Illustrative comparison based on typical fares and public transport costs. Ticket prices vary by airline, season and booking date.
Heathrow's Elizabeth Line runs straight from the terminal into central London, while Luton needs the DART rail link plus a Thameslink train.
Heathrow serves full-service airlines whose fares usually include a checked bag; Luton's budget carriers add about £40.
Heathrow trains run every 10–15 minutes, so a missed connection costs minutes rather than half an hour.
Heathrow has the wider terminal facilities and airline choice — useful when plans change.
Heathrow's airport transfer is about 5 minutes faster, even though the two total journeys come out level once check-in and the flight are counted.
Wizz Air and easyJet fares from Luton can be £60–80 cheaper than full-service fares from Heathrow.
With hand luggage only, Luton's total drops to roughly £60 — about £75 below Heathrow in this comparison.
Luton is better for north London, Milton Keynes, Bedford and the Home Counties.
Luton's DART rail link takes about 5 minutes, so the change is less painful than its reputation suggests.
DART plus Thameslink reaches St Pancras in about 40 minutes — only about 5 minutes slower than the Elizabeth Line.
Illustrative breakdown. Actual costs depend on your specific flight, baggage and chosen transfer option.
Better facilities, more reliable connections, wider airline choice.
One direct train — no DART rail link and Thameslink change with tired children and luggage.
Wizz Air and easyJet fares can be very low — the total is about £35 cheaper even after the DART rail link.
The airport transfer is about 5 minutes faster and the trains run more often.
Luton is geographically closer to north London, Luton, Bedford and Milton Keynes.
The transfer difference is only about 5 minutes. Choose by total cost.
Add baggage fees, transfer cost and schedule waiting. A £50 saving on the ticket can disappear after one checked bag.
Luton is 45km from central London. Heathrow is 24km. The transfer cost and time differ significantly.
Budget airlines charge around £40 for a checked bag. Full-service airlines often include it.
Heathrow is better for west London. Luton is better for north London.
Heathrow edges it for most travellers because of faster connections and far wider route choice — but Luton is around £35 cheaper door-to-door in this comparison and the total journey time is effectively the same. If you are flying Wizz Air or easyJet from Luton, the saving usually outweighs the difference.
The Elizabeth Line reaches central London in about 35 minutes (~£15). The Piccadilly Line takes 50–60 minutes (~£6) and the Heathrow Express 15 minutes (£26). Trains run every 10–15 minutes.
The DART rail link connects the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway in about 5 minutes (£4.90), then Thameslink reaches St Pancras in about 30 minutes — roughly 40 minutes and ~£15 in total. DART is an automated people mover on rails, not a bus.
Luton typically costs around £100 door-to-door in this comparison, while Heathrow costs around £135 — about £35 less at Luton, driven mainly by the cheaper ticket.
Heathrow serves full-service and budget airlines across all alliances. Luton serves mainly Wizz Air and easyJet.
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Next factual review: April 2027
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