How to get to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate

We are situated on the southeastern tip of Kent, a unique location that affords us a more temperate climate than some other parts of the country. Excellent road and rail links from London means that getting here is quick and easy, even the continent is just a hop across the Channel, as we are closer to France than our county town of Maidstone.

By Road
Excellent road links with the M20 and M2 motorways close by provide easy links from London. Helpful route planners are:
www.multimap.com
www.theaa.com

National Express runs a national network of coach services. Express coaches run from London Victoria to Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate and villages and take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Tel: +44 (0) 8717 818178
Tel: +44 (0) 8717 818179 (disabled persons travel helpline)
Textphone: +44 (0) 121 455 0086

If you're travelling from the continent you can drive straight onto the Eurotunnel train at Calais and in just 35 minutes you'll arrive in Folkestone. From Folkestone it is approximately a 1 hour drive to Thanet on the A20 and A256.

For information on local bus services:
Stagecoach
Tel: +44 (0) 870 200 2233 (general)
Tel: +44 (0) 8456 002299 (Disability helpdesk)
www.stagecoachbus.com

Eastonways
Tel: +44 (0) 1843 588944
www.eastonways.co.uk

By Rail
There are frequent trains between London Victoria and Charing Cross, and Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Journey times are approximately 1 hour 50 minutes (Victoria) and 2 hours (Charing Cross).

National Rail enquiries
Tel: +44 (0) 8457 484 950
Textphone +44 (0) 845 6050 600
www.nationalrail.co.uk

Southeastern Trains
Tel: + 44 (0) 845 000 2222
www.southeasternrailway.co.uk

High Speed Trains
New high speed train service between St Pancras International Station London and Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate in about 80 minutes. For times and ticket information visit www.southeasternrailway.co.uk
The Eurostar passenger terminal in Ashford can connect with trains to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate (journey time approximately 20 to 40 minutes). Eurostar international service runs to Ashford and London from Brussels, Lille and Paris.
Tel: +44 (0) 8705 186 186
www.eurostar.com

By Sea
Transeuropa Ferries
Offering four relaxed crossings a day, this is Kent's only Cross Channel service to and from Ostend, Belgium and is an ideal gateway to Britain for those arriving from the Continent. You can have a meal on board, watch a movie or book a cabin.
Tel: +44 (0) 1843 595522
www.transeuropaferries.com

Other useful contact details for Cross-Channel operators:

P & O Ferries
Ferry service between Dover and Calais
Tel: +44 (0) 8443 353535
www.poferries.com

DFDS Seaways
Ferry Service between Dover and Dunkirk
Tel: +44 (0) 844 847 5042
www.dfdsseaways.co.uk

By Air
Manston Kent International Airport
Flights available to Edinburgh on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday until March 2012. To book and find out more information visit www.flybe.com. Jersey-based C. I. Travel Group operate direct flights every Saturday between 12 May and 18 September 2012. For more information and to book visit www.discoverjersey.com. Car hire is available in the terminal from Avis. Avis car rental is located on-site and are open for scheduled flight arrivals/departures.

Scheduled passenger flights to UK domestic and short haul European destinations are expected to commence in the near future
Tel: +44 (0) 1843 823600
www.manstonairport.com

From London Gatwick Airport it is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes drive to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, whilst Heathrow Airport is approximately a 2 hours drive away. Stansted, Luton and London City airports are all up to 3 hours drive away.

Visitors arriving at any of London's airports, who wish to travel by public transport to the area, must first travel to central London and change to a connecting coach or train service.