For all your travel needs of how to get to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate
How to get to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate
We are situated on the southeastern tip of Kent, a unique location which provides us with a more temperate climate than some other parts of the country. Excellent rail and road links from London mean that getting here is quick and easy, and even mainland Europe is just a hop across the Channel. In fact, we are closer to France than to our county town of Maidstone.
For information on accessible travel, click here
By Rail to and from London
Southeastern operates a high speed train service from London St Pancras International Station to Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and Margate that means travelling from the capital is quick and easy.
Journey times are approximately 75 minutes to Ramsgate, 85 minutes to Broadstairs and 90 minutes to Margate.
There are frequent trains between Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate and London Victoria (approximately 1 hour 50 minutes), London Waterloo East and London Charing Cross (both approximately 2 hours).
Southeastern offer a variety of ticket options and fares
Southeastern Trains - www.southeasternrailway.co.uk
Tel: + 44 (0) 345 322 7021
Textphone: + 44 (0) 800 783 4548
To find out details of train times and ticket prices, please use the table below
National Rail enquiries - www.nationalrail.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 3457 484950
Trainline - www.thetrainline.com
By Rail to and from Europe
London St Pancras is the terminus for Eurostar, connecting us with mainland Europe. Eurostar International services run to Ashford and London from Brussels, Lille and Paris. The Eurostar passenger terminal at Ashford International connects with trains to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate (approximately 20 to 40 minutes).
By Car
Excellent road links with the M20 and M2 motorways close-by provide easy access from London. Helpful route planners are:
If you're travelling from mainland Europe, you can drive straight onto the Eurotunnel train at Calais and arrive in Folkestone in just 35 minutes. From Folkestone, it is approximately 1 hour's drive to Thanet on the A20 and A256.
By Coach
National Express operate a national network of coach services. Coaches run from London Victoria to various stops in Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Birchington and Westgate and take approximately 2 hours.
Tickets can be bought online, by telephone, and from our Visitor Information Centre in Margate.
By Sea
There are two main ferry services connecting East Kent with mainland Europe:
P & O Ferries
Ferry service between Dover and Calais
Tel: +44 (0) 800 130 0030 www.poferries.com
DFDS Seaways
Ferry Service between Dover and Calais or Dunkirk (Dunkerque)
Tel: +44 (0) 871 574 7235
Tel: (outside UK) +44 208 127 8303 www.dfdsseaways.co.uk
Once here, the ferry port of Dover is only 32km away - easily reached by frequent train services, or by car.
By Air
Visitors arriving at any London airports can travel to Thanet by public transport, going via central London, and changing to a connecting train or coach service. A journey from London Gatwick to Ramsgate by train will take from 2 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours.
Further travel information can be found to plan your visit at RedPlanet.travel
If you choose to go by car, London Gatwick Airport is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes' drive to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, while Heathrow Airport is approximately a 2 hours' drive away. Stansted, Luton and London City airports are all up to 3 hours' drive away.
