Are you looking for ways how to get from London to Canterbury in Kent? You are on the right page! I have been to the beautiful county of Kent. I’d love to share with you the various ways you can get to Canterbury. I’m sure you will love Canterbury!
You can reach Canterbury from London by train, bus, tour, and car. The road distance between London and Canterbury is 97.8 kilometres or 60.8 miles while the direct distance is 88.5 kilometres or 55 miles. It takes about 1 hour and 42 minutes to travel this distance by car.
Canterbury is a UK destination with unique charm and rich history. It is a popular day trip destination from London because it is situated just nearby and is therefore highly accessible.
Canterbury doesn’t run out of things to offer even to a returning visitor. Let’s have a look at how you can get to this city in Kent if you’re coming from central London.
The Canterbury Cathedral
How to get from London to Canterbury, Kent:
OPTION 1: How to get from London to Canterbury by Train
- Travel Duration: about 53 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £13
It is quite easy to get to Canterbury from London via train. Southeastern has several trips traveling between the two destinations daily.
You can catch a train that’s going to Canterbury from London Victoria, London St Pancras International, and London Bridge Stations. Keep in mind that some trips originating from London St Pancras International require you to transfer to another train at Ashford International Station.
All trains arrive at Canterbury West Station. Here is a snippet of the train schedules available to book in Omio:
Train from London to Canterbury
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 12:12 am | 1:27 am | 1 hour 15 minutes | £18 |
| Latest trip | 11:48 pm | 1:27 am | 1 hour 39 minutes | £15 |
| Fastest trip | 7:37 am | 8:30 am | 53 minutes | £47 |
| Cheapest trip | 11:10 am | 12:40 am | 1 hour 30 minutes | £13 |
As you can see, you can score a great deal – for as low as £13 – if you time your departure carefully. Make sure to book in advance so you can plan accordingly.
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend checking Omio. They are a one-stop shop for trains and other transportation that suit your budget and schedule.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to Canterbury by Bus
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours 3 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £10
National Express has numerous buses traveling from London Victoria Coach Station daily. These arrive either at Canterbury’s University of Kent or St. Georges Lane.
Riding a bus is definitely the most affordable mode of transport from London to Canterbury. The travel time may be double that of the train ride, but National Express’ buses are so comfortable that I’m sure you wouldn’t mind the extra hour.
Here is a timetable of the bus trips available to book online at Trainline:
Bus from London to Canterbury
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 7:00 am | 9:10 am | 2 hours 10 minutes | £10 |
| Latest trip | 11:59 pm | 3:05 am | 3 hours 6 minutes | £10 |
| Fastest trip | 10:30 pm | 12:40 am | 2 hours 3 minutes | £10 |
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend searching for the best train fares with Trainline. They have great options for various trains and schedules, to suit your budget.
OPTION 3: How to get from London to Canterbury by Tour
- Travel Duration: about 10 hours and 30 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £72
Opting to join a tour for your trip to Canterbury is a wise move as you get to visit other notable places along the way. Take this day trip from London via Get Your Guide – it combines Canterbury with an exploration of the White Cliffs of Dover.
Board the air-conditioned coach from London and embark on a full-day tour that allows you to have free time at the White Cliffs of Dover and also visit Dover Castle.
Afterward, a local guide will walk you through the historic Canterbury, maybe stop by the Canterbury Cathedral for a while and then board the same bus back to London.
This itinerary maximizes your trip to Kent and saves you from booking things separately. If you wish to see more combinations, head over to Get Your Guide.
HERE ARE SOME RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES FROM GET YOUR GUIDE:
OPTION 4: How to get from London to Canterbury by Car
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 24 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £56.67
Can you drive yourself from London to Canterbury? Yes, you can! If this is your first time driving in the UK, let’s start by learning about some essential driving information I have collected over the years.
To get from London to Canterbury by car, take the M2 and A2 and drive for about 60.8 miles. If the traffic conditions are favorable, you will get there after one and a half hours.
If you need to rent a car in London, Discover Cars has all the best deals from rental car companies under one roof.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
More About Canterbury, Kent:
- Exploring historic Canterbury is among the best things to do in Kent.
- The Canterbury Cathedral in Kent is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites which you can find in the UK.
- Canterbury is a popular day trip from London because of the variety of activities you can do here.
Map of Canterbury, Kent:
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from London to Canterbury, Kent:
How far is London to Canterbury?
London is 97.8 kilometers or 60.8 miles away from Canterbury.
How much is a train ride from London to Canterbury?
The cost for a train ride from London to Canterbury starts at £13.
What station in London goes to Canterbury?
The London Victoria, London St Pancras International and London Bridge Stations have trains that go to Canterbury.
Is there a direct train from London to Canterbury?
Yes, you can catch a direct train from London to Canterbury.
Is Canterbury a day trip from London?
Yes, Canterbury is just a day trip away from London. This nearby destination is popular for its medieval streets and, of course, the Canterbury Cathedral.
Can I get from London to Canterbury by car?
Yes, you can get from London to Canterbury by car. If the traffic conditions are favorable, you will get there after one and a half hours.
Is there a bus from London to Canterbury?
Yes, you can catch a bus from London Victoria Coach Station going to Canterbury.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Canterbury?
The cheapest way to get from London to Canterbury is by bus. A one-way fare costs £10 only.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Canterbury?
The fastest way to get from London to Canterbury is by train. The fastest travel time by train is 53 minutes.
What is the best way to get from London to Canterbury?
The best way to get from London to Canterbury is by bringing a car. You can easily curate your itinerary and be in charge of your whole day trip with much freedom and flexibility.
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for my UK trip?
YES – If you’re traveling to the UK, securing travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is essential for your peace of mind; I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance, which is renowned for its reliability. (READ MORE)
💧 Can I drink tap water in the UK?
YES – You can confidently drink tap water in the UK—just run it for a bit first—and use a Hydro Flask travel bottle, it is a great eco-friendly companion to keep you hydrated while touring the UK attractions.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in the UK?
YES – Renting a car in the UK is one of the best ways to see the country. I recommend Discover Cars, to check for the best car rental deals that suit your budget. See my UK driving tips here.
📲 Will my phone work in the UK?
POSSIBLY. Always check with your home mobile provider. If it won’t work or is too expensive, I recommend using Airlo E-Sim for data packages to stay connected online.
🔌 What adapter should I use in the UK?
TYPE G – In the UK, you’ll need a type G plug travel adapter with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle to power your devices, and the electrical system runs on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. (READ MORE)
✈️ What is the best site to buy UK flights?
For finding affordable UK flights, I recommend using Skyscanner. You can always compare the prices that suit your budget.
🛏️ What is the best way to book accommodations in the UK?
My go-to for UK accommodations is Booking.com. I recommend to always check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.
💷 What currency do I need for my UK trip?
Sterling Pounds – I suggest getting a Wise Travel Card for your hassle-free forex and contactless spending while in the UK. (READ MORE)
🧳 What do I pack for the UK trip?
Depending on the season – You can check my article about the best time to visit the UK.
🛂 Do I need a visa for the UK?
Likely Not – US, Canada, AU, NZ, and EU passport holders do not need a visit visa to the UK. If ever you need one, read more on how to apply for a UK visit visa. Visit iVisa.com to help you with your visa travel documentation needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel BlogEverything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.