trains operate every 10 minutes at peak times, and the service runs 24 hours. 

Despite which train you take, the ticket fare will set you back between $13 and $21, depending on your destination and whether you book in advance, which you can do online to save money.

Several buses connect Luton Airport to central London, including National Express, easyBus, and Green Line (which also operates under the name Terravision). The benefit of taking the bus instead of a train is that it can be cheaper (not always). On the downside, though, buses do take longer to make stops and navigate traffic.

The National Express bus departs from Luton Airport every 15 to 30 minutes, 24 hours a day. It makes stops at 30 different stations around the city, including London Victoria and Paddington Station. Getting to the center takes about 75 minutes. Single-trip tickets cost between $6 and $10 depending on how far in advance you book.

Green Line 's route 757 operates a 24-hour service with up to four buses per hour to and from London Victoria, Marble Arch, Baker Street, Finchley Road, and Brent Cross. Getting into the city center takes about 70 minutes and costs about $13 for a one-way ticket or $20 for a return.

The easyBus service to and from London Victoria operates every 20 to 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, and takes 80 minutes. Tickets can cost as low as $2.50 for a one-way ticket when booked in advance.

Before you consider taking a taxi, know that London traffic can get hectic during morning and evening rush hour and Luton Airport is right next to the M1, one of the busiest motorways in the city. Driving the 30 miles (48 kilometers) takes about an hour to 90 minutes and can cost between $85 and $115. The fares are metered, but watch out for extra charges such as late-night or weekend journey fees. Tipping is not compulsory but is generally expected.

There's usually a line of black cabs outside the terminal, but you can arrange a ride with an employee at one of the approved taxi desks. Pre-booking a taxi is also an option.

What to See in London

London is England's crown jewel destination and is the gateway to broader U.K. travels. Located on the River Thames, the capital city has been a bustling hub for civilization since the Romans reigned. Now, it's home to a new kind of royalty: the British monarchy. England's royals split their time between Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, and Windsor Castle (which is just outside of London). Tourists queue up to watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham, which happens daily through the summer and several times a week throughout the rest of the year.

London is full of world-famous landmarks like Big Ben, the clocktower; the Tower Bridge, a turreted, Victorian bridge; the Tower of London, a medieval castle; the Palace of Westminster, home to U.K.'s parliament; and St. Paul's Cathedral, where Princess Diana married Prince Charles.

You can take it all in from great heights from the London Eye, the colossal Ferris wheel that occupies the South Bank of the River Thames. On summer days, Hyde Park (London's version of New York City's Central Park) offers acres of greenery for picnics, concerts, and walks.

Once you've worked up an appetite, it'll be time to sample the city's acclaimed culinary scene. Between boozy brunches and afternoon teas, tourists should never go hungry in London (be warned, though, that dining out can be expensive). Fish and chips, pies, and sticky toffee pudding are must-eats. And if you're vegan, London is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world, boasting more than 150 fully vegan restaurants .

Lastly, London is a great starting point for trips out to the remote villages of the Cotswolds, to Bath, Oxford, Brighton Beach, or Stonehenge, one of the seven wonders of the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

It takes anywhere from 25 to 80 minutes to Central London depending on the transportation method you chose and traffic patterns.

The airport is around 30 miles (48 kilometers) from Central London.

A one-way ticket can cost anywhere between $13 and $21 depending on your final destination and if you book in advance.

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St Pancras To Luton Airport By Train

If you're connecting from another service or you're already in the capital, make your way straight to departures with a train ticket from London St Pancras to Luton Airport. This direct route can take you straight to the terminal thanks to the new DART shuttle service. Your transfer is included in the price of a through-ticket.

See the next train times from London St Pancras to Luton Airport below on our live departures board. Check out the journey planner tool to book your tickets and get live travel updates on your phone with the On Track app

Journey information from London St Pancras to Luton Airport

• How long is the average journey duration from London St Pancras to Luton Airport? 0 hours 34 minutes
• How long is the fastest journey duration from London St Pancras to Luton Airport? 0 hours 21 minutes
• When is the first train from London St Pancras to Luton Airport? 00:16
• When is the last train from London St Pancras to Luton Airport? 23:56
• How many services run for London St Pancras to Luton Airport today? 124

The above information is intended as a guide. It may not include timetable alterations because of engineering work, unplanned disruption etc. Please use the journey planner to plan your journey before you travel. Some tickets are subject to restrictions. Please check these before you travel.

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On many routes, the last journey before services finish for the day departs after midnight. Where this is the case, it is this service (in the early hours of the following morning), and not the last one before midnight that is shown.

Similar routes

• East Croydon to Brighton
• Bedford to London St Pancras
• Brighton to London Bridge
• Luton to Bedford
• Haywards Heath to Brighton
• Haywards Heath to London Bridge
• Biggleswade to London Kings Cross

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Luton Airport Express

A seamless and fast journey from central london to london luton airport. .

32 minutes from central London to London Luton Airport

Travel by rail from London St Pancras International to the terminal in as little as 32 minutes, every 30 minutes on the Luton Airport Express.

About the Luton DART

The Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) is a new and improved seamless airport transfer which has replaced the existing bus service to and from Luton Airport Parkway railway station.

See how easy it is to travel by train to the airport

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Concession travel on Luton DART

Blue badge holders and older persons who hold a bus pass are entitled to FREE travel on the Luton DART , but must register first.

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Departing from Chesterfield

Once you arrive at the conveniently located bus station, you can get comfortable with plenty of facilities to enjoy before you depart, such as a coffee shop, newsagents, and more.

Arriving at Luton Airport

To ensure a stress-free travel experience we recommend you get to the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled flight departure time.

To pass the time until your flight, Luton Airport is packed with facilities to help you pass the time. Within a five-minute walk of the terminal, you'll find eateries, supermarkets, along with newsagents and more.

When is the first coach from Chesterfield to Luton Airport?

The first coach leaves from Chesterifeld at 03.35am, arriving at Luton Airport Bus Station at 07.15am.

When is the last coach from Chesterfield to Luton Airport?

The last coach leaves from Chesterfield Bus Station at 09.15 am, arriving at Luton Airport Bus Station at 13.15 pm.

How much is the coach from Chesterfield to Luton Airport?

A one-way journey from Chesterfield to Luton Airport is available from £23*.

How long does the coach take from Chesterfield to Luton Airport?

Our fastest coach journeys from Chesterfield to Luton Airport take 3hr 40 mins.

What happens if I miss my coach from Chesterfield to Luton Airport?

We have fare types available to give you more flexibility when you travel. Both our Standard and Fully Flexible fares are amendable, however, excess fees may apply. For more information, please visit our   tickets page .

Alternatively, when buying your ticket you can add Change and Go to your booking. Change and Go allows you to board any available coach 12 hours before or after your original departure time for just £5 per journey. Find out more at our   Change and Go page .

Routes to Luton Airport

Return route

• Luton to Chesterfield

Other routes to Luton Airport

• Birmingham to Luton
• Gatwick to Luton
• Heathrow to Luton
• Reading to Luton
• Stansted to Luton

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Open Return Information

Book your return

Your Open Dated Return is valid for 3 months from your outbound journey. To guarantee your seat on your return you need to confirm your ticket before you travel on www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/tickets/open-returns or call 0371 781 8181.

Open Dated Return Information

If your return date is not yet known, open return tickets provide flexibility. When travelling within the UK, the return journey can be made within 3 months of the outward date of travel. To guarantee your seat on your return journey you need to confirm your ticket before you travel by visiting www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/tickets/open-returns or call us on 03717 81 81 81. Lines open 7 days a week, 8am - 8pm (calls to this number are charged at local rate). Valid on any day throughout the year.

Open returns are not available on European journeys.

Wheelchair accessibility

Accessible coaches.

The majority of stops along the routes listed below are accessible to wheelchair users but are subject to change. Please call us to check the latest situation before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

To see a list of accessible coach routes please visit our Accessibility page.

Assisted Travel Helpline

If you are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance, please call our helpline before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

03717 81 81 81 - ( option 3)  (lines open 8am - 8pm 7 days a week). Calls to this number are charged at local rate.

For more information please visit our Disabled travellers page.

Passengers & Wheelchair accessibility

Passenger descriptions.

Our passenger descriptions are designed to help you choose the right ticket for yourself or your fellow travellers.

Adult (16+) and Children (3-15)

Children under 14 cannot travel alone unless accompanied by an adult (16+). Please note, you may be required to show proof of age at any point during your journey. Failure to do so, may result in the full adult fare being charged.

Children (3-15)

Children under 14 cannot travel alone unless accompanied by a responsible adult (16+).

Disabled Children

Should be booked as Children. If they are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance, please call our Assisted Travel Helpline.

We strongly recommend that you bring a car seat appropriate to your child's age, but ask you to take responsibility to fit the seat.

Booster Seats

Children aged between approximately 4-11 years old, or up to 150cm tall, may use booster seats. We carry a limited number onboard most coaches.

If travelling with a child, you may be required to show proof of age when buying tickets or at any point during your journey. Failure to do so may result in the child being required to pay the full fare for the journey on that day.

Booster seats

Children aged between approximately 4 years and 11 years or up to 150cm tall may use booster seats, we carry a limited number onboard most coaches along with our comfort fit seat belts.

Disabled children should be booked as children rather than 'Disabled'. If they are travelling in a wheelchair or you wish to book assistance with travel please call our Assisted Travel Helpline before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

You can find a list of accessible coach stops on our Accessibility page .

Please call us 36 hours prior to travelling to check the latest status.

If you are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance we recommend that you contact us on the following local rate telephone number: 03717 81 81 81 (lines open 8am - 8pm 7 days a week) 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

Adult (26 - 59)

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged between of 26 and 59 inclusive.

Child 0 - 12 inclusive

Children aged 12 or under travelling on any European service must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Unaccompanied children will not be carried

Young persons (13 - 25)

Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Young persons aged 16 or 17 years can travel alone on European services but only if they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Senior (60 and over)

Passengers aged 60 and over are entitled to receive a small discount on European journeys. On European journeys a 50% discount is given to carers, please call us on 08717 818177 to book.

Please select your passenger type first and then add your coachcards.

We have three different Coachcards available, each offering savings of 1/3 on all of our Standard and Fully Flexible coach fares all year round.

Prices shown include your coachcard discount, your coachcard number will be required during the booking process.

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged 2+. Adults under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel alone on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over or they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Infants 0-1 Inclusive

Children aged under the age of 2, must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Unaccompanied children will not be carried.

Manchester Airport slams Which? over ‘misleading’ report and ‘inaccuracies’

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Manchester Airport has slammed a Which? Travel report published today which suggests consumers rate it the UK’s worst airport.

The airport accused Which? of publishing a report “based on poor information” and including “factual inaccuracies”, saying Which? sought to advertise its magazine through “deliberately sensationalist and misleading” statements.

Which? reported Manchester Airport Terminal 3 finished bottom of an annual airport survey of its members for a third consecutive year, while Liverpool John Lennon Airport took first place.

The publication said it surveyed almost 5,000 members in April about their experience of UK airports in the previous 12 months, with respondents rating the airports across 11 categories, including seating, staff, toilets and queues at check in, bag drop, security and passport control.

The results not surprisingly showed smaller airports performed better than larger rivals.

Manchester Airport Terminal 3 was given what Which? described as “a dismal customer score” of 37%.

The terminal received just a one-star rating for seating, staff, security queues, range of shops and prices, and only two stars in any other category, with Which? recording “widespread complaints about queues and lack of seating”.

However, Manchester Airport pointed out Which? surveyed “a small number of its own readers” representing just 0.0026% of the airport’s annual passengers.

It also pointed out the survey took place in April with readers asked to recollect their experiences at the airport in the 12 months to that point, “meaning the experiences could be as far back as April 2023”.

The airport suggested comparing large airports with smaller airports “is inherently misleading” and noted the Which? report ignored “important metrics like the service offer to disabled passengers”.

It said its own data showed that “in the year to date 98.4% of our passengers waited for 15 minutes or less to get to security [and] 78.7% waited less than five minutes”.

The airport added: “We provided this data to Which? who decided to ignore it in favour of relying on its respondents’ memories of how long they thought they queued up to 12 months ago.”

A Manchester Airport spokesperson accused Which? of “publishing misleading statements and factual inaccuracies” and of “letting consumers down with over-simplified judgments based on the outdated and unrepresentative testimony of a narrow group of travellers”.

The spokesperson said: “Which? conducted a tiny and unrepresentative survey of its members six months ago.

“Which? fully understands its readers form a narrow group of passengers whose views cannot in any way be taken to represent those of the travelling public at large.”

The spokesperson added: “We have engaged with the publication and its writers to provide accurate, up to date performance data and satisfaction scores. It is disappointing to see Which? chase cheap headlines.”

Which? reported Manchester Airport Terminal 1, which is scheduled to close next year, fared only marginally better than the airport’s Terminal 3 with a customer score of 40%.

Belfast International scored the next lowest rating of 44% after Manchester’s Terminals 3 and 1 – with “multiple respondents” reporting waits as long as an hour to collect their bags.

Luton was the worst-rated London airport with a customer score of 47%, followed by Stansted on 50%.

Spokespeople for Luton and Belfast International also criticised the publication and its survey.

A Luton Airport spokesperson said: “We do not see the analysis provided by Which? as representative of the views of millions of passengers who travel through the airport each year.”

And a spokesperson for Belfast International said: “We regularly undertake industry recognised benchmarking surveys with our passengers which shows we compare favourably with peer airports.

“In our latest survey over the summer peak, 97% of passengers stated their experience was excellent, very good or good. While we welcome the feedback from the Which? survey, it’s not a representative sample and should not be portrayed as such.

“Sixty-one passengers were surveyed out of the six million that used the airport in 2023.”

Airports association Airports UK also criticised the Which? report, with a spokesperson saying: “These results do not align with our airport members’ own data on passenger experience, which is that most customers are very happy with the service they receive.

“This is seen in comprehensive surveys of thousands of people every month, while Which? has only asked a tiny and unrepresentative fraction of airport passengers to recall their experiences up to a year previously.

“The UK’s airports are consumer-facing businesses in a competitive market so are continually focused on improving terminal facilities [and] are currently investing millions of pounds in upgrading security equipment and improving services.”

The spokesperson also noted: “Passenger services at airports are provided through the combined efforts of airlines, ground handlers, airports and the hundreds of businesses that work onsite and have been doing so effectively and efficiently in an incredibly busy summer.”

The Which? survey rated the top five airports as Liverpool, with a customer score of 81%. London City 80%, Norwich 78%, Exeter 77% and Southampton 75%.

Which? Travel editor Rory Boland suggested: “Many of the biggest airports fail at the basics, with passengers often unhappy about the availability of toilets and seats and reporting long queues.

“Flogging fast passes and filling terminals with retail spaces and airport lounges is a money spinner, but judging by our survey results, it’s not what passengers need.”

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