Travelling from Gatwick Airport to Luton Airport by coach
Contents
- Introduction
- Quick answer: easiest way from Gatwick to Luton
- National Express 230
- FlixBus via Luton Airport Parkway
- How the Gatwick to Luton airport transfer actually works
- Gatwick Airport terminals
- Luton Airport: terminal vs DART Parkway
- Typical timetable and journey times
- Travelling overnight
- Coach vs train
- Tickets, prices and cheap travel tips
- Book coach tickets
- Important travel advice
- FAQ
Travelling between Gatwick and Luton Airport
Travelling between Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport used to be one of the more awkward airport transfers in the UK. For many years, passengers often had to travel into central London, change at Victoria Coach Station, or make their way across the city by rail and Underground with luggage. That is no longer usually necessary. The modern Gatwick to Luton coach market is now built around a direct cross-airport corridor, with most practical coach journeys operating via Heathrow Airport rather than central London. This is an important change. Older descriptions of the route often focus on Victoria Coach Station, central London connections or the former role of older airport routes. In reality, the current journey is much simpler for most passengers: board at Gatwick, travel via Heathrow, and continue towards Luton without normally changing coach. For most travellers, the main options are National Express and FlixBus. National Express is usually the easiest option because it serves Luton Airport directly. FlixBus can be cheaper and sometimes competitive on journey time, but usually stops at Luton Airport Parkway, where passengers must continue to the terminal using the paid Luton DART shuttle. Typical journey times are around 2 hours 20 minutes to just over 3 hours, depending on operator, timetable and traffic around Heathrow, the M25 and the M1 corridor. For airport passengers travelling with luggage, this direct coach corridor is often more practical than travelling by train through London.
Quick answer: what is the easiest way from Gatwick to Luton Airport?
For most passengers, the easiest option is National Express coach service 230. This is now the dominant airport-to-airport coach service between Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport. It has largely replaced the older idea that passengers need to travel through central London or rely on a dedicated Victoria-based airport transfer. The typical route is:
Gatwick South Terminal - Gatwick North Terminal - Heathrow Airport - Luton Airport
The Heathrow stop does not normally mean a change of coach. Heathrow is simply an intermediate airport stop where passengers join and leave the service. If you are booked from Gatwick to Luton, you normally remain onboard. For cheap travel, FlixBus is also worth checking. It uses broadly the same Gatwick - Heathrow - Luton corridor, but normally stops at Luton Airport Parkway rather than the airport terminal. This means you must add the Luton DART transfer to reach the terminal.
National Express 230 - the simplest airport-to-airport option
For most passengers, National Express route 230 is the most straightforward way to travel from Gatwick Airport to Luton Airport by coach. The main advantage is that it is a genuine airport-to-airport coach service. You board at Gatwick, remain on the same coach through the Heathrow section of the route, and arrive at Luton Airport coach station close to the terminal.
The usual stopping pattern is broadly:
Gatwick South Terminal - Gatwick North Terminal - Heathrow Central Bus Station / Heathrow terminals - Luton Airport
This is much easier than carrying luggage across London or changing between rail and Underground services. It is particularly useful if you are travelling with checked baggage, children, elderly relatives, or if you simply want the least complicated transfer between the two airports. Journey times are usually around 2 hours 25 minutes to just over 3 hours. The variation is mainly caused by traffic around Heathrow and the M25. At quieter times the journey can feel surprisingly direct; at busier times, the Heathrow section and motorway traffic can add time.
Some older travel guides still refer heavily to National Express A2. That reflects an older pattern of airport coach operations. Today, the main Gatwick to Luton airport transfer is effectively built around service 230, while A2 appears only in a much more limited overnight or positioning role.
National Express also remains a practical choice for airport passengers because it is built around coach luggage, booked seats and airport stopping points. For many travellers, the convenience of arriving directly at the airport terminal area is worth more than saving a small amount on the base fare.
Click to book National Express Gatwick to Luton tickets
FlixBus - often cheaper, but not terminal-to-terminal
In recent years, FlixBus has become a genuine alternative for passengers travelling between Gatwick and Luton. This is a significant change. National Express used to dominate airport coach transfers almost completely, but FlixBus now operates useful direct journeys using broadly the same airport corridor via Heathrow. The typical FlixBus route is:
Gatwick Airport - Heathrow Airport - Luton Airport Parkway (for Airport)
In timetable terms, FlixBus can be competitive. Some journeys are around 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 35 minutes, depending on traffic and the precise stopping pattern. However, the important difference is the Luton stop.
FlixBus stops at Luton Airport Parkway
FlixBus normally stops at Luton Airport Parkway, sometimes shown as Luton DART Parkway or Luton Airport Parkway (for Airport). This is not the same as being dropped directly outside the airport terminal.
From Parkway, passengers must continue by:
Luton DART shuttle - Luton Airport terminal
The DART is a short automated link between the station and the airport terminal. It is quick, modern and generally easy to use, but it is still an additional stage of the journey. The Luton DART is an additional paid transfer and is not normally included with a standard FlixBus ticket. This means the total cost of a FlixBus journey may be slightly higher than the headline coach fare once the airport transfer is added.
National Express = easier, terminal-to-terminal.
FlixBus = often cheaper, but usually requires the additional paid Luton DART transfer.
FlixBus is therefore best suited to passengers who are comfortable with the short Parkway-to-terminal transfer and want to compare fares carefully. If you are travelling light, have plenty of time and want the cheapest possible coach option, it can be a very useful alternative.
Click to check FlixBus Gatwick to Luton fares
How Gatwick to Luton airport transfers actually work
The most important thing to understand is that the modern coach transfer between Gatwick and Luton is not primarily a central London journey.
Instead, it works as a cross-airport corridor via Heathrow.
In simple terms, the coach travels from Gatwick onto the motorway network, serves Heathrow Airport, then continues towards the M1 corridor and Luton Airport. Heathrow appears in the timetable because it is a major airport interchange, not because Gatwick to Luton passengers usually need to change there.
Gatwick - M25 corridor - Heathrow - M1 corridor - Luton
This explains why the journey can look slightly indirect on a map but still makes sense operationally. Heathrow generates major passenger demand in both directions, and the same coach can serve several important airport markets at once. For the passenger, the practical point is simple: if your ticket is booked from Gatwick to Luton, Heathrow is normally just an intermediate stop. You stay on the coach unless the operator specifically tells you otherwise. This is why older advice about travelling from Gatwick into London, changing at Victoria and then travelling out again towards Luton is no longer the best starting point for most passengers.
Gatwick Airport terminals explained
Gatwick Airport has two terminals:
- South Terminal
- North Terminal
Most airport coaches serve both terminals, but the exact departure point matters. On many Gatwick to Luton coach journeys, the order is:
Gatwick South Terminal - Gatwick North Terminal - Heathrow - Luton
Always check your booking confirmation carefully. It should state whether your coach leaves from Gatwick South Terminal or Gatwick North Terminal. If you arrive at the wrong terminal, Gatwick has a free automated shuttle between the terminals. The transfer itself is quick, but you should still allow extra time because finding the stop, moving with luggage and waiting for the shuttle can add minutes when it matters.
Luton Airport terminal vs Luton DART Parkway
Luton Airport can be confusing because not all coach operators use the same stop.
National Express
National Express normally stops at Luton Airport coach station, close to the terminal area. This is the simplest arrangement for airport passengers because no additional transfer is required.
FlixBus
FlixBus normally stops at Luton Airport Parkway, the rail and interchange station serving the airport. From there, passengers need to use the:
Luton DART shuttle - airport terminal
The DART journey itself is short, but it requires a separate paid transfer unless it is specifically included in another ticket. This is why a cheap FlixBus fare should always be compared with the total journey cost, not just the coach fare alone. For passengers with heavy luggage or a tight connection, National Express is usually simpler because it avoids this extra step.
Typical timetable and journey times
Coach timetables between Gatwick and Luton change by season, day of week and demand, so it is better to think in terms of service patterns rather than fixed times.
National Express
National Express usually provides the broadest coverage, with route 230 operating through much of the day. Services are not usually every few minutes like a city bus, but on many days there are regular departures spaced across the day. Typical journey time is around:
2h25 - 3h05
FlixBus
FlixBus normally operates fewer journeys than National Express, but the direct GatwickâHeathrowâLuton Parkway pattern can be useful when the times match your flight. Typical journey time is around:
2h20 - 2h35
The biggest external factor is road traffic. The Heathrow section, the M25 and the approach to Luton can all be affected by congestion, especially on Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings and around holiday periods.
Travelling overnight
Coach travel is often especially useful for late-night arrivals and early-morning departures, when rail options may be less convenient or more limited. National Express generally provides the strongest coverage for airport passengers outside normal daytime hours. Some limited overnight or very early journeys may still appear under older service patterns, including A2-related operations, but the main practical product for most passengers remains the Gatwick - Heathrow - Luton corridor. If you are travelling overnight, check the exact date carefully. Airport timetables can vary between weekdays, weekends and holiday periods. It is also wise to allow extra time at night. Even if roads are quieter, missed departures, late flights or terminal walking time can become more stressful when the next coach is not soon afterwards.
Coach vs train - which is better from Gatwick to Luton?
Rail can sometimes look faster on a journey planner, but the practical reality is often less attractive for airport passengers. A typical rail journey may involve:
Gatwick Airport - London rail corridor - Luton Airport Parkway - Luton DART - terminal
Depending on the route, this can mean changing trains, navigating busy London stations and carrying luggage through ticket barriers, platforms and connecting passages. The Luton DART stage is also still required when arriving by rail at Parkway. For passengers travelling light, rail can make sense, especially if road traffic is severe or if the train times happen to fit perfectly. But for many airport passengers, the direct coach is simpler because it avoids central London and is designed around airport luggage. The coach is usually the better practical choice if you want one booked seat, fewer changes and a direct airport-to-airport journey.
Tickets, prices and cheap travel tips
Ticket prices for Gatwick to Luton coaches are dynamic. They vary by operator, travel date, demand, booking time and the number of seats already sold. For this reason, it is better to compare live fares rather than rely on fixed price examples.
For cheaper travel, the usual rules apply:
- book in advance where possible,
- compare National Express and FlixBus,
- avoid very busy Friday and Sunday travel periods if you can,
- check both Gatwick South and Gatwick North stops carefully,
- allow for the additional Luton DART cost if using FlixBus to Parkway.
When comparing National Express and FlixBus, do not look only at the headline fare. National Express normally takes you directly to Luton Airport, while FlixBus usually requires the extra paid DART transfer from Parkway to the terminal. That does not mean FlixBus is poor value. It can still be an excellent cheap travel option. It simply means the comparison should be made on the full airport-to-airport journey.
Book coach tickets from Gatwick Airport to Luton Airport
For most passengers, it is worth checking both National Express and FlixBus before booking. National Express is usually the simplest choice for a direct terminal-to-terminal journey, while FlixBus may offer cheaper fares if you are happy to use Luton Airport Parkway and the additional DART transfer.
National Express
Best for the simplest Gatwick to Luton Airport transfer, with direct arrival at Luton Airport coach station.
Click to book National Express ticketsFlixBus
Useful for cheap coach travel, but remember the additional paid Luton DART transfer from Parkway.
Click to check FlixBus faresInfobus
Useful for comparing wider coach options, especially if your journey continues beyond London airports.
Compare coach ticketsImportant travel advice before booking
Airport-to-airport transfers always carry some risk. Flights can be delayed, passengers can take longer than expected to clear arrivals, and motorway traffic can change quickly. For this reason, EuropeBus generally recommends allowing at least:
4-5 hours between flights
This is particularly important if you are travelling on separate airline tickets. If your first flight is delayed and you miss the second, the airlines may not treat it as a protected connection. The main road risk is the Heathrow and M25 corridor. This is one of the busiest airport and motorway areas in the UK. Even when the timetable looks comfortable, disruption can occasionally add meaningful delay. You should be especially cautious when travelling on Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, during school holidays, around public holidays or in bad weather. For peace of mind, a longer connection window is often better than choosing the theoretically fastest possible transfer.
FAQ - Gatwick Airport to Luton Airport by coach
Is there a direct coach from Gatwick Airport to Luton Airport?
Yes. National Express route 230 normally provides direct coach services between Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport. FlixBus also operates direct services on this corridor, but usually stops at Luton Airport Parkway rather than directly at the terminal.
Which operator is best from Gatwick to Luton Airport?
National Express is usually the simplest option because it stops directly at Luton Airport. FlixBus can be cheaper, but passengers normally need to take the additional paid Luton DART transfer from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal.
Does National Express go directly to Luton Airport?
Yes. National Express normally stops at Luton Airport coach station, close to the terminal.
Does FlixBus go directly to Luton Airport terminal?
Not usually. FlixBus normally stops at Luton Airport Parkway, also shown as Luton DART Parkway or Luton Airport Parkway for Airport. Passengers then take the Luton DART shuttle to the terminal.
Is the Luton DART included with a FlixBus ticket?
No. The Luton DART is an additional paid transfer and is not normally included with a standard FlixBus ticket.
How long does the coach take from Gatwick to Luton?
Typical journey times are around 2 hours 20 minutes to just over 3 hours, depending on the operator, timetable and road traffic.
Does the coach go through Heathrow?
Yes. Most modern Gatwick to Luton airport coach services operate via Heathrow Airport. Passengers travelling between Gatwick and Luton usually remain on the same coach.
Do I need to change coach at Heathrow?
Usually not. Heathrow is normally an intermediate stop, not a transfer point, for passengers booked between Gatwick and Luton.
Is coach or train better from Gatwick to Luton?
For most passengers with luggage, coach is easier because it avoids changing across central London. Train can sometimes be faster in theory, but usually involves more changes and still requires the Luton DART transfer from Parkway to the terminal.
Can I travel from Gatwick to Luton overnight?
There are usually some late-night or early-morning coach options, especially with National Express, but timetables vary. Always check the live timetable before booking.
How much time should I allow between flights?
EuropeBus recommends allowing at least 4 - 5 hours between flights, especially when travelling on separate airline tickets. Road traffic around Heathrow and the M25 can cause delays.
Which Gatwick terminal do coaches leave from?
Most airport coaches serve both Gatwick South Terminal and Gatwick North Terminal. Always check your booking confirmation for the exact departure stop.
Can I buy tickets on the day?
Sometimes, but advance booking is strongly recommended. Airport coach fares are dynamic and some services may sell out during busy periods.
Is Gatwick to Luton by coach cheaper than train?
It often can be, especially when booked in advance. However, compare National Express and FlixBus carefully, remembering that FlixBus passengers normally need to pay separately for the Luton DART transfer.
Is this the same route from Luton to Gatwick?
Broadly yes. Coaches in the opposite direction normally follow the same airport corridor via Heathrow, although stopping order and journey times may vary.