London St Pancras International to Ashford International Trains From €19.95*

Cutting through the southeast at up to 140mph, Southeastern's high-speed service between London St Pancras International and Ashford International offers a seamless journey from city centre to countryside. Covering 51 miles in 35 minutes, this direct route is an efficient way to travel between central London and the heart of Kent. With up to 67 daily trains, the service begins at 00:12 and runs until 23:40, offering flexibility for early starts and late returns.

The route offers glimpses of London's skyline before cruising through the Kent countryside and arriving in the heart of Ashford. Along the way, you'll pass through Stratford International, a stone's throw from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, before speeding through garden landscapes typical of southeast England.

Southeastern is a UK train operator serving London, Kent, and parts of East Sussex. Its services span coastal towns like Dover and Ramsgate to key urban centres such as Canterbury, Maidstone, and Hastings. Operating from major London hubs including St Pancras, Charing Cross, Victoria, and Cannon Street, Southeastern's fleet includes the fast and efficient Class 395 Javelin trains known for their speed, comfort, and punctuality.

Departing from London St Pancras International

Located on Euston Road in Camden, London St Pancras International is one of the UK's most iconic and well-connected railway stations. It shares an underground station with neighbouring King's Cross and is easily accessible via six Tube lines, numerous bus routes, and direct train services from major airports, including Gatwick, Luton, Heathrow, and Stansted. The station is home to a mix of international services, most notably Eurostar to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.

From here, passengers can travel north to Nottingham and Sheffield, south to Gatwick Airport, or east to Kent in under an hour, with high-speed Southeastern trains to Ashford, Folkestone, and beyond.

Train operators at St Pancras include Southeastern, Eurostar, East Midlands Railway, and Thameslink, offering many routes across the UK and mainland Europe.

Main stops

On the direct Southeastern high-speed route from London St Pancras to Ashford International, the train stops at Stratford International and Ebbsfleet International.

Arriving at Ashford International

Located in Ashford, Kent, Ashford International is a key transport hub on the High Speed 1 and South Eastern Main Line routes. Southeastern operates fast and frequent services from Ashford to London, Dover, and other Kent destinations using its high-speed Javelin trains. Trains connect to Charing Cross, Canterbury, and Folkestone, making Ashford a convenient interchange for travel throughout the South East.

Attractions such as County Square Shopping Centre, Victoria Park, and Ashford Borough Museum are within walking distance of the station. For those with a bit more time, nearby highlights include Leeds Castle, the scenic Kent Downs, Godinton House and Gardens, and Westwell Wine Estate, all offering a taste of Kent's history, beauty, and charm.

Southeastern train classes

Following the abolition of First Class, Southeastern trains are configured with only Standard Class seating across both high-speed and commuter services. The fleet includes the Class 395 'Javelin' trains used on high-speed services and Electrostar and Networker units for domestic routes.

While seat reservations aren't required, passengers can use Southeastern's SeatFinder tool to check how busy their service is before boarding. Priority seating is available for passengers who are pregnant, disabled, elderly, or travelling with young children. These seats are clearly marked and located near the train doors.

All seating features a 2+2 configuration, ensuring a comfortable journey for commuters and leisure travellers.

Southeastern train travel advice

To help make your journey smoother, here are a few essential tips for travelling with Southeastern:

• Luggage: You can bring up to two large items and one small item at no extra cost. The luggage must be manageable without assistance and stowed safely.
• Bicycles: Folding bikes are always allowed. Non-folding bikes are permitted outside peak London hours, which are 07:00 to 09:59 and 16:00 to 18:59, Mon through Fri. Check the Southeastern cycle policy before travelling.
• Children: Under-5s travel free with a fare-paying adult. Children aged 5 to 15 pay half fare, or £1 off-peak, with the "Kids for a Quid" offer, excluding London Zones 1 to 9.
• Pets: Bring up to two small dogs or pets free of charge; additional animals incur a fee. Pets must remain on the floor or in a carrier and not occupy seats.
• Passenger Assist: Assistance can be booked via the Passenger Assistance app or website up to 2 hours before departure, or you can simply "turn up and go". Staff are available at all staffed stations to help with boarding and accessibility needs.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.