Plan your Journey

Canterbury is easily accessible by road and rail with an excellent travel network, allowing you to reach the city, coast and countryside quickly and easily. Take a look at our travel information and useful guides below to plan your trip.

There are numerous options for sustainable travel with high-speed rail links and well-connected bus and coach services, with two train stations just 5mins from the town centre.

If you prefer to drive, Canterbury is also served by the M2 motorway, with direct access from London and the Port of Dover, and has 3 Park and Ride facilities for easy day trips. International visitors can reach us from the Port of Dover (20mins), Gatwick Airport (70mins) and Heathrow (90mins) by car or by public transport.

Visitor Information Centres

If you’re visiting Canterbury, pop into one of our Visitor Information Centres where our friendly staff will help you find the information you need to make your visit complete.

Canterbury

The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge
18 High Street
Canterbury, CT1 2RA
01227 862 162
canterburyinformation@canterbury.gov.uk 

Whitstable

The Whitstable Shop & Visitor Information Centre
34 Harbour Street
Whitstable, CT5 1AJ
01227 770 060

Herne Bay 

12 William Street
Herne Bay, CT6 5EJ
01227 361911

TRAVEL BY TRAIN

Where ever possible, we encourage our visitors to travel sustainably using our ample train and bus services. Southeastern’s high-speed services will get you between London St Pancras International and Canterbury West in just 54 minutes, or you can travel to Canterbury East, located just five minutes' walk from the city centre.

There are plenty of other train routes between our towns and hundreds of other destinations.

Book your tickets today!

Popular routes 

Between Canterbury and Dover
Reason to visit: Dover Castle and cliff walks
Station: Canterbury East
Time: 17-28 minutes

Between Canterbury and Margate
Reason to visit: Amusements, Dreamland and that special seaside experience
Station: Canterbury West
Time: 30-36 minutes

Between Canterbury and Faversham
Reason to visit: Classic market town and Kent's ale capital
Station: Canterbury East
Time: 11-14 minutes

Between Canterbury and Wye
Reason to visit: Tranquil river setting and the famous Tickled Trout Pub
Station: Canterbury West
Time: 11-14 minutes

TRAVEL BY BUS OR COACH

Being in such a central location, Canterbury can be reached by Stagecoach buses running all over East Kent, so here are some of the key bus services going to and from Canterbury:

Between Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay
Travel time: 25 minutes from Canterbury to Whitstable
View the timetable and bus stops

Between Canterbury and Dover
Travel time: 35 minutes
View the timetable and bus stops

Between Canterbury, Margate and Westwood Cross shopping centre
Travel time: 53 minutes from Canterbury to Margate
View the timetable and bus stops

Coach services can drop visitors off at Whitefriars in the city centre and also Canterbury Coach Park at Kingsmead Road, a short 10-minute scenic walk along the river into the heart of Canterbury

Alternatively, some coaches will stop at the University of Kent, providing quick access to campus and the opportunity to visit local natural beauty spots, such as Blean Woods and the Crab and Winkle Way.

TRAVEL BY CAR

Whether you're visiting Canterbury, Whitstable, or Herne Bay, there are many places to park your car. Canterbury offers city centre parking, or a Park and Ride service allowing you to park slightly outside the city and get a bus into town.

Need somewhere to park? Check the Canterbury City Council website for details on all council-run car parks across the district, including up-to-date fees and space availability, accessible parking options, electric vehicle charging points and more. You can also sign up for an online parking account.

E-BIKES

Beryl bikes are available to hire in Canterbury. These shared bikes offer a quick, flexible and sustainable way to travel. Beryl has a fleet of 100 e-bikes available, with bike parking bays in several locations. To pay, you can either pay as you go or select pre-bought bundles. Find out more on the Beryl Bikes website.