Planning a weekend away or sunny day out at the beach? Trains to Whitstable take just over an hour from London, and less than half an hour from Broadstairs and Margate, so you’ll be soaking up the sun in no time.
We’re here to be your one-stop-shop for cheap train tickets, times and info about how to get to Whitstable by train. If you want to get straight to booking, start a search for times and tickets above, or keep reading to find out more about trains to Whitstable.
How to buy cheap train tickets to Whitstable
There are a few ways you can save money on train travel this summer. Some of our top tips for booking cheap train tickets to Whitstable include:
Travel Off-Peak
Tickets are usually cheaper to Whitstable if you travel during Off-Peak hours. This is normally outside of rush hours during Monday to Friday, and anytime during the weekend. We’ll highlight whether a journey is during Off-Peak train times as your search for tickets.
Book in advance
Train tickets to Whitstable normally go on sale around 12 weeks in advance, usually at their cheapest price. If Advance train tickets aren’t on sale yet, why not sign up to our Ticket Alert tool, and we’ll email you as soon as you can buy tickets for your chosen date.
Save up to 1/3 with a Railcard
Railcards can save you to 1/3 on the price of eligible train tickets to Whitstable. Costing just £35 for one year, it doesn’t take long to make your money back either. Find out if you qualify for one and buy a Railcard online with us today.
Save up to 33% with GroupSave
If you’re heading to Whitstable with three to nine of your favourite pals, we’ll let you know if you qualify for GroupSave when you search. This discount allows groups that are travelling together to save up to 33% on rail fares.
Split your train tickets
Splitting your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
Why not check out our train deals and discounts guide to discover the latest offers from train companies you can book with us.
Popular train routes to Whitstable
Travelling by train is the fastest, easiest and greenest way to get to Whitstable from the other UK destinations. Southeastern services run frequent services to Whitstable throughout the day. Have a look at our table below for more information about the most popular routes to Whitstable, or start your search for a different station in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train operator |
|---|---|---|
| London to Whitstable | 1h 12m | Southeastern |
| Faversham to Whitstable | 8m | Southeastern |
| Broadstairs to Whitstable | 24m | Southeastern |
| Bromley to Whitstable | 1h 3m | Southeastern |
| Margate to Whitstable | 19m | Southeastern |
Visiting Whitstable
This seaside town on the north coast of Kent is a popular destination for tourists during the summer months. Known for its delicious fresh seafood and annual oyster festival, this famous fishing town makes for a great day out during sunny days.
Whitstable's shingle beaches that flank the harbour are the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing and watersports, as it's also home to one of the oldest yacht clubs in England. Don't forget to book a trip with Whitstable Boat Trips either for a stunning view of the town from the sea. There's also The Street, a strip of shingle that only appears at low tide, which allows you to walk out into the shallows. Check out our guide to the best beaches near London to reach by train for more details on Whitstable beach.
In the town, there are plenty of charming boutique shops and art galleries to wander around. You'll also find a lot of small winding alleys that criss-cross the town, used by fishermen to make their way to the harbour quickly. One that's worth a visit is Squeeze Gut Alley, which is so narrow most people have to walk sideways through it.
Frequently asked questions
What's the main train station in Whitstable?
The main train station in Whitstable is Whitstable station. It's located in the town, just over half a mile from the harbour and seafront.
Which train companies run trains to Whitstable?
The primary operator of trains to Whitstable is Southeastern.
How can I get cheap train tickets to Whitstable?
It’s easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Whitstable. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.
How do I get to Whitstable beach by train?
It takes around 14 minutes to walk from the station to Whitstable beach. Once you exit the station, turn left onto Railway Avenue and continue straight onto Cromwell Road at the roundabout. Take a right into Regent Street, then a left into Argyle Road. Turn right into the high street and keep walking until you see the beach.
Are trains running to Whitstable?
Trains run frequently almost every day to Whitstable, although there may be fewer services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Whitstable.
Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Whitstable?
Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Whitstable, these include:
- Network Railcard (London & South East Travel Zone)
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Family & Friends Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Persons Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.