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London to Canterbury by train

It takes an average of 1h 37m to travel from London to Canterbury by train, over a distance of around 54 miles (87 km). There are normally 131 trains per day traveling from London to Canterbury and tickets for this journey start from $17.26 when you book in advance.

First train

4:42 am

Last train

12:43 am

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Canterbury

Journey time

From 51m

Distance

54 miles (87 km)

Frequency

131 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From $17.26

Train operators

Southeastern

Traveling from London to Canterbury by train

Planning a trip to a historic place of pilgrimage and need more information on how to take the train from London to Canterbury? We’ve got you covered! 

On average, the train journey from London to Canterbury takes around 1 hour and 39 minutes, but the fastest services will take you there in just 50 minutes. Each day, there are around 128 direct trains running on this popular route, so you can sit back and relax as you don’t need to worry about making any changes along the way.  

When traveling on this route, you’ll board a Southeastern train at either London Victoria or London St Pancras station. Once you’ve found your seat, you can begin to enjoy the onboard amenities, including comfortable seating, luggage storage and free WiFi on most services. Depending on which service you are on, your train will arrive at either Canterbury East or Canterbury West station.  

From both stations, you’re a short walk from Canterbury city centre. Here, you’ll find some of the city’s most popular landmarks, including Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine’s Abbey. If you’d like to explore more of the local area, check out our guide to the best things to do in Kent. Fans of crime dramas might also be interested in visiting nearby Whitstable for the filming locations of Whitstable Pearl.

If you’d like to purchase cheap train tickets, try traveling during Off-Peak hours, as tickets tend to be cheaper outside of morning/evening rush hours on weekdays. Hoping to save even more? Book an Advance ticket – they are usually released 12 weeks prior to the departure date and are generally cheaper than booking on the day of travel.  

Keen to start? There’s no need to wait, begin a search for cheap train tickets from London to Canterbury in our Journey Planner at the top of the page! If you’d like to find out more about the journey first, keep reading for train timetables, FAQs and tips on booking cheaper train fares.

FAQs about the train journey from London to Canterbury

Want to know more about your journey from London to Canterbury? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do you get to Canterbury from London?

To travel to Canterbury from London, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 1 hour and 37 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 51 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information on routes and timetables.

How long is the train ride from London to Canterbury?

Trains from London to Canterbury take an average of 1 hour and 37 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 51 minutes. You'll usually find 131 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

How much is the train to Canterbury from London?

Train tickets to Canterbury from London can start from $17.26 when booked in advance, but they’re usually more expensive if bought on the day of travel. Prices may also vary depending on the time of day, route, and class you choose.

What is the quickest journey time between London and Canterbury by train?

The quickest journey time between London and Canterbury by train is 51 minutes.

Cheap train tickets from London to Canterbury

Train tickets from London to Canterbury start at $17.26 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Canterbury is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

What are my ticket options for this journey?

If you're like us, you've probably seen the sheer number of ticket types available in the UK and wondered "Why are there so many?!" To help, we've put together a handy guide to the main UK ticket types, simply tap the one you’re interested in to find out more.

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