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Trains from London to Folkestone Central

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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.
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  3. London to Folkestone Central

Trains to Folkestone Central from London

Departure stationLondon
Arrival stationFolkestone Central
Distance

63 miles (102 km)

Price

From £13.10

Travelling by train from London to Folkestone Central

Thinking about taking the train from London to Folkestone Central? We’ve got you covered.

The average journey time from London to Folkestone Central by train is 1 hour and 37 minutes, with around 111 trains travelling 63 miles between these two destinations daily. There’s no need for any changes along the way, as there are direct trains available to your destination. The fastest train can get you there in just 53 minutes.

Operated by Southeastern, all trains on this route offer free WiFi, access to Southeastern’s onboard entertainment service – Se Motion – filled with TV shows and films, and even First Class seating on certain routes.

Digital train tickets now available on this route

Did you know you can now buy digital train tickets from London to Folkestone? That’s right, no more queuing at the ticket machine or fumbling around for that paper ticket. It can now live in your Trainline app.

Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices – we’ll show you how much you can save on your train tickets if you travel Off-Peak or get a Railcard. Find out more about trains to Folkestone.

Keen to book your train tickets from London to Folkestone Central? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to learn a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs including first and last train times.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from London to Folkestone Central?

Want to know more about your journey from London to Folkestone Central? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How much is the train ticket from London to Folkestone Central?

The price of a train ticket from London to Folkestone Central can start from as little as £13.10, depending on the time of day, route and class you book. Train tickets may also be cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day.

Are there any direct trains from London to Folkestone Central?

There are no direct trains that run between London and Folkestone Central. You’ll need to make at least 0 changes along the way.

When do tickets from London to Folkestone Central go on sale?

Usually, tickets from London to Folkestone Central go on sale around 12 weeks before the date of travel. Booking in advance means tickets may be cheaper and services may have greater availability.

Planning a round trip from London to Folkestone Central?

It’s easy to book trains from Folkestone Central to London as part of your trip. Use our Journey Planner to find times and tickets for both outward and return journeys.

How do I find cheap train tickets from London to Folkestone Central?

As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, our Trainline team of experts have put together these tips to help you find the cheapest tickets.

1. Book in advance

Train tickets from London to Folkestone Central start at £13.10§ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. UK train companies usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of time, and these can be cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. Sign up to Ticket Alert

If you're planning a trip more than 12 weeks ahead, sign up to our Ticket Alert to get notified when Advance tickets are released for your travel date.

3. Use a Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel throughout the year. Buy one with us and you'll be able to store it digitally in our app, so you'll always have it on your travels.

4. Book split tickets

Our handy feature SplitSave will 'split' your train journey into multiple tickets, which can be much cheaper than buying a single ticket. Find out more about split tickets.

5. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

6. Consider a Season Ticket

Best for commuters, if you catch a train on the same route more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly, weekly and flexi options available, find out if a Season Ticket for London to Folkestone Central is right for you.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

§Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.

Travelling from London to Folkestone by train

Getting to London Charing Cross station 

Our train to Folkestone departed from London Charing Cross, one of the most central railway stations in London. We took the bus to get to the station but you can also take the tube – Charing Cross is on the Bakerloo and Northern lines, plus it provides an interchange with London Charing Cross mainline station so it’s super easy to get there.  

As there was still plenty of time before our train was due to depart, we got off the bus near Trafalgar Square, took a picture with the Fourth Plinth swirl of cream sculpture and had a nice walk along the Strand.   

Boarding the train 

We boarded a Southeastern train at 09:40 and were glad to find the carriage quite empty, with lots of table seats available, and plenty of space to stretch out and relax. 

Insider tip: wherever you decide to sit, you’ll get to enjoy great views of London’s landmarks, with the London Eye on the right and Tower Bridge on the left.  

The journey 

It took us 1 hour and 40 minutes to get from London to Folkestone. The train whisked us from central London to Kent’s countryside and seaside towns, stopping at Waterloo East, London Bridge, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Paddock Wood, Marden, Staplehurst, Headcorn, Pluckley, Ashford International, Westenhanger, Sandling, and Folkestone West before reaching Folkestone Central station. 

We made use of the free WiFi available on board throughout the journey – it was quite good! Our train arrived right on time (at 11:20) at Folkestone Central station. As soon as we got off, we stopped by Folkestone’s harbour to grab a bite and then walked for about 20 minutes until we reached Sunny Sands beach, ready to soak up the sun.  

If you’re planning a day trip to the beach from London, I highly recommend taking the train to Folkestone. You’ll get there in less than 2 hours on a direct train, and you’ll be only a few minutes away from both the town centre and the beach.

About Paola

Paola, a Trainline employee, chose to share her experience of the journey between London and Folkestone.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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