- Recommended
Command of the Oceans
Major naval museum site with galleries, historic ships and interactive exhibits. A top choice for understanding Chatham’s maritime story.
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Gillingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £16. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 13m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £16, and a flight costs an average of £102.
Distance: 300 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£87 Average Price | £22 Average Price Cheapest | £160 Average Price |
4h 38m Average total duration 4h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 4m Average total duration 6h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 13m Average total duration Fastest 1h 13m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Compare train, coach 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 Gillingham run on average 6 times per day, taking around 4h 8m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £74 but you can travel from only £16 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 01:20, the last at 21:31. The fastest train covers the 300 km distance in 3h 31m.
Distance 300 km |
Average train duration 4h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price £74 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 3h 31m |
First train 1:20 |
Last train 21:31 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Gillingham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Gillingham trip today.
Major naval museum site with galleries, historic ships and interactive exhibits. A top choice for understanding Chatham’s maritime story.
Museum dedicated to the Royal Engineers, with medals, machinery and campaigns explained through well-presented displays near Brompton Barracks.
Compact local museum inside the dockyard exploring the Age of Sail, shipbuilding and dockyard workers. Good for a focused heritage visit.
Large heritage park with open grassland, military earthworks and broad views. Popular for walks, events and understanding Medway’s historic landscape.
Waterside country park with estuary views, birdlife and easy paths. A relaxing local favourite for walking, cycling and nature watching.
Linear riverside walking and cycling route connecting dockyard and country park areas. Good for seeing the Medway waterfront at an easy pace.
Fresh oysters from the nearby Swale and Medway estuary, long linked to Kent’s coast. Briny, mineral and a classic local seafood treat.
A rich pie of beef, kidney and oyster, historically associated with Medway and wider Kent. It reflects the area’s mix of farming and estuary produce.
Slow-cooked Kent lamb, often served as roast or braised dishes. Local sheep farming makes lamb a traditional choice across north Kent.
Well-liked Nepalese and Indian venue serving momos, curries and grilled dishes in a friendly local setting.
Popular Turkish restaurant serving grilled meats, meze and flatbreads in a lively, modern setting.
Established Indian restaurant known for classic curries, tandoori dishes and a relaxed dine-in atmosphere.
Moderate for South East England. Hotels can be cheaper than London, but dining and rail fares are still fairly high for many visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis; cafés usually do not expect tips.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Gillingham 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 Gillingham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Gillingham trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Gillingham (Kent) station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Gillingham 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 Airport is 13 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Airport.
Wi-Fi is available at Manchester Airport. ATMs are available at Manchester Airport.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Airport. Information desks are information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Manchester Airport: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Airport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Airport: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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.
Gillingham (Kent) has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Gillingham (Kent).
ATMs are available at Gillingham (Kent).
Ticket office support is available at Gillingham (Kent). Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information 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 Gillingham (Kent): Parking, WC.
Available at Gillingham (Kent): Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gillingham (Kent): 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 all platforms and interchange via lifts. Step free access direct to Platform 3 via side entrance off Railway Street. Stepped access from main entrance via station footbridge, 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, 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 Assistance/Help available from station staff from First to Last trains, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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