- 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.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bristol to Chatham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £31 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 14m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £31, while a train costs an average of £31.
Distance: 217 km
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
£31 Average Price Cheapest | £41 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 14m Average total duration Fastest 2h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The journey is about 10m faster (2h 44m by train vs 2h 54m by car) and roughly £11 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£31 vs £41). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Bristol to Chatham trains for today, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W34457+ Tube from London Paddington to London St Pancras International+ P85108 | On time 5:30 Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 3h30 | 9:00 Chatham station (CTM) | 2 changes | |
W34962+ L79337+ Tube from London Waterloo to London St Pancras International+ P85122 | On time 5:47 Bristol Temple Meads (BRI) | 5h13 | 11:00 Chatham station (CTM) | 3 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare 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.
Trains from Bristol to Chatham run on average 10 times per day, taking around 2h 44m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £27 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:40, the last at 22:00. The fastest train covers the 217 km distance in 2h 29m.
Distance 217 km |
Average train duration 2h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price £27 |
Trains per day 10 |
Fastest train 2h 29m |
First train 4:40 |
Last train 22:00 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 6 days |
Discover the best of Chatham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chatham trip today.
Large maritime museum at the Historic Dockyard with warships, galleries and dockyard buildings that explain Chatham's naval past.
Museum in a former dockyard ropery and foundry complex, showing Royal Engineers history through vehicles, medals and exhibitions.
Small local museum covering Medway life, Chatham's development and Charles Dickens connections through compact changing displays.
Landscaped parkland above Chatham with military heritage, memorials and one of the best open walks for Medway town views.
Historic riverside quarter with cobbled streets, waterside walks and old buildings, popular for a quieter local feel near Chatham.
Modern waterfront area with marina views, promenades and event spaces, offering an easy walk beside the former dockyard basin.
Fresh oysters from the nearby Thames Estuary, prized in Kent for centuries and traditionally eaten raw with lemon.
Kent’s classic loaf made with local flour, milk and hops from the county’s brewing tradition; a regional bakery staple.
A traditional Kent fruit preserve flavoured with cherries and damsons, linked to old orchards around the Medway area.
Popular Turkish restaurant serving grilled meats, meze and seafood in a smart but relaxed setting near the waterfront.
Lively Brazilian venue known for grilled dishes, burgers and cocktails, with a casual atmosphere in Chatham town centre.
Well-known local Indian restaurant offering curries, tandoori dishes and friendly service in a comfortable dining room.
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.
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.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol to Chatham by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Chatham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bristol to Chatham trains use the Bristol Temple Meads to Chatham station pair. Use this guide to compare Bristol and Chatham train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Bristol Temple Meads has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: The Pasty Shop, Starbucks, Upper Crust, Pumpkin Café, Hart's Bakery
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located near Platform 3.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:30 - 21:30, Sun: 06:45 - 21:30. Information desks are located near the main entrance.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bristol Temple Meads: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bristol Temple Meads: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bristol Temple Meads: Wheelchair access, elevators, escalators. .
Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Express Bristol City Center, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bristol City Center, Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Center.
Chatham has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Chatham.
ATMs are available at Chatham.
Ticket office support is available at Chatham. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0345 322 7021 or Text relay 18001 0345 322 7021 Freephone 0800 783 4524 or Text Relay 18001 0800 783 4524, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Chatham: Parking, WC.
Available at Chatham: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Chatham: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B2. This station has a degree of step-free access to the platform, which may be in both directions or in one direction only - please check details - Step free access to platform 1 for services to London via ramp to car park. Step free access to platform 2 for services away from London via ramp from Railway Street. Step free interchange via road and steep paths is in excess of 250 metres. Step access between platforms available via the booking hall, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: In the booking hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Monday - Sunday 24 Hours a Day Assistance/Help available from station staff from First to Last trains, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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