Plymouth to Folkestone bus with National Express

Fri 18 Sept
+ Add return
National Express
Stagecoach South West
FlixBus
Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
2,000+ travel companies
National Express
Stagecoach South West
FlixBus
Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
2,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest coaches from Plymouth to Folkestone

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£30

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£43

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

10 h 10 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

11 h

Buses on 18 Sept

3

Distance

383 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Plymouth to Folkestone is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Plymouth to Folkestone will cost around £43 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £30.

Fast coaches

On Fri 18 Sept, we found 3 buses from Plymouth to Folkestone, including 3 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 383 km distance in an average of 11 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h 10 m .

The slowest buses will take 12 h 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
    15:3010h10
    Plymouth
    1:40Folkestone
    £301One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    0:3012h00
    Plymouth
    12:30Folkestone
    £441One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    12:1010h50
    Plymouth
    23:00Folkestone
    £551One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Plymouth to Folkestone

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Plymouth to Folkestone among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £75 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 6h 18m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £75, while a train costs an average of £195.

Distance: 383 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Train
Driving

£75

Average Price

Cheapest

£195

Average Price

£76

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

8h 45m

Average total duration

8h 15m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 18m

Average total duration

Fastest

5h 48m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 12m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Plymouth to Folkestone is a coach with an average price of £75.

This is compared to other travel options from Plymouth to Folkestone:

A coach is £120 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Plymouth to Folkestone costing on average £195.

The fastest way to travel from Plymouth to Folkestone is by train with an average journey time of 5h 48m.

Other travel options to Folkestone take longer:

Coach takes on average 8h 15m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Plymouth and Folkestone 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 £75 compared to roughly £76 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £0.67. The journey takes 8h 15m versus 5h 12m 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

Plymouth to Folkestone bus times

The table below shows live departures for Plymouth to Folkestone coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
FlixBus11:05 Plymouth
10h40
21:45 Folkestone2 changes
FlixBus15:40 Plymouth
9h40
1:20 Folkestone2 changes
Friday 18 September
National Express0:30 Plymouth
12h00
12:30 Folkestone0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Plymouth to Folkestone 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.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Plymouth to Folkestone coaches with Omio?

National Express as well as Stagecoach South West or FlixBus offer coaches services from Plymouth to Folkestone.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Plymouth to Folkestone.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of Stagecoach South West or FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Plymouth to Folkestone.
  • 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 Plymouth to Folkestone.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Stagecoach South West or FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Plymouth to Folkestone.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Plymouth to Folkestone.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Plymouth to Folkestone

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Plymouth to Folkestone run on average 5 times per day, taking around 8h 15m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £66 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 00:30, the last at 23:15. The fastest coach covers the 383 km distance in 8h 55m.

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
383 km
Average bus duration
8h 15m
Cheapest ticket price
£66
Buses per day
5
Fastest bus
8h 55m
First bus
0:30
Last bus
23:15
Cheapest Month
Oct
Cheapest Day
Fri
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Oct - Dec
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

Bus providers: National Express, Stagecoach South West, FlixBus from Plymouth to FolkestoneYou can travel by bus between Plymouth to Folkestone with National Express, Stagecoach South West, FlixBus for as low as £66. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
9h 10m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£67
FlixBus frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

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
8h 55m
Cheapest National Express Price
£81
National Express frequency
2 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.

What's included in each class

Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.

Standard
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs

Stagecoach South West

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Stagecoach South West Duration
9h 55m
Cheapest Stagecoach South West Price
£66
Stagecoach South West frequency
2 a day

Complete guide to Folkestone

Things to do in Folkestone

Discover the best of Folkestone — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Folkestone trip today.

  • Must visit

Folkestone Artworks

An outdoor public art collection spread across the town, featuring permanent works by contemporary artists in everyday settings.

  • Recommended

Folkestone Museum

A local history museum in the old town covering Folkestone's past, from seaside life to wartime and archaeology.

  • Recommended

Folkestone Arts

A contemporary art venue in a former church, showing changing exhibitions by British and international artists.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK seaside town: dining is manageable, but hotels in peak season can rise; local buses are reasonably priced.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 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

Service is sometimes included. If not, 10-12.5% in restaurants is usual for good service. Round up taxi fares; cafés may use tip jars, but tipping is optional.

FAQs: Plymouth to Folkestone coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Plymouth to Folkestone 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 Folkestone, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Plymouth to Folkestone can start from as little as £66 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Plymouth to Folkestone is £75; 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 Plymouth to Folkestone is 8h 55m to travel the 383 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 Plymouth to Folkestone leaves at 0:30. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Plymouth to Folkestone leaves at 23:15.
There are 5 coaches a day from Plymouth to Folkestone which require at least one change with National Express, Stagecoach South West, FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Plymouth to Folkestone, you can count on National Express, Stagecoach South West, FlixBus for the best way to get you to Folkestone. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Plymouth and Folkestone and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
Passengers board the coach most frequently from Plymouth, Coach Station, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Folkestone, Middelburg Square, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Folkestone from Plymouth is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 8h 55m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Plymouth to Folkestone is October.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Plymouth and Folkestone including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Plymouth to Folkestone:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Plymouth to Folkestone for coach company National Express, FlixBus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Plymouth to Folkestone 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.
  • FlixBus
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express, FlixBus.
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 Plymouth to Folkestone.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Plymouth to Folkestone:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Plymouth to Folkestone:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Plymouth to Folkestone. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Plymouth to Folkestone with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Plymouth to Folkestone with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Plymouth to Folkestone with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Plymouth and Folkestone

Most Plymouth to Folkestone buses use the Plymouth, Coach Station to Folkestone, Middelburg Square station pair. Use this guide to compare Plymouth and Folkestone bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Plymouth
Arrival bus stations in Folkestone

Which Plymouth station do buses to Folkestone leave from?

Buses from Plymouth to Folkestone leave from Plymouth, Coach Station. The station is from Plymouth city centre at Plymouth Coach Station, Plymouth PL1 1LR, UK.
Plymouth, Coach StationPlymouth Coach Station, Plymouth PL1 1LR, UKWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Plymouth, Coach Station from Plymouth city centre

TRUE

Plymouth, Coach Station bus station facilities and services

Plymouth, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Plymouth, Coach Station. ATMs are available at Plymouth, Coach Station.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Plymouth, Coach Station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Plymouth, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Plymouth, Coach Station: Station is accessible with ramps and level access.

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone