Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) train with Thameslink

Fri 18 Sept
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Southeastern
Thameslink
Southern
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Southern
2,000+ travel companies
Southeastern
Thameslink
Southern
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Southern
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC)

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£32

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£60

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

1 h 56 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

1 h 56 m

Trains on 18 Sept

41

Distance

93 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) will cost around £60 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £32.

Fast trains

To travel from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) you need to make at least one change.

  • ThameslinkW32970+SoutheasternP89027+SouthernG77422
    11:322h11
    Gatwick Airport (GTW)
    13:43Folkestone Central (FKC)
    £321One-way
    2 changes
  • ThameslinkW32939+SoutheasternP89021+SouthernG77416
    10:322h11
    Gatwick Airport (GTW)
    12:43Folkestone Central (FKC)
    £321One-way
    2 changes
  • ThameslinkW32945+SoutheasternP89015+SouthernG77410
    9:322h11
    Gatwick Airport (GTW)
    11:43Folkestone Central (FKC)
    £321One-way
    2 changes
  • ThameslinkW32957+SoutheasternP89045+SouthernG77440
    14:322h16
    Gatwick Airport (GTW)
    16:48Folkestone Central (FKC)
    £321One-way
    2 changes
  • ThameslinkW32946+SoutheasternP89039+SouthernG77434
    13:322h16
    Gatwick Airport (GTW)
    15:48Folkestone Central (FKC)
    £321One-way
    2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC)

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £24 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 28m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £24, while a train costs an average of £35.

Distance: 93 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Driving

£35

Average Price

£24

Average Price

Cheapest

£21

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 28m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 58m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 3m

Average total duration

5h 33m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 15m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) is a coach with an average price of £24.

This is compared to other travel options from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC):

A coach is £28 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) costing on average £52.

The fastest way to travel from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) is by train with an average journey time of 1h 49m.

Other travel options to Folkestone Central (FKC) take longer:

Coach takes on average 5h 33m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Gatwick Airport (GTW) and Folkestone Central (FKC) including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around £52 compared to roughly £21 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-31.47. The journey takes 1h 49m versus 1h 15m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.

Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.

Live departures

Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) train times

The table below shows live departures for Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
SoutheasternP85888+ThameslinkW45420
On time
6:06 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
1h56
8:02 Folkestone Central (FKC)
1 change
SoutheasternP88995+ThameslinkW32870
On time
6:19 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h32
8:51 Folkestone Central (FKC)
1 change
SoutheasternP88995+SouthernG77119_C93201 · G773886:22 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h29
8:51 Folkestone Central (FKC)2 changes
SoutheasternP85628 · P88995+ThameslinkW455416:36 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h15
8:51 Folkestone Central (FKC)2 changes
SoutheasternP85894+ThameslinkW454656:46 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h16
9:02 Folkestone Central (FKC)1 change
SoutheasternP89003+ThameslinkW328797:19 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h35
9:54 Folkestone Central (FKC)1 change

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) by train or coach

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.

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 Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) trains with Omio?

Thameslink as well as Southeastern offer trains services from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC).
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC).

Why book with Omio vs Thameslink?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Thameslink, but also compare tickets for the likes of Southeastern to find the best option for your trip from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC).
  • 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 Thameslink with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC).

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Southeastern to find the best option for your trip from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC).
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC).

Journey information

Overview: Train from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC)

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) run on average 8 times per day, taking around 1h 49m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £28 but you can travel from only £15 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 04:32, the last at 22:06. The fastest train covers the 93 km distance in 1h 34m.

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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £15
Distance
93 km
Average train duration
1h 49m
Cheapest ticket price
£28
Trains per day
8
Fastest train
1h 34m
First train
4:32
Last train
22:06
Cheapest Month
Aug
Cheapest Day
Mon
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Thu
Best time to book
1 day
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £15

Train companies: Thameslink, Southeastern from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) trainsThameslink, Southeastern trains will get you between Gatwick Airport (GTW) and Folkestone Central (FKC) from £15. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Thameslink

About
Thameslink is a train service that operates in the United Kingdom. It is operated by Govia Thameslink Railway and serves the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, London, and Surrey. The trains run from early morning until late at night, with some services running 24 hours a day. There are a variety of train types available, including Class 700 Desiro City, Class 377 Electrostar, Class 387/1 Electrostar, and Class 319/0. Ticket types include Anytime, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak, and Advance. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. The most popular routes for Thameslink are London to Brighton, London to Bedford, and London to Luton.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Thameslink Duration
1h 37m
Cheapest Thameslink Price
£40
Thameslink frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund available if service is canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on some routes offering drinks and snacks
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets free of charge. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone
Family area

Southeastern

About
Southeastern is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London to Kent, Sussex, Surrey and parts of East Anglia. It runs services from early morning until late at night, seven days a week. Southeastern has a range of train types, including high-speed Javelin trains, commuter-friendly Metro services, and the classic InterCity services. Ticket types include Advance, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak, and Anytime tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Southeastern are London to Kent, London to Eastbourne, and London to Hastings.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Southeastern Duration
1h 34m
Cheapest Southeastern Price
£28
Southeastern frequency
5 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and luggage storage areas at the end of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies vary by ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on most services
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and ramps for boarding
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs allowed with ticket. Guide dogs free
Quiet zone
Family area

FAQs: Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) 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 Folkestone Central (FKC), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £28, while the average price tends to be around £52.
The train journey from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) covers a distance of 93 km and takes approximately 1h 34m. Trains run 8 per day.
The train distance from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) is 93 km.
The first train from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) leaves at 4:32.
The last train from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) departs at 22:06.
Trains from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) run approximately 8 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC).
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC).
To get from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC), you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC).
The cheapest way to get from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) is by coach, costing approximately £15.
Booking trains from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Gatwick Airport to Folkestone Central offers some scenic views, especially as it passes through the rolling countryside and charming towns of Kent, known as the "Garden of England." While not as dramatic as coastal routes, it provides a pleasant and picturesque travel experience.
A day trip from Gatwick Airport to Folkestone Central is not feasible as the journey takes 1h 34m and the distance is 93 km. Trains run 12 times per day.
Yes, you can take the train from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC).

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Gatwick Airport (GTW) and Folkestone Central (FKC)

Most Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) trains use the London St Pancras International to Folkestone West station pair. Use this guide to compare Gatwick Airport (GTW) and Folkestone Central (FKC) train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in London
Arrival train stations in Folkestone
Folkestone CentralFolkestone Central station, Station Approach, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 5HB+44 3303339232ParkingDiningAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Folkestone Central from Folkestone city centre

Location for Rail Replacement ServicesBus stop outside of the station (exit station, walk down the slope and turn right. Bus stop is just beyond the bridge)

Folkestone Central train station facilities and services

Folkestone Central has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Folkestone Central.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Folkestone Central. 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.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Folkestone Central: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Folkestone Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Folkestone Central: 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 via lift or steep ramps from main entrance, 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: In the 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, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

More options for your journey from Gatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC)

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

Most popular trains to and from Folkestone Central (FKC) and Gatwick Airport (GTW)

HomeTrainsTrains in United KingdomGatwick Airport (GTW) to Folkestone Central (FKC) train

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