Dartford to Canterbury bus with National Express

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

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 05 Sept

Cheapest price on 05 Sept

£17

Average ticket price on 05 Sept

£17

Fastest journey on 05 Sept

55 m

Average journey duration on 05 Sept

1 h

Buses on 05 Sept

8

Distance

62 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Dartford to Canterbury will cost around £17 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £17.

Fast coaches

On Sat 05 Sept, we found 8 buses from Dartford to Canterbury, including 8 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 62 km distance in an average of 1 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 55 m .

The slowest buses will take 1 h 5 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • National ExpressNX022
    22:451h05
    Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
    23:50Canterbury, Bus Station
    £171One-way
    0 changes
  • National ExpressNX022
    15:551h10
    Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
    17:05Canterbury, Bus Station
    £171One-way
    0 changes
  • National ExpressNX022
    19:201h05
    Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
    20:25Canterbury, Bus Station
    £171One-way
    0 changes
  • National ExpressNX022
    19:200h55
    Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
    20:15Canterbury, University Of Kent
    £171One-way
    0 changes
  • National ExpressNX022
    22:450h55
    Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
    23:40Canterbury, University Of Kent
    £171One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Dartford to Canterbury

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dartford to Canterbury among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £12 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 1h 36m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £12, while a coach costs an average of £16.

Distance: 62 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Driving

£16

Average Price

£12

Average Price

Cheapest

£12

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

1h 36m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 6m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 46m

Average total duration

1h 16m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

53m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

National Express

Most popular bus company

Thameslink

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Dartford to Canterbury is a train with an average price of £12.

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

A train is £4 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Dartford to Canterbury costing on average £16.

The fastest way to travel from Dartford to Canterbury is by coach with an average journey time of 1h 6m.

Other travel options to Canterbury take longer:

Train takes on average 1h 16m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Dartford and Canterbury including taking a coach and train.
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 £16 compared to roughly £12 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-4.05. The journey takes 1h 6m versus 53m 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

Dartford to Canterbury bus times

The table below shows live departures for Dartford to Canterbury 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 ExpressNX02222:45 Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
1h05
23:50 Canterbury, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX02222:45 Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
0h55
23:40 Canterbury, University Of Kent0 changesdirect
Saturday 5 September
National ExpressNX02212:20 Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
1h05
13:25 Canterbury, University Of Kent0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX02212:20 Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
1h15
13:35 Canterbury, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX02215:55 Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
1h10
17:05 Canterbury, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX02215:55 Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
1h00
16:55 Canterbury, University Of Kent0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX02219:20 Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
1h05
20:25 Canterbury, Bus Station0 changesdirect
National ExpressNX02219:20 Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre
0h55
20:15 Canterbury, University Of Kent0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Dartford to Canterbury by coach or train

Compare coach and train 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 Dartford to Canterbury coaches with Omio?

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

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 bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Dartford to Canterbury.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Dartford to Canterbury.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Dartford to Canterbury

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Dartford to Canterbury run on average 7 times per day, taking around 1h 6m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £12 if you book in advance.

There are 7 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 05:54, the last at 22:45. The fastest coach covers the 62 km distance in 1h 5m.

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
62 km
Average bus duration
1h 6m
Cheapest ticket price
£12
Buses per day
7
Direct buses
7
Fastest bus
1h 5m
First bus
5:54
Last bus
22:45
Cheapest Month
Jun
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Fri
Least Busy Day
Mon
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

Bus providers: National Express from Dartford to CanterburyYou can travel by bus between Dartford to Canterbury with National Express for as low as £12. 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 5m
Cheapest National Express Price
£12
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 Canterbury

Things to do in Canterbury

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

  • Recommended

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

Engaging Roman museum built around the remains of a town house. See mosaics, artefacts and displays that bring Roman Canterbury to life.

  • Recommended

Canterbury Roman Museum

Interactive museum on the site of Roman Canterbury, with preserved pavement mosaics, finds and family-friendly interpretation underground.

  • Recommended

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

Local museum and gallery with art, ceramics, natural history and changing displays. Good for a broad introduction to the city and region.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for England: hotels and dining are pricier than smaller UK towns, but local buses and casual meals stay manageable for most visitors.

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
£50+ per person for upscale restaurants.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafes: rounding up is enough. Taxis: round up or add about 10% for good service.

FAQs: Dartford to Canterbury coach

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

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Dartford to Canterbury can start from as little as £12 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Dartford to Canterbury is £16; 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 Dartford to Canterbury is 1h 5m to travel the 62 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 Dartford to Canterbury leaves at 5:54. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Dartford to Canterbury leaves at 22:45.
Yes, there are 7 direct coaches a day from Dartford to Canterbury with . Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Dartford to Canterbury, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Canterbury. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Dartford and Canterbury and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Dartford , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre . When arriving in Canterbury , you can end your route in coach stations like Canterbury, University Of Kent, Canterbury, Bus Station.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre, which is located around 1 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Canterbury, University Of Kent, located 1 away from the city centre.
A day trip to Canterbury from Dartford is worth doing with a journey time of 1h 5m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Dartford to Canterbury is June.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Dartford and Canterbury including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Dartford to Canterbury:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Dartford to Canterbury for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Dartford to Canterbury 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 Dartford to Canterbury.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Dartford to Canterbury:
  • 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 Dartford to Canterbury:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Dartford to Canterbury.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Dartford to Canterbury with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Dartford to Canterbury with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Dartford to Canterbury with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Dartford and Canterbury

Most Dartford to Canterbury buses use the Dartford, Bluewater Shopping Centre to Canterbury, University Of Kent station pair, with some services arriving at Canterbury, Bus Station. Use this guide to compare Dartford and Canterbury bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Dartford
Arrival bus stations in Canterbury

Which Canterbury station do buses from Dartford arrive at?

Buses from Dartford to Canterbury most often arrive at Canterbury, University Of Kent. Some services arrive at Canterbury, Bus Station, so check your ticket before travel to confirm your Canterbury arrival station.
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 Dartford to Canterbury

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

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Canterbury Dartford to Canterbury bus

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