- Recommended
Guildhall Museum
Charles Dickens’s Swiss chalet, moved from Kent countryside and displayed with exhibits on the writer’s Rochester connections.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Maidstone to Rochester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Maidstone to Rochester will cost around £10 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £10.
On Mon 02 Nov, we found 1 trains from Maidstone to Rochester, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 13 km distance in an average of 30 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 30 m .
The slowest trains will take 30 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.

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Trains from Maidstone to Rochester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £10 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:13, the last at 23:35. The fastest train covers the 13 km distance in 25m.
Distance 13 km |
Average train duration 26m |
Cheapest ticket price £10 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 25m |
First train 4:13 |
Last train 23:35 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 28 days |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Maidstone to Rochester.
The table below shows live departures for Maidstone to Rochester trains for today, Sunday 1 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P86735 · P88043 | On time 17:29 Maidstone East (MDE) | 1h42 | 19:11 Rochester station (RTR) | 1 change | |
SE835600 · SE841500 | 18:04 Maidstone Barracks (MDB) | 1h11 | 19:15 Rochester station (RTR) | 1 change | |
P86745 · P88060 | On time 18:29 Maidstone East (MDE) | 1h42 | 20:11 Rochester station (RTR) | 1 change | |
SE835500 · SE841300 | 19:04 Maidstone Barracks (MDB) | 1h11 | 20:15 Rochester station (RTR) | 1 change | |
P86755 · P88065 | On time 19:29 Maidstone East (MDE) | 1h42 | 21:11 Rochester station (RTR) | 1 change | |
![]() | 16:57 Maidstone | 0h30 | 17:27 Rochester | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Rochester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Rochester trip today.
Charles Dickens’s Swiss chalet, moved from Kent countryside and displayed with exhibits on the writer’s Rochester connections.
Local history museum in a former prison with displays on Medway’s people, places and changing river industries.
Britain’s only museum dedicated to Huguenot history, housed in Rochester and presenting migration, craft and family stories.
Rochester’s historic high street is lined with independent shops, period buildings and Dickens associations, ideal for strolling.
Long-established riverside public garden with lawns, a bandstand and a relaxed route beside the Medway near the castle.
Attractive public garden by Rochester Castle and the cathedral, good for picnics, river views and historic surroundings.
Kentish huffkins are soft round bread rolls from Kent, traditionally served filled or with butter. They are a long-standing county bakery staple.
Gypsy tart is a classic Kent dessert with evaporated milk and dark muscovado sugar. It is strongly linked with schools and home baking in the county.
Kentish cobnut is a cultivated hazelnut grown in Kent. It is eaten fresh or in desserts and is one of the county’s best-known traditional produce items.
Popular independent Italian restaurant on Rochester High Street, known for pizza, pasta and a warm, casual atmosphere.
Established Turkish restaurant known for charcoal-grilled meats, meze and generous portions in a lively but relaxed dining room.
Well-known riverside pub and restaurant beside Rochester Bridge, serving British dishes and drinks in a historic, traditional setting.
Moderate for south-east England. Dining and hotels are usually cheaper than central London, while local transport and coffee are in line with similar UK day-trip cities.
Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is usual for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, often just small change.
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Rochester.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Maidstone to Rochester 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 Rochester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Maidstone to Rochester trains use the Maidstone Barracks to Rochester station pair. Use this guide to compare Maidstone and Rochester 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 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.
Rochester has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
ATMs are available at Rochester.
Ticket office support is available at Rochester. 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 Rochester: Parking, WC.
Available at Rochester: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Rochester: 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 booking hall from front of station. Step free access via lift in the subway to platform 1 for services towards London. Step free access to platform 2/3 for services away from London via lift from the subway. Stepped access to all platforms via staircases from subway, 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 in subway, 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: No.
Check train stations information for Maidstone and Rochester, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
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