Leicester to Canterbury bus with National Express

Tue 20 Oct
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National Express
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Leicester to Canterbury

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 20 Oct

Cheapest price on 20 Oct

£18

Average ticket price on 20 Oct

£20

Fastest journey on 20 Oct

5 h 50 m

Average journey duration on 20 Oct

5 h 50 m

Buses on 20 Oct

2

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 £20 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £18.

Fast coaches

On Tue 20 Oct, we found 2 buses from Leicester to Canterbury, including 2 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 214 km distance in an average of 5 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 50 m .

The slowest buses will take 5 h 50 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
    18:005h50
    Leicester
    23:50Canterbury
    £181One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    19:005h50
    Leicester
    0:50Canterbury
    £211One-way
    0 changes

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 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 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 4h 30m.

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 18m
Cheapest ticket price
£15
Buses per day
25
Fastest bus
4h 30m
First bus
3:40
Last bus
22:23
Cheapest Month
Feb
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

Live departures

Leicester to Canterbury bus times

The table below shows live departures for Leicester to Canterbury coaches for today, Monday 19 October. 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

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

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.

Bus providers: National Express from Leicester to CanterburyYou can travel by bus between Leicester to Canterbury with National Express for as low as £15. 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
4h 30m
Cheapest National Express Price
£15
National Express frequency
25 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.

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.

Best day trips from Canterbury by bus

The most popular day trips by bus from Canterbury are London, Dover, Whitstable, Margate and Folkestone. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your bus from Canterbury on Omio.

A view of London

Day trip from Canterbury to London by bus

Why visit London for the day?

London blends royal history with modern city life, known for its museums, theatre and global food scene. Along the Thames, grand landmarks sit beside diverse neighbourhoods shaped by finance, fashion and contemporary culture.

How to get from Canterbury to London by bus?

There are 13 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:12, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 87 km distance in 1h 47m.

A view of Dover

Day trip from Canterbury to Dover by bus

Why visit Dover for the day?

Dover is a historic Kent port known for the White Cliffs and Dover Castle. Its busy harbour, wartime past and chalk coastline give the town a distinctly maritime character.

How to get from Canterbury to Dover by bus?

There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:04, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 22 km distance in 50m.

A view of Whitstable

Day trip from Canterbury to Whitstable by bus

Why visit Whitstable for the day?

Whitstable is a north Kent seaside town known for oysters, a working harbour and a relaxed maritime feel. Its shingle beach, beach huts and independent cafés give it an easy-going character shaped by fishing traditions.

How to get from Canterbury to Whitstable by bus?

There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 04:20, the last at 23:30. The fastest coach covers the 10 km distance in 20m.

A view of Margate

Day trip from Canterbury to Margate by bus

Why visit Margate for the day?

Margate is a Kent seaside town known for its sandy beach, Dreamland and the Turner Contemporary. Its old town, tidal pool and broad seafront give it a relaxed character that blends resort nostalgia with a lively creative scene.

How to get from Canterbury to Margate by bus?

There are 7 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:35, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 24 km distance in 30m.

A view of Folkestone

Day trip from Canterbury to Folkestone by bus

Why visit Folkestone for the day?

Folkestone is a Kent seaside town known for its harbour, Channel views and creative quarter. It mixes traditional coastal character with contemporary art, with the Leas promenade and nearby white cliffs shaping its open feel.

How to get from Canterbury to Folkestone by bus?

There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:01, the last at 23:11. The fastest coach covers the 23 km distance in 25m.

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 £15 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Leicester to Canterbury is £32; 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 4h 30m 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.
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

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