United Kingdom / London & the South East / Canterbury

Canterbury

England's Mother Church Inside Medieval Walls

1 dayIdeal stay₹11,340From / night₹2,770Food / day₹2,270Entry

A walled cathedral city in Kent: Canterbury Cathedral, seat of the Church of England and the place Thomas Becket was murdered, Chaucer's pilgrims' goal, with timber-framed lanes and river boat tours below. Under an hour from London St Pancras on the high-speed line; the White Cliffs of Dover are 30 minutes further.

Highlights

Canterbury Cathedral
Medieval lanes and city walls
River Stour boat tour
Day trip to the White Cliffs of Dover
Leeds Castle

Things to do

Canterbury CathedralMorning · 2h 30m
Old town walk and river boatAfternoon · 2h 30m
White Cliffs of Dover walkMorning · 4h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Canterburyvia GetYourGuide Tours & tickets in Canterburyvia Klook

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When to go

Best time: April – September

Getting there

Fly into London (LHR), 87 km away

Then: Train · 1h 6m (Southeastern high-speed train from St Pancras)

Search flights to LHR from your city ↗

Flights from India

From Bengalurufrom ₹25,000
From Mumbaifrom ₹27,500
From Ahmedabad (1 stop)from ₹24,000
From Chennaifrom ₹30,000
From Hyderabadfrom ₹30,000
From Kochi (1 stop)from ₹27,000

Fly into Brighton (LGW), 99 km away

Then: Train · 2h 12m (Southern and Southeastern via Ashford International)

Search flights to LGW from your city ↗

Flights from India

From Ahmedabadfrom ₹30,000

Fares from India: one way, per person; typical fares, not live prices.

Entry rules

Your passport

Visa needed before you fly for up to 180 days, about ₹17,010

Apply online on GOV.UK for a Standard Visitor visa (gov.uk/standard-visitor) at least 4-6 weeks before you fly, and no earlier than 3 months before. The fee is £135 (about ₹17,010) for a visa of up to 6 months, and it is not refunded if the visa is refused.
Book and attend a VFS Global visa application centre in India to give your fingerprints and photo and hand in your documents. The standard decision takes about 3 weeks from that appointment; Priority (about 5 working days, £500 extra) and Super Priority (next working day, £1,000 extra) are sold at some centres.
With the visa you need no ETA. It covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not the Schengen countries: France or Italy need a separate Schengen visa, and the UK visa does not count towards one.
At the airport use the Border Force desks (not the eGates) and have your return ticket, hotel bookings and proof of funds ready.

Carry: Passport valid for the whole of your stay, with a blank page for the visa; Bank statements for the last 6 months, income-tax returns and a leave letter from your employer (or business or college papers); Return flight booking and a day-by-day plan; Hotel bookings, or an invitation letter and address from family or friends in the UK; Travel insurance with medical cover (advised: visitors pay for NHS hospital care).

Fees rose on 8 April 2026 (£135 for 6 months, up from £127); check GOV.UK's fee page and your VFS centre before you pay. Two-, five- and ten-year visit visas cost more and still allow 6 months per visit.

Checked 2026-10; confirm with the embassy before you fly.

Also in London & the South East

🎡 London · Palaces, Free Museums and the Thames, with Indian London on Every Line
🏰 Windsor · The King's Weekend Castle on the Thames
🎓 Cambridge · College Lawns, King's Chapel and Punting on the Cam
🎠 Brighton · Pier, Pebble Beach and the Royal Pavilion's Indian Domes

Plan a trip to Canterbury

Flying in from elsewhere? Start at London (LHR)