- 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.
Cheapest price on 04 Sept
£38
Average ticket price on 04 Sept
£39
Fastest journey on 04 Sept
5 h 44 m
Average journey duration on 04 Sept
6 h 21 m
Trains on 04 Sept
3
Distance
202 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Salisbury to Canterbury is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salisbury to Canterbury will cost around £39 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £38.
On Fri 04 Sept, we found 3 trains from Salisbury to Canterbury, including 3 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 202 km distance in an average of 6 h 21 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 44 m .
The slowest trains will take 6 h 55 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 Salisbury to Canterbury among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £34 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 33m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £34, while a train costs an average of £38.
Distance: 202 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£38 Average Price | £34 Average Price Cheapest | £39 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 33m Average total duration Fastest 3h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 30m Average total duration 6h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 44m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Salisbury to Canterbury:
A coach is £4 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Salisbury to Canterbury costing on average £38.
Other travel options to Canterbury take longer:
Coach takes on average 6h 0m.
Tickets start at around £38 compared to roughly £39 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £0.57. The journey takes 3h 3m versus 2h 44m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Salisbury to Canterbury trains for tomorrow, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:50 Salisbury | 5h44 | 14:34 Canterbury | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:56 Salisbury | 6h23 | 15:19 Canterbury | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 18:33 Salisbury | 6h55 | 1:28 Canterbury | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and 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 Salisbury to Canterbury run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 3m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £37 but you can travel from only £34 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:08, the last at 21:23. The fastest train covers the 202 km distance in 3h 48m.
Distance 202 km |
Average train duration 3h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price £37 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 3h 48m |
First train 5:08 |
Last train 21:23 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Canterbury — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Canterbury trip today.
Engaging Roman museum built around the remains of a town house. See mosaics, artefacts and displays that bring Roman Canterbury to life.
Interactive museum on the site of Roman Canterbury, with preserved pavement mosaics, finds and family-friendly interpretation underground.
Local museum and gallery with art, ceramics, natural history and changing displays. Good for a broad introduction to the city and region.
Historic pedestrian street lined with timber-framed buildings, shops and cafés. A classic place to experience Canterbury’s medieval townscape.
A landscaped public garden beside the old city walls. Popular for riverside walks, flower displays and a relaxing break near the centre.
A peaceful green beside the River Stour and cathedral precinct. Ideal for a short scenic walk, picnic or photographs of the city’s historic core.
Kentish Huffkin is a traditional Kent bread roll, often served filled with ham, cheese or fruit. It is a long-standing local bakery staple across East Kent.
Canterbury Tart is a local jam tart linked with the city, typically made with shortcrust pastry and apple or berry jam. It is a classic Kent teatime bake.
Kentish Cobnuts are cultivated hazelnuts from Kent, prized for their sweet flavour and strong county identity. They are eaten fresh, roasted or in desserts.
Popular city-centre bistro serving modern British dishes in a relaxed, stylish setting. Well regarded for brunch, lunch and seasonal dinners.
Elegant restaurant focused on seafood and modern British cooking. A refined but welcoming choice for a special meal near the city centre.
Historic pub with traditional interiors, local ales and hearty British food. A good place to try Kentish beer in a characterful setting.
Moderate for England: hotels and dining are pricier than smaller UK towns, but local buses and casual meals stay manageable for most visitors.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Cafes: rounding up is enough. Taxis: round up or add about 10% for good service.
Official public transport app
Canterbury West -> Canterbury Bus Station, Canterbury
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salisbury 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.

Most Salisbury to Canterbury trains use the Salisbury to Canterbury West station pair, with some services arriving at Canterbury East. Use this guide to compare Salisbury and Canterbury train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Salisbury has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Salisbury.
Wi-Fi is available at Salisbury. ATMs are available at Salisbury.
Ticket office support is available at Salisbury. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0800 5282100.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Salisbury: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Salisbury: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Salisbury: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category B Station - There is step free access to all platforms. Access to platforms 5 (for trains to Cardiff and the West of England) and 6 (for some services to Basingstoke and London Waterloo) are via level access. Access to all other platforms is via a subway with steep ramps. A staff operated powered wheelchair is available for customers who have difficulty using the ramps. Please speak to our assisted travel team or a member of station staff. Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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 options are available at Canterbury West.
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.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Canterbury West: Parking, WC.
Available at Canterbury West: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
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 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 options are available at Canterbury East.
ATMs are available at Canterbury East.
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.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Canterbury East: Parking, WC.
Available at Canterbury East: Bike Parking.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need