Cardiff to Canterbury bus with National Express

Sat, Dec 06
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Cardiff to Canterbury

Showing times and prices for Dec 08

Cheapest price

€20

Average price

€22

Fastest journey

6 h 45 m

Average duration

7 h 8 m

Buses per day

3

Distance

296 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cardiff to Canterbury is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cardiff to Canterbury will cost around €22 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €20.

Fast buses

Of the 3 buses that leave Cardiff for Canterbury on Mon, Dec 08, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Mon, Dec 08 the direct buses cover the 296 km distance in an average of 7 h 8 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 45 m .

On Mon, Dec 08 the slowest buses will take 7 h 35 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.

National Express
03:20AM7h35
Cardiff
10:55AMCanterbury
201One-way
0 transfers
National Express
03:45PM7h05
Cardiff
10:50PMCanterbury
211One-way
0 transfers
National Express
03:55PM6h45
Cardiff
10:40PMCanterbury
251One-way
0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Canterbury

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Canterbury among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €18. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 3m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €18, and a train costs an average of €44.

Distance: 183 miles (296 km)

Compare bus with

Most popular
Bus
Train

€25

Average price

Cheapest

€66

Average price

6h 46m

Average total duration

6h 16m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 33m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 3m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

National Express

Most popular bus company

Great Western Rail

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Cardiff to Canterbury bus times

The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Canterbury buses for today, Sunday, December 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at 1:13 PM
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
national_express1:45 PM Cardiff
7h40
9:25 PM Canterbury0 transfersDirect
national_express5:45 PM Cardiff
6h25
12:10 AM Canterbury0 transfersDirect
Monday, December 8
national_express3:20 AM Cardiff
7h35
10:55 AM Canterbury0 transfersDirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Canterbury by train or bus

Compare train and bus 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.

Mon
Dec 08
Tue
Dec 09
Wed
Dec 10
Thu
Dec 11
Fri
Dec 12
Sat
Dec 13
Sun
Dec 14

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Canterbury

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Cardiff to Canterbury run on average 8 times per day, taking around 6h 16m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $23 (€18) if you book in advance.

The earliest bus runs at 03:15, the last at 20:23. The fastest bus covers the 183 miles (296 km) distance in 6h 18m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
183 miles (296 km)
Average bus duration
6h 16m
Cheapest ticket price
$23 (€18)
Buses per day
8
Fastest bus
6h 18m
First bus
03:15
Last bus
20:23
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express from Cardiff to CanterburyYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Canterbury with National Express for as low as $23 (€18). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
6h 25m
Cheapest Price
$23 (€18)
National Express frequency
8 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

FAQs: Bus from Cardiff to Canterbury

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff 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.

FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from Cardiff to Canterbury can start from as little as $24 (€20) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Cardiff to Canterbury is $39 (€32); however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
On average the Cardiff to Canterbury bus travel time is 6 h 15 min   for the 184 mile (296 km) long trip, but the duration can vary if you travel on weekends and holidays.
The first bus from Cardiff to Canterbury leaves at 2: 25AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last bus from Cardiff to Canterbury leaves at 8: 53PM.
There are 11 buses a day from Cardiff to Canterbury which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer buses.
Take the Cardiff to Canterbury bus with National Express. However, it's always good to check out all possible bus companies for the journey between Cardiff and Canterbury as there might be differences in the amenities they offer.
The cheapest month for a bus from Cardiff to Canterbury is November.
You have options as you can travel between Cardiff and Canterbury 2 different ways: train or bus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Cardiff to Canterbury:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Cardiff to Canterbury for bus company National Express.
Some of the most interesting sights to explore in Canterbury are:
  • Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic Gothic structure known for its stunning architecture and historical significance
  • St. Augustine's Abbey, the ruins of a Benedictine monastery founded in the 6th century, offering insights into early Christian history in England
  • Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint, a medieval gatehouse with exhibits on local history and panoramic views of the city
  • Canterbury Roman Museum, an underground museum showcasing Roman artifacts and the remains of a Roman townhouse
  • Westgate Gardens, a picturesque park perfect for leisurely walks along the River Stour.
The best things to do in Canterbury include:
  • Explore the historic streets of Canterbury on a guided walking tour, learning about its rich history and hidden gems
  • Enjoy a punting tour on the River Stour for a unique perspective of the city's architecture and natural beauty
  • Visit the Canterbury Tales attraction for an interactive experience of Chaucer's famous stories
  • Attend a performance at The Marlowe Theatre, featuring plays, musicals, and concerts
  • Discover the local food scene with a culinary tour of Canterbury's best eateries and markets.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Cardiff to Canterbury depends on the bus company:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Cardiff to Canterbury, follow these tips:

  • Book in advance: Tickets are often cheaper when booked early.
  • Be flexible with dates and times: Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money.
  • Use our search filters: Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options.
  • Look for special deals or discounts: Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
  • Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!

    Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from Cardiff to Canterbury.
    Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Cardiff to Canterbury:
    • National Express
      • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
    Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from Cardiff to Canterbury:
    • National Express
      • 10€ per additional bag.
    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Cardiff to Canterbury.
    You can reserve your seat on the bus from Cardiff to Canterbury with the following bus company: National Express
    Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Cardiff to Canterbury with the following bus company: National Express.
    Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Cardiff to Canterbury with the following bus company: National Express.

    popular bus stations

    Popular bus stations from Cardiff to Canterbury

    Cardiff
    Canterbury
    The major bus station for departures in Cardiff is Cardiff, Sophia Gardens. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Cardiff, Sophia Gardens for your trip from Cardiff to Canterbury.
    Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
    information
    Cardiff, University
    information

    More options for your journey from Cardiff to Canterbury

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