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Old 05-17-2005, 06:32 PM
stchrisrep stchrisrep is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 299
Traveling to Luton

Since the new website removed a lot of the essential stuff about traveling, here are the old recommendations.


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When you arrive in England, you can either travel to Luton by train or bus. Students should not take a taxi from the airport (except for the Luton airport) because it is very expensive (~£100). Students should also avoid using the Underground because it is not designed for people traveling with a large number of baggage. The Underground has a number of escalators and stairways making it difficult to navigate through the tunnels.


Traveling by Bus (Coach)

This is the best option for students with a lot of luggage and a low budget.


National Express Coaches

http://www.nationalexpress.com/



If you are arriving at Heathrow Airport, Terminals 1, 2 or 3, you can take a coach directly from Luton. Coaches depart from the Central Bus Station at Heathrow Airport. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes.

If you are arriving at Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4, you can take coach directly to Luton. The journey takes approximately 100 minutes.

If you are arriving at Gatwick Airport, you can take a coach directly to Luton. The coach will pick up from both the North Terminal and the South Terminal. The journey takes approximately 2 hours.

If you are arriving at Stansted Airport, you can take a coach directly to Luton. This journey takes approximately 2 hours.


Traveling by Train

This option is ideal for the light traveler but it can be expensive for some students. It is recommended that you travel with no more than 2 pieces of luggage when using this option because the train has limited storage space.


Trains direct to Luton.

Thameslink

http://www.thameslink.co.uk/

Via Luton or Gatwick Airport




Midland Mainline

http://www.midlandmainline.com/

Via King's Cross Train Station



Individuals flying into Gatwick airport can take the Thameslink directly to Luton.

Please visit the link above to see a map of the train routes.

Note, the Luton train station does not have elevators (lifts) and this can cause problems for the traveler. If you want to avoid problems, take the train to Luton Airport Parkaway (the train station before Luton) and take a taxi to the University of Luton. Luton Airport Parkway's train station is nice and modern. It has all the comforts to make it easy on the traveler.



Trains from Heathrow to Paddington.

Heathrow Express

http://www.heathrowexpress.co.uk/


When you arrive in Paddington, proceed to the taxi rank and take a taxi to either St. Pancras or King's Cross Thameslink train station.

1. You can take the fast speed train to Luton from St. Pancras train station. St. Pancras train station is located on the left-hand side of King's Cross train station. The Midland Mainline trains are nice and worth the ride. Their facilities are also designed to make it easy on the heavy traveler.

For more information, please visit their website at:

http://www.midlandmainline.com/


2. Students can also take the slower train to Luton from the King's Cross Thameslink station. Unfortunately, the station is not travel friendly but ideal for the urban commuter. It is cheaper than the Midlane Mainline trains. Make sure you you tell the taxi driver to take you to the Thameslink station at King's Cross not the King's Cross train station. King's Cross train station is a separate station nearby.

You can also take the Underground from Paddington to King's Cross train station but it is difficult to navigate through the Underground with luggage.



Other trains:

These trains do not go to Luton!

WAGN

http://www.wagn.co.uk/

Trains to Cambridge and Stansted Airport


Stansted Express

http://www.stanstedexpress.co.uk/

Trains from Stansted Airport to Liverpool Street (London)


Gatwick Express

http://www.gatwickexpress.co.uk/

Fast train between Gatwick airport and Victoria Station (London).


Taxis

Black Cabs or Hackney Cabs:

Hackney Cabs are licensed and they can be hailed down from any street. Unfortunately, they are limited in number and usually found around taxi ranks. Hackney cabs have a little yellow light attached to their hood. If the light is on, it means the cab is unavailable. Hackney cab drivers are usually more knowledgeable about their surroundings because they undergo rigorous testing before they receive their license.

Within the area code (01582):

59 55 55 or 599 499


Private Hires:

Private hires are not licensed individually and are licensed by their company. These cars can be found in a lot of places but can not be hailed down. In order to get a private hire, one needs to either call the company's office directly or find a private hire parked at a taxi rank. Private hires are readily available 24 hours a day but are not regulated strictly by the local government.

Within the area code (01582):

666 666
400 400
70 70 70
73 73 73
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