The 15 Best London Day Trips By Train 🚆
We all know London is incredible, but it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. That’s when a quick train ride is your best friend. Within an hour or two, you’re in another world!
The beauty of London’s rail network is how accessible everything is. You don’t need a car, you don’t need weeks of planning, just grab a railcard, hop on a train, and you’re off. Whether you fancy punting in Cambridge, fish & chips in Brighton, or stepping inside a royal castle at Windsor – These 15 London day trips by train are the perfect excuse to escape the city for a day. 📍
London Day Trips by Train 🚆
🚗 Quick Trip Facts
- Number of Trips: 15 easy day trips from London
- Journey Time: 20 mins – 3 hrs each way (most under 90 mins)
- Best Stations: King’s Cross, Paddington, Victoria, St Pancras, Liverpool Street, Charing Cross
- Best Time to Go: Late spring to early autumn for seaside trips, year-round for historic towns & castles
- Perfect For: History buffs, foodies, seaside lovers, culture chasers, royal fans
🗺️ The Day-by-Day Itinerary
1. Cambridge – Punting and Colleges 🎓
One of England’s most beautiful university towns, Cambridge is a mix of historic colleges, peaceful riverbanks, and lively markets.
📍 From London: ~50 mins from King’s Cross.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Punting on the River Cam, King’s College Chapel, and the Fitzwilliam Museum.
🔥 Recommended Tour: Cambridge Punting with tour guide
2. Oxford – The Other Famous Uni Town 📚
Oxford oozes history at every turn, with cobbled streets, libraries older than most countries, and Harry Potter filming spots.
📍 From London: ~1 hr from Paddington or Marylebone.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and a pint at The Eagle and Child.
🔥 Recommended Tour: Oxford University walk with alumni guide
3. Brighton – Seaside Escape 🎡
The UK’s quirkiest seaside city. Expect pebbly beaches, colourful lanes, and all the fish & chips you can handle.
📍 From London: ~1 hr from Victoria.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Brighton Pier, The Lanes for vintage shopping, and the Royal Pavilion.
🔥 Recommended Tour: Brighton 360 ticket
4. Bath – Roman Spas & Georgian Charm 🛁
Known for its honey-coloured stone and Roman history, Bath feels like stepping into a Jane Austen novel.
📍 From London: ~1 hr 30 mins from Paddington.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and afternoon tea at The Pump Room.
🔥 Recommended Tour: Roman baths entry
5. Windsor – Castles & Royals 👑
Royal watchers, this is your stop. Windsor is home to the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle.
📍 From London: ~35 mins from Paddington.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Windsor Castle, Long Walk, and strolling along the Thames.
🔥 Recommended Tour: Windsor Castle Admission
6. Canterbury – Medieval Magic ⛪
A UNESCO World Heritage city filled with half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes, and one of Europe’s most famous cathedrals.
📍 From London: ~55 mins from St Pancras.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Canterbury Cathedral, Westgate Towers, and the Secret Gardens.
🔥 Recommended Tour: Canterbury Cathedral Ticket
Recommended Tours and Tickets From Get Your Guide
7. York – A Bit Further, Totally Worth It 🚂
It’s a stretch for a day trip, but doable with fast trains. York is pure medieval magic.
From London: ~2 hrs from King’s Cross.
Don’t Miss: York Minster, The Shambles, and walking the old city walls.
🔥 Recommended Tour: York Walking Tour
8. Margate – Retro by the Sea 🎨
This once-sleepy seaside town is now a creative hub with galleries, vintage shops, and sandy beaches.
📍 From London: ~1 hr 30 mins from St Pancras.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Turner Contemporary, Dreamland amusement park, and shell grotto.
9. Whitstable – Oysters & Coastal Strolls 🦪
Small, charming, and foodie-friendly, Whitstable is best known for its oysters and sunsets.
📍 From London: ~1 hr 20 mins from St Pancras.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Harbour Market, Tankerton Slopes, and slurping local oysters.
10. Rye – Storybook Town 🏡
Rye feels frozen in time with its cobbled Mermaid Street, half-timbered houses, and cosy tea rooms.
📍 From London: ~1 hr 10 mins from St Pancras.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Mermaid Street, Rye Castle, and Camber Sands nearby.
11. St Albans – Roman Ruins & Markets 🏛️
An easy, underrated getaway with Roman history, a lively market, and a stunning cathedral.
📍 From London: ~20 mins from St Pancras.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Verulamium Park, St Albans Cathedral, and the local pubs.
12. Hastings – Battlefields & Beaches ⚔️
A seaside town with a quirky mix of history and modern art.
📍 From London: ~1 hr 30 mins from Charing Cross.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Hastings Castle, Old Town, and the Jerwood Gallery.
🔥 Recommended Tour: Small Group Wine Tasting Tour
13. Colchester – Britain’s Oldest Recorded Town 🏺
Packed with Roman ruins and England’s oldest castle, Colchester is ideal for history buffs.
📍 From London: ~50 mins from Liverpool Street.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Colchester Castle, Roman walls, and the zoo (if you’re travelling with kids).
🔥 Recommended Tour: Colchester Guided Walking Tour
14. Whitby – Dracula’s Favourite Spot 🧛♂️
A bit of a trek, but this Gothic seaside gem is worth it if you’re up early. Whitby is fantastic!
📍 From London: ~3 hrs via York.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Whitby Abbey, the 199 steps, and proper fish & chips.
🔥 Recommended Tour: Whitby Abbey Ticket
15. Deal – Underrated Coastal Charmer ⚓
Less touristy than Brighton or Margate, Deal has a quiet charm with a castle, pier, and a pebble beach.
📍 From London: ~1 hr 30 mins from St Pancras.
🗺️ Don’t Miss: Deal Castle, the pier, and local cafés.
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
Map will be located under "YOU" and then under "MAPS".
ℹ️ Add the map to your Google Maps app.
After opening Google maps, click YOU and then scroll down to MAPS. It should be located there. Any issues, just get it touch, it’s no problem!
🛑 Pit Stops & Side Detours
If you’ve got extra time, here are a few easy add-ons to combine with your main day trip:
- Ely – Cathedral city near Cambridge with a towering Gothic masterpiece.
- Blenheim Palace – A quick hop from Oxford, home of Winston Churchill and jaw-dropping gardens.
- Seven Sisters Cliffs – Combine with Brighton or Eastbourne for one of England’s most dramatic coastlines.
- Hever Castle – A Kent gem linked to Anne Boleyn, easily paired with Canterbury.
- Stratford-upon-Avon – Shakespeare’s hometown, doable from London if you don’t mind an early train.
🍽️ Local Eats Worth Chasing
Half the fun of a day trip is eating your way through it. A few foodie highlights worth tracking down:
- Bath buns in Bath – Sweet, sticky, and historic (best at Sally Lunn’s).
- Cambridge fudge – Fudge Kitchen is famous for a reason.
- Whitstable oysters – Slurp them seaside with a squeeze of lemon.
- Brighton fish & chips – Grab a paper-wrapped portion and eat it on the pier.
- Yorkshire pudding in York – A proper Sunday roast at a local pub hits the spot.
🎒 Road Trip Essentials Checklist
✅ Railcard – saves ⅓ on most fares – Trainline is my go-to!
🗺 Offline maps/screenshots – signal drops in some towns
🍫 Train snacks – flapjacks, crisps, chocolate (trust me)
☔ Umbrella or waterproof – British weather is unpredictable
📱 Phone charger – plug sockets are rare on older trains
🥤 Reusable water bottle – refill along the way
🛂 Entry Requirements
- EU/UK citizens: No visa needed – passport or valid ID accepted
- US, Canada, Australia, NZ: Visa-free for up to 6 months; passport must cover trip duration
- Other nationalities: Check requirements before travelling via official gov sites
- No entry tax within the UK – but carry ID for ticket bookings & accommodation
- Other nationalities: Check via the Entry Requirement Checker
💡 Good to know: Travel between England, Wales and Scotland is domestic. No routine border checks, but carry photo ID for hotels and any domestic flights.
🎶 Playlist & Podcast Picks
Train journeys are half the fun — staring out the window as the countryside rolls past, coffee in hand, is a proper travel vibe. Here are some soundtrack ideas for your day-trip adventures:
🎶 Playlist Vibes
- Classic Britpop – Blur, Oasis, Pulp. Perfect for a Brighton or seaside run.
- Chilled Indie – Ben Howard, Florence + The Machine, Bombay Bicycle Club for countryside trips like Rye or St Albans.
- Throwback Sing-alongs – Spice Girls, Robbie Williams, Take That. Train karaoke (quietly, please).
- Moody Soundtracks – Harry Potter scores for Oxford or York; The Crown theme for Windsor.
- Fresh Finds – Discover a new UK band while heading to a new UK town.
💡 Tinker’s Tip: Download your playlist on Spotify or Apple Music — train Wi-Fi can be patchy.
🎙️ Podcasts to Queue Up
- Off Menu with Ed Gamble & James Acaster – Hilarious foodie chats, perfect for trips where you’re chasing oysters or fish & chips.
- You’re Dead to Me – History made fun, ideal for Canterbury, York, or Colchester.
- The Rest is History – Deep dives into Britain’s past while you roll past ancient landscapes.
- Table Manners with Jessie Ware – Warm, foodie conversations for a Bath tea-and-cake vibe.
- Desert Island Discs (BBC) – British radio classic. Inspirational and calming for longer journeys like York or Whitby.
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
FAQs
What’s the cheapest way to book train tickets in the UK?
Book in advance through National Rail or Trainline. Railcards help a ton.
Can I use an Oyster card for day trips outside London?
Yes, but only for nearby spots like St Albans and Windsor. Beyond that, you’ll need regular train tickets.
How do I access the free Google Maps route for the trip?
The free map is available via Google Maps with no signup required. After clicking the “View Map” link, go to “Your Places” > “Maps” in the Google Maps app to find the route. Save it for offline use, especially in areas with spotty signal.
Are these trips doable in winter?
Yes, but seaside towns like Whitstable and Brighton are livelier in summer. Castles and cities are great year-round.
How early should I leave London for a day trip?
Aim for trains between 8–9am so you get a full day without rushing.
Travel Planning Resources
Ready to book your next trip? These trusted resources have been personally vetted to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Book Your Flights: Kick off your travel planning by finding the best flight deals on Trip.com. Our years of experience with them confirm they offer the most competitive prices.
Book Your Hotel: For the best hotel rates, use Booking.com . For the best and safest hostels, HostelWorld.com is your go-to resource. Best for overall Hotel ratings and bargains, use TripAdvisor.com!
Find Apartment Rentals: For affordable apartment rentals, check out VRBO. They consistently offer the best prices.
Car Rentals: For affordable car rentals, check out RentalCars.com. They offer the best cars, mostly brand new.
Travel Insurance: Never travel without insurance. Here are our top recommendations:
- EKTA for Travel Insurance for all areas!
- Use AirHelp for compensation claims against flight delays etc.
Book Your Activities: Discover walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more on Get Your Guide. They have a vast selection of activities to enhance your trip. There is also Tiqets.com for instant mobile tickets.
Book The Best Trains: Use Trainline to find the most affordable trains or Rail Europe for rail passes!
Travel E-SIMS: Airalo Worldwide! Use your mobile phone anywhere!
Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Visit our Resources Page to see all the companies we trust and use for our travels.
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
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