9 Best Kent Commuter Towns for 2025
Are you looking for the best Kent commuter towns?
Known as the “Garden of England,” Kent has long been one of the most popular areas for those who work in the capital but crave a better quality of life.
The county offers a compelling blend of historic towns, beautiful countryside, and, crucially, excellent transport links.
Deciding to move is one thing; choosing the right town is another.
The best location for you will depend on a balance of three key factors: commute time, housing affordability, and the lifestyle you are looking for.
This guide provides a comprehensive look at the top 9 commuter locations in Kent to help you make your decision.
We have gathered the most up-to-date data for 2025, from the fastest train times to average house prices, giving you a clear comparison of what to expect.
Here are our nine best Kent commuter towns for 2025.
Table of Contents
1. Sevenoaks
The classic, high-speed, and affluent choice for commuters living in Kent.
Sevenoaks is leafy, packed with outstanding schools, and has a bustling high street that blends independent boutiques with high-end brands.
It is surrounded by the stunning countryside of the Kent Downs, with Knole Park and its wild deer on the doorstep.
The Commute: This is its main selling point. The fastest services can get you into London Bridge in as little as 21-25 minutes.
Services also run to Charing Cross and Cannon Street. The M25 is also right there, making road travel simple.
The 2025 Data:
- Fastest Train Time: 21 minutes (to London Bridge)
- Average House Price: £540,000 (Source: ONS, August 2025)
- Projected Annual Season Ticket: £4,554 (Source: Campaign for Better Transport)
2. Tonbridge
Often seen as the more practical and better-value neighbour to Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells. Tonbridge boasts a historic castle, a beautiful park alongside the River Medway, and an excellent reputation for its grammar schools. It has a busy, traditional high street that serves all practical needs.
The Commute: The train service is outstanding. Fast and frequent services reach London Bridge in as little as 31-35 minutes, making it one of the quickest commutes on this list. It is also well-placed for the A21 and M25.
The 2025 Data:
- Fastest Train Time: 31 minutes (to London Bridge)
- Average House Price: £412,000 (Source: ONS, August 2025)
- Projected Annual Season Ticket: £5,503 (Source: Campaign for Better Transport)
3. Royal Tunbridge Wells
An elegant and historic spa town that feels more like a destination than a suburb.
“Wells,” as it is known, offers a sophisticated lifestyle with the famous Pantiles (a Georgian colonnade), boutique shopping, and a thriving food scene. It is surrounded by beautiful High Weald countryside.
The Commute: The journey is slightly longer than from its neighbours, but the pay-off is the town’s lifestyle. Trains run to London Bridge, Charing Cross, and Cannon Street.
The 2025 Data:
- Fastest Train Time: 44 minutes (to London Bridge)
- Average House Price: £456,000 (Source: ONS, August 2025)
- Projected Annual Season Ticket: £6,038 (Source: Campaign for Better Transport)
4. Ashford
The ultimate high-speed choice for affordability.
What Ashford may lack in quaintness, it makes up for in pure practicality.
Thanks to the High Speed 1 (HS1) rail link, it offers one of the fastest commutes in the UK from an area with remarkable value-for-money housing. It also has the popular Ashford Designer Outlet.
The Commute: This is what it’s all about. The HS1 service from Ashford International to London St Pancras takes a remarkable 36 minutes.
The 2025 Data:
- Fastest Train Time: 36 minutes (to London St Pancras)
- Average House Price: £351,000 (Source: ONS, August 2025)
- Projected Annual Season Ticket (HS1): £6,347 (Source: Campaign for Better Transport)
5. Canterbury
A small, historic city that offers a unique lifestyle.
If you want to live somewhere with deep cultural roots, Canterbury is unmatched.
Home to the world-famous cathedral, it has a vibrant, academic atmosphere, a bustling centre of medieval streets, and fantastic pubs and restaurants.
The Commute: The HS1 link connects Canterbury West to London St Pancras in under an hour, making it incredibly appealing for those who only need to commute a few days a week.
The 2025 Data:
- Fastest Train Time: 53 minutes (to London St Pancras)
- Average House Price: £353,000 (Source: ONS, August 2025)
- Projected Annual Season Ticket (HS1): £7,100 (Source: Campaign for Better Transport)
6. Folkestone
The creative, up-and-coming coastal choice.
Folkestone has undergone a huge transformation, turning from a sleepy seaside town into a vibrant arts hub.
The Creative Quarter and the Harbour Arm offer independent galleries, cool bars, and a fantastic food scene, all with the benefit of living by the sea.
The Commute: Another HS1 success story. The high-speed service from Folkestone Central to London St Pancras makes a coastal commute genuinely viable.
The 2025 Data:
- Fastest Train Time: 54 minutes (to London St Pancras)
- Average House Price: £312,000 (Source: ONS, August 2025)
- Annual Season Ticket: Prices vary depending on the route. It is best to check the National Rail Season Ticket Calculator for the latest pricing.
7. Maidstone
The practical and affordable county town. Maidstone is a large, bustling hub with a vast range of amenities, including two shopping centres, a good nightlife, and plenty of leisure facilities.
While it has three stations, the commute is slower than from other towns, but the trade-off is more affordable housing.
The Commute: Commuters can choose from Maidstone East (to Victoria) or Maidstone West (to St Pancras).
The journey is just under an hour, making it a perfectly reasonable option for the price.
The 2025 Data:
- Fastest Train Time: 52 minutes (to London)
- Average House Price: £362,000 (Source: ONS, August 2025)
- Projected Annual Season Ticket: £5,837 (Source: Campaign for Better Transport)
8. Otford
The picture-perfect Kent village. For those who want a true village lifestyle, Otford is idyllic.
It has a famous village pond, historic buildings, independent shops, and direct access to stunning walks in the Kent Downs.
It is also home to the UK’s only listed roundabout.
The Commute: Otford offers a surprisingly fast commute for a village. It has direct services to London Victoria. It is also just a short drive from Sevenoaks for even faster connections.
The 2025 Data:
- Fastest Train Time: 29 minutes (to London Victoria)
- Average House Price: £810,000 (Source: Home.co.uk, April 2025)
- Annual Season Ticket: Prices vary. It is recommended to check the National Rail Season Ticket Calculator for current pricing.
9. Westerham
A charming and affluent market town. Technically, Westerham has no station. Its appeal lies in its beautiful, historic centre, its strong community feel, and its links to Winston Churchill (Chartwell is nearby). It is perfect for those who do not commute daily and prefer to drive.
The Commute: This is a “commute-by-car-to-station” town. Most residents drive 10-15 minutes to nearby Oxted (in Surrey), which has fast, frequent services to London Victoria and London Bridge.
The 2025 Data:
- Fastest Train Time: 33 minutes (from Oxted to London)
- Average House Price: £585,415 (Source: Rightmove, November 2025)
- Annual Season Ticket: Commuters would buy a ticket from Oxted. Check the National Rail Season Ticket Calculator for up-to-date pricing.
Ready to Move to One of the Best Kent Commuter Towns?
Whether you have chosen the lightning-fast commute from Sevenoaks or the creative coastal life in Folkestone, moving to Kent offers a fantastic new chapter.
GoodMove is here to make your move an easy and stress-free process.
We are an experienced, BAR-accredited removals company, and we take great pride in ensuring everything runs smoothly so you can settle into your new home right away.
As well as our competitively priced removals package, we can also offer extra services such as temporary or long-term storage facilities should you need them.
To find out how we can get your dream move to Kent underway, do not hesitate to call us or fill out our quick quote form today.