Getting to Luton Airport from Kensington
 

I have gotten several mixed messages on the difficulty of getting to Luton airport near London from the south Kensington area.
One person says it is easy; another says Heathrow is easier and that Luton is difficult.

I looked at the Thameslink route map and it seemed straightforward to me. I would not be concerned, except the difficulty statement came from a native Londoner who travels frequently. Hence she is a creditable source.

If you have made the trip from South Kensington to Luton airport , I would appreciate the details. How did you do it?
And how easy/tough is it?

From Luton to King's Cross station takes about 45 minutes, where you transfer to the underground, cab, bus, or whatever you need to get to your hotel.

You could also take the train to Blackfriars station, just make sure your train stops there, as I'm not sure if they all do, and then transfer to Circle/District line which will take you right to South Kensigton tube station.

I am wanting to get TO Luton from Suoth Kensington, not the other way 'round.
Getting to the city is not much help when I am already there.

Sorry, :-)

Anyway, look here for info and infromation:

http://www.london-luton.co.uk/

I meant info and train schedules

Take Circle or District Line (less hassle/less walking down long corridors than going to Kings Cross IMHO) to Blackfriars and walk up a few flights of stairs to Thameslink Platform (look for National Rail sign) northbound to Luton Airport Parkway where you catch the free shuttle direct to the Airport. If you time it well it should take less than 1.5 hrs. It's a breeze, unless you're loaded down with luggage or traveling at night M-W or on the weekend. (work is being done at night and portions of the route through London are shut)

http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/use...T2?language=en

http://www.thameslink.co.uk/

How does it compare with getting out to Heathrow?

Heathrow is a quick, straight shot, whereas Luton involves a transfer of 2. Assuming that you are staying near Paddington station, the Heathroe express runs every 15 minutes and the journey takes 15 minutes. For Luton, if you are staying near Backfriars or King's Cross stations, the trains run every 30 minutes and take about 45 minutes, where you have to transfer to a free Luton Airport shuttle bus, which takes another few minutes. So for convinience of public transportation Heathrow is the winner, but once you are at the airports Luton wins, as it is a much smaller, very nice airport, where your walking is limited unlike Heathrow where you may be walking for miles.....
If you are flying over the pond Luton is not a choice, although Gatwick and maybe Standsted are to Heathrow.

The Greenline is another option. Bus: Travelling by bus from London Luton could not be easier. The coach pick up and set down points are situated in front of the terminal building. The Greenline 757 stops at Brent Cross, Finchley Road Station, Baker Street, Marble Arch and Victoria. It is a very easy way to go. As the other poster said...Luton is so easy to use compared to Heathrow.

When you say a few flights of stairs at Blackfriars, just how many are we talking about? I will have a large rolling suitcase and I am no longer a kid who can heft 100 lbs with impunity.

Is there perchance an elevator handy?

Actually, the "Fast" Thameslink trains are also about every 15 min during the day M-S.

Sorry I don't remember the exact number of stairs, but I think it's one escalator and maybe 3 short flights? No I don't remember an elevator and Blackfriar's isn't listed as one of the handicap accessible stations. Luton Airport Parkway does have elevators and the shuttle buses are directly in front of the main doors.

And I think for the amount of money you can save by flying out of Luton it IS worth it. But you should check first.

I checked Easy Jet to Switzerland.
It is cheaper and the departure times are good for me as well.
I don't think the changes will bother me.
The Greenline 757 bus sounds interesting, too. My fear there is a pileup on the highway. Of course the train could also wreck.
Around Atlanta, a pileup on I 285 is almost an hourly occurrence.
(That northern arc is particularly vicious!)

Thanks to all of you who posted.
I think my plans are fairly complete.
I just need to get a couple more guide books and plan more than I can do!!


I rode the subway to the Lufthansa bus stop in Munich and this sounds like a similar deal, except London is a couple of sizes larger.

I am afraid that on the trip Kensington, Circle line, Blackfriars, Thameslink, Luton you walk at Blackfriars up two short flights, then up one long flight to platform level. In the reverse direction that long transfer is by moving stairs, but not in your direction. So you may prefer to take the Circle Line from Kensington via Kings Cross to Farringdon, then the stairs up, the footbridge over, and the stairs down to the Thameslink platform. At Luton station there is a lift to street level.

Heathrow is easier. Kensington High Street, Circle Line, South Kensington, cross the platform to District Line, Hammersmith, cross the platform to Piccadilly Line, Heathrow.

The route via Paddington is useful in neither case.

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