Hastings–London express to launch on 14 December

11 September 2026 · Transport · 1066 Radio

A faster weekday connection from Hastings to London is due to begin on Monday 14 December, Southeastern has announced.

The new train will leave Hastings at 08:05 and reach London Bridge in 78 minutes, before arriving at Charing Cross at 09:33. The operator says the London Bridge journey will be 14 minutes quicker than its current fastest peak service.

Stops will include St Leonards Warrior Square, Battle, Tunbridge Wells and Waterloo East. An afternoon return will leave Charing Cross at 16:11, reaching Hastings at 17:42.

The morning service is planned as a four-coach train. Southeastern describes the new services as a trial to assess passenger demand.

Journey planners are due to display the December services from 20 September. Passengers should check the final timetable before making travel plans.

Source: Southeastern announcement, 8 September 2026.

Location image: Hastings, photographed by Gabriel Mihalcea / Pexels. This is a general town view.