How to travel from Plymouth to Canterbury, United Kingdom

The distance between Plymouth and Canterbury is around 439km (273 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 4h 25m.

6 routes found

We've found 6 different ways to get from Plymouth 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 CanterburyPlymouth if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
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Train

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

  • Duration4h 25m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £135($160)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

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plane
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Train and Plane

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

  • Duration4h 60m
  • Flight time1h 15m
  • Typical cost
    £205($245)
Operated by

Multiple 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 London Victoria Coach Station and then to Canterbury.

  • Duration7h 50m
  • Departsevery 20 mins
  • Typical cost
    £18($21)
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Drive

Drive to Canterbury.

  • Duration4h 40m
  • Distance439km (273 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Plymouth and Canterbury

There are several options for getting from Plymouth to Canterbury by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £18 ($21) and will take around 7h 50m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 4h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £135 ($160).

The distance between Plymouth and Canterbury is around 439km (273 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 380km (236 miles)

It takes around 4h 25m to get from Plymouth and Canterbury by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Plymouth to Canterbury is to take the train which takes around 4h 25m and will set you back approx £135 ($160).

The cheapest way to travel between Plymouth and Canterbury, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £18 ($21) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Plymouth and Canterbury. It typically takes around 4h 25m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Plymouth to Canterbury. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Paddington, King's Cross St. Pancras station and St Pancras International. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 4h 25m.

Great Western Railway and South Eastern Trains Service run train services between Plymouth and Canterbury. Trains depart hourly and will take around 4h 25m, 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 Plymouth and Canterbury. It typically takes around 7h 50m and departs every 20 mins.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Plymouth to Canterbury. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in London Victoria Coach Station. These services run every 20 mins and will take a minimum of 7h 50m.

National Express run regular bus services between Plymouth and Canterbury. Buses run every 20 mins 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 Plymouth to Canterbury. We recommend that you take the train to Newquay then fly from Newquay (NQY) to London Gatwick (LGW) then take the train to London St Pancras International LL and then to Canterbury West. instead which will take 4h 60m.

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 Plymouth and Canterbury. The distance is around 439km (273 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Plymouth to Canterbury is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 25m and will usually cost around £135 ($160).

How do I get from Plymouth to Canterbury

Compare travel optionsbetween Plymouth and Canterbury

Transport options from Plymouth to Canterbury
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
4h 25m
£135($160)
hourly478km (297 miles)
Train via London Paddington4h 55m
£130($155)
hourly466km (290 miles)
Train and Plane + 1 similar
4h 60m
£205($245)
twice daily607km (377 miles)
Train to Exeter St Davids, plane5h 50m
£595($705)
hourly1,364km (848 miles)
Bus
7h 50m
£18($21)
every 20 mins462km (287 miles)
Drive
4h 40m
£50($59)
on demand439km (273 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Plymouth 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