Major city · United Kingdom
Dartford
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Dartford; stay only if you need a base for a car‑free day‑trip to nearby Gravesend or Bluewater.
Dartford is a commuter town in Kent with good rail links to London (15‑17 min) and road access via the A2 and M25. Its main attractions are Tilbury Fort (13 mi east), the Orchards Shopping Centre, and the Flying Boat pub. A short visit covers the key sights; overnight accommodation is optional for early‑morning commuters or families using the town as a parking base for the Bluewater outlet centre.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid January–February (cold, limited daylight)
- Airports
- London Gatwick (LGW) · London Heathrow (LHR) · London Southend (SEN) · London City (LCY)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Dartford999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dartford, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyDartford is generally safe; watch for traffic on the A2/M25 and keep belongings secure on trains, especially late at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 999 Medical · 111 Non‑urgent NHS
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckLGW London Gatwick (About 45–60 min by train via London or by car via the M25; check connections from Dartford station.).
- Getting aroundRail: SouthEastern trains from London St Pancras to Dartford (15‑17 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at café£2–£3 (≈ US$3–4)
- BeerPub pint£3–£5 (≈ US$4–7)
- Museum or sight ticketTilbury Fort entry£4.60 (≈ US$7) adult, £2.80 (≈ US$4) child
- Budget bedBudget hotel/inn, a night, per person£40 (≈ US$55)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per person£90 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per person£120 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £30 (≈ US$40) · Mid £55 (≈ US$75) · High £85 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LGW London Gatwick (About 45–60 min by train via London or by car via the M25; check connections from Dartford station.) · LHR London Heathrow (About 1–1.5 h by car via the M25; rail routes change at London stations, check before you travel.) · SEN London Southend (About 1 h by car via the A2 and M25; check rail options.) · LCY London City (About 40–50 min by car via the A2; check DLR and rail connections.)
Map of Dartford
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Dec (11 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dartford: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Rail: SouthEastern trains from London St Pancras to Dartford (15‑17 min). Car: A2 from London or M25; toll bridge/tunnel paid online. Buses: Fastrack and Arriva Kent Thameside services within town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tilbury Fort
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Train to Tilbury Town (15 min) then bus or walk 2 km (1.2 mi)Train to Tilbury Town (15 min) then bus or walk 1.2 mi (2 km)
Historic artillery site; entry fee applies.
Bluewater Shopping Centre
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Car via M25 to Greenhithe, 10 min; bus Fastrack line 1 from Dartford
Large outlet mall, free entry, parking fee optional.
Gravesend
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
Train to Gravesend (5 min) or car via A2 (10 min)
River Thames views and historic market.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Holiday Inn Express London Dartford
Close to railway station; good for early trains.
DoubleTree by Hilton Dartford Bridge
Near M25; suitable for car‑based visitors.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £30–£50 (≈ US$40–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- £50–£80 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- £80 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × £90 | £90 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × £55 | £55 |
| SouthEastern return ticket London‑Dartford1 × £15 · Check off‑peak rates. | £15 |
| M25/Dartford toll bridge (single crossing)1 × £3 · Paid online within days. | £3 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £16 |
| Trip total≈ £179 per person per day, bed included | £179≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in GBP; flights and long‑distance rail excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at café | £2–£3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Pub pint | £3–£5 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Fast‑food meal | £5–£8 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Tilbury Fort entry | £4.60 (≈ US$7) adult, £2.80 (≈ US$4) child |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Toll bridge/tunnel charges are billed online; late payment incurs a fine.
- Last local bus may depart before 22:00; check schedules.Last local bus may depart before 10:00 PM; check schedules.
- Tilbury Fort entry fee: adults £4.60 (≈ US$7), children £2.80 (≈ US$4).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Medical
- 999
- Non‑urgent NHS
- 111
Pocket card
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DartfordDartford
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Medical999
- NHS non‑urgent111
Embassy
US consulate in London; nearest UK visa centre in Dartford (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- London St Pancras → Dartford (SouthEastern): ≈ £12 off‑peak return (check)
- M25/Dartford toll bridge: £3 (≈ US$4) per crossing, pay online
Say or show
- Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (Sorry)
- Thank you — Thank you (Thank you)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (How much is it?)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (Where is the toilet?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dartford. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–September · avoid January–February (cold, limited daylight) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Rail‑to‑hotel package: SouthEastern off‑peak return ticket + night at Holiday Inn (check prices).
- Car‑park + hotel combo at DoubleTree for visitors to Bluewater.
Sources
- officialSouthEastern Railway
- officialFastrack bus service
- officialEnglish Heritage – Tilbury Fort
- officialBluewater Shopping Centre
- secondaryWikivoyage: Dartford, revision 5272909 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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