Trains from Canterbury to London from £12.00

Whether you're heading to the capital for work, a day out, or a longer stay, catching the train from Canterbury to London is one of the most comfortable and time-saving ways to get there to the central hub of England. With around 70 miles between them, the train makes light work of the journey, giving you the chance to relax, enjoy the changing scenery and skip the traffic altogether. With two stations in Canterbury and multiple London destinations to choose from, you’ll find a route that suits your plans, whether you want a speedy arrival at St Pancras or a direct connection to Victoria.

In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know before booking your train, including which lines to travel on, ticket prices, journey times and what to expect once you arrive.

There are two main train stations in Canterbury: Canterbury East and Canterbury West, and both stop at different stations on the way to London. Trains from Canterbury East go to London Victoria, and trains from Canterbury West go to London St Pancras International, offering a faster route. Both stations are managed by Southeastern and have the standard amenities you would expect a busy station to have, including ticket machines, staffed customer service during set hours, parking, toilets and refreshments.

Canterbury East and Canterbury West are located on opposite sides of the city, meaning you’re never going to be too far from a journey to London. The right station for you will depend on where you’re heading in London, and if you’re willing to pay more for a faster service.

What line is the Canterbury to London service on?

Two separate lines are serving Canterbury to London journeys. The high-speed service from Canterbury West connects to London St Pancras International and forms part of Southeastern’s fast commuter network. The other line, running from Canterbury East to London Victoria, is a more scenic and slower option with multiple stops along the way. Both lines are well connected and offer comfortable services, with plenty of options throughout the day.

Which train company goes to Canterbury?

Southeastern is the train company that operates trains between Canterbury and London.

With two routes to choose from, train tickets from Canterbury to London can vary. Canterbury East to London Victoria is the cheaper option, with one-way tickets starting from around £12.00. This price changes depending on the time of day that you’re travelling, the day and if you have a Railcard. Typically, tickets range from around £20 to £40.

If you’re taking the Canterbury West to London St Pancras International route, you can expect to pay more. This is because the journey is part of Southeastern’s high-speed network. Tickets for this journey usually start around £30, increasing to an average of £50 depending on the time and day of travel.

With two popular routes to choose from, you won’t struggle to find a train service to take you from Canterbury to London. The route from Canterbury West and London St Pancras International takes around 53 minutes, and it stops at a handful of key high-speed stations along the way. This includes Ashford International, Ebbsfleet International and Stratford International. High-speed trains are known for being clean, modern and comfortable, with toilet facilities on board.

The route from Canterbury East and London Victoria takes 1 hour and 44 minutes, or 1 hour and 59 minutes, depending on which service you choose. This route travels via many more stops, including Wye, Pluckley, Staplehurst, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks.

You can buy train tickets from Canterbury to London in person at London Victoria or London St Pancras International, using ticket machines or staffed customer service booths. You can also buy tickets online using Trip.com, which gives you the flexibility to compare ticket prices, train times and routes, without having to worry about being held up buying a ticket at the station and missing your train.

No matter which direction you’re travelling, both ends of the journey are packed with things to explore. Canterbury is a small but historic city, famous for its medieval architecture, cosy pubs and beautiful riverside walks. The city centre is within easy walking distance of both stations, and highlights like Canterbury Cathedral, Westgate Gardens and the cobbled high street make it a lovely place to spend time before or after your journey.

Arriving in London, whether at Victoria or St Pancras International, puts you within easy reach of some of the city’s most iconic attractions. From Victoria, you’re close to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St James’s Park and the West End. From St Pancras, you’re moments away from the British Library, Camden Market, Regent’s Canal and direct links to King’s Cross and the rest of central London. With both arrival points offering Underground connections and local buses, it’s easy to continue your adventure or dive straight into your destination.