Travelling To Kent
Discover how to travel to Kent with ease — whether you’re visiting from London, the Midlands, or across Europe.
Kent’s prime location in South East England makes it one of the UK’s most accessible regions. With direct rail links to London, excellent motorway connections, ferry ports, and the Channel Tunnel, the Garden of England is closer than you think.
Travelling to Kent by Car
Kent’s well-connected motorway network makes travelling by car one of the simplest ways to explore the county.
From London: Take the M2 or M20 depending on your destination. The M2 serves North and East Kent (Canterbury, Whitstable, Margate), while the M20 connects directly to Maidstone, Ashford, and Dover.
From Surrey & South West England: Join the M25 orbital motorway and head east, connecting to the M20 (Junction 3) or M2 (Junction 2).
From Essex & East Anglia: Cross the Dartford Crossing (A282), leading straight into North Kent via the M25 and A2.
From the Midlands & North of England: Use the M1 or M40 to connect with the M25, then follow signs for Kent.
From Scotland: Motorways link south via the M6 and M1 to the M25, then continue east to the M20.
Driving Tips:
Avoid peak hours on the M25 and Dartford Crossing.
Plan rest stops at service areas such as Maidstone (M20) and Medway (M2).
Electric vehicle charging points are available at most motorway services and Kent towns.
Travelling to Kent by Rail
Kent benefits from one of the best rail networks in the UK, offering frequent and fast services to and from London and beyond.
High-Speed Trains
Southeastern High Speed trains run from London St Pancras International to Ashford International, Canterbury West, Margate, Ramsgate, Dover and Folkestone in as little as 38 minutes.
Ideal for day trips or weekend breaks from London.
Mainline Connections
London Victoria, Charing Cross, and Cannon Street serve towns such as Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Whitstable and Deal.
From the Midlands, North of England and Scotland, change in London or at Ebbsfleet International (for High Speed 1 connections).
International Connections
Eurostar services from Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam arrive at London St Pancras International, where passengers can easily transfer to Kent-bound trains.
Ashford International previously served Eurostar directly; while services are currently suspended, they may resume in future.
Top farms: Pumpkin Moon (Rainham, Maidstone, Faversham), Four Winds Farm (Bidborough), and Pick Your Own at Hoad’s Farm (Ashford)
Travelling to Kent by Bus and Coach
National and regional coach services provide cost-effective routes into Kent:
National Express runs services from London Victoria Coach Station to Canterbury, Maidstone, Dover, and Folkestone.
From the Midlands and North, long-distance coaches connect through London or directly via major routes to Kent’s larger towns.
Stagecoach and Arriva operate extensive local networks once you arrive, connecting towns, coastal resorts, and visitor attractions.
Travelling to Kent by Ferry
Kent is the UK’s gateway to Europe, with regular ferry and tunnel crossings:
Dover Ferry Port: The busiest port in Europe, with frequent services to Calais and Dunkirk operated by DFDS and P&O Ferries.
Folkestone: Home of the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, linking Folkestone with Calais in just 35 minutes — ideal for drivers heading to or from mainland Europe.
Ramsgate Harbour: Occasionally used for freight and smaller passenger routes.
Driving off a ferry puts you straight onto the A2 and M20 motorways, offering direct access to Canterbury, Maidstone, and London.
Visiting Kent from France, Belgium, Netherlands & Europe
Kent is often the first stop for European travellers entering the UK.
By Ferry: Cross the Channel via Calais–Dover or Dunkirk–Dover (1.5–2 hours).
By Eurotunnel: Take the Le Shuttle from Calais to Folkestone (35 minutes).
By Train: Take the Eurostar to London St Pancras, then transfer to a Southeastern High Speed train to Kent.
By Car: Follow European motorways (E40/E402) to Calais, then board the ferry or shuttle.
Visiting Kent from the USA
For international visitors, Kent is easily reached from London’s major airports.
Airports: London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), and London City (LCY) all have direct routes to Kent by car, train, or coach.
Journey Times:
Gatwick to Tunbridge Wells – 45 mins
Heathrow to Maidstone – 1 hr 20 mins
London City to Canterbury – 1 hr 15 mins
Tips for US Visitors:
The UK drives on the left-hand side.
Rail passes and contactless cards are accepted on most rail and bus networks.
Many Kent attractions accept USD credit cards, though local currency (GBP) is recommended.
Visiting Kent from China
Kent has seen growing interest from Chinese visitors thanks to its cultural heritage and proximity to London.
By Air: Direct flights from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou arrive at London Heathrow and Gatwick.
From London: Connect to Kent by High-Speed Train from St Pancras or by coach from Victoria.
Group Tours: Many tour operators include Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, and Leeds Castle in their itineraries.
Travel Tip: UnionPay cards and Alipay are increasingly accepted in major Kent attractions and hotels.
Explore More Kent
