Going by train from London to Folkestone is a convenient way to travel from the capital to the coast when you are visiting the UK.
Trains on this route are run by Southeastern. They offer two services: one that departs from St Pancras station and one that departs from Charing Cross station. Trains from St Pancras tend to be faster.
Services depart London for Folkestone Central train station twice an hour from each station during the day and evening. Departures are spaced out so that trains generally leave every 30 minutes.
Some trains from London to Folkestone require a change en route at Ashford International train station. This is the case with many trains departing from St Pancras station.
The total travel time varies from 57 minutes to 1 hour and 47 minutes, depending on which service you travel on. Trains that require connections are sometimes faster than direct trains, so don’t necessarily rule them out.
Single standard class tickets for Southeastern trains from London to Folkestone can cost from £30.10 for standard class and £45.30 for first class if you buy train tickets online before your trip and travel at off-peak times. Prices increase if you travel at peak morning and evening commuting hours. Discounts are easy to find if you book tickets with a railcard or qualify for concession fares.