- 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.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Derby to Gillingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £83 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 47m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £83, while a train costs an average of £83.
Distance: 219 km
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
£83 Average Price Cheapest | £45 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 47m Average total duration Fastest 2h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Other travel options to Gillingham take longer:
Coach takes on average 6h 4m.
You'll arrive about 50m sooner (2h 17m by train vs 3h 7m by car). Tickets start at around £83 compared to roughly £45 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.
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 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 Derby to Gillingham run on average 10 times per day, taking around 2h 17m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £82 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:45, the last at 22:24. The fastest train covers the 219 km distance in 2h 25m.
Distance 219 km |
Average train duration 2h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price £82 |
Trains per day 10 |
Fastest train 2h 25m |
First train 4:45 |
Last train 22:24 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 7 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 Derby 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 Derby to Gillingham trains use the Derby to Gillingham (Kent) station pair. Use this guide to compare Derby and Gillingham train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Derby is 1 km from Derby city centre. Public transport options include:
Derby has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Derby.
ATMs are available at Derby.
Ticket office support is available at Derby.
Available at Derby: Parking, WC.
Available at Derby: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Derby: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A step free station. This station has step free access. There are lifts to all platforms. There is a subway to platforms 2,3,4 and 5. Platforms 6 and 7 are accessed by lift only. This station has tactile paving at the edges of all platforms and at the foot and top of stairwells, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Gillingham (Kent) has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Gillingham (Kent).
ATMs are available at Gillingham (Kent).
Ticket office support is available at Gillingham (Kent). Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information 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 Gillingham (Kent): Parking, WC.
Available at Gillingham (Kent): Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gillingham (Kent): Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A. This station has step free access to all platforms - Step free access to all platforms and interchange via lifts. Step free access direct to Platform 3 via side entrance off Railway Street. Stepped access from main entrance via station footbridge, 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: Booking hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Monday - Friday 24 Hours a Day Saturday 24 Hours a Day Sunday 24 Hours a Day Assistance/Help available from station staff from First to Last trains, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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