Luton DART
The Luton Direct Air-Rail Transit (DART) is a 2.1 km automated cable-pulled people mover linking Luton Airport Parkway National Rail station with London Luton Airport terminal. Opened March 2023, it replaced the unreliable shuttle bus and made the airport a predictable 32-minute journey from St Pancras.
From central London
FAQs
What is the Luton DART?
The Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) is a 2.1 km automated cable-driven people mover connecting Luton Airport Parkway railway station with London Luton Airport terminal. It opened in March 2023, replacing the old shuttle bus.
How long does Luton DART take?
About 4 minutes terminal-to-station, running every 4 minutes at peak (every 8 minutes off-peak). Combined St Pancras → terminal time is ~32 minutes via Thameslink + DART.
Is Luton DART included in a train ticket?
It is a separate fare (£4.90 single in 2026) but can be bought as a through-ticket with Thameslink/East Midlands Railway from any National Rail station, with discounts for advance bookings.
What was used before the Luton DART?
A shuttle bus between Luton Airport Parkway and the terminal — slow, traffic-dependent, and the longest leg of the journey for many passengers. The DART made the trip predictable.
Is the DART a train or a cable car?
Technically a cable-pulled automated people mover (APM) — rubber tyres on a fixed guideway, pulled by a continuous cable. No driver, no overhead lines.