Canterbury to Chester bus with National Express

Sat 05 Sept
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Canterbury to Chester

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 05 Sept

Cheapest price on 05 Sept

£50

Average ticket price on 05 Sept

£50

Fastest journey on 05 Sept

8 h 40 m

Average journey duration on 05 Sept

9 h 12 m

Buses on 05 Sept

3

Distance

344 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Canterbury to Chester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Canterbury to Chester will cost around £50 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £50.

Fast coaches

To travel from Canterbury to Chester you need to make at least one change.

  • National Express
    4:208h40
    Canterbury
    13:00Chester
    £501One-way
    1 change
  • National Express
    9:009h30
    Canterbury
    18:30Chester
    £501One-way
    1 change
  • National Express
    19:559h25
    Canterbury
    5:20Chester
    £501One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Canterbury to Chester

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Canterbury to Chester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £50 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 10m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £50, while a train costs an average of £206.

Distance: 344 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Train
Driving

£50

Average Price

Cheapest

£206

Average Price

£69

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

9h 25m

Average total duration

8h 55m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 10m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 40m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 59m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Canterbury to Chester is a coach with an average price of £50.

This is compared to other travel options from Canterbury to Chester:

A coach is £156 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Canterbury to Chester costing on average £206.

The fastest way to travel from Canterbury to Chester is by train with an average journey time of 3h 40m.

Other travel options to Chester take longer:

Coach takes on average 8h 55m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Canterbury and Chester 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 £50 compared to roughly £69 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £20. The journey takes 8h 55m versus 4h 59m 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.

Live departures

Canterbury to Chester bus times

The table below shows live departures for Canterbury to Chester coaches for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National Express19:55 Canterbury
9h25
5:20 Chester1 change
Saturday 5 September
National Express4:20 Canterbury
8h40
13:00 Chester1 change
National Express9:00 Canterbury
9h30
18:30 Chester1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Canterbury to Chester 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.

Sat
05 Sept
Sun
06 Sept
Mon
07 Sept
Tue
08 Sept
Wed
09 Sept
Thu
10 Sept
Fri
11 Sept

Why should you book Canterbury to Chester coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Canterbury to Chester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Canterbury to Chester.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • 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 Chester.

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 Chester.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Canterbury to Chester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Canterbury to Chester run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £50 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 00:30, the last at 20:10. The fastest coach covers the 344 km distance in 8h 10m.

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
Distance
344 km
Average bus duration
8h 55m
Cheapest ticket price
£50
Buses per day
4
Fastest bus
8h 10m
First bus
0:30
Last bus
20:10
Cheapest Month
Nov
Cheapest Day
Mon
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
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

Bus providers: National Express from Canterbury to ChesterYou can travel by bus between Canterbury to Chester with National Express for as low as £50. 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
8h 10m
Cheapest National Express Price
£50
National Express frequency
3 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.

What's included in each class

Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.

Standard
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs

Complete guide to Chester

Things to do in Chester

Discover the best of Chester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chester trip today.

  • Recommended

Deva Roman Experience

Interactive museum exploring Roman Chester with artefacts, reconstructions and family-friendly displays that bring Deva’s military past to life.

  • Recommended

Cheshire Military Museum

Museum in a former mill on the River Dee, covering Chester’s social history, period rooms and local stories from Roman times onward.

  • Recommended

Dewa Roman Experience

Museum inside Chester Castle tracing regional regiments through uniforms, medals and campaigns in a compact but informative setting.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining are cheaper than London, but tourist areas can feel pricey. Buses are reasonable, while central stays cost more in peak season.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or tip about 10%. Cafés and pubs: tipping is optional, though small change is appreciated for table service.

FAQs: Canterbury to Chester coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Canterbury to Chester 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 Chester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Canterbury to Chester can start from as little as £50 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Canterbury to Chester is £50; 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 Chester is 8h 10m to travel the 344 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 Chester leaves at 0:30. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Canterbury to Chester leaves at 20:10.
There are 4 coaches a day from Canterbury to Chester which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Canterbury to Chester, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Chester. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Canterbury and Chester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Canterbury , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Canterbury, University Of Kent, Canterbury, Bus Station . When arriving in Chester , you can end your route in coach stations like Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange).Passengers board the coach most frequently from Canterbury, University Of Kent, which is located around 1 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange), located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Chester from Canterbury is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 8h 10m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Canterbury to Chester is November.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Canterbury and Chester including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Canterbury to Chester:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Canterbury to Chester for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Canterbury to Chester 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 Chester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Canterbury to Chester:
  • 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 Chester:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Canterbury to Chester.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Canterbury to Chester with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Canterbury to Chester with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Canterbury to Chester with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Canterbury and Chester

Most Canterbury to Chester buses use the Canterbury, University Of Kent to Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange) station pair. Use this guide to compare Canterbury and Chester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Canterbury
Arrival bus stations in Chester

Which Canterbury station do buses to Chester leave from?

Buses from Canterbury to Chester leave from Canterbury, University Of Kent. The station is 2 km from Canterbury city centre at University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NZ, United Kingdom.
Canterbury, University Of KentUniversity of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NZ, United KingdomWifiParkingATMAccessibilityWC
City-centre transport

Getting to Canterbury, University Of Kent from Canterbury city centre

Canterbury, University Of Kent is 1 km from Canterbury city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus4, 4X, 5, 6, 6A

Canterbury, University Of Kent bus station facilities and services

Canterbury, University Of Kent has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility and WC.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located on campus, near the student union.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Canterbury, University Of Kent: Parking, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Canterbury, University Of Kent: Elevators, ramps.

Canterbury, Bus StationCanterbury bus station, Canterbury CT1 2SY, UKWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Canterbury, Bus Station from Canterbury city centre

Bus21, 400, 401, Uni1, Uni2 · 14m · £3 · every ~22 min

Canterbury, Bus Station bus station facilities and services

Canterbury, Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Cafes and eateries within a short walk.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Canterbury, Bus Station. ATMs are aTM located outside the entrance.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Canterbury, Bus Station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Canterbury, Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Canterbury, Bus Station: Wheelchair accessible with assistance.

More options for your journey from Canterbury to Chester

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Chester Canterbury to Chester bus

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