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Getting from Canterbury to Harwich International

Hello, would like your opinion on the best way to utilise a day of travel from Canterbury to Harwich International. In September we will spend three days in Canterbury and then will be turning in our hire car to catch a train to Harwich International and catch the ferry to Hook of Holland.

We will probably leave Canterbury around 10.00 am however we cannot board the ferry till 8 pm. The train route is Canterbury West to Stratford change to Stratford International then to Manning Tree and change for Harwich International. Would you spend time, say 3 – 4 hours, at Stratford or Harwich so as not to arrive too early at Harwich International? Or would it be feasible to catch a train to London, store our luggage at the train station and spend 3 or 4 hours in London before catching train to Harwich International?

We are a bit nervous about the potential for transport problems or stuff ups on our behalf when travelling such a distance to tee up departure from England - so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by
351 posts

I cannot add insight on spending time in Stratford, as I have never been. I posted this question (https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/harwich-hook-of-holland) to the forum ahead of our March trip this year which may help you. For us, doing the overnight to Hook of Holland allowed us an extra full day in London which we took advantage of. We did not go into Harwich or act on any other ideas presented in the forums reply, though. We enjoyed the overnight ferry as it was a good experience overall.

Posted by
16893 posts

The Deutsche Bahn version of train schedules on my test dates is not suggesting a transfer at Stratford. It takes you directly from Canterbury West into London St. Pancras, instead. You later leave London from London Liverpool St station. Trains from either Canterbury station actually pass through several different London stations, depending on the departure time. If you want to spend time in London, I'd just search that schedule separately. Remember that this Stratford is not Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon; instead it's a London suburb that hosted the recent Olympic Games.

Most of the larger London station have bag storage. See www.left-baggage.co.uk and http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/default.aspx.

Looking Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you that train schedule link and tips for using it.

Another option would of course be to keep the car and drive to Harwich.

Posted by
6113 posts

I’m not sure why Laura is suggesting that you look at a German rail website for travel in the UK when there are several good UK websites that will be more accurate!

Travelling from Canterbury as you have suggested via Stratford and Manningtree takes about 3 hours, which is shorter than going into London, transferring stations and out to Harwich.

There is a huge Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, immediately adjacent to the rail station which is one of the largest in the country, but the area has little else to offer and it isn’t the nicest area to walk around, albeit following the Olympics, there has been much redevelopment.

You may prefer to spend a few hours in London.

Posted by
32518 posts

In addition to the shopping centre at Stratford, I agree with Jennifer. Be advised that the change from the Javelin train to the train to Manningtree is at the opposite end of the shopping centre - a fair walk and the second train's platform is narrow. There is not a lot of signage to help with the connection...

While the Southeastern Javelin services usually run like clockwork the same this year cannot be said for the other two legs' operators due to industrial unrest and track problems. Allow extra time. There have been a few difficulties at Stratford station and in the shopping centre involving local youths - keep your eyes open.

Posted by
620 posts

I did this exact transition last year. I left from Canterbury East to London Victoria, then lazily made my way to catch the 7:32pm Dutch Flyer service leaving from London Liverpool Street traveling direct to Harwich International.

If you're wanting to kill time there is a left luggage service at London Liverpool -- https://www.left-baggage.co.uk/en

Posted by
9 posts

Thank you all for your advice, I think we will switch plans and stop in at London for a few hours. The travel sounds less complicated and also a better use of the spare hours.

Jay and VAP - did you pre-book your train trips or just buy tickets on the day?

Posted by
620 posts

For the Canterbury East to London Victoria I bought an advance single fare ticket for £10.10, and collected from a fast ticket machine. I bought it about a month before I traveled, but that fare I've seen right up to day of travel.

The London Liverpool Street to Harwich International was as part of a rail-sail service from Stena Line.

Posted by
351 posts

For me, we simply purchased tickets from Liverpool to Harwich earlier that same day. The train was busy for the first 30 minutes or so but we basically had the train to ourselves after the initial rush hour wave out of London exited.

Posted by
9 posts

Thanks again for your advice, feeling a lot more at ease now with this part of our holiday plans. Cheers.