Luton to Derby bus with National Express

Sat 05 Sept
+ Add return
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
Avanza
2,000+ travel companies
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
Avanza
2,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest coaches from Luton to Derby

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 05 Sept

Cheapest price on 05 Sept

£21

Average ticket price on 05 Sept

£27

Fastest journey on 05 Sept

3 h 15 m

Average journey duration on 05 Sept

3 h 23 m

Buses on 05 Sept

26

Distance

136 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Luton to Derby is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Luton to Derby will cost around £27 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £21.

Fast coaches

On Sat 05 Sept, we found 26 buses from Luton to Derby, including 18 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 136 km distance in an average of 3 h 23 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 15 m .

The slowest buses will take 3 h 25 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • National ExpressNX230
    18:303h35
    Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
    22:05Derby, Bus Station
    £211One-way
    0 changes
  • National ExpressNX230
    1:353h50
    Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
    5:25Derby, Bus Station
    £211One-way
    0 changes
  • National ExpressNX230
    16:003h45
    Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
    19:45Derby, Bus Station
    £221One-way
    0 changes
  • National ExpressNX230
    22:353h35
    Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
    2:10Derby, Bus Station
    £221One-way
    0 changes
  • National ExpressNX230
    14:403h50
    Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
    18:30Derby, Bus Station
    £221One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Luton to Derby

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Luton to Derby among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £17 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 1m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £17, while a train costs an average of £32.

Distance: 136 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Driving

£17

Average Price

Cheapest

£32

Average Price

£26

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 24m

Average total duration

3h 54m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 1m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 31m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 47m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

National Express

Most popular bus company

East Midlands Railway

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Luton to Derby is a coach with an average price of £17.

This is compared to other travel options from Luton to Derby:

A coach is £15 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Luton to Derby costing on average £32.

The fastest way to travel from Luton to Derby is by train with an average journey time of 1h 31m.

Other travel options to Derby take longer:

Coach takes on average 3h 54m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Luton and Derby including taking a train and coach.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £17 compared to roughly £26 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £9. The journey takes 3h 54m versus 1h 47m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Direct services are operated by National Express.

Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.

Live departures

Luton to Derby bus times

The table below shows live departures for Luton to Derby coaches for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus14:20 Luton
6h50
21:10 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX23014:50 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
4h00
18:50 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX23015:00 Luton, Station Interchange
3h50
18:50 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus16:20 Luton
6h35
22:55 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX23016:25 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
3h45
20:10 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX23016:35 Luton, Station Interchange
3h35
20:10 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX240 · NX44017:50 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
4h30
22:20 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX240 · NX44018:00 Luton, Station Interchange
4h20
22:20 Derby, Bus Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus18:05 Luton
5h35
23:40 Derby, Bus Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus18:30 Luton
6h10
0:40 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX23018:55 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
3h35
22:30 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX23019:05 Luton, Station Interchange
3h25
22:30 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX23020:05 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
3h35
23:40 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX23020:15 Luton, Station Interchange
3h25
23:40 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus20:45 Luton
5h55
2:40 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX23021:00 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
3h35
0:35 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX23021:10 Luton, Station Interchange
3h25
0:35 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus21:15 Luton
5h40
2:55 Derby, Bus Station1 change
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus22:25 Luton
5h05
3:30 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX23022:35 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
3h35
2:10 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX23022:45 Luton, Station Interchange
3h25
2:10 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX23023:55 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
3h25
3:20 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX737 · NX23023:59 Luton, Station Interchange
5h26
5:25 Derby, Bus Station1 change
Saturday 5 September
National ExpressNX2300:05 Luton, Station Interchange
3h15
3:20 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX2301:35 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
3h50
5:25 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX2301:45 Luton, Station Interchange
3h40
5:25 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX440 · NX1962:55 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
4h20
7:15 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX230 · NX4408:15 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
4h20
12:35 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX230 · NX4408:25 Luton, Station Interchange
4h10
12:35 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX240 · NX44010:25 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
4h05
14:30 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX240 · NX44010:35 Luton, Station Interchange
3h55
14:30 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX230 · NX44011:45 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
4h40
16:25 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX230 · NX44011:55 Luton, Station Interchange
4h30
16:25 Derby, Bus Station1 change
National ExpressNX23013:25 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station
3h55
17:20 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX23013:35 Luton, Station Interchange
3h45
17:20 Derby, Bus Station0 changesdirect

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Luton to Derby by train or coach

Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Sat
05 Sept
Sun
06 Sept
Mon
07 Sept
Tue
08 Sept
Wed
09 Sept
Thu
10 Sept
Fri
11 Sept

Why should you book Luton to Derby coaches with Omio?

National Express as well as FlixBus offer coaches services from Luton to Derby.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Luton to Derby.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Luton to Derby.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Luton to Derby.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Luton to Derby.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Luton to Derby.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Luton to Derby

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Luton to Derby run on average 31 times per day, taking around 3h 54m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £12 if you book in advance.

There are 17 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 136 km distance in 3h 25m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
136 km
Average bus duration
3h 54m
Cheapest ticket price
£12
Buses per day
31
Direct buses
17
Fastest bus
3h 25m
First bus
0:05
Last bus
23:55
Cheapest Month
May
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Tue
Least Busy Day
Sun
Best time to book
1 day
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express, FlixBus from Luton to DerbyYou can travel by bus between Luton to Derby with National Express, FlixBus for as low as £12. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
5h 0m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£12
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
3h 25m
Cheapest National Express Price
£19
National Express frequency
16 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

Complete guide to Derby

Things to do in Derby

Discover the best of Derby — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Derby trip today.

  • Must visit

Museum of Making

Interactive museum in a restored mill exploring making, industry and design through hands-on galleries and working displays.

  • Must visit

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

City museum and art gallery with collections on local history, archaeology, natural history and paintings by Joseph Wright.

  • Recommended

QUAD

Independent contemporary art gallery in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, showing changing exhibitions by regional and national artists.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly manageable for visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for fine dining.
Coffee
£2.80-4 for a coffee.

Tipping culture

Service is often included. If not, 10-12.5% in restaurants is usual for good service. Round up or add £1-2 for taxis. Cafe tipping is optional.

FAQs: Luton to Derby coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton to Derby by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Derby, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Luton to Derby can start from as little as £12 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Luton to Derby is £17; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Luton to Derby is 3h 25m to travel the 136 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Luton to Derby leaves at 0:05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Luton to Derby leaves at 23:55.
Yes, there are 17 direct coaches a day from Luton to Derby with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Luton to Derby, you can count on National Express, FlixBus for the best way to get you to Derby. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Luton and Derby and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Derby from Luton is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 3h 25m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Luton to Derby is May.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Luton and Derby including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Luton to Derby:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Luton to Derby for coach company National Express, FlixBus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Luton to Derby depends on the coach companies:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
  • FlixBus
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express, FlixBus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Luton to Derby.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Luton to Derby:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Luton to Derby:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Luton to Derby. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Luton to Derby with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Luton to Derby with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Luton to Derby with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Luton and Derby

Most Luton to Derby buses use the Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station to Derby, Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Luton and Derby bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Luton
Arrival bus stations in Derby

Which Luton station do buses to Derby leave from?

Buses from Luton to Derby leave from Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station. The station is 3 km from Luton city centre at Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton LU2 9LU, UK.
Luton, Station InterchangeLuton Station Interchange, Luton LU1 2WG, UKWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Luton, Station Interchange from Luton city centre

Bus17 · 7m · £2 · every ~2 min

Luton, Station Interchange bus station facilities and services

Luton, Station Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Cafes and fast food options nearby.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

WiFi is available at nearby facilities. ATMs are aTM available within short walking distance.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Luton, Station Interchange.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Luton, Station Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Luton, Station Interchange: Ramps and accessible routes available for wheelchairs.

Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney)Dunstable Rd, Luton, UKWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) from Luton city centre

Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) is 3 km from Luton city centre. Public transport options include:

BusZ · 11m · £2 · every ~15 min
A · 1h 5m · £2 · every ~13 min

Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) bus station facilities and services

Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney). ATMs are available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney).

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney).

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney): Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney): Limited accessibility.

More options for your journey from Luton to Derby

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone