- Recommended
Guildhall Museum
Charles Dickens’s Swiss chalet, moved from Kent countryside and displayed with exhibits on the writer’s Rochester connections.
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Travel Information
Compare train and coach for London to Rochester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Rochester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £4. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 58m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £4, and a coach costs an average of £27.
Distance: 46 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£27 Average Price | £12 Average Price Cheapest |
1h 43m Average total duration 1h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 28m Average total duration Fastest 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
London to Rochester bus times
The table below shows live departures for London to Rochester coaches for today, Friday 31 July. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23:45 London | 4h42 | 4:27 Rochester | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets London to Rochester 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.
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Why should you book London to Rochester coaches with Omio?
National Express operates all coaches services from London to Rochester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from London to Rochester.
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 London to Rochester.
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 London to Rochester.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from London to Rochester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from London to Rochester run on average 2 times per day, taking around 1h 13m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £27 but you can travel from only £4 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 00:10, the last at 23:50. The fastest coach covers the 46 km distance in 4h 42m.
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 £4
Distance 46 km |
Average bus duration 1h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price £27 |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 4h 42m |
First bus 0:10 |
Last bus 23:50 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 35 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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £4
Bus providers: National Express from London to RochesterYou can travel by bus between London to Rochester with National Express for as low as £4. 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
National Express frequency
4 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 Rochester
Things to do in Rochester
Discover the best of Rochester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Rochester trip today.
- Recommended
Huguenot Museum
Local history museum in a former prison with displays on Medway’s people, places and changing river industries.
- Recommended
Huguenot Museum
Britain’s only museum dedicated to Huguenot history, housed in Rochester and presenting migration, craft and family stories.
- Must visit
Rochester High Street
Rochester’s historic high street is lined with independent shops, period buildings and Dickens associations, ideal for strolling.
- Recommended
The Vines Park
Long-established riverside public garden with lawns, a bandstand and a relaxed route beside the Medway near the castle.
- Recommended
Rochester Castle Gardens
Attractive public garden by Rochester Castle and the cathedral, good for picnics, river views and historic surroundings.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
Kentish Huffkins
Kentish huffkins are soft round bread rolls from Kent, traditionally served filled or with butter. They are a long-standing county bakery staple.
- Vegetarian
Gypsy Tart
Gypsy tart is a classic Kent dessert with evaporated milk and dark muscovado sugar. It is strongly linked with schools and home baking in the county.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Kentish Cobnuts
Kentish cobnut is a cultivated hazelnut grown in Kent. It is eaten fresh or in desserts and is one of the county’s best-known traditional produce items.
Don Vincenzo
Popular independent Italian restaurant on Rochester High Street, known for pizza, pasta and a warm, casual atmosphere.
Olives Restaurant
Established Turkish restaurant known for charcoal-grilled meats, meze and generous portions in a lively but relaxed dining room.
The Cooper's Arms
Well-known riverside pub and restaurant beside Rochester Bridge, serving British dishes and drinks in a historic, traditional setting.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for south-east England. Dining and hotels are usually cheaper than central London, while local transport and coffee are in line with similar UK day-trip cities.
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 fine dining.
- Coffee
- £3-4.50 for a coffee.
Tipping culture
Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is usual for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, often just small change.
Buses from London to Rochester
Buses from London to Rochester are the simplest way to travel from the capital to the Medway towns of Gillingham, Chatham and Rochester. National Express operates 6 coach services every day of the week, departing from morning until late in the evening. All coaches depart London Victoria Coach Station but also stop at Elephant and Castle, New Cross Gate and Lewisham. Coaches arrive at the neighbouring town of Gillingham on Hempsted Valley Road, a 15 minute taxi ride to Rochester. Journey time for buses from London to Rochester is approximately 1.5 hours.
FAQs: London to Rochester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London to Rochester 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 Rochester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from London to Rochester can start from as little as £27 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for London to Rochester is £27; 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 Rochester is 4h 42m to travel the 46 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 Rochester leaves at 0:10. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from London to Rochester leaves at 23:50.
There are 2 coaches a day from London to Rochester 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 Rochester, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Rochester. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between London and Rochester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Rochester from London is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4h 42m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from London to Rochester is July.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between London and Rochester including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from London to Rochester:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from London to Rochester for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from London to Rochester 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 Rochester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from London to Rochester:
- 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 Rochester:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from London to Rochester.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from London to Rochester with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from London to Rochester with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from London to Rochester with the following coach company: National Express.
More options for your journey from London to Rochester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Rochester and London
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