How to travel from Carlisle to Canterbury, United Kingdom

The distance between Carlisle and Canterbury is around 580km (360 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4h 5m.

10 routes found

We've found 10 different ways to get from Carlisle 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 CanterburyCarlisle if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
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Train to Glasgow Central, plane

Take the train to Glasgow Central then fly from Glasgow (GLA) to London City (LCY) then take the train to Canterbury West.

  • Duration4h 5m
  • Flight time1h 35m
  • Typical cost
    £260($310)
Operated by

Multiple operators

5 similiar routes

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

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Train

Take the train to London Euston and then to Canterbury West.

  • Duration4h 30m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £155($185)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Heathrow Airport London T23 and then to Canterbury.

  • Duration8h 40m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    £27($32)
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Drive

Drive to Canterbury.

  • Duration5h 60m
  • Distance580km (360 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Carlisle and Canterbury

There are several options for getting from Carlisle to Canterbury by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £27 ($32) and will take around 8h 40m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 4h 5m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £260 ($310).

The distance between Carlisle and Canterbury is around 580km (360 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 483km (300 miles)

It takes around 4h 30m to get from Carlisle and Canterbury by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 5h 60m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Carlisle to Canterbury is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4h 5m and will set you back approx £260 ($310).

The cheapest way to travel between Carlisle and Canterbury, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £27 ($32) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

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

There are no direct train services that runs from Carlisle to Canterbury. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Euston and St Pancras International. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 4h 30m.

Avanti West Coast, South Eastern Trains Service and LNER run train services between Carlisle 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 Carlisle and Canterbury. It typically takes around 8h 40m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Carlisle to Canterbury. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Heathrow Airport London T23 and London Victoria Coach Station. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 8h 40m.

National Express run regular bus services between Carlisle and Canterbury. Buses run once daily and take around 8h 40m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Carlisle to Canterbury. We recommend that you take the train to Haymarket then fly from Edinburgh (EDI) to London City (LCY) then take the train to Canterbury West. instead which will take 4h 20m.

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 Carlisle and Canterbury. The distance is around 580km (360 miles) by road and it will take around 5h 60m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Carlisle to Canterbury is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 30m and will usually cost around £155 ($185).

How do I get from Carlisle to Canterbury

Compare travel optionsbetween Carlisle and Canterbury

Transport options from Carlisle to Canterbury
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train to Glasgow Central, plane + 5 similar
4h 5m
£260($310)
hourly855km (531 miles)
Train and Plane4h 20m
£255($300)
every 3 hours823km (512 miles)
Train to Newcastle, plane4h 35m
£335($395)
twice a week655km (407 miles)
Train to Haymarket, plane5h 5m
£220($260)
every 3 hours903km (561 miles)
Train to Glasgow Central, plane and bus4h 35m
£170($205)
hourly869km (540 miles)
Train, Plane and Bus4h 55m
£165($195)
every 3 hours834km (518 miles)
Train + 1 similar
4h 30m
£155($185)
hourly592km (368 miles)
Train via London Kings Cross5h 45m
£89($105)
once daily640km (398 miles)
Bus
8h 40m
£27($32)
once daily627km (390 miles)
Drive
5h 60m
£100($120)
on demand580km (360 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Carlisle and Canterbury

Train operators

Bus companies

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