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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 |
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.
Are there direct trains from London to Canterbury?
What's the distance between London and Canterbury by train?
Can you travel from London to Canterbury without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Canterbury from London?
What time is the first train from London to Canterbury?
What time is the last train from London to Canterbury?
How often do trains go from London to Canterbury?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from London to Canterbury?
Is there a return trip from London to Canterbury?
Cheap train tickets from London to Canterbury
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.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.