London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury train with Southeastern

Fri 11 Sept
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Southeastern
Thameslink
Southern
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
Southeastern
Thameslink
Southern
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 11 Sept

Cheapest price on 11 Sept

£32

Average ticket price on 11 Sept

£51

Fastest journey on 11 Sept

1 h 55 m

Average journey duration on 11 Sept

2 h 4 m

Trains on 11 Sept

18

Distance

88 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury will cost around £51 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £32.

Fast trains

To travel from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury you need to make at least one change.

  • SoutheasternP89012+SouthernG77407+ThameslinkW32979
    9:022h17
    Gatwick Airport (GTW)
    11:19Canterbury West (CBW)
    £321One-way
    2 changes
  • SouthernC82869 · W32576+SoutheasternP85706
    16:562h38
    Gatwick Airport (GTW)
    19:34Canterbury West (CBW)
    £321One-way
    2 changes
  • SoutheasternP88497 · P86262+SouthernG26783+London OvergroundL11989
    9:062h34
    Gatwick Airport (GTW)
    11:40Canterbury East (CBE)
    £321One-way
    4 changes
  • SoutheasternP89118+SouthernG77460+ThameslinkW32956
    17:322h19
    Gatwick Airport (GTW)
    19:51Canterbury West (CBW)
    £321One-way
    2 changes
  • SoutheasternP89006+SouthernG77400 · G77124_C93205
    8:222h00
    Gatwick Airport (GTW)
    10:22Canterbury West (CBW)
    £331One-way
    2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £19 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 20m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £19, while a train costs an average of £29.

Distance: 88 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Driving

£29

Average Price

£19

Average Price

Cheapest

£19

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 20m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 50m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 4m

Average total duration

4h 34m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 12m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Southeastern

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury is a coach with an average price of £19.

This is compared to other travel options from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury:

A coach is £10 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury costing on average £29.

The fastest way to travel from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury is by train with an average journey time of 1h 50m.

Other travel options to Canterbury take longer:

Coach takes on average 4h 34m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between London Gatwick Airport and Canterbury 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 £29 compared to roughly £19 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-10.06. The journey takes 1h 50m versus 1h 12m 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

London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury train times

The table below shows live departures for London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury trains for today, Thursday 10 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
ThameslinkW32946+London OvergroundP65674+SoutheasternP88621 · P86301
On time
13:32 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
3h11
16:43 Canterbury East (CBE)
3 changes
SouthernC82840 · W32579+SoutheasternP85689
On time
13:57 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h37
16:34 Canterbury West (CBW)
2 changes
SouthernG26315 · W28064_G26844+London OvergroundP65677+SoutheasternP8862814:02 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h41
16:43 Canterbury East (CBE)4 changes
ThameslinkW32957+SouthernG77440+SoutheasternP89045_P89048
On time
14:32 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h29
17:01 Canterbury West (CBW)
2 changes
ThameslinkW45549+SoutheasternP85689
On time
14:36 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
1h58
16:34 Canterbury West (CBW)
1 change
SouthernG26428+SoutheasternP8630514:56 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h13
17:09 Canterbury East (CBE)1 change
ThameslinkW32975+SouthernG77445+SoutheasternP8904915:02 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h18
17:20 Canterbury West (CBW)2 changes
SouthernC82862 · W28069_G26862 · G27890 · C09843
On time
15:32 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h38
18:10 Canterbury East (CBE)
6 changes
ThameslinkW45415+SoutheasternP85695
On time
15:36 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
1h58
17:34 Canterbury West (CBW)
1 change
SouthernG26435+SoutheasternP86315 · P85394
On time
15:56 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h14
18:10 Canterbury East (CBE)
2 changes
ThameslinkW32963+SouthernG77451+SoutheasternP8905616:02 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h23
18:25 Canterbury West (CBW)2 changes
ThameslinkW45405+SoutheasternP8574816:16 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
1h55
18:11 Canterbury West (CBW)1 change
SouthernG26438+SoutheasternP86318
On time
16:26 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h11
18:37 Canterbury East (CBE)
1 change
SouthernC82871 · W28097_G26874 · G27898 · C09831
On time
16:32 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h42
19:14 Canterbury East (CBE)
6 changes
ThameslinkW45607+SouthernG77454+SoutheasternP8906316:32 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h52
19:24 Canterbury West (CBW)2 changes
SouthernC82427+ThameslinkW45607+London OvergroundP65710+SoutheasternP88420
On time
16:43 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h54
19:37 Canterbury East (CBE)
4 changes
ThameslinkW45464+SoutheasternP85749
On time
16:46 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
1h55
18:41 Canterbury West (CBW)
1 change
ThameslinkW45529+SoutheasternP8906316:53 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h31
19:24 Canterbury West (CBW)1 change
SouthernC82869 · W32576+SoutheasternP8570616:56 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h38
19:34 Canterbury West (CBW)2 changes
SouthernG26442+SoutheasternP86321 · P85396
On time
16:56 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h18
19:14 Canterbury East (CBE)
2 changes
ThameslinkG28272+SoutheasternP85961 · P89063
On time
17:06 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h18
19:24 Canterbury West (CBW)
2 changes
Friday 11 September
ThameslinkW32962+SoutheasternP856205:19 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h21
7:40 Canterbury West (CBW)1 change
ThameslinkW32972+SoutheasternP88418 · P86241+London OvergroundL119575:32 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
3h08
8:40 Canterbury East (CBE)3 changes
SoutheasternP88425 · P86241+SouthernG26115 · G887225:57 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h43
8:40 Canterbury East (CBE)4 changes
SoutheasternP86238_P86240+SouthernG261155:57 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h14
8:11 Canterbury East (CBE)1 change
ThameslinkW45420+SoutheasternP85888 · P886616:06 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h12
8:18 Canterbury West (CBW)2 changes
SoutheasternP88995_P88998+SouthernG77388 · G77119_C932016:22 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h36
8:58 Canterbury West (CBW)2 changes
SoutheasternP89006+SouthernG77400 · G77124_C932058:22 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h00
10:22 Canterbury West (CBW)2 changes
ThameslinkW45403+SoutheasternP856438:36 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
1h58
10:34 Canterbury West (CBW)1 change
ThameslinkW32906+SoutheasternP890128:49 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h30
11:19 Canterbury West (CBW)1 change
ThameslinkW32979+SoutheasternP89012+SouthernG774079:02 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h17
11:19 Canterbury West (CBW)2 changes
ThameslinkW45413+SoutheasternP85910 · P890129:06 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h13
11:19 Canterbury West (CBW)2 changes
ThameslinkW45413+SoutheasternP88497 · P86262+London OvergroundL119899:06 Gatwick Airport (GTW)
2h34
11:40 Canterbury East (CBE)4 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury 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
11 Sept
Sat
12 Sept
Sun
13 Sept
Mon
14 Sept
Tue
15 Sept
Wed
16 Sept
Thu
17 Sept

Why should you book London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury trains with Omio?

Southeastern as well as Thameslink or Southern offer trains services from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury.

Why book with Omio vs Southeastern?

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

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Thameslink or Southern to find the best option for your trip from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury.

Journey information

Overview: Train from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury run on average 10 times per day, taking around 1h 50m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £26 but you can travel from only £13 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 07:03, the last at 18:02. The fastest train covers the 88 km distance in 2h 0m.

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 £13
Distance
88 km
Average train duration
1h 50m
Cheapest ticket price
£26
Trains per day
10
Fastest train
2h 0m
First train
7:03
Last train
18:02
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Mon
Least Busy Day
Tue
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 £13

Train companies: Southeastern, Thameslink, Southern from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury trainsSoutheastern, Thameslink, Southern trains will get you between London Gatwick Airport and Canterbury from £13. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

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
2h 0m
Cheapest Southeastern Price
£26
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

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 48m
Cheapest Thameslink Price
£67
Thameslink frequency
23 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

Southern

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Southern Duration
1h 45m
Cheapest Southern Price
£61
Southern frequency
3 a day

Complete guide to Canterbury

Things to do in Canterbury

Discover the best of Canterbury — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Canterbury trip today.

  • Recommended

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

Engaging Roman museum built around the remains of a town house. See mosaics, artefacts and displays that bring Roman Canterbury to life.

  • Recommended

Canterbury Roman Museum

Interactive museum on the site of Roman Canterbury, with preserved pavement mosaics, finds and family-friendly interpretation underground.

  • Recommended

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

Local museum and gallery with art, ceramics, natural history and changing displays. Good for a broad introduction to the city and region.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for England: hotels and dining are pricier than smaller UK towns, but local buses and casual meals stay manageable for most visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale restaurants.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafes: rounding up is enough. Taxis: round up or add about 10% for good service.

FAQs: London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury 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 Canterbury, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £26, while the average price tends to be around £29.
The train journey from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury covers a distance of 88 km and takes approximately 2h 0m. Trains run 10 per day.
The train distance from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury is 88 km.
The first train from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury leaves at 7:03.
The last train from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury departs at 18:02.
Trains from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury run approximately 10 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury.
To get from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury.
The cheapest way to get from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury is by coach, costing approximately £13.
Booking trains from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury offers pleasant views of the English countryside, including glimpses of rolling hills and quaint villages, making it a moderately scenic route.
A day trip from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury is not feasible since the journey duration is 2h 0m. However, trains run frequently with 10 trips per day. The distance is 88 km.
In Canterbury, you can explore the historic streets on a guided walking tour, enjoy a punting tour on the River Stour, and visit the Canterbury Tales attraction. Attend a performance at The Marlowe Theatre or discover the local food scene on a culinary tour. Key sights include the Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustine's Abbey, the Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint, the Canterbury Roman Museum, and Westgate Gardens.
To fully explore Canterbury's historic sites, such as Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustine's Abbey, and the Canterbury Roman Museum, a visit of two to three days is recommended.
Yes, you can take the train from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in London Gatwick Airport and Canterbury

Most London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury trains use the London St Pancras International to Canterbury West station pair, with some services arriving at Canterbury East. Use this guide to compare London Gatwick Airport and Canterbury 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 Canterbury
Canterbury WestCanterbury West station, Station Road West, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8AN+44 3303339232ParkingDiningAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Canterbury West from Canterbury city centre

Bus21, 400, 401, Uni1, Uni2 · 14m · £3 · every ~22 min

Canterbury West train station facilities and services

Canterbury West 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 Canterbury West.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Canterbury West. 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 Canterbury West: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Canterbury West: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Canterbury West: 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: two within concourse, 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.

Canterbury EastCanterbury East station, Station Road East, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2RB+44 3303339232ParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Canterbury East from Canterbury city centre

Bus649 · 9m

Canterbury East train station facilities and services

Canterbury East has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Canterbury East.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

ATMs are available at Canterbury East.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Canterbury East. 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 Canterbury East: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Canterbury East: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Canterbury East: 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: The Ticket Vending Machines's can only be accessed when the station building is open as they are in the booking hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

More options for your journey from London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury

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

Most popular trains to and from Canterbury and London Gatwick Airport

HomeTrainsTrain Times to Canterbury London Gatwick Airport to Canterbury train

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