How to travel from Barnstaple to Canterbury, United Kingdom

The distance between Barnstaple and Canterbury is around 412km (256 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 4h 25m.

7 routes found

We've found 7 different ways to get from Barnstaple to Canterbury by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out CanterburyBarnstaple if you're planning a return trip.

1
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Exeter St Davids then London Paddington and then to Canterbury West.

  • Duration4h 30m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £120($145)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

2 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
train
+
plane
+
train
+
train
+

Train and Plane

Take the train to Exeter St Davids then fly from Exeter (EXT) to London Gatwick (LGW) then take the train to London St Pancras International LL and then to Canterbury West.

  • Duration5h 10m
  • Flight time1h 50m
  • Typical cost
    £455($535)
Operated by

Multiple operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
3
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Bristol Bond St then London Victoria Coach Station and then to Canterbury.

  • Duration7h 50m
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £28($33)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Canterbury.

  • Duration4h 25m
  • Distance412km (256 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Barnstaple and Canterbury

There are several options for getting from Barnstaple to Canterbury by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £28 ($33) and will take around 7h 50m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 4h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £72 ($85).

The distance between Barnstaple and Canterbury is around 412km (256 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 359km (223 miles)

It takes around 4h 30m to get from Barnstaple and Canterbury by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 25m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Barnstaple to Canterbury is to drive which takes around 4h 25m and will set you back approx £72 ($85).

The cheapest way to travel between Barnstaple and Canterbury, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £28 ($33) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Barnstaple and Canterbury. It typically takes around 4h 30m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Barnstaple to Canterbury. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Exeter St Davids, London Paddington, King's Cross St. Pancras station and St Pancras International. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 4h 30m.

Great Western Railway, South Eastern Trains Service and South Western Railway run train services between Barnstaple and Canterbury. Trains depart hourly and will take around 4h 30m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Barnstaple and Canterbury. It typically takes around 7h 50m and departs 6 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Barnstaple to Canterbury. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Bristol Bond St, Bristol Bus & Coach Station and London Victoria Coach Station. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 7h 50m.

Megabus UK and National Express run regular bus services between Barnstaple and Canterbury. Buses run 6 times a week and take around 7h 50m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Barnstaple to Canterbury. We recommend that you take the train to Exeter St Davids then fly from Exeter (EXT) to London Gatwick (LGW) then take the train to London St Pancras International LL and then to Canterbury West. instead which will take 5h 10m.

The closest major airport to Canterbury is London City Airport (LCY) (LCY) which is approximately 76km (47 miles) from Canterbury. London Stansted Airport (STN) (STN) and Gatwick Airport (LGW) (LGW) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Barnstaple and Canterbury. The distance is around 412km (256 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 25m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Barnstaple to Canterbury is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 30m and will usually cost around £120 ($145).

How do I get from Barnstaple to Canterbury

Compare travel optionsbetween Barnstaple and Canterbury

Transport options from Barnstaple to Canterbury
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 2 similar
4h 30m
£120($145)
hourly457km (284 miles)
Train via Exeter St Davids5hrs
£115($140)
hourly446km (277 miles)
Train via Exeter St Davids5h 50m
£135($160)
hourly435km (271 miles)
Train and Plane + 1 similar
5h 10m
£455($535)
5 times a week647km (402 miles)
Train to Exeter St Davids, plane5h 55m
£275($325)
5 times a week1,019km (633 miles)
Bus
7h 50m
£28($33)
6 times a week459km (285 miles)
Drive
4h 25m
£72($85)
on demand412km (256 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Barnstaple and Canterbury

Airlines

Train operators

Airports near Canterbury

The following major airports near Canterbury offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

LCY
London City Airport (LCY)
International Airport
Distance
76km (47 miles) from Canterbury
STN
London Stansted Airport (STN)
International Airport
Distance
88km (55 miles) from Canterbury
LGW
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
International Airport
Distance
89km (55 miles) from Canterbury