Travelling from London to Luton Airport, which train is better?

#thameslink #eastmidlandsrailway #tripreport
Whether you are jetting off on a quick city break or wanting to reunite with your loved ones this holiday season, Luton Airport is high on the list of airports you would depart from. But, have you ever thought about what would be the easiest and most convenient way of getting there from central London?
Well today I am going to try and answer just that. We are heading north out of London on the Thameslink Class 700 to Luton Airport Airport then head back on the East Midlands Railway Class 360 to see how both services compare.
I also talk about the changes coming in 2022 with DART which is a new shuttle service from Luton Airport Parkway to the Luton Airport terminal.
Info about my trip
Date of travel: 11th October 2021
Class of Travel: Standard Class
Rolling Stock: Class 700 (Thameslink) & Class 360 (EMR Connect)
Cost of Ticket: £33.10
Where I’m travelling from?: St Pancras International (STP)
Where I’m travelling to?: London Airport Parkway (LTN)
_____________________
Find me on Instagram (@ronwandersoff) / ronwandersoff
Twitter (@ronwandersoff) / ronwandersoff

[@david.b5814]

The EMR 360s have started to be re-liveried into the purple EMR branding. The inside is scheduled to be fully refurbished also into the EMR branding along with general new interiors :)

[@benttwiggy5940]

EMR is definitely the favourable option. A more reliable service and cheaper as often only costs £2-4 the day before you travel

[@ameerali.ouarda]

Thameslink is obviously better for it’s luggage racks, more space, larger network, more frequent service, comparable speed times, plug sockets, first class options and a newer modern train with the latest passenger information systems.

[@scrsucks1470]

emr have first class options

[@TheArkamedBat]

EMR of course.

[@somecommadore8803]

I like this video style keep it up 👍

[@oskargaish3410]

Gtg love

[@Andrewjg_89]

The EMR Connect Class 360 Desiro are very nice. The Thameslink Class 700 are also as nice.

[@MNP1976W]

The EMR Connect trains are currently restricted to 100mph south of Bedford due to limitations with the overhead power cables. These are going to be upgraded in the future.

[@ameerali.ouarda]

No. It’s limited because of it’s traction. Class 387’s we’re doing 110mph from the get go, 222’s 125mph.

[@scrsucks1470]

110mph now

[@Ron_TTE]

It’s 110 mph now. But the EMR 360s can only go 100mph

[@ysaviationtrains2313]

I would chose 360s if they had properly refurbished them.

[@RonWandersOff]

I hope that once DART opens, there would be some properly refurbed Class 360 units so I can compare

[@ysaviationtrains2313]

@@RonWandersOff Well they have started to repaint them. But I don't know about the interior. Whenever I head to Luton, I just don't get that airport express feeling.

[@gilesrdavies]

​@@ysaviationtrains2313 The 360's even after any refurbishment, are never designed to be an airport express train, they just happen to run fast to Luton Airport from St Pancras and then turn into a commuter service for Wellingborough, Kettering and Corby passengers, who have no other choice of trains to use to get to/from London. Unlike Bedford and Luton passengers who fill them up and quick to complain about the trains but have a choice of up to 8-10 trains an hour!

[@MNP1976W]

@@gilesrdavies from Luton, there isn't much difference in travel times between 360/700 but Bedford commuters see a bigger difference in travel time. You must remember that Bedford and Luton used to be served by Intercity trains and people moved to Bedford to benefit from the then 38 minute travel time into London (1 hour on Thameslink). Travelling from Luton, I usually travel in on Thameslink and home on EMR (unless its short formed). Also now, there are less trains compared to pre-pandemic - especially if you're a Harpenden commuter.

[@spark_6710]

Oh ! I love your voice !! Very easy to listen to !! And so many good details you pointed out !! I love this video ! I love Hampstead ! I'd love to visit there, I might had back in '83 !! Lol.👏👏👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶✈️🇬🇧🚈🚉💕💞

[@ameerali.ouarda]

You do know the dart costs about £5! And it replaces the free shuttle so that won’t be an option anymore. An absolutely rip off.

[@RonWandersOff]

I have been waiting for DART since I recorded this video back in 2021. It’s taken ages! Last night I was driving through Luton and I saw how quiet the Parkway buses are now. Looking forward to trying it out, the airport really needed this

[@mudchute4dlr]

its less than double the price so its not the worst especially considering how much better it is, but still overpriced compared to things like the heathrow free transfer/pods

[@mudchute4dlr]

correction: i thought the shuttle was £2.70 but the video said it was £3.80, and if it was £3.80 then the dart is only £1.10 more

[@spark_6710]

I just subbed !! YAY !! Lol 💜

[@oskargaish3410]

Eric

[@Eric-wk4cg]

So what's the cheapest fair ?

[@mudchute4dlr]

they both cost the sane

[@ale0kiss]

Hello! Could you give me a hand with night transportation to luton Airport? I need to leave from Candem at around 01:00am . What's the best and cheapest way to get to luton that late? Thx!

[@RonWandersOff]

At that time of the morning, taxi is the only option

[@jaymac3113]

where do you catch these trains? which station?

[@RonWandersOff]

Mostly St Pancras and Kings Cross

[@mudchute4dlr]

EMR departs from London St Pancras Thameslink serves several LT stations such as London St Pancras Int'l, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars, London Bridge and Elephant and Castle

[@grzegorzg447]

im just afraid there's gonna be a bedlam i ain't rassling with em people im kinda leery 😨😨