- Recommended
Herne Bay Museum
Local museum covering seaside life, local archaeology, and town history, with accessible displays in the town centre.
Cheapest price
£9
Average price
£10
Fastest journey
1 h 45 m
Average duration
1 h 46 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
44 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Maidstone to Herne Bay is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Maidstone to Herne Bay will cost around £10 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £9.
Of the 2 trains that leave Maidstone for Herne Bay every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 44 km distance in an average of 1 h 46 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 45 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 47 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




The table below shows live departures for Maidstone to Herne Bay trains for tomorrow, Sunday 16 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:33 Maidstone | 1h47 | 10:20 Herne Bay | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 17:57 Maidstone | 1h45 | 19:42 Herne Bay | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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 Maidstone to Herne Bay run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 19m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £9 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:52, the last at 22:45. The fastest train covers the 44 km distance in 1h 45m.
Distance 44 km |
Average train duration 1h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price £9 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 1h 45m |
First train 4:52 |
Last train 22:45 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Herne Bay — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Herne Bay trip today.
Local museum covering seaside life, local archaeology, and town history, with accessible displays in the town centre.
Nearby historic house museum with collections, period rooms, and exhibitions, suited to visitors exploring the wider Herne Bay area.
Working art gallery and studio space showing contemporary pieces by local artists near the seafront.
Long shingle beach and promenade with sea views, colourful beach huts, and easy walking close to the town centre.
Large public park with gardens, play areas, sports space, and a memorial garden, popular with residents and visitors.
Coastal country park with clifftop paths, wildlife habitats, and broad views over the Thames Estuary.
Fresh oysters from the North Kent coast, long linked to nearby Whitstable and Herne Bay. Briny, seasonal shellfish are a classic local seaside treat.
A traditional Kent shellfish dish of whelks, usually served cold with vinegar and pepper. A simple old-fashioned snack sold around the coast.
Small brown shrimps from the Kent coast, often served in a potted style with butter and spice or simply dressed. A classic local seafood speciality.
Stylish seafront venue with coffee, brunch and modern British dishes. Relaxed interiors and sea views make it a dependable all-day stop.
Popular seafront fish and chip shop known for classic suppers, quick service and casual coastal atmosphere near the beach.
Well-known local pub and restaurant serving British favourites, Sunday roasts and drinks in a relaxed historic setting by the seafront.
Moderate for a UK seaside town. Accommodation and dining cost less than London, but summer stays, seafront cafés and rail travel can raise daily costs.
Service is sometimes included in restaurants; otherwise 10% is polite for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Café tipping is optional.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Maidstone to Herne Bay 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 Herne Bay, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Maidstone to Herne Bay trains use the Maidstone Barracks to Herne Bay station pair. Use this guide to compare Maidstone and Herne Bay train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Maidstone Barracks is 1 km from Maidstone city centre. Public transport options include:
Maidstone Barracks has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Maidstone Barracks.
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.
Available at Maidstone Barracks: Parking.
Available at Maidstone Barracks: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Maidstone Barracks: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category C. This station does not have step free access.Steps to all platforms down from main road.Interchange between platforms via steps up to road bridge. Unstaffed station. There are no station staff but there are staff to assist on the trains, 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: On platform 1, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Maidstone East is 1 km from Maidstone city centre. Public transport options include:
Maidstone East has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Maidstone East.
Ticket office support is available at Maidstone 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.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Maidstone East: Parking, WC.
Available at Maidstone East: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Maidstone East: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B1. This station has a degree of step-free access to the platform, which may be in both directions or in one direction only - please check details - Step free access to platform 1 for services towards London from the main side entrance. Step free access to platform 2 for services away from London. Step free access to platform 3, terminal platform, for services towards London. There is step free interchange via road and steep paths in excess of 200 metres. From the Ticket office the step free access to all platforms is via the station forecourt, 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: platform 1, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Monday - Friday 05:30 - 01:00 Saturday 05:30 - 01:00 Sunday 06:30 - 23:59, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Maidstone West has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink options are available at Maidstone West.
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Maidstone West. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Maidstone West. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Maidstone West: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Maidstone West: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Maidstone West.
Nearby hotels include Premier Inn Maidstone, Travelodge Maidstone Central, The Townhouse Hotel.
Herne Bay is 1 km from Herne Bay city centre. Public transport options include:
Herne Bay has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Ticket office support is available at Herne Bay. 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 Herne Bay: Parking, WC.
Available at Herne Bay: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Herne Bay: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B3. This station has a degree of step-free access to the platform, which may be in both directions or in one direction only - please check details -Step free access to platform 2 for services away from London direct from the station entrance. There is no step free access to Platform 1. Only Stepped access via the station subway to platform 1 for services towards London. No step free interchange between platforms, 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: platform 2, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Monday - Friday 06:10 - 19:00 Saturday 06:10 - 19:00 Sunday 09:10 - 16:00, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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