Where Deal is
Deal sits on the east coast of Kent, about 80 miles from central London, between Sandwich to the north and Dover to the south. The map shows the main roads and railway lines that bring you here.
By train
The quickest way from London is Southeastern's high-speed service from London St Pancras International, which runs through Ebbsfleet and Ashford and along the coast via Folkestone and Dover to Deal, in roughly an hour and a half. There are also slower services from London Bridge, London Victoria and other stations, which take around two hours, sometimes with a change.
Deal station is on Queen Street, about ten minutes' walk from the High Street and the seafront. Walmer station, one stop south, is handier for Walmer Castle and the southern end of the seafront. Deal is also on the line to Sandwich and Ramsgate, so it's easy to reach from Thanet and from Canterbury with a change.
Advance tickets are usually cheaper than buying on the day, and a railcard can save a third on most fares. If you're travelling with children, look out for Southeastern's Kids for a Quid offer, which lets an adult travel with up to four children for £1 each.
National Rail journey planner · Deal station information · Southeastern · Deal station on Google Maps
By car from London
Deal is about 80 miles from central London, and the drive usually takes an hour and three quarters to two hours without heavy traffic. There are two main routes, and both are well signposted for Dover; Deal is signed once you're in east Kent.
Via the M2 and A2. Head out of London to the Dartford Crossing area and pick up the A2, which becomes the M2 past Rochester and runs to Faversham. Rejoin the A2 past Canterbury towards Dover, then turn off for Deal and follow the A256 and A258. This is usually the most direct route from north and east London.
Via the M20. From south London and the M25, the M20 runs past Maidstone and Ashford to Folkestone. Continue on the A20 to Dover, then follow the A258 north along the coast to Deal. This is a good choice if you're coming from the south or west of London.
On sunny summer weekends and bank holidays, allow extra time, especially on the approach to Dover, where port traffic can queue. Check Google Maps or the traffic news before you set off.
Directions from central London · Directions from the Dartford Crossing · Directions from the M25 and M20
From Dover and the ferry port
Deal is about nine miles north of Dover, around twenty minutes by car. From the town centre or the Eastern Docks, follow signs for Deal onto the A258, which climbs out of Dover and runs through Ringwould and Walmer into Deal. It's an easy drive, and a good first or last stop in England if you're crossing to or from France.
Without a car, trains from Dover Priory to Deal take around twenty minutes, and local buses link the two towns too.
Directions from the Port of Dover · Directions from Dover Priory station · Visit Kent: the Port of Dover
From Folkestone and the Channel Tunnel
From Folkestone and the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle terminal, Deal is around half an hour by car. Take the A20 towards Dover, then pick up the A258 north to Deal. If you're arriving from France on Le Shuttle, you come off at junction 11A of the M20, which joins the A20 just a short distance away.
By train, Folkestone Central and Folkestone West are on the high-speed line to Deal, and the journey takes around forty minutes.
Directions from the Eurotunnel terminal · Directions from Folkestone · Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
By bus
Local buses, mostly run by Stagecoach, link Deal with the towns around it. Useful routes include the 12 to Canterbury, the 93 to Dover, and the 80A between Dover, Deal and Sandwich, while the 82 runs between Upper Deal and Kingsdown. Buses are a handy way to reach places the train doesn't, such as Kingsdown and St Margaret's at Cliffe.
Routes and times change from season to season, so check the latest timetable before you travel. The Traveline journey planner will plan a whole trip, mixing buses and trains.
12 Deal to Canterbury timetable · 93 Deal to Dover timetable · 80A Dover, Deal and Sandwich timetable · 82 Kingsdown and Upper Deal timetable · Stagecoach · Traveline journey planner
Getting around
Once you're here, you won't need the car much. The town centre is compact and flat, and the promenade runs for miles along the coast, which is perfect for walking or cycling. National Cycle Route 1 passes through the town. There are pay-and-display car parks around the town centre and along the seafront, but parking in the narrow streets of the old town is tight, so check the arrangements at your accommodation before you arrive. See our map of central Deal for where everything is, and our day trips guide for places to go nearby, including France.