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Trip Summary
There are 7 daily trains from Birmingham to Canterbury. Traveling by train from Birmingham to Canterbury usually takes around 3 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest Avanti West Coast train can make the trip in 2 hours and 54 minutes.
| Distance | 152 mi (244 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 54m |
| Lowest price | £36.69 |
| Most frequent service | Avanti West Coast |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Birmingham to Canterbury?
2 train services operate from Birmingham to Canterbury. Avanti West Coast usually has more trains scheduled, with 7 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avanti West Coast | 7 | 3h 7m | £92.37 |
| CrossCountry | 1 | 3h 19m | £71.05 |
Avanti West Coast is one of the primary rail links between London and Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. On any given day, Avanti West Coast operates almost 300 routes and departs hourly from select destinations.
CrossCountry operates an extensive rail network in the U.K., centered in Birmingham. In standard class, passengers enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard restrooms. Trains also contain a small café or a trolley that passes through the carriages. An upgrade to first-class gives passengers more legroom and complimentary food. The journey from Birmingham to Canterbury usually takes about 3 hours and 19 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 1 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains departing from Birmingham to Canterbury tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Birmingham at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 15:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 7 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Canterbury to Birmingham.
City Information
Birmingham
As the second-largest city in the UK, Birmingham effortlessly blends the city’s quaint vibe with modern-day high-rises. One of the top local attractions is St. Martin in the Bull Ring, the original parish church of Birmingham. Featuring remarkable Gothic Revival architecture standing in stark contrast with the futuristic-looking shopping centers, the church is a great spot for travelers looking for a bit of respite. As you stroll around the city, don’t forget to visit the famous Cadbury World, which details the long history of the brand, as well as all the products it produces. For culturally-inclined activities, head to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which offers over 40 exhibits.
If you wish to try out authentic Indian dishes with a local twist, head over to Pushkar. For those who wish to enjoy a more upscale dining experience, Bank offers a chic menu in an elegant setting.
The principal rail station is Birmingham New Street Station, which is the busiest train station in the UK. The Birmingham Coach Station offers coach services by National Express as far as London and Dublin. The city’s main airport is the Birmingham Airport, which is located 6 miles east of the city center.
Canterbury
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Roman-era walls surround Canterbury's medieval city centre, so you know visiting will be like a blast from the past. Start by exploring the cathedrals and castles that represent the city's history, like the Canterbury Cathedral. Also, don't miss the medieval Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint, which combines education and big adventures in its historically-themed escape rooms.
If you're ready to enjoy the city's great outdoors, then head to the Barham and Adisham Walk, Beacon Hill Herne Bay, Belmont House and Gardens, or the Bigbury Camp. Wine connoisseurs will love swishing their wine glasses at several vineyards, breweries, and distilleries. You can drive to the scenic Chartham Vineyard or simply join a group brewery and distillery tour.
Canterbury is a very compact city, and most destinations within the city walls can be easily reached via a short walk. To travel to Canterbury, you can take a Southeastern train or a National Express coach.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Birmingham?
Main departure station: Birmingham New St
There is one train station in Birmingham.
All train stations in Birmingham:
Birmingham New St
Where is the train station in Canterbury?
Image credit: Joshua Brown
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Canterbury West
Canterbury West Railway Station is a small train station northwest of Canterbury Cathedral and most of the town's attractions and services. However, there are several restaurants, a supermarket, and a car park right next to the station. You will find the main station buildings on the side of Platform 1, housing a café and public toilets. Platforms 1 and 2 both have waiting rooms. Southeastern trains on the Ashford to Ramsgate and the London to Ashford lines stop in Canterbury and connect to a robust rail network throughout the United Kingdom.
Train stations in Canterbury:
Canterbury West
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Need a return trip from Canterbury to Birmingham?
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