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London Commuter Rail · Southeastern
North Kent Line
The North Kent Line links London with the Medway towns via the south bank of the Thames, sharing tracks with the Greenwich Line west of Charlton and serving Woolwich Arsenal (Elizabeth line) and Abbey Wood (Elizabeth line terminus).
Operator
Southeastern
London terminus
Charing Cross / Cannon Street
Outer terminus
Gillingham via Woolwich
Stations
15
Zones
Zones 2–6 + Kent
Frequency
6 tph peak
Journey time
22 min London Bridge → Woolwich Arsenal
Rolling stock
Class 376 / 465 / 466 Networker
About the North Kent Line
Opened by the South Eastern Railway in 1849, it remains a vital artery for Thames-side suburbs and the Medway commuter belt.
Since 2022 the line has interchanged with the Elizabeth line at Woolwich and Abbey Wood, transforming journey times to Central London and Heathrow.
Key stations on the North Kent Line
- CharltonJunction with Greenwich Line, The Valley football ground
- Woolwich ArsenalElizabeth line, DLR terminus
- Abbey WoodElizabeth line eastern terminus
- DartfordTriangle junction with three Metro routes
- GravesendSoutheastern Highspeed to St Pancras
FAQs about the North Kent Line
Does the North Kent Line connect to Crossrail?
Yes — interchange at Woolwich Arsenal or Abbey Wood for the Elizabeth line.
How long is the North Kent Line?
Approximately 55 km from Cannon Street to Gillingham, with 15+ intermediate stations.
Is the North Kent Line accessible?
Most major stations (Woolwich Arsenal, Abbey Wood, Dartford, Gravesend) are step-free.