Luton to Ilford train with Thameslink

Fri 18 Sept
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London Overground
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Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Luton to Ilford

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£25

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£26

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

1 h 9 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

1 h 22 m

Trains on 18 Sept

11

Distance

49 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Luton to Ilford will cost around £26 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £25.

Fast trains

To travel from Luton to Ilford you need to make at least one change.

  • ThameslinkW45560+London OvergroundG61670+Elizabeth lineC37899
    5:081h50
    Luton station (LUT)
    6:58Ilford station (IFD)
    £251One-way
    2 changes
  • ThameslinkW45532+London OvergroundG58756+Elizabeth lineC37972
    6:131h39
    Luton station (LUT)
    7:52Ilford station (IFD)
    £251One-way
    2 changes
  • ThameslinkC10100+London OvergroundG58763+Elizabeth lineC37987
    6:241h40
    Luton station (LUT)
    8:04Ilford station (IFD)
    £251One-way
    2 changes
  • ThameslinkC22594+London OvergroundP02527+Elizabeth lineC38012
    6:311h48
    Luton station (LUT)
    8:19Ilford station (IFD)
    £251One-way
    2 changes
  • ThameslinkC22620+Elizabeth lineC37848
    4:501h30
    Luton station (LUT)
    6:20Ilford station (IFD)
    £261One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Luton to Ilford

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Luton to Ilford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £4 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 39m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £4, while a train costs an average of £23.

Distance: 49 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Driving

£23

Average Price

£4

Average Price

Cheapest

£24

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

1h 39m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 9m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 56m

Average total duration

1h 26m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 0m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Luton to Ilford is a coach with an average price of £4.

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

A coach is £18 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Luton to Ilford costing on average £23.

The fastest way to travel from Luton to Ilford is by train with an average journey time of 1h 9m.

Other travel options to Ilford take longer:

Coach takes on average 1h 26m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Luton and Ilford including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around £23 compared to roughly £24 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £1. The journey takes 1h 9m versus 1h 0m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.

Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.

Live departures

Luton to Ilford train times

The table below shows live departures for Luton to Ilford trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
ThameslinkW32980+Elizabeth lineC37991
Delayed
15:04 15:59Luton station (LUT)
1h11
17:10 Ilford station (IFD)
1 change
ThameslinkW45576+London OvergroundG58952+Elizabeth lineC38071
On time
16:13 Luton station (LUT)
1h38
17:51 Ilford station (IFD)
2 changes
ThameslinkW45576+Elizabeth lineC3802316:13 Luton station (LUT)
1h16
17:29 Ilford station (IFD)1 change
ThameslinkC10064+London OvergroundP02538+Elizabeth lineC38093
On time
16:17 Luton station (LUT)
1h46
18:03 Ilford station (IFD)
2 changes
ThameslinkW45486 · W29045+London OvergroundG07304+Elizabeth lineC38113
On time
16:20 Luton station (LUT)
1h51
18:11 Ilford station (IFD)
3 changes
ThameslinkW45486+Elizabeth lineC38032
On time
16:20 Luton station (LUT)
1h13
17:33 Ilford station (IFD)
1 change
ThameslinkW45557+Elizabeth lineC38056
On time
16:29 Luton station (LUT)
1h12
17:41 Ilford station (IFD)
1 change
ThameslinkW45570+London OvergroundC11105+Elizabeth lineC38128
On time
16:43 Luton station (LUT)
1h38
18:21 Ilford station (IFD)
2 changes
ThameslinkW45570+Elizabeth lineC3808616:43 Luton station (LUT)
1h16
17:59 Ilford station (IFD)1 change
ThameslinkC10069+London OvergroundG07309+Elizabeth lineC38148
On time
16:47 Luton station (LUT)
1h46
18:33 Ilford station (IFD)
2 changes
ThameslinkW45584+Elizabeth lineC35265
On time
3:41 Luton station (LUT)
1h59
5:40 Ilford station (IFD)
1 change
ThameslinkW45575+Elizabeth lineC352684:09 Luton station (LUT)
1h46
5:55 Ilford station (IFD)1 change
ThameslinkC22613+Elizabeth lineC352714:20 Luton station (LUT)
1h50
6:10 Ilford station (IFD)1 change
ThameslinkC22620+Elizabeth lineC378484:50 Luton station (LUT)
1h30
6:20 Ilford station (IFD)1 change
ThameslinkW45560+Elizabeth lineC378575:08 Luton station (LUT)
1h20
6:28 Ilford station (IFD)1 change
ThameslinkW45560+London OvergroundG61670+Elizabeth lineC378995:08 Luton station (LUT)
1h50
6:58 Ilford station (IFD)2 changes
ThameslinkW45532+London OvergroundG58756+Elizabeth lineC379726:13 Luton station (LUT)
1h39
7:52 Ilford station (IFD)2 changes
ThameslinkW45532+Elizabeth lineC379326:13 Luton station (LUT)
1h09
7:22 Ilford station (IFD)1 change
ThameslinkC10100+London OvergroundG58763+Elizabeth lineC379876:24 Luton station (LUT)
1h40
8:04 Ilford station (IFD)2 changes
ThameslinkC10100+Elizabeth lineC379476:24 Luton station (LUT)
1h10
7:34 Ilford station (IFD)1 change
ThameslinkC22594+London OvergroundP02527+Elizabeth lineC380126:31 Luton station (LUT)
1h48
8:19 Ilford station (IFD)2 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Luton to Ilford 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.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Luton to Ilford trains with Omio?

Thameslink as well as London Overground or east_midlands_trains offer trains services from Luton to Ilford.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Luton to Ilford.

Why book with Omio vs Thameslink?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Thameslink, but also compare tickets for the likes of London Overground or east_midlands_trains to find the best option for your trip from Luton to Ilford.
  • 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 Thameslink with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Luton to Ilford.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

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

How far in advance should I book train tickets from Luton to Ilford?

The best time to book your train from Luton to Ilford is 2 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Luton to Ilford route.
Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Luton to Ilford per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Luton to Ilford.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Luton to Ilford

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Luton to Ilford run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 9m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £13 but you can travel from only £4 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:51. The fastest train covers the 49 km distance in 1h 6m.

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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £4
Distance
49 km
Average train duration
1h 9m
Cheapest ticket price
£13
Trains per day
9
Fastest train
1h 6m
First train
0:01
Last train
23:51
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Mon
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Mon
Best time to book
2 days
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £4

Train companies: Thameslink, London Overground, east_midlands_trains from Luton to Ilford trainsThameslink, London Overground, east_midlands_trains trains will get you between Luton and Ilford from £4. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Thameslink

About
Thameslink is a train service that operates in the United Kingdom. It is operated by Govia Thameslink Railway and serves the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, London, and Surrey. The trains run from early morning until late at night, with some services running 24 hours a day. There are a variety of train types available, including Class 700 Desiro City, Class 377 Electrostar, Class 387/1 Electrostar, and Class 319/0. Ticket types include Anytime, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak, and Advance. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. The most popular routes for Thameslink are London to Brighton, London to Bedford, and London to Luton.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Thameslink Duration
1h 6m
Cheapest Thameslink Price
£26
Thameslink frequency
19 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund available if service is canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on some routes offering drinks and snacks
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets free of charge. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone
Family area

London Overground

About
London Overground is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates a network of suburban rail services in and around Greater London. The services run from early morning until late at night, with some lines running 24 hours a day. The trains come in a variety of types, including the Class 378 Capitalstar, Class 172 Turbostar, Class 315, Class 317, Class 508 and Class 700 Desiro City. London Overground offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, off-peak and super off-peak tickets. Onboard facilities include air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, power sockets and CCTV. The most popular routes for London Overground are from Euston to Watford Junction, from Liverpool Street to Enfield Town, and from Clapham Junction to Stratford.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average London Overground Duration
1h 45m
Cheapest London Overground Price
£13
Luggage included
Two large items of luggage and one small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Luggage racks available at the ends of carriages and overhead storage
Cancellation Policy
Refunds subject to administrative fee and fare conditions
Refund
Full refund available for service cancellations
Amenities on board the train
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Step-free access at many stations, wheelchair spaces on trains, priority seating
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be leashed. Maximum two dogs per passenger

east_midlands_trains

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average east_midlands_trains Duration
59m
Cheapest east_midlands_trains Price
£23
east_midlands_trains frequency
6 a day

Complete guide to Ilford

Things to do in Ilford

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

  • Must visit

Valentines Mansion

Elegant historic house with period rooms and exhibitions, offering a clear introduction to Redbridge history and domestic life.

  • Recommended

Redbridge Museum

Local museum and gallery with changing displays on Redbridge people, places and culture, set within the Central Library complex.

SPACE Ilford

Community gallery space presenting contemporary exhibitions and creative projects, useful for a quick look at local artistic activity.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for Greater London. Dining and hotels cost more than many UK towns, but Ilford is often cheaper than central London, with good-value transport and casual food options.

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 upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants may add a service charge; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Taxi fares can be rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually just small change.

FAQs: Luton to Ilford train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton to Ilford by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Ilford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Luton to Ilford can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £13, while the average price tends to be around £23.
The train journey from Luton to Ilford covers a distance of 49 km and takes approximately 1h 6m. Trains run 9 per day.
The train distance from Luton to Ilford is 49 km.
The first train from Luton to Ilford leaves at 0:01.
The last train from Luton to Ilford departs at 23:51.
Trains from Luton to Ilford run approximately 9 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Luton to Ilford.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Luton to Ilford.
To get from Luton to Ilford, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Luton to Ilford.
The train station in Luton that goes to Ilford is Luton station (LUT), and it arrives at Ilford station (IFD).
The cheapest way to get from Luton to Ilford is by coach, costing approximately £4.
Booking trains from Luton to Ilford in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Luton to Ilford primarily travels through urban and suburban areas, so it is not particularly known for its scenic views.
Yes, a day trip from Luton to Ilford is feasible. The journey takes 1h 6m and covers 49 km. Trains operate 6 times per day.
A visit to Ilford typically requires 1 to 2 days to explore its local attractions, parks, and cultural landmarks.
Yes, you can take the train from Luton to Ilford.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Luton and Ilford

Most Luton to Ilford trains use the Luton to Ilford station pair, with some services arriving at Seven Kings. Use this guide to compare Luton and Ilford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Luton
Arrival train stations in Ilford

Which Luton station do trains to Ilford leave from?

Trains from Luton to Ilford leave from Luton. The station is from Luton city centre at Luton station, Station Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2LT.
LutonLuton station, Station Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2LTWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Luton from Luton city centre

Bus17 · 7m · £2 · every ~2 min

Luton train station facilities and services

Luton has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Luton.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Luton. ATMs are available at Luton.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Luton.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Luton: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Luton: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Luton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category B3 station: Step free access via lift to platform 5 only (some trains to Bedford/ the East Midlands) only. Steps to all other platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office. This station doesn't have tactile surfaces along all platform edges. Please pay attention to where the platform surface changes from smooth to paved or contact us for assistance, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

Luton Airport ParkwayLuton Airport Parkway station, Parkway Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3JWWifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Luton Airport Parkway from Luton city centre

Luton Airport Parkway is 1 km from Luton city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainCorby - London St Pancras International, Sheffield - London St Pancras International, Nottingham - London St Pancras International, Kettering - London St Pancras International, Wellingborough - London St Pancras International, East Midlands Parkway - London St Pancras International · 2m · £0.90 · every ~4 min
BusX4, X1, X2, Z, A, X3 · 5m · £4 · every ~41 min
612, X10 · 5m · £0.90 · every ~2 min
44, 45, 366 · 6m · £2 · every ~2 min
101, 100 · 10m · £4 · every ~7 min

Luton Airport Parkway train station facilities and services

Luton Airport Parkway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Luton Airport Parkway.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Luton Airport Parkway. ATMs are available at Luton Airport Parkway.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Luton Airport Parkway.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Luton Airport Parkway: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Luton Airport Parkway: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Luton Airport Parkway: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

Luton DART ParkwayLuton LU2 0HB, UKAccessibility

Luton DART Parkway train station facilities and services

Luton DART Parkway has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Luton DART Parkway: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.

More options for your journey from Luton to Ilford

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

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