- Must visit
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Major historic dockyard museum with warships, galleries and dock buildings. One of the area's key heritage attractions.
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Dartford to Gillingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £7 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 14m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £7, while a train costs an average of £15.
Distance: 180 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£15 Average Price | £7 Average Price Cheapest | £5 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 14m Average total duration Fastest 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 28m Average total duration 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 12m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Dartford to Gillingham:
A coach is £9 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Dartford to Gillingham costing on average £15.
Other travel options to Gillingham take longer:
Coach takes on average 58m.
You'll arrive about 2h 28m sooner (44m by train vs 3h 12m by car). Tickets start at around £15 compared to roughly £5 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with Thameslink.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
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.
Trains from Dartford to Gillingham run on average 6 times per day, taking around 44m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £13 but you can travel from only £6 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:36, the last at 20:51. The fastest train covers the 180 km distance in 39m.
Distance 180 km |
Average train duration 44m |
Cheapest ticket price £13 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 39m |
First train 5:36 |
Last train 20:51 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
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 Dartford 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 Dartford to Gillingham trains use the Dartford to Gillingham (Dorset) station pair. Use this guide to compare Dartford and Gillingham train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Dartford has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Dartford.
ATMs are available at Dartford.
Ticket office support is available at Dartford. 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 Dartford: Parking, WC.
Available at Dartford: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dartford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A. This station has step free access to all platforms - Access to all platforms and interchange via lifts and stairs, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not wheelchair accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: 2 x in booking hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Assistance/Help available from station staff from First to Last trains, 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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