- Recommended
Guildhall Museum
Charles Dickens’s Swiss chalet, moved from Kent countryside and displayed with exhibits on the writer’s Rochester connections.
Cheapest price
£4
Average price
£5
Fastest journey
40 m
Average duration
45 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
36 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Whitstable to Rochester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Whitstable to Rochester will cost around £5 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £4.
Of the 6 trains that leave Whitstable for Rochester every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 36 km distance in an average of 45 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 40 m .
The slowest trains will take 51 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.
P89122_P86197
P86200_P86201
P85167
P86205 · P85366
P86193_P86194
P86200_P86201
P85167
P86205 · P85366
P86193_P86194
P89122_P86197The table below shows live departures for Whitstable to Rochester trains for today, Monday 17 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P86193_P86194 | 16:21 Whitstable station (WHI) | 0h47 | 17:08 Rochester station (RTR) | 0 changesdirect | |
P89122_P86197 | 16:47 Whitstable station (WHI) | 0h51 | 17:38 Rochester station (RTR) | 0 changesdirect | |
P85167 | On time 16:51 Whitstable station (WHI) | 0h40 | 17:31 Rochester station (RTR) | 0 changesdirect | |
P86200_P86201 | 17:25 Whitstable station (WHI) | 0h40 | 18:05 Rochester station (RTR) | 0 changesdirect | |
P86205 | On time 17:46 Whitstable station (WHI) | 0h52 | 18:38 Rochester station (RTR) | 0 changesdirect | |
P86205 · P85366 | On time 17:46 Whitstable station (WHI) | 0h45 | 18:31 Rochester station (RTR) | 1 change | |
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 Whitstable to Rochester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 43m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £4 if you book in advance.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:20, the last at 23:57. The fastest train covers the 36 km distance in 38m.
Distance 36 km |
Average train duration 43m |
Cheapest ticket price £4 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 38m |
First train 0:20 |
Last train 23:57 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 28 days |
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.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Whitstable 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 Whitstable to Rochester trains use the Whitstable to Rochester station pair. Use this guide to compare Whitstable and Rochester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Whitstable 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 Whitstable.
Ticket office support is available at Whitstable. 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 Whitstable: Parking, WC.
Available at Whitstable: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Whitstable: 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 towards London via the station forecourt off Old Bridge Road. Step free access to Platform 2 for services towards Margate via the entrance off Railway Avenue. No step free interchange between platforms. Stepped access between platforms 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: Station forecourt, 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.
Chestfield & Swalecliffe is 2 km from Whitstable city centre. Public transport options include:
Chestfield & Swalecliffe has practical services for this route, including Parking, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Ticket office support is available at Chestfield & Swalecliffe. 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 Chestfield & Swalecliffe: Parking.
Available at Chestfield & Swalecliffe: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Chestfield & Swalecliffe: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category C. This station does not have step free access. Steps to both platforms, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: by entrance to platform 1, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need