Kent rail

Overview

Southeastern provides rail network service in Kent as well as East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey and London. 

It is advisable to always check accessibility information before you travel, as well as any changes to routes or timetables. 

You can check access information at individual stations on the National Rail website.

Southeastern also provides information regarding access and facilities at each station.

Key tips

Always allow yourself plenty of time to plan your journey. It may be worth considering:

• If you will need help to access the train and will you be travelling with mobility equipment. Consider whether it is easier to take equipment with you or hire it at your destination, from an outlet such as ShopMobility.
• Booking passenger assistance in advance. Before you contact Southeastern to arrange this, consider all aspects of your journey so all information can be obtained in one call. For example, are all your stations accessible? Can assistance be arranged for a connecting train service?
• What local transport do you need on arrival at your destination? Will you need to pre-book an accessible taxi?
• Will you be making this journey more than once a year? If so, it may be worth researching concessionary travel schemes.

Remember that your local Hubs Mobility Advice Service can signpost you to the correct travel operator and mobility organisations.

Operators

Southeastern 

https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/

Contact: 0345 322 7021 or southeasternrailway.co.uk

Help with cost

Senior Railcard

A Senior Railcard is available to people over 60 and costs £30 for a year or £70 for three years. It gives a discount of 1/3 off rail journeys.

The Disabled Person’s Railcard

The Disabled Person’s Railcard costs £20 for a year and £54 for three years. It will entitle you to a saving of 1/3 off rail journeys.

Further information regarding concessionary travel on Kent trains can be found on the Southeastern website.

Special assistance  

Passenger Assist

Southeastern is part of Passenger Assist – a national system which all train companies support. 

If you have a disability, non-visible disability, or are elderly, you can request assistance for journeys on the Southeastern network and where you are connecting with other operators.

You can ask for assistance at any point during your journey. If you require assistance at short notice, make yourself known to a member of staff or use a Help Point when you arrive at the station.

However, to make sure Southeastern staff are available to help you, it is recommended you book at least 2 hours in advance of travelling.

You can book Passenger Assist either via Southeastern or nationally through National Rail.

Book Passenger Assist via National Rail

Contact: 0800 030 9224 

Lines open 24 hours a day (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

Further booking details are available on the National Rail website.

Book Passenger Assist via Southeastern

Contact: 0800 783 4524

The Southeastern Passenger Assist team is available 24 hours a day, and every day except Christmas Day. 

You can also fill out an assisted travel webform via this link.

Further Southeastern travel support

Southeastern provides Priority Seating Cards and Priority Seat Badges for anyone who needs to sit down while travelling by train. 

There are also Travel Support Cards for people with non-visible conditions, who may require additional support.

You can find information regarding these support cards on the Southeastern website.

Travelling with mobility equipment

Wheelchair spaces on Southeastern trains cannot be reserved. (However, if you are travelling with a long-distance operator, you are advised to ask about reserving a space as these trains are often busy and allow wheelchair spaces to be booked.)

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters up to 1200mm long and 700mm wide are accepted and they can travel in a designated space.

Train to platform boarding ramps are available on Southeastern trains. There is a weight restriction of 300kg for the user and wheelchair/ scooter combined.

Permits for mobility equipment are not required, but there are restrictions on the type of scooters that can be used.

Southeastern has produced a downloadable wheelchair and scooter guide which will provide you with detailed information.

Routes and timetable links

Online journey planners can help you plan train travel locally in Kent and further afield.

Purchase tickets, view live trains and service disruptions on the Southeastern website.

The Southeastern app can be used for tickets and journey planning. You can create an accessibility profile for faster Passenger Assist bookings.

The Trainline website provides national train times and timetables.

National Rail Journey Planner

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk

Trainline Journey Planner

https://www.thetrainline.com/journey-planner