Leicester to Canterbury bus with National Express

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

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 05 Sept

Cheapest price on 05 Sept

£19

Average ticket price on 05 Sept

£19

Fastest journey on 05 Sept

6 h 10 m

Average journey duration on 05 Sept

6 h 10 m

Buses on 05 Sept

1

Distance

214 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Leicester to Canterbury will cost around £19 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £19.

Fast coaches

On Sat 05 Sept, we found 1 buses from Leicester to Canterbury, including 1 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 214 km distance in an average of 6 h 10 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 10 m .

The slowest buses will take 6 h 10 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 Express
    19:006h10
    Leicester
    1:10Canterbury
    £191One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Leicester to Canterbury

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Leicester to Canterbury among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £30 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 39m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £30, while a train costs an average of £71.

Distance: 214 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Train
Driving

£30

Average Price

Cheapest

£71

Average Price

£49

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 43m

Average total duration

5h 13m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 39m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 9m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 7m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

National Express

Most popular bus company

East Midlands Railway

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Leicester to Canterbury is a coach with an average price of £30.

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

A coach is £41 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leicester to Canterbury costing on average £71.

The fastest way to travel from Leicester to Canterbury is by train with an average journey time of 2h 9m.

Other travel options to Canterbury take longer:

Coach takes on average 5h 13m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Leicester and Canterbury 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 £30 compared to roughly £49 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £19. The journey takes 5h 13m versus 3h 7m 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

Leicester to Canterbury bus times

The table below shows live departures for Leicester 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 Express16:45 Leicester
6h05
22:50 Canterbury0 changesdirect
National Express18:00 Leicester
6h10
0:10 Canterbury0 changesdirect
National Express19:00 Leicester
6h10
1:10 Canterbury0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Leicester to Canterbury 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 Leicester to Canterbury coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Leicester to Canterbury.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Leicester 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 train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Leicester to Canterbury.

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 Leicester to Canterbury.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Leicester to Canterbury

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Leicester to Canterbury run on average 25 times per day, taking around 5h 13m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £24 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 03:40, the last at 22:23. The fastest coach covers the 214 km distance in 6h 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
214 km
Average bus duration
5h 13m
Cheapest ticket price
£24
Buses per day
25
Fastest bus
6h 10m
First bus
3:40
Last bus
22:23
Cheapest Month
Sept
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Oct - Dec
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Fri
Least Busy Day
Fri
Best time to book
7 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 Leicester to CanterburyYou can travel by bus between Leicester to Canterbury with National Express for as low as £24. 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
6h 10m
Cheapest National Express Price
£24
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.

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: Leicester to Canterbury coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leicester 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 Leicester to Canterbury can start from as little as £24 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Leicester to Canterbury is £30; 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 Leicester to Canterbury is 6h 10m to travel the 214 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 Leicester to Canterbury leaves at 3:40. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Leicester to Canterbury leaves at 22:23.
There are 25 coaches a day from Leicester to Canterbury which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Leicester 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 Leicester and Canterbury and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Canterbury from Leicester is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 6h 10m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Leicester to Canterbury is September.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Leicester and Canterbury including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Leicester to Canterbury:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Leicester to Canterbury for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Leicester 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 Leicester to Canterbury.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Leicester 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 Leicester to Canterbury:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Leicester to Canterbury.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Leicester to Canterbury with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Leicester to Canterbury with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Leicester to Canterbury with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Leicester and Canterbury

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

Departure bus stations in Leicester
Arrival bus stations in Canterbury
Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station
City-centre transport

Getting to Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station from Leicester city centre

BusHop · 0m · £2 · every ~14 min
26 · 1m · every ~10 min
21 · 4m
Leicester, BraunstoneBraunstone Town, Leicester, UKWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Leicester, Braunstone from Leicester city centre

Leicester, Braunstone is 3 km from Leicester city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus153, 158 · 7m · £2 · every ~9 min
153, 158 · 11m · £2 · every ~9 min
Nd · 20m · every ~9 min
20 · 26m · £2 · every ~4 min

Leicester, Braunstone bus station facilities and services

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

Food and drink

Food options include: Snack outlets in the nearby vicinity.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Leicester, Braunstone. ATMs are available at Leicester, Braunstone.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Leicester, Braunstone.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Leicester, Braunstone: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Leicester, Braunstone: Basic wheelchair accessibility.

More options for your journey from Leicester to Canterbury

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

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Canterbury Leicester to Canterbury bus

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