- Must visit
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Major naval heritage attraction with historic warships, exhibitions, and dockyard buildings explaining Britain's maritime story.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
€52
Average ticket price on Sep 20
€52
Fastest journey on Sep 20
1 h 37 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
1 h 37 m
Trains on Sep 20
12
Distance
86 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Luton to Gillingham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Luton to Gillingham will cost around €52 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €52.
It's difficult to get from Luton to Gillingham without transferring at least once.
C22685+
P85109
X07786+
P85130
C22666+
P85116
C02761+
P85143
X29433+
P85123
C04205+
P85143
C04218+
P85159
C04225+
P85165
C04207+
P85149
C04214+
P85154Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Luton to Gillingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €27 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 14m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €27, while a train costs an average of €33.
Distance: 53 miles (86 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€33 Average price | €27 Average price Cheapest | €22 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 14m Average total duration Fastest 1h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 34m Average total duration 3h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 26m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Luton to Gillingham:
A bus is €6 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Luton to Gillingham costing on average €33.
Other travel options to Gillingham take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 4m.
Tickets start at around €33 compared to roughly €22 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €-11.48. The journey takes 1h 44m versus 1h 26m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Luton to Gillingham trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:11 PM Luton | 1h45 | 12:56 AM Gillingham | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Luton to Gillingham run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 44m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €17 if you book in advance.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:08, the last at 23:28. The fastest train covers the 53 miles (86 km) distance in 1h 20m.
Distance 53 miles (86 km) |
Average train duration 1h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price €17 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 1h 20m |
First train 4:08 AM |
Last train 11:28 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Gillingham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Gillingham trip today.
Major naval heritage attraction with historic warships, exhibitions, and dockyard buildings explaining Britain's maritime story.
Literary museum in Dickens's former home, displaying personal objects and exploring the author's Rochester connections.
Historic house and museum dedicated to local engineer and entrepreneur Huguenot heritage, with period rooms and displays.
Historic high street lined with independent shops and period buildings, leading to the cathedral and castle.
Large urban park with formal gardens, sports spaces, play areas, and broad paths popular with local walkers.
Popular riverside country park with birdlife, open views across the estuary, and easy paths for relaxed walks.
Kentish Huffkin is a light, oval bread roll from Kent, traditionally eaten split and filled or served with local cheese and fruit preserves.
Canterbury Tart is a Kent dessert tart, usually filled with apple or jam and topped with almond frangipane, linked to regional home baking traditions.
Gypsy Tart is a famous Kent school pudding made with evaporated milk and dark muscovado sugar in a pastry shell, loved across the county.
Popular Turkish grill restaurant known for generous kebabs, meze and charcoal-cooked dishes in a lively, modern setting.
Well-known Nepalese and Indian restaurant serving curries, tandoori dishes and friendly service in a relaxed local atmosphere.
Established steakhouse and grill offering burgers, ribs and steaks in a casual setting suited to groups and family meals.
Moderate for southeast England: rooms and rail can add up, but pubs, chain cafes, and local buses keep daily costs manageable for most visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafe tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Gillingham Rail Station -> Chatham Waterfront Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton to Gillingham by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Gillingham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Luton to Gillingham trains use the Luton to Gillingham (Kent) station pair. Use this guide to compare Luton and Gillingham train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Luton has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Luton.
Wi-Fi is available at Luton. ATMs are available at Luton.
Ticket office support is available at Luton.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Luton: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Luton: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category B3 station: Step free access via lift to platform 5 only (some trains to Bedford/ the East Midlands) only. Steps to all other platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office. This station doesn't have tactile surfaces along all platform edges. Please pay attention to where the platform surface changes from smooth to paved or contact us for assistance, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Luton Airport Parkway is 1 km from Luton city centre. Public transport options include:
Luton Airport Parkway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Luton Airport Parkway.
Wi-Fi is available at Luton Airport Parkway. ATMs are available at Luton Airport Parkway.
Ticket office support is available at Luton Airport Parkway.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Luton Airport Parkway: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Luton Airport Parkway: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton Airport Parkway: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Gillingham (Kent) has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Gillingham (Kent).
ATMs are available at Gillingham (Kent).
Ticket office support is available at Gillingham (Kent). Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0345 322 7021 or Text relay 18001 0345 322 7021 Freephone 0800 783 4524 or Text Relay 18001 0800 783 4524, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Gillingham (Kent): Parking, WC.
Available at Gillingham (Kent): Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Gillingham (Kent): Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A. This station has step free access to all platforms - Step free access to all platforms and interchange via lifts. Step free access direct to Platform 3 via side entrance off Railway Street. Stepped access from main entrance via station footbridge, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not wheelchair accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Booking hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Monday - Friday 24 Hours a Day Saturday 24 Hours a Day Sunday 24 Hours a Day Assistance/Help available from station staff from First to Last trains, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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