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Trip Summary
There are 31 daily trains from Manchester to Luton. Traveling by train from Manchester to Luton usually takes around 4 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest Virgin Trains + Connections train can make the trip in 2 hours and 59 minutes.
| Distance | 135 mi (216 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 59m |
| Lowest price | €25.13 |
| Most frequent service | TransPennine Express + Connections |
| Train lines | 6 |
Train service from Manchester to Luton
- CrossCountry + Connections tickets: €56 one-way
- East Midlands Trains tickets: €30 one-way
- East Midlands Trains + Connections tickets: €39 one-way
- Northern Rail + Connections tickets: €25 one-way
- TransPennine Express + Connections tickets: €30 one-way
- Virgin Trains + Connections tickets: €91 one-way
Which train should you take from Manchester to Luton?
There are 6 train lines with service from Manchester to Luton. TransPennine Express + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 17 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossCountry + Connections | 3 | 3h 49m | €89.65 |
| East Midlands Trains | 2 | 5h 21m | €47.61 |
| East Midlands Trains + Connections | 2 | 7h 35m | €65.47 |
| Northern Rail + Connections | 5 | 4h 26m | €78.36 |
| TransPennine Express + Connections | 17 | 4h 24m | €105.27 |
| Virgin Trains + Connections | 3 | 3h 15m | €125.24 |
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Luton start from €56, and on average cost . Daily there are 3 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Luton. CrossCountry + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Luton trains arrive at Luton Airport Parkway and one other train station.
From Manchester to Luton train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 3 hours and 49 minutes. If you are looking to get to Luton faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 59 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, CrossCountry + Connections offers 4 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Luton.
East Midlands Trains train tickets from Manchester to Luton start from €30, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 East Midlands Trains schedules to Luton. East Midlands Trains in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Luton trains arrive at Luton Airport Parkway and one other train station.
From Manchester to Luton train travel on East Midlands Trains takes 5 hours and 21 minutes. If you are looking to get to Luton faster, East Midlands Trains offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 59 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, East Midlands Trains offers 2 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Luton.
East Midlands Trains + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Luton start from €39, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 East Midlands Trains + Connections schedules to Luton. East Midlands Trains + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Luton trains arrive at Train Station and one other train station.
From Manchester to Luton train travel on East Midlands Trains + Connections takes 7 hours and 35 minutes. If you are looking to get to Luton faster, East Midlands Trains + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 59 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, East Midlands Trains + Connections offers 2 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Luton.
Northern Rail + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Luton start from €25, and on average cost . Daily there are 5 Northern Rail + Connections schedules to Luton. Northern Rail + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport and one other station. And in Luton trains arrive at Train Station and one other train station.
From Manchester to Luton train travel on Northern Rail + Connections takes 4 hours and 26 minutes. If you are looking to get to Luton faster, Northern Rail + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 59 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Northern Rail + Connections offers 7 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Luton.
TransPennine Express + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Luton start from €30, and on average cost . Daily there are 17 TransPennine Express + Connections schedules to Luton. TransPennine Express + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport and one other station. And in Luton trains arrive at Luton Airport Parkway and 2 other train stations.
From Manchester to Luton train travel on TransPennine Express + Connections takes 4 hours and 24 minutes. If you are looking to get to Luton faster, TransPennine Express + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 59 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, TransPennine Express + Connections offers 17 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Luton.
Virgin Trains + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Luton start from €92, and on average cost . Daily there are 3 Virgin Trains + Connections schedules to Luton. Virgin Trains + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Luton trains arrive at Train Station and 2 other train stations.
From Manchester to Luton train travel on Virgin Trains + Connections takes 3 hours and 15 minutes. If you are looking to get to Luton faster, Virgin Trains + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 59 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Virgin Trains + Connections offers 3 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Luton.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains departing from Manchester to Luton tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Manchester at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 31 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Luton to Manchester.
City Information
Manchester
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Most recognizable for its world-famous football team, Manchester is a modern, vibrant city with a diverse range of attractions that will appeal to explorers of all kinds. Often referred to as "The Capital of the North," Manchester is also known for being the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Visitors can relive this booming era by taking a trip to the Science and Industry Museum to see how this previously small town changed the world's ideas of industry and manufacturing forever. These days, Manchester is famous for its music and art scene, with it being the birthplace of bands like The Smiths and Oasis.
Art and music-lovers may want to visit Afflecks, a vast and eclectic emporium of all things indie and grunge, to purchase records, artwork, and memorabilia, among many other things. Manchester is also home to 15 parks and gardens, with Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens among the most popular. This park provides a beautiful setting for picnics and scenic walks, perfect for when you need an escape from the bustling city.
And if you really are only here for Man U, both Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium are stops on our itinerary to visit every premier league stadium in England.
With three large train stations—Piccadilly, Oxford Road, and Victoria—Manchester is easily accessible via rail. National Express and Megabus coaches also allow access from all over the country. In addition, Manchester Airport houses three large terminals, which provide global entry to the city.
Luton
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Situated on the River Lea, Luton is a vibrant town only 29 miles northwest of London. The city's local history is celebrated and displayed at the Stockwood Discovery Centre. This free attraction offers gardens, a cafe, and a museum, together creating a great place to spend the day exploring.
To add some retail therapy to your vacation, visit The Mall to browse over 100 shops, including both high street retailers and independent shops. The Mall also houses many restaurants and cafes, making it a relaxing place to stop and take a load off with a latte—or an afternoon tea, if you'd like to really embrace local tradition.
Due to its location near London, Luton is a very accessible town. Access via rail, bus, and air is available from its international airport, where frequent services from London and other major cities arrive.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Manchester?
Image credit: North West Transport Photos
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Manchester Airport
Refurbished in 2004 and 2014, Manchester Airport Station is a combined rail, Metrolink tram, and bus station. Referred to as "The Station" on signage, it is linked to the airport terminals by the Sky Link elevated walkway. Northern, TransPennine Express, and Transport for Wales operate rail services, with destinations including central Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. National Express and Megabus also operate frequent buses to and from the airport. The Metrolink tram connects with Manchester Victoria rail station, located much closer to the center of Manchester.
All train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Airport
Manchester Piccadilly
Where is the train station in Luton?
Image credit: DSH Transport
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Luton Airport Parkway
Luton Airport Parkway Railway Station is a stop on Thameslink and East Midland Railway train connections between London and Luton Airport. The railway station is about halfway between the airport and Luton's town center, and a shuttle bus operates frequent trips from the railway station to the airport, a mile away. Inside the station, travelers will find an ATM, waiting areas, restrooms, and a café. The adjacent Luton Retail Park includes additional quick bites from Starbucks and McDonald's.
Train stations in Luton:
Luton Airport Parkway
Luton Railway Station
Leagrave
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Need a return trip from Luton to Manchester?
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