London St Pancras International to Rye (Sussex) Trains From £9.00*

The train ride from London St Pancras International to Rye (Sussex) can take as little as 1 hour 10 minutes, with a quick change at Ashford International. You'll start on Southeastern's high-speed service, then switch to Southern for the final stretch of the journey.

The route takes you from the heart of London and through the Kent countryside with views of rolling hills, orchards and oast houses. After Ashford, you can catch a glimpse of Romney Marsh through the window before arriving in the historic town of Rye.

Southeastern runs its high-speed service between St Pancras and the Kent coast, while Southern operates local trains across Sussex and Kent, with connections into London.

Departing from St Pancras International

London's St Pancras International is right next to King's Cross and over the road from the British Library in north London. It's easy to reach on the Tube - you can take the Victoria, Piccadilly, Northern, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City or Circle lines to the station. If you're coming by bus, there are stops outside on Euston Road.

The station's main operators are Eurostar (for Paris and Brussels), East Midlands Railway and Southeastern. From here, you can catch trains to the Midlands, Yorkshire and Kent's major towns. The high-speed Southeastern service takes you to destinations like Canterbury, Dover and Margate in less than an hour.

Main stops

On the St Pancras to Ashford stretch of the journey with Southeastern, the main stops are 

Stratford International and Ebbsfleet International. Then, between Ashford and Rye, Southern trains generally call at Ham Street and Appledore (Kent). 

Arriving at Rye (Sussex)

When you arrive at Rye, you'll find yourself on Station Approach, about a short uphill walk from the historic town centre. You can follow the signs, although the cobbled streets and medieval buildings make it hard to miss.

The town's famous sights are all walkable from the station, including Mermaid Street, St Mary's Church tower and the Heritage Centre. For Camber Sands beach, catch the bus from the high street or grab a taxi from outside the station.

Rye station is served by Southern with trains running to Ashford International, Brighton and Eastbourne. It's a great base for exploring the Sussex coast - Hastings is just 20 minutes away by train and you can also reach Eastbourne in less than an hour.

Southeastern & Southern train classes

Southeastern's high-speed trains from St Pancras have Standard Class throughout, with no premium carriage available. That doesn't mean you won't have a comfortable journey, though. These modern trains come with comfortable seating - many with USB sockets and tables - along with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and priority seating for eligible passengers.

Southern trains from Ashford to Rye only have standard class, too. Luckily, trains to Rye have spacious seating, free Wi-Fi on most services and overhead luggage racks. Some newer trains even have plug sockets so you can charge your devices.

Southeastern and Southern train travel advice

Here's what you need to know for your journey to Rye:

• Luggage: You can bring up to 2 large items and a small piece on both of these operators. Bags shouldn't weigh more than 23kg and need to be stored clear of aisles and doorways.
• Bicycles: Southeastern allows bikes on off-peak services with no reservation needed, while Southern permits bikes anytime on the Ashford-Rye route. Space is limited, though.
• Children: Kids under 5 travel free on each of these operators. Ages 5-15 get child fares, which cost half an adult fare - perfect for budget-friendly day trips to the south coast.
• Pets: Both companies let you bring 2 pets for free, as long as they don't take up a seat. Keep dogs on leads and small animals in carriers.
• Passenger Assistance: Southeastern and Southern offer help with boarding the train and moving around. Just be sure to book the Passenger Assistance service at least 2 hours ahead. 

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