- Must visit
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Large maritime museum at the Historic Dockyard with warships, galleries and dockyard buildings that explain Chatham's naval past.
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Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Canterbury to Chatham
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Canterbury to Chatham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £10 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 17m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £10, while a coach costs an average of £24.
Distance: 40 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£24 Average Price | £10 Average Price Cheapest | £8 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 34m Average total duration 1h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 17m Average total duration Fastest 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Canterbury to Chatham is a train with an average price of £10.
This is compared to other travel options from Canterbury to Chatham:
A train is £14 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Canterbury to Chatham costing on average £24.
The fastest way to travel from Canterbury to Chatham is by train with an average journey time of 47m.
Other travel options to Chatham take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 4m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Canterbury and Chatham including taking a train and coach.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.
Tickets start at around £24 compared to roughly £8 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-16.06. The journey takes 1h 4m versus 42m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
Compare prices and tickets Canterbury to Chatham by train or coach
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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Why should you book Canterbury to Chatham coaches with Omio?
National Express as well as Stagecoach South East offer coaches services from Canterbury to Chatham.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Canterbury to Chatham.
Why book with Omio vs National Express?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of Stagecoach South East to find the best option for your trip from Canterbury to Chatham.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Canterbury to Chatham.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Canterbury to Chatham.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Canterbury to Chatham
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Canterbury to Chatham run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 4m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £24 but you can travel from only £6 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 00:46, the last at 23:01. The fastest coach covers the 40 km distance in 1h 16m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £6
Distance 40 km |
Average bus duration 1h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price £24 |
Buses per day 5 |
Fastest bus 1h 16m |
First bus 0:46 |
Last bus 23:01 |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 3 days |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £6
Bus providers: National Express, Stagecoach South East from Canterbury to ChathamYou can travel by bus between Canterbury to Chatham with National Express, Stagecoach South East for as low as £6. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
National Express
About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
1h 16m
Cheapest National Express Price
£24
National Express frequency
4 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.
Stagecoach South East
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Stagecoach South East Duration
2h 29m
Stagecoach South East frequency
6 a day
Complete guide to Chatham
Things to do in Chatham
Discover the best of Chatham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chatham trip today.
- Recommended
Royal Engineers Museum
Museum in a former dockyard ropery and foundry complex, showing Royal Engineers history through vehicles, medals and exhibitions.
Guildhall Museum
Small local museum covering Medway life, Chatham's development and Charles Dickens connections through compact changing displays.
- Recommended
The Great Lines Heritage Park
Landscaped parkland above Chatham with military heritage, memorials and one of the best open walks for Medway town views.
- Recommended
Upnor Village
Historic riverside quarter with cobbled streets, waterside walks and old buildings, popular for a quieter local feel near Chatham.
- Recommended
Chatham Maritime
Modern waterfront area with marina views, promenades and event spaces, offering an easy walk beside the former dockyard basin.
- Gluten-free
Whitstable Oysters
Fresh oysters from the nearby Thames Estuary, prized in Kent for centuries and traditionally eaten raw with lemon.
- Vegetarian
Kentish Huffkin
Kent’s classic loaf made with local flour, milk and hops from the county’s brewing tradition; a regional bakery staple.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Kentish Cherry and Damson Jam
A traditional Kent fruit preserve flavoured with cherries and damsons, linked to old orchards around the Medway area.
Selale Restaurant
Popular Turkish restaurant serving grilled meats, meze and seafood in a smart but relaxed setting near the waterfront.
The Dead Pigeon Pub & Brazuca
Lively Brazilian venue known for grilled dishes, burgers and cocktails, with a casual atmosphere in Chatham town centre.
Shapla Restaurant
Well-known local Indian restaurant offering curries, tandoori dishes and friendly service in a comfortable dining room.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for south-east England. Hotels and dining cost more than many UK towns, but local transport and casual meals stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £50+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £2.80-4 for a cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or add about 10%. Cafés and pubs: tipping is optional, though small change is appreciated.
FAQs: Canterbury to Chatham coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Canterbury to Chatham by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Chatham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Canterbury to Chatham can start from as little as £24 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Canterbury to Chatham is £24; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Canterbury to Chatham is 1h 16m to travel the 40 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Canterbury to Chatham leaves at 0:46. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Canterbury to Chatham leaves at 23:01.
There are 5 coaches a day from Canterbury to Chatham which require at least one change with National Express, Stagecoach South East. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Canterbury to Chatham, you can count on National Express, Stagecoach South East for the best way to get you to Chatham. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Canterbury and Chatham and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A day trip to Chatham from Canterbury is worth doing with a journey time of 1h 16m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Canterbury and Chatham including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Canterbury to Chatham:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Canterbury to Chatham for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Canterbury to Chatham depends on the coach companies:
- National Express
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Canterbury to Chatham.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Canterbury to Chatham:
- National Express
- Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Canterbury to Chatham:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Canterbury to Chatham.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Canterbury to Chatham with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Canterbury to Chatham with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Canterbury to Chatham with the following coach company: National Express.
More options for your journey from Canterbury to Chatham
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Chatham and Canterbury
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