- Must visit
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Large maritime museum at the Historic Dockyard with warships, galleries and dockyard buildings that explain Chatham's naval past.
Cheapest price on 04 Sept
£72
Average ticket price on 04 Sept
£161
Fastest journey on 04 Sept
3 h 31 m
Average journey duration on 04 Sept
4 h 1 m
Trains on 04 Sept
2
Distance
300 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Chatham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Chatham will cost around £161 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £72.
On Fri 04 Sept, we found 2 trains from Manchester to Chatham, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 300 km distance in an average of 4 h 1 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 31 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Chatham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £91 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 10m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £91, while a flight costs an average of £132.
Distance: 300 km
Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£91 Average Price Cheapest | £132 Average Price | £60 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 37m Average total duration 3h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 10m Average total duration Fastest 1h 10m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 41m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Chatham:
A train is £42 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Chatham costing on average £132.
Other travel options to Chatham take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 7m.
You'll arrive about 1h 34m sooner (3h 7m by train vs 4h 41m by car). Tickets start at around £91 compared to roughly £60 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.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Chatham trains for today, Thursday 3 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W33952+ Tube from London Euston to London Victoria+ P86271 | Delayed 7:13 8:14Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h42 | 11:03 11:03Chatham station (CTM) | 2 changes | |
W34104+ Tube from London Euston to London St Pancras International+ P85127 | Delayed 7:34 8:34Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h26 | 12:00 Chatham station (CTM) | 2 changes | |
W33893+ P85134+ Tube from London Euston to London St Pancras International | Delayed 8:33 9:34Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h26 | 13:00 Chatham station (CTM) | 2 changes | |
| Friday 4 September | |||||
![]() | 6:00 Manchester | 4h30 | 10:30 Chatham | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 6:29 Manchester | 3h31 | 10:00 Chatham | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and flight 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 Manchester to Chatham run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 7m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £91 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:15, the last at 21:35. The fastest train covers the 300 km distance in 3h 26m.
Distance 300 km |
Average train duration 3h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price £91 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 3h 26m |
First train 0:15 |
Last train 21:35 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Chatham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chatham trip today.
Large maritime museum at the Historic Dockyard with warships, galleries and dockyard buildings that explain Chatham's naval past.
Museum in a former dockyard ropery and foundry complex, showing Royal Engineers history through vehicles, medals and exhibitions.
Small local museum covering Medway life, Chatham's development and Charles Dickens connections through compact changing displays.
Landscaped parkland above Chatham with military heritage, memorials and one of the best open walks for Medway town views.
Historic riverside quarter with cobbled streets, waterside walks and old buildings, popular for a quieter local feel near Chatham.
Modern waterfront area with marina views, promenades and event spaces, offering an easy walk beside the former dockyard basin.
Fresh oysters from the nearby Thames Estuary, prized in Kent for centuries and traditionally eaten raw with lemon.
Kent’s classic loaf made with local flour, milk and hops from the county’s brewing tradition; a regional bakery staple.
A traditional Kent fruit preserve flavoured with cherries and damsons, linked to old orchards around the Medway area.
Popular Turkish restaurant serving grilled meats, meze and seafood in a smart but relaxed setting near the waterfront.
Lively Brazilian venue known for grilled dishes, burgers and cocktails, with a casual atmosphere in Chatham town centre.
Well-known local Indian restaurant offering curries, tandoori dishes and friendly service in a comfortable dining room.
Moderate for south-east England. Hotels and dining cost more than many UK towns, but local transport and casual meals stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or add about 10%. Cafés and pubs: tipping is optional, though small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Chatham 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 Chatham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Chatham trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Chatham station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Chatham train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Manchester Piccadilly has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, Caffè Nero, Carluccio’s, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Upper Crust, McDonald's, & more
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi. ATMs are there are ATM machines on the main concourse, Platform 10 and on the mezzanine level.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30, Sun: 07:00 - 22:30. Information desks are located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
Manchester Victoria has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Victoria.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Victoria.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Victoria: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Victoria: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Victoria: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Scooter Friendly Station - Step free access around the whole station via use of lifts between platforms 3-6, connection with Manchester Metrolink using ramps, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards Located near the ticket office, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: As per ticket office opening hours, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Manchester has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Multiple food outlets and cafes available.
Free public Wi-Fi available in the station. ATMs are several ATMs located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester.
Available at Manchester: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester: Step-free access throughout the station.
Chatham has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Chatham.
ATMs are available at Chatham.
Ticket office support is available at Chatham. 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 Chatham: Parking, WC.
Available at Chatham: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Chatham: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B2. 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 to London via ramp to car park. Step free access to platform 2 for services away from London via ramp from Railway Street. Step free interchange via road and steep paths is in excess of 250 metres. Step access between platforms available via the booking hall, 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 - Sunday 24 Hours a Day Assistance/Help available from station staff from First to Last trains, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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