London to Margate bus with National Express

Coaches from London to Margate

For well over a century, people have been making the 66-mile journey from the Big Smoke to the picturesque beach resort of Margate, and this perennially popular route is well served by coach. Journey times fall predictably around the three hour mark - a few take slightly longer and some get there a bit more quickly. And with conveniently regular departure times too, this is an easy service to use even if you're making an unplanned, spontaneous trip to the seaside. 

How long is the journey by bus from London to Margate? 

Coaches from London to Margate are all direct, with no delays or swapping of vehicles en route. You will see a small variation in journey times depending on the hour of day. Morning and evening coaches are the quickest, at around two hours and 45 minutes. The afternoon services can take 15 to 30 minutes longer.

How many coaches are there from London to Margate? 

From Monday to Thursday, there are services right throughout the day from around 8:30 a.m. to about 8:30 pm. Coaches from London to Margate run every two hours, evenly spread from breakfast time to mid-evening and adding up to a total of about eight services daily. That said, there's much less choice if you're planning on travelling at the weekend. There's a limited service on Saturdays and Sundays, with only one departure at around 7:00 p.m.

What are the departure and arrival stations for buses from London to Margate? 

Departure bus station: Services for Margate set out from Victoria Coach Station. As London's major hub for coach travel, this is well stocked with amenities, including a left luggage facility, diner, coffee shop, newsagents, charging points and cash machines. Turn left from the main station exit, and a short walk will take you to Victoria tube station, with rapid links to the rest of the capital. Stroll a few minutes more in the same direction, and you'll come to major landmarks such as Westminster Cathedral, Victoria Palace theatre and Buckingham Palace. Ranelagh Gardens are less than half a mile to the south down Ebury Bridge Road if you're looking for a quiet place to wait for your connection. 

Arrival bus station: Coaches from London terminate at Stop B at 35 Marine Terrace, Margate. This is a basic pick up and drop off service, but it's extremely conveniently placed, with all the pleasures of the seaside just a short stroll away. Marine Terrace is a main shopping street, and you'll be just a few steps from the Dreamland Fun Park, the golf course and promenade, with cafes, guest houses and amusements all around.

Which coach providers travel from London to Margate? 

There's only one provider of coach services from London to Margate, and that's National Express. It provides a comprehensive and regular service on working days of the week, giving travellers plenty of choice.

National Express coaches from London to Margate 

National Express coaches from London to Margate are all direct, so you won't be put to the trouble of switching coaches. Travel times are roughly three hours on average, with a quarter of an hour variation either way. By offering a routine of two hourly departures, the provider makes it easy for travellers both to improvise and plan ahead.

London to Margate coach: services on board 

When you travel by coach from London to Margate, you can choose from three kinds of ticket. There's a restricted fare, which is non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Alternatively, standard fare can be exchanged but refunds are not available. And finally there's a fully flexible fare, which you can both exchange and return for a full refund. As they go on their journeys, customers are entitled take a total of 40 kg of luggage spread across two medium-sized suitcases. That's in addition to one piece of hand luggage, but note that this can't have a hard shell or wheels. Bikes can be stowed below so long as they are foldable. There's room for wheelchairs on all National Express coaches, and guide dogs are welcome as well.