- Recommended
Command of the Oceans
Major naval museum site with galleries, historic ships and interactive exhibits. A top choice for understanding Chatham’s maritime story.
Cheapest price on 20 Sept
£20
Average ticket price on 20 Sept
£20
Fastest journey on 20 Sept
4 h 25 m
Average journey duration on 20 Sept
4 h 25 m
Buses on 20 Sept
1
Distance
86 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Luton to Gillingham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Luton to Gillingham will cost around £20 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £20.
On Sun 20 Sept, we found 1 buses from Luton to Gillingham, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 86 km distance in an average of 4 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 25 m .
The slowest buses will take 4 h 25 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.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Luton to Gillingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £18 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 22m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £18, while a train costs an average of £23.
Distance: 86 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£18 Average Price Cheapest | £23 Average Price | £20 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 39m Average total duration 3h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 22m Average total duration Fastest 1h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 26m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Luton to Gillingham:
A coach is £12 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Luton to Gillingham costing on average £30.
Other travel options to Gillingham take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 9m.
Tickets start at around £18 compared to roughly £20 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £2. The journey takes 3h 9m versus 1h 26m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Luton to Gillingham coaches for today, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 19:30 Luton | 4h00 | 23:30 Gillingham | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 20:30 Luton | 4h00 | 0:30 Gillingham | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Luton to Gillingham run on average 4 times per day, taking around 3h 4m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £20 but you can travel from only £15 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 04:36, the last at 20:55. The fastest coach covers the 86 km distance in 2h 55m.
Distance 86 km |
Average bus duration 3h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price £20 |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 2h 55m |
First bus 4:36 |
Last bus 20:55 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Gillingham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Gillingham trip today.
Major naval museum site with galleries, historic ships and interactive exhibits. A top choice for understanding Chatham’s maritime story.
Museum dedicated to the Royal Engineers, with medals, machinery and campaigns explained through well-presented displays near Brompton Barracks.
Compact local museum inside the dockyard exploring the Age of Sail, shipbuilding and dockyard workers. Good for a focused heritage visit.
Large heritage park with open grassland, military earthworks and broad views. Popular for walks, events and understanding Medway’s historic landscape.
Waterside country park with estuary views, birdlife and easy paths. A relaxing local favourite for walking, cycling and nature watching.
Linear riverside walking and cycling route connecting dockyard and country park areas. Good for seeing the Medway waterfront at an easy pace.
Fresh oysters from the nearby Swale and Medway estuary, long linked to Kent’s coast. Briny, mineral and a classic local seafood treat.
A rich pie of beef, kidney and oyster, historically associated with Medway and wider Kent. It reflects the area’s mix of farming and estuary produce.
Slow-cooked Kent lamb, often served as roast or braised dishes. Local sheep farming makes lamb a traditional choice across north Kent.
Well-liked Nepalese and Indian venue serving momos, curries and grilled dishes in a friendly local setting.
Popular Turkish restaurant serving grilled meats, meze and flatbreads in a lively, modern setting.
Established Indian restaurant known for classic curries, tandoori dishes and a relaxed dine-in atmosphere.
Moderate for South East England. Hotels can be cheaper than London, but dining and rail fares are still fairly high for many visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis; cafés usually do not expect tips.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton to Gillingham 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 Gillingham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Luton to Gillingham buses use the Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station to Gillingham, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre station pair. Use this guide to compare Luton and Gillingham bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Gillingham, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre is 5 km from Gillingham city centre. Public transport options include:
Gillingham, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Multiple restaurants in the shopping centre.
Wi-Fi is available at Gillingham, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre. ATMs are several ATMs inside the shopping centre.
Ticket office support is available at Gillingham, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre.
Available at Gillingham, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gillingham, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre: The area is wheelchair accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need