United Kingdom

How to get from London to Folkestone

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
2h 50min
💶
From
12€
📍
Distance
103 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from London to Folkestone: Coach, about 2h 50min, from €12. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 5, 2026): National Express; main departure point: Victoria Bus Station.

Distance: 103 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from London to Folkestone

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Coach
2h 50min – 3h
12 €
View
🚌 Departure from London
📍The main London departure point for long-distance coaches is Victoria Coach Station on Buckingham Palace Road. It has a ticket hall, waiting areas and numbered stands. Confirm the exact station and stand on your e-ticket before travelling.
🚇Victoria Coach Station is a short walk from Victoria railway and Underground station, which is served by several Tube lines and many buses. A taxi or ride-hail car is also easy from central London if you have heavy luggage.
⏰Departures run at several points through the day. Exact first and last coaches vary by date, so check the booking page for current times and avoid relying on the final departure of the day.
💸 Transport from 12€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 2h 50min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 5, 2026 for a departure on November 26, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
National Express Bus Victoria Bus Station €12 4
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Practical tips

💡
Book early for the lowest fare

Coach fares rise as departure approaches and as seats fill. Booking online in advance usually secures the lowest price and avoids paying more at the last minute, which is the classic budget traveller mistake in Britain.

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Skip the walk-up train fare

Buying a train ticket at the station on the day can be far costlier than booking ahead. If you want the budget option, compare with the coach online before you head to any London station.

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Confirm your London departure point

London has many coach and railway stations, and mixing them up is easy. Read your e-ticket carefully and confirm the exact departure station and stand before leaving your accommodation, so you do not end up in the wrong place.

💡
Allow extra time on busy days

Bank holidays and summer weekends bring heavy traffic and crowded stations. Arrive early, keep your e-ticket handy on your phone and avoid choosing the last departure of the day, in case anything goes wrong.

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Plan airport arrivals with a buffer

Landing at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton? Check your terminal and the onward link into London first, then book a departure with a generous gap so a delayed flight or slow transfer does not make you miss your coach.

The journey experience

Heading from London to Folkestone without a car? The coach is the option listed for this route, and it is a simple, budget-friendly choice for independent travellers. Instead of juggling train ticket types and peak-time pricing, you get one clear option, with the price and journey time shown on this page so you can check them at a glance.

The coach is a comfortable, no-fuss way to cross Kent towards the Channel coast. You board in London, stow your bag in the hold, settle into your seat and watch the countryside go by. Coaches typically offer luggage space and reserved seating, which suits students and backpackers travelling with large bags. You also avoid changing at busy railway terminals, which lowers the risk of missing a connection on the way.

British fares move with the day, the hour and how early you book, so reserve ahead, especially for bank holidays and summer weekends when seats can sell out. London has many coach and railway stations, so check the departure point on your e-ticket before you leave; Victoria Coach Station is the main coach hub. Book online and you get instant e-ticket confirmation, so you can travel with peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions — London → Folkestone

Why visit Folkestone?

  • ✓ Stroll the Leas, the clifftop Victorian promenade, and ride the historic water-balanced Leas Lift down to the beach
  • ✓ Explore the Creative Quarter on the Old High Street, with colourful artists' studios, indie cafés and street art
  • ✓ Wander the Harbour Arm, a restored pier with seafood stalls, bars and sunset views over the Channel
  • ✓ Walk the clifftops to the Warren and Samphire Hoe for views of the White Cliffs and, on clear days, the French coast
  • ✓ Visit the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne and the Martello Tower to discover the area's wartime heritage
🌙
Recommended stay
1 to 2 nights — compact town, easy to explore, with coastal walks nearby

When to visit Folkestone?

TEMPERATE OCEANIC CLIMATE

May to September — mildest and driest weather, long daylight hours and lively harbour events

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😐
Apr 😐
May 😊
Jun 😊
Jul 😊
Aug 😊
Sep 😊
Oct 😐
Nov 😞
Dec 😞
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In Folkestone — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Folkestone
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Folkestone?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🎨
Creative Quarter and Old High Street
Walk up the cobbled Old High Street, Folkestone's creative heart, with painted houses, independent galleries, vintage shops and cafés. Many studios open late morning to late afternoon and are quieter on weekdays. Look for the colourful street art on the way and allow about two hours. Wear flat shoes, as the slope is steep.
🌊
Harbour Arm Seafront Stroll
The restored Victorian Harbour Arm is a long pier lined with street-food stalls, a champagne bar, and a lighthouse at the end. Entry is free and it is a fine spot at sunset. Come on a dry day, bring a windproof layer, and expect food from about 5€ per stall.
🎭
Folkestone Triennial Public Art Trail
Folkestone's Creative Foundation has left a permanent collection of outdoor artworks across town since the Triennial began in 2008. Pick up a free map at the Quarterhouse or the tourist information point and follow the route on foot. Allow half a day, and start at the harbour for the best views.
🌅
The Leas Clifftop Promenade
The Leas is a grand Victorian clifftop promenade with sea views toward France on clear days. Ride the historic water-balanced Leas Lift down to the beach for about 1€ each way, usually running in season only. Check operating days before your visit, and bring a camera for sunset.
🍻
Folkestone Harbour Station Food Scene
Try local seafood in the harbour area, from fresh fish and chips to oysters and crab. Many places are casual and good for a quick lunch. Book ahead on weekends in summer and try a Kentish ale or sparkling wine, usually from about 6€ a glass.
⛰️
Samphire Hoe Nature Reserve
Samphire Hoe is a country park created from Channel Tunnel spoil, set beneath the white cliffs. Walk the sea wall, look for orchids in early summer and spot seabirds. Parking is paid, around 3€ for a few hours, and the site is a short drive from Folkestone toward Dover.
🏛️
Battle of Britain Memorial Capel-le-Ferne
This clifftop memorial near Capel-le-Ferne honours the airmen of 1940, with a Spitfire and Hurricane replica, a wall of names and wide Channel views. Entry to the memorial grounds is free, while the visitor centre charges a small fee. Go on a clear day for the views.
🌳
Wild Walk to Reculver-style Coastal Paths
For a quieter day, follow the Wan Way or coastal path along the Folkestone Warren, a wooded undercliff with wild flowers, fossils and rarely crowded paths. Wear sturdy boots, check tide times and avoid slippery clay slopes after heavy rain. Take water and a snack, as there are few shops.

How long to visit Folkestone?

1 to 2 days

Folkestone is best as a 1 to 2 day stop. In one day, walk the Harbour Arm, the Leas clifftop promenade and the Creative Quarter with its street art and Old High Street; with two days, add a Triennial art walk, the Warren coastal trail or a day trip to Dover Castle or Canterbury. Book a seafront or harbour-side stay in advance for summer weekends, and bring a windproof layer even in July.

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