Trains from London to Rye (Sussex) from £15.55

Are you planning a city escape to the quaint East Sussex town of Rye? Whether you’re heading off on a day trip exploring the town’s impressive historical buildings or a weekend away discovering cobbled streets and sandy beaches, our comprehensive guide will fill you in on everything you need to know about getting from London to Rye by train.

Is there a direct train from London to Rye (Sussex)?

No. The first thing to point out when planning a trip from London to Rye is that there are no direct options, with the most direct routes involving a change at Ashford International station in Kent. Before you set off, you can choose between the faster route, which starts at London St Pancras International or the more cost-effective route, which sets off from London Bridge. Check out our information below on each option to see what works best for your trip. You can also compare routes and prices using our journey planner.

London to Rye (Sussex) from St Pancras International

If you’re opting for the quickest route from London to Rye, you’ll need to make your way to London St Pancras International Station. This architecturally impressive building is a popular starting point for both domestic and international train travel, being home to the Eurostar terminal for services to mainland Europe as well as numerous mainline UK routes.

There are plenty of options for getting to St Pancras International, including taking the tube, with King's Cross St Pancras underground station served by six London Underground lines (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria). Cyclists can make the most of the sheltered bike storage at the station, while local bus routes serve nearby bus stops on Euston Road, Midland Road and Pancras Road.

Once you’ve arrived at the station, facilities available for passengers include accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, ATMs, free public Wi-Fi and left luggage facilities. If you’ve got time for a bite to eat before you travel from London to Rye, St Pancras International has a selection of cafes, restaurants and bars, including Carluccio’s, Gail’s, Joe & The Juice and the Breakfast Club. The station is also home to a wide variety of shops, including fashion brands like All Saints, Coach and Hobbs.

London to Rye (Sussex) from London Bridge

You can also choose to start your journey from London to Rye at London Bridge station. Routes to Ashford International from here are slower but tend to be more cost-effective. With its prime location adjacent to the Shard and within walking distance of other top attractions such as Borough Market and HMS Belfast, London Bridge is the city’s fourth busiest station.

You can get to London Bridge via two underground lines: the Northern or Jubilee. Meanwhile, if you’re catching the bus, the bus station is just outside London Bridge’s main entrance, with additional bus stops on Tooley Street. Sheltered bicycle storage is also available for passengers cycling to the station.

There are numerous facilities available at London Bridge, including:

• Free public Wi-Fi
• Water fountains
• Seating areas
• Accessible toilets
• Baby changing facilities
• ATMs
• Left luggage facilities

If you need to pick up supplies or grab a cuppa before you hop aboard your train from London to Rye, London Bridge has a selection of food, drink and shopping outlets available for passengers.

Please note that trains departing London Bridge for Ashford International (where you’ll catch a direct train to Rye) usually also depart from Waterloo East and Charing Cross stations, so you may find that one of these is the most convenient option for your journey.

How long is the train journey from London to Rye (Sussex)?

The speediest route from London to Rye covers the 54 miles trip in just 1h 6m. You’ll need to catch a Southeastern service from London St Pancras towards Margate, alighting at Ashford International. From Ashford International, you can then catch a Southern service straight to Rye. You’ll generally find trains on this route departing once an hour.

The alternative option is to hop on a Southeastern service at London Bridge towards Ramsgate or Dover Priory, once again changing at Ashford International for direct Southern services to Rye. This journey will generally take between 1h 45m and 3 hours, with services also usually departing once an hour.

How much is a train ticket from London to Rye (Sussex)?

Train tickets from London to Rye can start from as little as £15.55, although average fares are usually around £17.30. Be sure to make use of our journey planner when planning your trip to compare routes and prices. Generally, some of the best ways to secure cheaper tickets are to book in advance, travel off-peak if you can and make use of split tickets where available.

When travelling from London to Rye by train, tickets for departures from St Pancras International tend to be more expensive than services from London Bridge, although the difference between tickets varies depending on when you’re travelling and booking.

Arriving at Rye (Sussex) station for a day trip or weekend

Whichever route you’ve chosen, you’ll soon find yourself hopping off the train at Rye station. As this is a fairly small local station, facilities are somewhat limited, although you will find a waiting room and seating areas. It’s also just a short stroll from the station to the High Street and town centre. Here, you’ll find a selection of charming shops, cafes and tea rooms. The town centre is also home to numerous art galleries, Rye Castle Museum and picturesque Mermaid Street.

The town sits adjacent to the River Rother and the River Brede but is just a short bus ride from the coast. Local buses depart from outside the station for Camber Sands, Rye Harbour and Winchelsea Beach. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for onward train travel, there are direct trains from Rye station to Eastbourne, Hastings and other destinations on the south coast.

With speedy connections to London via Ashford, it’s certainly possible to enjoy a day trip from London to Rye by train. If you’re looking to extend your visit to a weekend or longer, be sure to check out our Rye destination guide for ideas on what to do, where to stay and places to eat.

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