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Day trip to Kent

The best London to Canterbury day trips

A guided walk in Canterbury, the cathedral ticket, and the white cliffs on a coast tour: here is how to plan the day from London, with honest advice on the train there, cathedral entry costs and seasonal opening.

By the Things to Do in London editorial team 3 tours compared Prices checked 24 October 2026

See our 3 picks
Canterbury Cathedral's stone towers and east end under a cloudy sky
Short answer

Canterbury is an easy day trip from London by fast train. In town, a guided walk starts from €19 and the cathedral ticket from €27.

The fast train from St Pancras takes 51 minutes. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.

Our 3 picks for Canterbury and the coast

Two things to book in Canterbury, and one coast tour from London. All three have free cancellation.

Canterbury tours and tickets compared

Canterbury tours and tickets compared
TourFromDurationCathedral entry?Who it suitsWhy we picked it
Canterbury walking tour with a Green Badge guide 4.8 (887)€19
per person		1 h 30 minGrounds onlyVisitors who come by trainA local guide at a low price, with 4.8 from 887 reviews.
Canterbury Cathedral ticket with audio guide 4.6 (345)€27
per person		1-day ticketYesHistory loversSold by the cathedral itself, with 4.6 from 345 reviews.
Seven Sisters, White Cliffs and Brighton 4.3 (62)€90
per person		10 h 30 minNot includedWhite cliffs without driving (Seven Sisters, not Dover)The closest tour we found to a white-cliffs day, with 4.3 from 62 reviews.

  • Canterbury walking tour with a Green Badge guide

    €19 per person1 h 30 min 4.8 (887)

    Details
    Cathedral entry?
    Grounds only
    Who it suits
    Visitors who come by train
    Why we picked it
    A local guide at a low price, with 4.8 from 887 reviews.

  • Canterbury Cathedral ticket with audio guide

    €27 per person1-day ticket 4.6 (345)

    Details
    Cathedral entry?
    Yes
    Who it suits
    History lovers
    Why we picked it
    Sold by the cathedral itself, with 4.6 from 345 reviews.

  • Seven Sisters, White Cliffs and Brighton

    €90 per person10 h 30 min 4.3 (62)

    Details
    Cathedral entry?
    Not included
    Who it suits
    White cliffs without driving (Seven Sisters, not Dover)
    Why we picked it
    The closest tour we found to a white-cliffs day, with 4.3 from 62 reviews.
  • None of the 3 includes hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point.
  • All 3 offer free cancellation.
  • Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Canterbury day trip from London

Canterbury makes a full day out from London. Start with a guided walk, then visit the cathedral.

The walking tour takes 90 minutes and goes through the cathedral grounds. To go inside the cathedral, you need its own ticket.

Canterbury Cathedral tickets and hours

A sightseeing ticket costs £18.00 from October to March, on the cathedral's site. From April to September it costs £19.50, and £21.00 at weekends in July and August.

Children 17 and under go free with a paying adult. Services are free to attend.

The cathedral opens Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00, and Sunday 11:30 to 17:00. Last entry is at 16:00.

London to Canterbury by train

The fastest way is the Southeastern high-speed train from St Pancras International. It reaches Canterbury West in 51 minutes.

Slower trains run from London Victoria to Canterbury East. Canterbury East is a 5-minute walk from the city centre.

Other day trips from London are on our day-trip page.

Dover and the White Cliffs from London

We found no day tour to Dover worth picking. The coast tour above goes to the Seven Sisters cliffs instead, near Brighton.

On your own, take the Southeastern high-speed train from St Pancras to Dover Priory. It takes about an hour or a bit more, per Southeastern.

For the Seven Sisters trip, see our Brighton and Seven Sisters day trip.

Dover Castle opening times

From 2 November to 23 December 2026, Dover Castle opens at weekends only, 10am to 4pm. It is closed on 24 to 26 December.

Tickets are sold by time slot. Booking online by midnight the day before saves up to 15%.

The White Cliffs of Dover seen from the sea under white clouds

Booking tips for Canterbury and Dover

  1. Take the fast train

    The high-speed train from St Pancras is the quickest way. It takes 51 minutes to Canterbury West.

  2. Budget for the cathedral

    The walking tour does not include the cathedral. Add the cathedral ticket, from €27.

  3. Check dates in winter

    Dover Castle opens at weekends only from 2 November to 23 December 2026. Check before you go.

  4. Watch for services

    Parts of the cathedral may close for services and events. Sunday opening starts later, at 11:30.

Canterbury day trips: questions and answers

Which London stations have trains to Canterbury?
High-speed trains run from St Pancras International to Canterbury West in 51 minutes. Slower trains run from London Victoria to Canterbury East.

Can I get cheaper train tickets to Canterbury?
Yes, with a Railcard. Most Railcards give 1/3 off. The 16-17 Saver gives 50% off.

How much is Canterbury Cathedral entry?
A sightseeing ticket costs £18.00 from October to March and £19.50 from April to September, on the cathedral's site. Children 17 and under go free with a paying adult. Leeds Castle is on the same route, so see our leeds castle tickets guide too. For other trips by rail, read our day trips from london train guide.

More Canterbury tours, live

More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.

See all of these with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.

Browse all on GetYourGuide

Browse all of them on GetYourGuide

More day trips from London

Sources (7), facts checked on 24 October 2026

Written by the Things to Do in London editorial team.