In a few weeks, I will be traveling by (regular slow) train to Dover and crossing the Channel to Calais by ferry.
According to the Seat61 site there are two nice routes, one from Charing Cross London through Tonbridge to Dover, and the other from Victoria London through Canterbury to Dover.
I won't have time to stop off anywhere, but I'm not sure which route to choose, do they each have the same type of scenery?
Posted by
Paris
6889 posts
I havenr taken both routes, but they aren't very far apart so I'd reckon the scenery to be similar. My decision would be based on convenience of getting to Victoria vs Charing Cross. Granted they're not that far apart, but tube connections aren't the same.
Also, I don't think they're the same price / duration (cheaper and slower from Charing Cross I think).
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
They should be the same price so long as you don’t use HS1 the high speed trains from St Pancras.
The Victoria route winds its way through south London for some time before heading out of London, whereas you escape the chimney pots sooner on the Charing Cross route. The CX route goes through Wye and Chilham, two of the prettiest villages in Kent. My standard route into London is to CX and we sometimes get diverted into Victoria, which is a tedious route.
The Victoria route goes through north Kent - rather flat land towards the coast but it doesn’t actually run along the coast. The CX route goes through prettier scenery and nicer towns IMO.
If you are travelling at the weekend, check for engineering work - today, all trains are departing from Victoria as CX, Waterloo East, London Bridge and Cannon Street are all closed - southeasternrailway.co.uk.