How to travel from Luton to Swanage, United Kingdom

The distance between Luton and Swanage is around 231km (143 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 35m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Luton to Swanage by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out SwanageLuton if you're planning a return trip.

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train
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train
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Train

Take the train to West Hampstead Thameslink and then to Bournemouth.

  • Duration3h 20m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £130($155)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
3 x bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Victoria Green Line Coach Station then Bournemouth Station off Holdenhurst Rd and then to Swanage Bus Station.

  • Duration5h 15m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £23($27)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Swanage.

  • Duration2h 35m
  • Distance231km (143 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Luton and Swanage

There are several options for getting from Luton to Swanage by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £23 ($27) and will take around 5h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 35m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £41 ($48).

The distance between Luton and Swanage is around 231km (143 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 177km (110 miles)

It takes around 3h 20m to get from Luton and Swanage by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 35m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Luton to Swanage is to drive which takes around 2h 35m and will set you back approx £41 ($48).

The cheapest way to travel between Luton and Swanage, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £23 ($27) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Luton and Swanage. It typically takes around 3h 20m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Luton to Swanage. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in West Hampstead Thameslink, Waterloo station and Bournemouth. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 3h 20m.

Thameslink and South Western Railway run train services between Luton and Swanage. Trains depart hourly and will take around 3h 20m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Luton and Swanage. It typically takes around 5h 15m and departs hourly.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Luton to Swanage. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Victoria Green Line Coach Station and Bournemouth Station off Holdenhurst Rd. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 5h 15m.

Green Line, Arriva UK, National Express, Megabus UK and More Bus run regular bus services between Luton and Swanage. Buses run hourly and take around 5h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Luton to Swanage. We recommend that you take the train to West Hampstead Thameslink and then to Bournemouth. instead which will take 3h 20m.

The closest major airport to Swanage is Bournemouth Airport (BOH) (BOH) which is approximately 21km (13 miles) from Swanage. Southampton Airport (SOU) (SOU) and Bristol Airport (BRS) (BRS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Luton and Swanage. The distance is around 231km (143 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 35m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Luton to Swanage is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 20m and will usually cost around £130 ($155).

How do I get from Luton to Swanage

Compare travel optionsbetween Luton and Swanage

Transport options from Luton to Swanage
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
3h 20m
£130($155)
hourly266km (165 miles)
Bus
5h 15m
£23($27)
hourly255km (159 miles)
Drive
2h 35m
£41($48)
on demand231km (143 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Luton and Swanage

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Swanage

The following major airports near Swanage offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

BOH
Bournemouth Airport (BOH)
International Airport
Distance
21km (13 miles) from Swanage
SOU
Southampton Airport (SOU)
Domestic Airport
Distance
57km (35 miles) from Swanage
BRS
Bristol Airport (BRS)
International Airport
Distance
101km (63 miles) from Swanage