I am flying from New York, making a three and a half hour stopover in London. I'm landing in Heathrow while taking off from Luton. Is three and a half hours enough for this transfer?
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Why the downvotes, people?– JoErNanO ♦Commented Nov 15, 2015 at 17:48
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3Please use correct grammar and punctuation when posting on Travel SE.– JoErNanO ♦Commented Nov 15, 2015 at 17:49
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Some clarification questions which may affect things a little: where is the second flight to (I assume within Europe?)? Are you flying on one ticket or two? What is the frequency of flights to that destination from LTN, or more importantly if you had to rebook, when is the next flight? What would be the cost of an additional flight from LTN to that destination if you had to rebook?– Jon StoryCommented Nov 16, 2015 at 10:19
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@martin smith suggests renting a car. Is there any chance you've booked through BA? They have discounted rental cars for their customers that you can pick up in Heathrow and most likely drop off in Luton.– BelleCommented Nov 16, 2015 at 10:50
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4 Answers
On two tickets - no way. If you suffer any delays at all, you'll miss the checkin deadline for the onward flight, and you'll have to buy a brand new ticket. It's just too tight
On one ticket, if you miss the second flight you'll be rebooked for free, so it just depends on how long you'd have to wait for the next flight and how much of an issue it'll be for you
When you land, you need to go through immigration, collect your bags (bags can't be through-checked between airports), clear immigration, then get to the bus or train or tube.
In terms of how to get from one to the other, you have four options:
- National Express bus - coaches every 30-60 minutes, journey time of about an hour
- Tube (Piccadilly line) to Kings Cross St Pancras, train to Luton Airport Parkway, then bus up the hill to the airport - 1 hour for tube then 30-60 minutes for train+bus
- Train (Heathrow Express) to Paddington, tube to Kings Cross St Pancras, train to Luton Airport Parkway, then bus up the hill to the airport - 40 minutes to Kings Cross, then 30-60 mins for train+bus
- Pre-booked minicab - 40-45 minutes drive assuming no bad traffic
Given that, I'd suggest the bus, though the minicab option is there if you don't mind paying a lot more
If you're an EU passport holder, you can probably get from the plane to the airport exit in 30-40 minutes. Then you need to get to the Central Bus Station in the middle of Terminals T2 and T3, that's a 5-10 minute walk from T2 and T3, or about 15 minutes from T4 or T5 via tube/train transfer. Next, you need to wait for the bus. Then about an hour on the bus to Luton, then checkin again there.
Don't take a black cab, the price will be crazy. You could pre-book a minicab or similar, but it'll cost many times more than the bus, and won't save that much time. If traffic on the M25/M1 is bad, you'd miss the onward flight either way, and if not the bus should get you there. If you're worried about a 10-15 minute difference, then you shouldn't be booking tickets at just above the MCT, and need to pick a safer itinerary!
Either way, that journey is most of your transit time there, so any noticable delay (flight, immigration, traffic) and you'll miss the checkin deadline for the onward flight. On two tickets you're screwed at this point, on one ticket you'll have to get re-booked and wait for the next available flight
answered Nov 15, 2015 at 17:29
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7It's worse than that. The National Express bus is only every 30-60 minutes so, on average, you'll have to spend 15-30 minutes sitting around waiting for that to leave. Commented Nov 15, 2015 at 18:38
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6Or private hire car would probably be about £50 from a quick Google and should be quicker journey time with no need to wait for a scheduled departure time. Commented Nov 15, 2015 at 20:11
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4@MartinSmith This might actually be a good suggestion. According to Google Maps, Heathrow to Luton takes about 36 minutes by car via the M25 and M1. I was sceptical at first given that London has a reputation for heavy traffic, but depending on when they arrive, it might be an option.– NzallCommented Nov 15, 2015 at 20:32
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4I would definitely take a car and I think you are pessimistic. The official minimum connect time between LHR and LTN is 3 hours 25 minutes. Most of the time the traveller will make the connection. It depends whether she is willing to take the risk. London traffic tends to be bad on London, but Heathrow barely qualifies and Luton is 20 miles from London.– CalchasCommented Nov 16, 2015 at 9:19
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3@Calchas "Heathrow barely qualifies" - I take it you don't travel on that section of the M25 often, then? Between 7-10am and 4-7pm it's typically fairly horrendous. Outside of these times it's usually fine. I'd very definitely echo the
On two tickets yes, one ticket noadvice: London transportation is far too unpredictable to risk it on one ticket Commented Nov 16, 2015 at 10:15
This is not a job for public transport. All transport options involve going into the city and back out again. Both airports are outside the M25 on the same side!
Arrange for a taxi, it will cost around £50. You can pre-book one online to have it there waiting for you.
It can be done. You will be at the mercy of the traffic. As someone who has lived in London my entire life, I would not book these tickets. The money saved by booking a cheaper flight from Luton is unlikely to outweigh the additional stress it will cause.
*edit*
It has been pointed out that National Express coach does go directly around the M25, which would make it the only viable public transport option. The price is £22.50 (correct Dec 2015). An independent travellers guide has a dedicated page to this coach journey, and provides this statement:
"The absolute minimum time with no contingency between flights that you should contemplate making a transfer between Heathrow and Luton is 4.5 hours."
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7Actually I think the National Express coach does goes direct via the motorways without going near central London - but still, even the motorways around London are notorious for often getting snarled up. But I agree 100% with the "additional stress" comment Commented Nov 16, 2015 at 8:53
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@user568458 oops you are right, I will have to work out how to adjust my answer.– Mark ChCommented Nov 16, 2015 at 9:07
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3£50 seems very low for a black cab. The OP might want info on what taxi to book (presumably Addison Lee or similar?) to get this kind of price.– user13882Commented Nov 16, 2015 at 12:34
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2OP will need to provide details of date, time, terminal, before I can accurately google an actual taxi quote on their behalf.– Mark ChCommented Nov 16, 2015 at 17:15
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1Googling "heathrow to luton taxi" one of the sponsored ads I see says "from £49" but maybe that is only at quite rare times. Commented Nov 16, 2015 at 22:01
The official minimum connect time between Heathrow and Luton airports is 3 hours 25 minutes. This is the shortest time the airlines will allow if you book connecting flights on one ticket.
It suggests your timing is tight but usually doable.
Personally I think if this went smoothly, if you have an electronic EU passport, no bags and a reliable taxi firm waiting, you could be airside again at Luton in less than 90 minutes. But things do go wrong with air travel and that two hour contingency can disappear fast.
I suspect you are connecting across separate tickets because Luton is a low cost airport. Therefore you are taking the risk of being stuck there or having to buy a replacement ticket. If you are happy with that, book the tickets. If not, find another route.
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2"that two hour contingency can disappear fast" -- in two hours, to be precise ;-) Commented Nov 16, 2015 at 19:29
A lot of pessimists here. You'll make it 95% of the time using a cab. It just depends on how serious the 5% consequences are.
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Consider that a flight from New York is more prone to delay than continental flights, though. And how bad actually missing the next flight is.– BelleCommented Nov 16, 2015 at 16:19