How to Get There
This Kent coast road trip begins in Canterbury, one of England’s best-known cathedral cities and an excellent gateway into the southeast coast. Positioned close to London, Dover and the Channel crossings, Kent is one of the easiest regions in Britain to reach from both the UK and mainland Europe.
The route combines historic towns, castles, white cliff coastline, seaside resorts and countryside landscapes, with many travellers naturally combining Canterbury, Dover, Whitstable, Margate and the Kent Downs into a wider touring route.
Excellent road, rail and ferry connections make Kent particularly convenient for shorter UK breaks, self-drive holidays and first-time visitors arriving into southern England.
By Road
London (~1.5–2 hrs)
M2 or A2 directly to Canterbury (approx. 60 miles)
Southampton (~2.5–3 hrs)
M3 → M25 → M2
Birmingham (~3.5 hrs)
M40 → M25 → M2
Manchester (~4.5–5 hrs)
M6 → M1 → M20 or M2
Parking:
Park & Ride at Wincheap, New Dover Road and Sturry Road, plus central options including Whitefriars and Castle Street.
Dover, Folkestone and the Kent coast are all within relatively short driving distances once you reach Canterbury.
By Train
London St Pancras → Canterbury West (~50 mins)
High-speed Southeastern services.
London Victoria → Canterbury East (~90 mins)
Slower direct services through Kent.
From other UK cities
Usually via London with onward high-speed connections into Kent.
Ashford International also acts as a useful gateway station for wider Kent touring routes.
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By Coach & Bus
National Express , Megabus and FlixBus services connect Canterbury with London and regional cities.
London connections
Victoria Coach Station → Canterbury (~2–3 hrs)
Regional bus services
Stagecoach routes connect Canterbury with Dover, Whitstable, Margate, Ramsgate and Folkestone.
Save on longer coach journeys with National Express Coachcards .
Coach travel provides a lower-cost alternative to rail, though journeys are generally slower.
From Europe
Southern UK Arrivals
Le Shuttle
Vehicle crossings through the Channel Tunnel between Calais and Folkestone.
Vehicle crossings via Channel Tunnel
Eurostar
High-speed passenger rail connecting London with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Find lowest fares
DFDS Ferries
Dover–Calais, Dover–Dunkirk and Newhaven–Dieppe crossings.
Explore DFDS crossings
P&O Ferries
Dover to Calais crossings for southern UK arrivals.
P&O ferry routes
Dover, Folkestone and Ashford are all around 30 minutes from Canterbury by road or rail.
Northern England Arrivals
DFDS Ferries – Amsterdam to Newcastle
Useful for visitors touring Britain north-to-south before reaching Kent and the Channel coast.
Explore DFDS crossings
P&O Ferries – Rotterdam to Hull
Useful for longer England touring routes.
P&O ferry routes
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Vehicle travel information
By Air – Best Airports
Gatwick and Heathrow provide the strongest international connections for Kent, while London City Airport works particularly well for shorter European routes and quick rail access into London.
London Gatwick
Usually the easiest overall airport for Kent coast routes.
Direct rail connections via Ashford International and Canterbury.
Around 1.5–2 hours overall journey time.
London Heathrow
Best overall airport for long-haul international arrivals.
Rail transfer via central London and St Pancras.
London City Airport
Particularly convenient for European city connections.
Quick access into London for high-speed rail services into Kent.
Vehicle Hire Options
Having your own vehicle gives the greatest flexibility for exploring Kent’s coastline, countryside villages, castles and scenic rural routes.
Canterbury & Thanet: Roman Forts & Early English Heritage
This part of the Kent coast traces the early history of England — from the arrival of Christianity in Canterbury to Roman coastal defences along the Thanet shoreline.
These sites are easy to combine with coastal stops around Whitstable, Herne Bay and Margate, adding historical depth to a relaxed seaside section of the journey.
Membership starts from £53 and can quickly become worthwhile when visiting multiple sites across the route.
Get 15% Off Membership