- 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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The cheapest and fastest coaches from London to Chatham
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£24
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£34
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
2 h 5 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
5 h 41 m
Buses on 18 Sept
5
Distance
48 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from London to Chatham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London to Chatham will cost around £34 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £24.
Fast coaches
To travel from London to Chatham you need to make at least one change.
11:002h05London13:05Chatham£241One-way1 change- 14:302h20London16:50Chatham£241One-way1 change
- 18:002h35London20:35Chatham£241One-way1 change
- 21:3011h28London8:58Chatham£241One-way1 change
- 23:009h58London8:58Chatham£711One-way3 changes
- 11:002h05London13:05Chatham£241One-way1 change
- 14:302h20London16:50Chatham£241One-way1 change
- 18:002h35London20:35Chatham£241One-way1 change
- 23:009h58London8:58Chatham£711One-way3 changes
- 21:3011h28London8:58Chatham£241One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare coach and train for London to Chatham
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Chatham 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 train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 32m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.0kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £12, while a coach costs an average of £35.
Distance: 48 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£35 Average Price | £12 Average Price Cheapest | £24 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 4m Average total duration 1h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 32m Average total duration Fastest 1h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Most popular bus company |  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 London to Chatham is a train with an average price of £12.
This is compared to other travel options from London to Chatham:
A train is £23 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from London to Chatham costing on average £35.
The fastest way to travel from London to Chatham is by train with an average journey time of 1h 2m.
Other travel options to Chatham take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 34m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between London and Chatham 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 £35 compared to roughly £24 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-11.09. The journey takes 1h 34m versus 1h 16m 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
London to Chatham bus times
The table below shows live departures for London to Chatham coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:30 London | 2h05 | 13:35 Chatham | 1 change | |
| 16:30 London | 2h15 | 18:45 Chatham | 1 change | |
| 20:30 London | 2h04 | 22:34 Chatham | 1 change | |
| 22:30 London | 9h44 | 8:14 Chatham | 3 changes | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets London to Chatham 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.
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18 Sept
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Why should you book London to Chatham coaches with Omio?
National Express operates all coaches services from London to Chatham.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from London to Chatham.
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 London to Chatham.
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 London to Chatham.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from London to Chatham
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from London to Chatham run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 34m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £24 but you can travel from only £6 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 00:10, the last at 23:56. The fastest coach covers the 48 km distance in 2h 4m.
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 48 km |
Average bus duration 1h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price £24 |
Buses per day 5 |
Fastest bus 2h 4m |
First bus 0:10 |
Last bus 23:56 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
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 from London to ChathamYou can travel by bus between London to Chatham with National Express 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
2h 4m
Cheapest National Express Price
£24
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.
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.
Buses from London to Chatham
Travelling from London to Chatham in Kent by bus is easy with a change of transport in nearby Gillingham. National Express run a route from Victoria Coach Station to Hempstead Valley in Gillingham, Kent which is the nearest stop to Chatham. The coach stop is next to TK Maxx in Hempstead Valley. From Hempstead Valley catch a local Arriva bus service into Chatham. The first bus leaves Victoria at 9:30am seven days a week, and the last bus sets off at 11.30pm. The journey to Hempstead Valley in Gillingham takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours. The onward journey to Chatham takes about 25 minutes.
FAQs: London to Chatham coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London 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 London to Chatham can start from as little as £24 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for London to Chatham is £35; 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 London to Chatham is 2h 4m to travel the 48 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 London to Chatham leaves at 0:10. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from London to Chatham leaves at 23:56.
There are 5 coaches a day from London to Chatham which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from London to Chatham, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Chatham. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between London and Chatham and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
Passengers board the coach most frequently from London, Victoria Coach Station, which is located around 2 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Gillingham, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, located 5 away from the city centre.
A trip to Chatham from London is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2h 4m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from London to Chatham is November.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between London and Chatham including taking a coach and train.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from London to Chatham for coach company National Express.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from London to Chatham:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from London 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 London to Chatham.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from London 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 London to Chatham:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from London to Chatham.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from London to Chatham with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from London to Chatham with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from London to Chatham with the following coach company: National Express.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in London and Chatham
Most London to Chatham buses use the London, Victoria Coach Station to Gillingham, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre station pair. Use this guide to compare London and Chatham bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in London
Arrival bus stations in Chatham
Which London station do buses to Chatham leave from?
Buses from London to Chatham leave from London, Victoria Coach Station. The station is 2 km from London city centre at 164 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TP, United Kingdom.
London, Victoria Coach Station164 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TP, United Kingdom
City-centre transport
Getting to London, Victoria Coach Station from London city centre
London, Victoria Coach Station is 2 km from London city centre. Public transport options include:
BusN11, N44 · 9m · £10 · every ~4 min
148 · 17m · £2 · every ~30 min
24 · 25m · £2 · every ~25 min
38, N38 · 30m · £2 · every ~46 min
A8 · 30m · £0.90 · every ~10 min
390 · 35m · £2 · every ~26 min
London, Victoria Coach Station bus station facilities and services
London, Victoria Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Pret a Manger (in the station), Starbucks (in the station).
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and inside the station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at London, Victoria Coach Station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at London, Victoria Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at London, Victoria Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.
More options for your journey from London to Chatham
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Chatham and London
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