Tunbridge Wells is very accessible, and you can get here and travel around in many different ways. We are situated just 40 miles from central London, with rail, road and parking infrastructure to help make access easy. Below are some of the main ways you can reach Tunbridge Wells and explore the area:
Getting to Tunbridge Wells
Getting around Tunbridge Wells in Kent
In this article:
- By Local Bus
- By Car
- By Bike
- Coach Parking & Car Parks
By Local Bus
Details of local bus services and bus timetables can be found on the Traveline website but here is a summary:
- Arriva Service 6: Maidstone – Paddock Wood – Pembury – Royal Tunbridge Wells
- Arriva Service 402: Sevenoaks – Tonbridge – Southborough – Royal Tunbridge Wells
- Arriva Service 7: Maidstone – Tonbridge – Southborough – Royal Tunbridge Wells
- Arriva Service 277: Royal Tunbridge Wells – High Brooms – Tunbridge Wells Hospital (Pembury)
- Arriva Service 281: High Brooms – Royal Tunbridge Wells – Rusthall (including a stop near to the Pantiles)
- Hams Travel Service 297: Pembury – Matfield – Brenchley – Horsmonden – Goudhurst – Cranbrook – Benenden – Rolvenden – Tenterden
- Hams Travel Service 285: Speldhurst – Royal Tunbridge Wells – Hawkenbury
- Metrobus Service 233: Royal Tunbridge Wells – Southborough – Bidborough – Penshurst – Edenbridge
- Arriva Service 5: Maidstone – Staplehurst – Sissinghurst – Cranbrook – Hawkhurst
The A26 has frequent bus services between Tonbridge town centre and Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre, via Southborough. There are plenty of stops along the route.
In Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre, there are convenient bus stops on Grosvenor Road and Mount Pleasant Road including at Royal Victoria Place, at the War Memorial (near to the Amelia Scott Centre) and at Tunbridge Wells Railway Station.
A number of the bus services call in at the rural villages in Tunbridge Wells, allowing you access to the countryside. For instance, you can get the number 6 bus from Tunbridge Wells to Matfield and on to The Hop Farm at Paddock Wood.
The 297 running between Pembury and Tenterden, bus takes you on a grand tour of the Weald (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) through the villages of Matfield, Brenchley, Horsmonden, Goudhurst, Cranbrook, Benenden and Rolvenden.
Buses go to many of the main local attractions, as well locations outside Tunbridge Wells, such as Lewes & Brighton (29), Tenterden (297), and East Sussex.
Plan your trip on the Kent Connected app or Traveline website.
Please note that bus services on Sundays and in the evenings are limited so please check the timetable before you travel.
By Car
For touring the beautiful local countryside, the most convenient option is to use a car. There are car hire firms, chauffeur driven cars and taxi companies based in and around Tunbridge Wells. Please see a number of options for travelling by car below:
Where to hire a car?
There are a number of car hire companies in Tunbridge Wells, including:
Please see below, if you are travelling here directly from Gatwick or Heathrow airport:
Tunbridge Wells Car Club
Tunbridge Wells also has a local car-club with a number of vehicles located in and around Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre. In order to find out more information about this please visit Co-Wheels Tunbridge Wells. (UK licence holders only, T&C’s apply). You will need to be a Co-Wheels member to use these vehicles.
Taxi companies
The taxi companies in the area are very reliable and one of the best options to travel around the local area. Here are some of the companies that operate in Tunbridge Wells:
- Royal Tunbridge Wells Taxis
- TW Kings Cars
- AAA Taxis
- Tunbridge Wells Taxi Line
- Royal Cars Tunbridge Wells
- Tunbridge Wells 888
You can also check the taxi rank map to pick up cabs in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Private Chauffeur
Sit back, relax and let your private chauffeur take you to some the most iconic attractions in the Tunbridge Wells area. Please see a list of local chauffeurs below:
- T&I Executive Travel Service
- TW Apex Cars (provide excursion services)
- Kent Prestige Cars
- Luxury Car Chauffeur
By Bike
Many local residents enjoy cycling around the Kent countryside for leisure. However, there is currently limited off-road infrastructure between the towns and villages in the area and on-road cycling is really only appropriate for more experienced riders.
If you are keen to get on a bike to explore the area though there are opportunities to hire electric bikes to get up those hills more easily:
There are also a number of family friendly cycling opportunities in the area and you can find out more on our cycling page.