Arrivals Weekend

The aim of this page is to assist you with planning your journey to campus within the UK for our arrivals weekend.

We highly recommend you plan your journey prior to travelling. 

Please be aware that there are some M2 closures over the weekend, check the Campus Travel Updates page to keep you updated on known local disruptions so that you can stay prepared.

There is B&B accommodation available in Tyler Court. For more information or to book please visit the Accommodation page.

Grocery Shopping:

Due to the number of students arriving across the weekend, we ask that you please book any grocery deliveries after Monday 16 September. If you book a grocery delivery during peak times over the weekend, please note that we may ask the delivery driver to return to the carpark/unloading area when it is quieter.

If you must book a grocery delivery to arrive across the weekend, or wish to go grocery shopping after unloading during your arrival slot, please ensure this is after 7pm as we expect high volume of traffic within our carparks/unloading areas until then. We would, however, recommend doing your first shop later in the week with your new housemates as this can be a good bonding experience!

If you are an international student arriving to campus please refer to the International Students guidance on how to arrange your travel

Arrivals Weekend is a busy time on campus, in Canterbury City and Medway Towns. We advise you to be prepared and plan your journey using the information below.


Getting to Canterbury

Car

For students living on campus: 

Refer to our arriving to on campus student accommodation or for directions on how to get to unloading areas and overflow car parks visit our Canterbury Unloading Navigation page.

For students living off campus:

We advise that you use alternative travel where responsibly possible to get to and from campus over this weekend. It is a busy time on campus and there is limited parking available. If you already have your KentOne card you may be entitled to discounted travel.

If you travelling by car then please park in one of our overflow car parks or if you are a Government blue badge holder please refer to accessible bay parking locations.

Rail

Southeastern journey planning app and page  are useful tools to help with planning your journey to Canterbury by train. Southeastern rail serves Canterbury East and Canterbury West train stations. The High-Speed service from London operates to/from Canterbury West.

From both Canterbury train stations, we recommend using the local bus service from the train stations to/from the campus.

Local Buses

Stagecoach Journey Planning app and page are useful tools to help with where and when to catch a bus within the East Kent area.

Buses serving our campus

  • Uni1, Uni2, Triangle and Number 4 services operate directly onto campus.
  • Number 5 service operates on adjacent roads to campus.

Campus Bus stops are located around the campus. For this event, we recommend you alight at one of the following bus stops: 

National Express

When using National Express planning your journey page type in University of Kent (Canterbury) as your destination.

The 022 National Express service operates to Canterbury Bus Station and our campus Keynes bus stop

Taxi

Canterbury offers many taxi services to get you to the University from the city, an airport or other destinations. 

Longley's Private Hire (student discount available)

Other Canterbury Taxi Companies: 

There are also a number of taxi ranks around the city centre. Ranks can be found at: 

  • Canterbury West Railway Station 
  • Canterbury East Railway Station 
  • St George's Lane, outside Boots the Chemist adjacent to bus station. 
  • Canterbury Lane & Link Lane, outside Superdrug 
  • Rose Lane, beside Tesco Metro 
  • For more information, please visit our Taxi Travel webpage.

    Getting to Medway

    Car

    For students living on campus: 

    Refer to our arriving to Pier Quays (student accommodation) or for directions visit the Pier Quays webpage.

    For students living off campus:

    We advise that you use alternative travel where responsibly possible to get to and from campus over this weekend. It is a busy time on campus and there is limited parking available. If you already have your KentOne card you may be entitled to discounted travel.

    If you travelling by car then please park in one of our overflow car parks or if you are a Government blue badge holder please refer to accessible bay parking locations.

    Rail

    Southeastern journey planning app and page are useful tools to help with plan your journey to Medway by train. Southeastern rail serves 5 different main line stations in Medway, these include; Rainham, Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester and Strood. The two stations nearest to Medway campus are Chatham and Gillingham.

    From both train stations, we recommend using the local bus service from the train stations to/from the campus.

    Local Buses

    Arriva Journey Planning app and page are useful tools to help with where and when to catch a bus within the North Kent area.

    Buses serving our campus

    • Number 116 service operates through the campus, stopping at New Kent Road bus stop.
    • Number 1 service operates to Pier Quays residences, the Historic Dockyard

    Campus Bus stops are located around the campus. For this event, we recommend you alight at one of the following bus stops: 

    National Express

    When using National Express planning your journey page type in Hempstead Valley (Gillingham) as your destination. From there, catch the 116 Arriva bus to campus. The bus journey is approximately an hour.

    Taxi

    Medway offers many taxi services to get you to the University from the city, an airport or other destinations. 

    There are also a number of taxi ranks around the city centre. Ranks can be found at all 5 train stations and many others across Medway towns; Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Strood and Rainham. 

    For more information, please visit our Taxi Travel webpage.

    Walking/Cycling to and around our campuses

    When planning your journey to walk or cycle find the building you are visiting first on our maps page. Insert the postcode given for the building you are visiting first within the online tool you are using to navigate. There are some useful links to online tools and maps on our walking & cycling planning your journey advice pages.

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