Direct seaside trains from Woolwich line returning this summer

Direct trains from the Greenwich and Woolwich line are returning once again this summer with weekend services running from Saturday 28th May.

Southeastern have put on direct trains to seaside resorts including Whitstable, Herne Bay, Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate for many years now.

Over the peak summer season they normally also operate seven days a week but there’s none evident yet.

On Saturday 28th May two services are running, for example, with the first calling at all stations between London bridge and Dartford.

Here’s an example of timings:

Greenwich 8:42am

Woolwich Arsenal: 8:56am

Abbey Wood: 9am

Whitstable: 10:19am

Margate: 10:38am

Broadstairs 10:45am

Ramsgate: 10:53am

And with Crossrail it’s also quick 10 minutes from Canary Wharf to Abbey Wood on the Elizabeth Line for easy step-free changes at Abbey Wood and avoids the need for those in parts of east London going into central London.

They could of course take HS1 from Stratford, though that is normally more expensive.

The downside (or upside depending on your persuasion) is that direct trains from the Woolwich line are operated by 30 year old Networkers. That means no air conditioning on hot summer days.

Engineering work

Services will not operate every weekend due to engineering work on certain days. Always check journey planner before heading off.

Two direct return trains are in operation on May 28th, all all being well with engineering works that will be the norm over summer weekends.

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