The Medway region is an excellent base for touring the south eastern
part of England, with the M20 (M25/M26) and M2 motorways closeby, providing
easy links to London and its airports. The M2/A2 and A260 connect Medway
to Canterbury with the Channel port of Dover and the Eurotunnel car shuttle
terminal in Cheriton. Herne Bay and Whitstable are both a short drive
from the city of Canterbury, via the A28/A291 and A290, respectively.
Why not 'Park and Ride'?
Motorists visiting Medway are encouraged to use the city's fast and efficient
'Park and Ride' service. The facility is frequent, excellent value for
money and easy to use. For just ?1.70 per car, a driver and up to six
additional passengers can board the regular shuttle buses and enjoy free
and unlimited return travel to the city centre. Park and Ride operates
from Monday to Saturday, between 0630 hours (6.30am) and 2100 hours.
(9pm) Get more information
By rail
Medway has two mainline railway stations, East and West, and is served
by frequent trains to and from London Charing Cross and Victoria (journey
time approximately 45minutes ) and elsewhere in Kent. Passengers disembarking
from the Eurostar passenger train at Ashford International will find
that Canterbury is just a 20-minute and Medway 30 minutes rail journey
away.
By air
Gatwick Airport is around one hour's drive from Canterbury and the road
journey to Heathrow takes about 11/2 hours. Stansted, Luton and London
City airports are all 2-3 hours' away. Visitors arriving at any of
London's airports and wanting to travel by public transport to the
area must first travel to central London and change to a connecting
coach or train service.
A new way to book your travel
Information Centres in Medway now offers a travel booking facility. Staff
on the travel desk can answer timetable queries and book tickets for
cross-Channel services operated by SeaFrance, P&O Ferries and Hoverspeed.
An extensive and good-value selection of day trips by coach to other
parts of Kent and further afield is also on offer.
Tickets for National Express, the nationwide coach operator, are also
sold by the travel desk, who will also be happy to answer all your enquiries
on available destinations and timetables.
The travel desk can be contacted by telephone: +44 (0)1227 378 100, by
fax: +44 (0)1227 378 101, or by Email: travel@canterbury.gov.uk: Travel
@medway.gov.uk
Getting around
Once you arrive in the area you find its easy to get around. Buses run
throughout the day and early evening, although services to rural areas
are less frequent. Free timetables are available from bus stations and
visitor information centres. The Royal Mail also operate a limited Postbus
service to some villages.
Much of the city centres are pedestrianised, making it a safer, cleaner
and more pleasing place to wander around. Although there are car parks
in the city centre, to ease congestion in this small city with its narrow
streets, motorists are encouraged to leave their cars at one of the Park & Ride
sites.
Useful Telephone Numbers
• P&0 Ferries: 0870 6000600 or visit www.posl.com
• SeaFrance: 08705 711 711 or visit www.seafrance.co.uk
• Hoverspeed: 0870 240 241 or visit www.hoverspeed.co.uk
• Eurotunnel: 08705 353 535 or visit www.eurotunnel.com
• Norfolkline: 0870 8701020 or visit www.norfolkline.com
• Eurostar International passenger service (to Ashford and London from
Brussels, Lille and Paris): 08705 186 186 or visit www.eurostar.com
• National Rail travel enquiries, telephone: 08457 484 950
• National Express coach services, telephone: 08705 808 080 or visit www.gobycoach.com
• Kent County Council public transport enquiries, telephone: 08457 696
996
• For local bus routes, contact Stagecoach East Kent, telephone 01227 472
082
How long does it take to get to the district?
• From Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports: 1 1/2 to 2 hours
• From Stanstead and Luton airports: 3 hours
• From Central London: 1 1/2 to 2 hours
• From Dover and Folkstone ports: 1 hour
• From Folkstone Eurotunnel terminal: 1 hour
• From Ashford International Eurostar terminal: 45 minutes
