- Must visit
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Major historic dockyard museum with warships, galleries and dock buildings. One of the area's key heritage attractions.
Take a train from Bristol to Gillingham and enjoy the approximately 51 km long journey. Find schedules and pricing options for a convenient and affordable trip.
The earliest train runs at 04:41, the last at 21:52.
Distance 51 km |
Average train duration 1h 38m |
Trains per day 6 |
First train 4:41 |
Last train 21:52 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Gillingham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Gillingham trip today.
Major historic dockyard museum with warships, galleries and dock buildings. One of the area's key heritage attractions.
Art and history museum in nearby Rochester with changing displays, local collections and works by Dickens-era artists.
Compact local museum exploring the history of the Royal Engineers through objects, medals, maps and military stories.
Large hilltop park with open lawns, military history and sweeping views over Chatham and the Medway towns.
Waterside marina quarter with promenades, modern architecture and river views. Popular for a relaxed walk near the docks.
Riverside country park with broad estuary views, birdlife and paths through former military land and open grassland.
Kentish huffkins are soft round bread rolls from Kent, traditionally eaten with cheese, ham or jam and long associated with local baking.
Canterbury tart is a Kent dessert tart, usually filled with apple or lemon curd and almonds, linked with historic baking traditions in the county.
Gypsy tart is a classic Kent school pudding with evaporated milk and dark muscovado sugar, loved locally for its rich, caramel flavour.
Popular Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant known for grilled meats, meze and a lively yet relaxed setting.
Established Nepalese and Indian venue serving curries, tandoori dishes and friendly sit-down dining in central Gillingham.
Modern Indian restaurant with a broad menu of regional favourites, suited to casual dinners and group meals.
Moderate for south-east England. Hotels can be cheaper than London, but dining and rail fares are still relatively costly for tourists.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Cafés usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol to Gillingham 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 Gillingham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bristol to Gillingham trains use the Bristol Temple Meads to Gillingham (Dorset) station pair. Use this guide to compare Bristol and Gillingham 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.
Bristol, Airport is 11 km from Bristol city centre. Public transport options include:
Bristol, Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Shower, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Dexters, Brunel Bar & Kitchen
Free. ATMs are available in the airport terminal.
Ticket office support is available at Bristol, Airport. Information desks are located in the main terminal.
Luggage storage is available at Bristol, Airport. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bristol, Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bristol, Airport: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bristol, Airport: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport, Holiday Inn Bristol Airport, Winford Manor Hotel.
Shirehampton is 6 km from Bristol city centre. Public transport options include:
Shirehampton has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Shirehampton.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Shirehampton: Parking.
Available at Shirehampton: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Shirehampton: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category A Station - This station has step free access to the platform. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: No, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Gillingham (Dorset) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Wi-Fi is available at Gillingham (Dorset).
Ticket office support is available at Gillingham (Dorset). Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0800 5282100.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Gillingham (Dorset): Parking, WC.
Available at Gillingham (Dorset): Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gillingham (Dorset): Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category B2 Station. Some step-free access to all platforms - please check details. Step-free access to Platform 1 (most trains in both directions) via level access, or short ramp. Steps to Platform 2 (some trains in both directions) or step-free approximately 100m via barrow crossing with assistance only, when station is staffed, Accessible taxis: Pre-booked only, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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