Quick answer: the cheapest way to get to Luton Airport is usually by train to Luton Airport Parkway and then the Luton DART shuttle to the terminal, or by coach, if you are one person travelling light and can book ahead. From Camberley, both mean crossing London with at least two changes. A free lift is cheapest of all if the driver uses the Long Stay car park, free for up to 2 hours, rather than the paid drop-off zone. For families, groups or early flights, a pre-booked taxi is often the better value, with one fixed fare for everyone.
London Luton Airport sits north of London, on the far side of the M25 from Camberley, so the cheapest route on paper is not always the cheapest once you count changes, time and luggage. This guide compares the train and DART, coaches, a lift, driving and parking, and a taxi, with the drop-off rules that catch people out. For fixed-fare transfers from Surrey, see our airport transfers to Luton.
Ways to get to Luton Airport compared
| Option | Changes from Camberley | Price known in advance? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train and Luton DART | Two or more, via London | Yes, cheapest when booked ahead | One person, light luggage, daytime flights |
| Coach | Usually at least one | Yes | Budget travellers with time to spare |
| Lift with free Long Stay drop-off | None, plus a short shuttle bus | Free for you, fuel for the driver | If someone is happy to drive |
| Drive and park | None, plus a shuttle or walk | Yes, if you pre-book parking | Short trips |
| Pre-booked taxi | None, door to door | Yes, fixed when you book | Families, groups, early flights, heavy luggage |
By train: Luton Airport Parkway and the DART
Luton Airport Parkway is the airport’s railway station, with trains from London. From the station, the Luton DART shuttle takes you to the terminal in a few minutes, so there is no bus to wait for at the end.
- Buy your ticket to “Luton Airport”. A rail ticket to Luton Airport includes the DART. A ticket only to Luton Airport Parkway means paying for the DART separately.
- From Camberley, it is a long trip. You need a train towards London, a change across London to a train for Luton Airport Parkway, then the DART. Allow plenty of time for each change.
- Early flights are hard by rail. The first trains may not get you there in time for a dawn departure.
By coach
Coaches run to Luton Airport from central London and other hubs, and stop close to the terminal, so there is no shuttle at the end. Fares are often lowest when booked ahead. From Camberley, you would first need to reach a coach stop on the route, which usually means a bus or train before you start, and road traffic on the M25 and M1 can slow the journey.
A lift: use the free drop-off, not the express zone
If someone is driving you, where they stop makes a real difference to the cost.
- Long Stay car park: free for up to 2 hours. A free shuttle bus takes you to the terminal in around 10 minutes. This is the cheapest way to be dropped off or collected.
- Drop off and pick up zone: paid. Close to the terminal, with a charge for the first few minutes and £1 for each minute after that, and a maximum stay of 30 minutes. There are no barriers or pay machines: the zone uses number plate cameras, and the charge is paid online by midnight the following day.
- Do not overstay. Staying more than 30 minutes in the drop-off zone brings a £95 enforcement charge, reduced to £55 if paid within 14 days.
Charges change from time to time, so check London Luton’s dropping off page before you travel. Remember the driver still faces a round trip of roughly 100 miles from Camberley.
Driving and parking at Luton Airport
Driving yourself can be cheap for a short trip, especially if you pre-book parking, which is usually cheaper than paying on the day. The cost grows with every day you are away, and the cheapest car parks are furthest from the terminal. For a week or more, compare the parking quote for your dates with two taxi fares. Our guide to airport parking vs taxi shows how to work it out.
By taxi from Camberley and Surrey
A pre-booked taxi goes round the M25 and up the M1 to Luton’s single terminal, door to door, with no changes and no parking. It is rarely the cheapest option for one person, but it often compares well for:
- Families and groups, where one fixed fare covers everyone. Our 8 and 12-seater minibuses keep larger groups together.
- Early flights, when trains and coaches cannot get you there in time.
- Heavy luggage, which is hard work across London on the train.
- Coming home, when we track your flight and your pickup time moves with your actual landing time.
The run from Camberley is roughly 50 miles and usually takes more than an hour, longer when the M25 is busy, so allow a good margin. Our Luton Airport taxi booking tips cover what to have ready, and our family airport taxi guide helps you choose the right vehicle.
Which option is cheapest for you?
| Your trip | Usually the best value |
|---|---|
| Travelling alone, light luggage, daytime flight | Train and DART, or coach, booked ahead |
| Someone can drive you | A lift using the free Long Stay drop-off |
| A night or two away | Drive and park, with parking pre-booked |
| Family or group | Pre-booked taxi or minibus, one fare for everyone |
| Early morning flight | Pre-booked taxi, booked at least 24 hours ahead |
For more on London Luton Airport, including terminal facilities and parking, see the airport’s own website.
Cheapest way to get to Luton Airport: FAQs
What is the cheapest way to get to Luton Airport?
For one person travelling light, usually the train to Luton Airport Parkway with the DART, or a coach, booked ahead. A lift is cheapest if the driver uses the free Long Stay drop-off.
How do I get from Luton Airport Parkway to the terminal?
Take the Luton DART shuttle, which links the station with the terminal in a few minutes.
Is the DART included in my train ticket?
It is if you buy a ticket to Luton Airport. A ticket only to Luton Airport Parkway means paying for the DART separately.
How does the Luton Airport drop off charge work?
The drop off and pick up zone charges a fee for the first few minutes and £1 for each minute after that, with a maximum stay of 30 minutes. Pay online by midnight the following day.
Is there free drop off at Luton Airport?
Yes. The Long Stay car park is free for up to 2 hours, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal in around 10 minutes.
What happens if I stay over 30 minutes in the drop off zone?
You receive a £95 enforcement charge, reduced to £55 if paid within 14 days.
How long does it take to get from Camberley to Luton Airport?
By road it is roughly 50 miles via the M25 and M1 and usually takes more than an hour, longer at busy times. By public transport it takes much longer, with changes in London.
How much is a taxi from Camberley to Luton Airport?
It depends on your pickup address, the vehicle and the time of travel. With Camberley Cars the fare is fixed and agreed when you book.
Book your taxi to Luton Airport
Fixed-fare transfers from Camberley and Surrey Heath to Luton Airport, door to door, with flight tracking on your return, 24 hours a day.
Prefer to talk? Call 01276 66888.
