- Recommended
The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge
Interactive museum inside a medieval church telling the story of Canterbury’s Roman, medieval, and modern past. Ideal first stop for context.
Cheapest price
$14
Average price
$19
Fastest journey
5 h 40 m
Average duration
5 h 58 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
256 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bristol to Canterbury is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bristol to Canterbury will cost around $19 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $14.
Of the 5 buses that leave Bristol for Canterbury on Mon, Jul 27, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jul 27 the direct buses cover the 256 km distance in an average of 5 h 58 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 40 m .
On Mon, Jul 27 the slowest buses will take 6 h 15 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Bristol to Canterbury among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $14. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 52m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $14, and a train costs an average of $31.
Distance: 159 miles (256 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$20 Average price Cheapest | $64 Average price | $65 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 34m Average total duration 5h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 22m Average total duration Fastest 2h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Bristol to Canterbury:
A bus is $44 (€44) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bristol to Canterbury costing on average $64 (€64).
Other travel options to Canterbury take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 4m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:45AM | Arrival Time 08:45AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:45AM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:40AM | Arrival Time 10:55AM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:15AM | Arrival Time 11:55AM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 11:55AM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 01:35PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:55AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:50AM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:05AM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:55PM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 09:05PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:50PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 10:55PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:15PM | Arrival Time 10:55PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 01:10AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 01:10AM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 01:10AM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
The table below shows live departures for Bristol to Canterbury buses for today, Sunday, July 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX040 · NX022 | 2:00 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 6h25 | 8:25 PM Canterbury, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX040 · NX007 | 2:50 PM Bristol, University Queens Road | 7h35 | 10:25 PM Canterbury, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX040 · NX007 | 4:20 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 6h05 | 10:25 PM Canterbury, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX040 · NX022 | 5:30 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 6h20 | 11:50 PM Canterbury, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX040 · NX007 | 7:10 PM Bristol, University Queens Road | 6h00 | 1:10 AM Canterbury, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
NX040 · NX007 | 7:35 PM Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) | 5h35 | 1:10 AM Canterbury, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
| Monday, July 27 | |||||
![]() | 4:40 AM Bristol | 6h15 | 10:55 AM Canterbury | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Bristol to Canterbury run on average 14 times per day, taking around 5h 4m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $14 (€14) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 02:46, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 159 miles (256 km) distance in 5h 33m.
Distance 159 miles (256 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $14 (€14) |
Buses per day 14 |
Fastest bus 5h 33m |
First bus 2:46 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Canterbury — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Canterbury trip today.
Interactive museum inside a medieval church telling the story of Canterbury’s Roman, medieval, and modern past. Ideal first stop for context.
Underground remains of a Roman townhouse with mosaics and hypocaust. A compact but memorable look at Roman Canterbury beneath the streets.
Story-led museum on medieval pilgrimage inspired by Chaucer. It brings Canterbury’s most famous journeying tradition to life.
Pedestrian high street lined with historic buildings and shops. It is one of the best places to feel the rhythm of central Canterbury.
Picturesque lane famed for overhanging medieval timber-framed buildings. One of Canterbury’s most photographed and atmospheric historic streets.
Elegant pedestrian street connecting major sights. Its historic façades, independent shops, and easy walking route make it especially pleasant.
Kentish Huffkin is a traditional Kent bread roll, often served with cheese or fruit. It is a classic county bake linked to local farmhouse cooking.
Canterbury Tart is a historic pastry tart, usually filled with apple and almond. It is associated with old Kent baking traditions and local tea tables.
Whitstable Oysters are served across Canterbury and East Kent. These native oysters are prized for their briny flavor and long link to the nearby coast.
Well-regarded modern British restaurant with seasonal menus and a smart yet relaxed setting in the city center.
Elegant fine dining restaurant known for polished British tasting menus and refined service in central Canterbury.
Popular farmers' market restaurant serving seasonal Kent produce, meats, cheeses, and simple dishes in a lively casual setting.
Moderate for UK travel. Hotels and dining cost less than London, but tourist-season stays and central restaurants raise prices. Local buses are reasonable.
Service may be included at restaurants; otherwise tip 10-12.5% for good service. Taxis: round up or add 5-10%. Cafes: optional small change.
Official public transport app
Canterbury Bus Station -> Canterbury Cathedral
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bristol to Canterbury by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Canterbury, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bristol to Canterbury buses use the Bristol, Bus & Coach Station (Marlborough St) to Canterbury, St. Georges Lane station pair, with some services arriving at Canterbury, University Of Kent. Use this guide to compare Bristol and Canterbury bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Canterbury, University Of Kent is 1 km from Canterbury city centre. Public transport options include:
Canterbury, University Of Kent has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility, and WC.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located on campus, near the student union.
Available at Canterbury, University Of Kent: Parking, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Canterbury, University Of Kent: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need