How to travel from York to Canterbury, United Kingdom

The distance between York and Canterbury is around 415km (258 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 2h 50m.

6 routes found

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

🚀 Fastest
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Train

Take the train to London Kings Cross and then to Canterbury West.

  • Duration2h 50m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £68($80)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

2
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plane
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Train and Plane

Take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to London Heathrow (LHR) then take the train to Canterbury West.

  • Duration4h 25m
  • Flight time1h 10m
  • Typical cost
    £190($225)
Operated by

Multiple operators

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
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Bus

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

  • Duration7h 45m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    £18($21)
4
car
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Drive

Drive to Canterbury.

  • Duration4h 20m
  • Distance418km (259 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between York and Canterbury

There are several options for getting from York 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 45m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 2h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £68 ($80).

The distance between York and Canterbury is around 415km (258 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 332km (206 miles)

It takes around 2h 50m to get from York and Canterbury by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 20m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from York to Canterbury is to take the train which takes around 2h 50m and will set you back approx £68 ($80).

The cheapest way to travel between York 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 York and Canterbury. It typically takes around 2h 50m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from York to Canterbury. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Kings Cross and St Pancras International. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 2h 50m.

LNER, Grand Central, South Eastern Trains Service, CrossCountry, Northern Rail and East Midlands Railways run train services between York and Canterbury. Trains depart hourly and will take around 2h 50m, 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 York and Canterbury. It typically takes around 7h 45m and departs twice daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from York to Canterbury. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in London Victoria Coach Station. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 7h 45m.

National Express run regular bus services between York and Canterbury. Buses run twice daily and take around 7h 45m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from York to Canterbury. We recommend that you take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to London Heathrow (LHR) then take the train to Canterbury West. instead which will take 4h 25m.

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 York and Canterbury. The distance is around 418km (259 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 20m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from York to Canterbury is to take the train which takes, on average, 2h 50m and will usually cost around £68 ($80).

How do I get from York to Canterbury

Compare travel optionsbetween York and Canterbury

Transport options from York to Canterbury
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
2h 50m
£68($80)
hourly415km (258 miles)
Train via Sheffield3h 45m
£125($150)
hourly457km (284 miles)
Train and Plane + 1 similar
4h 25m
£190($225)
hourly512km (318 miles)
Train to Manchester Airport, plane4h 45m
£195($235)
hourly572km (355 miles)
Bus
7h 45m
£18($21)
twice daily463km (288 miles)
Drive
4h 20m
£47($56)
on demand418km (259 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between York and Canterbury

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