- Must visit
Royal Pavilion & Garden
Former seaside palace of George IV with lavish Indo-Saracenic architecture and richly decorated state rooms. One of Brighton’s signature heritage attractions.
Cheapest price
$19
Average price
$27
Fastest journey
5 h 50 m
Average duration
6 h 33 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
99 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Canterbury to Brighton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Canterbury to Brighton will cost around $27 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $19.
Of the 4 buses that leave Canterbury for Brighton on Mon, May 18, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, May 18 the direct buses cover the 99 km distance in an average of 6 h 33 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 50 m .
On Mon, May 18 the slowest buses will take 6 h 55 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 train as it is the most popular option from Canterbury to Brighton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $17. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 18m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $17, and a train costs an average of $29.
Distance: 61 miles (99 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$26 Average price Cheapest | $44 Average price | $27 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 44m Average total duration 5h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 48m Average total duration Fastest 2h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 46m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg 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 Canterbury to Brighton:
A bus is $19 (€15) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Canterbury to Brighton costing on average $44 (€36).
Other travel options to Brighton take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 14m.
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 03:20AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:20AM | Arrival Time 10:10AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 11:02AM | Duration 6h32 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 12:05PM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 12:02PM | Duration 5h52 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 02:02PM | Duration 6h27 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:50AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 03:05PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:50AM | Arrival Time 05:02PM | Duration 6h12 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 07:27PM | Duration 6h37 | Departure days Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:15PM | Arrival Time 09:07PM | Duration 6h52 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:25PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 09:07PM | Duration 6h22 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 6h35 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:15PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 11:37PM | Duration 6h47 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 6h45 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:50PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:55PM | Arrival Time 02:37AM | Duration 6h42 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
The table below shows live departures for Canterbury to Brighton buses for tomorrow, Monday, May 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 3:20 AM Canterbury | 5h50 | 9:10 AM Brighton | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:30 AM Canterbury | 6h35 | 12:05 PM Brighton | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:15 PM Canterbury | 6h55 | 8:10 PM Brighton | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:15 PM Canterbury | 6h52 | 9:07 PM Brighton | 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 Canterbury to Brighton run on average 26 times per day, taking around 5h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $17 (€13) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 02:35, the last at 22:57. The fastest bus covers the 61 miles (99 km) distance in 5h 35m.
Distance 61 miles (99 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price $17 (€13) |
Buses per day 26 |
Fastest bus 5h 35m |
First bus 2:35 AM |
Last bus 10:57 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Brighton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Brighton trip today.
Former seaside palace of George IV with lavish Indo-Saracenic architecture and richly decorated state rooms. One of Brighton’s signature heritage attractions.
City museum in the Royal Pavilion Estate with fine art, fashion, design and local history collections. Strong choice for understanding Brighton’s cultural identity.
Art-filled historic house and gallery associated with the Bloomsbury Group, reachable as an easy cultural excursion from Brighton. Highly regarded for interiors and exhibitions.
Creative shopping district of independent stores, street art and lively lanes. One of the best areas to feel Brighton’s alternative and youthful character.
The city’s famous pebble beach with broad sea views, deckchairs and a classic promenade atmosphere. Central to Brighton’s identity and a top photo location.
Long green seafront strip ideal for walking, relaxing and sunsets, offering a calmer feel than the busier central beach area.
A classic British stick of hard boiled sugar candy strongly associated with Brighton seaside holidays, often sold as a souvenir.
Fresh battered fish with chips is a staple on the Sussex coast, and Brighton is one of the best places to try this classic British seaside meal.
A traditional Sussex dish of smoked haddock baked in a creamy sauce, often with cheese and mustard, showing the county's coastal food heritage.
Long running vegetarian restaurant famous for creative meat free dishes and a vibrant central Brighton setting.
Stylish seafront restaurant known for grilled seafood, shellfish, and modern British cooking in an upscale setting.
Well known oyster bar and seafood restaurant on the seafront, popular for champagne, shellfish platters, and relaxed coastal views.
Prices are high by UK standards, especially for hotels and dining in central and seafront areas.
Service charge of 10-12.5% may be added in restaurants; if not, tip about 10%. Round up in taxis. Tipping is not expected for counter service, but small tips are appreciated.
Official public transport app
Brighton, Preston Circus -> Brighton Railway Station
There are plenty of options throughout the week for bus trips between the ancient cathedral city of Canterbury and the popular seaside resort of Brighton, especially for passengers willing to travel in the early morning or late afternoon into the evening. It isn't a quick journey, but the stopover at Victoria makes a natural break for snacks and refreshments.
National Express is currently the only company operating buses between Canterbury and Brighton.
Travelling by bus from Canterbury to Brighton can take from just over five hours up to roughly six hours 40 minutes, with most of the services closer to the longer figure. There are no direct coaches. Instead, travellers have to change at Victoria bus station, which usually involves a wait of between an hour and 90 minutes.
There are nine daily departures from Monday to Friday. These start in the small hours then continue intermittently until lunchtime. Then there's a lull until the late afternoon and evening, with the last bus leaving around 9:00 p.m. Weekends see two additional services, although departures start a little later.
Departure bus station: Canterbury Central Bus Station is on St George's Lane, south-east of the city center. Open 24/7, it's next to Whitefriars shopping centre, with the Abbey and the university a 10-minute stroll to the east. As well as handling intercity bus traffic, the station is a hub for local routes within town and throughout Kent. Stagecoach buses from Margate, Dover, Deal, Folkestone and other nearby towns all pass through, and visitors can also catch buses to Canterbury Cathedral, the Roman museum and other attractions.
Arrival bus station: Brighton Bus and bus Station has a kiosk, coffee shop and fast food outlet. Situated on Poole Valley Road, it's well placed whether one is in town for the sea, sights or shopping. The Lanes are just to the west, and it's only a few paces to the beach and Brighton Palace Pier. Other beachside attractions such as Volk's Electric railroad are an easy walk too. Meanwhile, the Royal Pavilion is a short bus ride back into town.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Canterbury to Brighton 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 Brighton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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