Seats or standing on commuter trains from Marden?

[perry]

Hi all. Just wondering if seats are usually available from Marden on the commuter trains to London at peak times. Does anyone here catch those trains or know of some online resource that has this info?

We're thinking of moving to Kent and I'm hoping I wouldn't have to stand for the best part of an hour each way every day.

Many thanks for any help.

 

[chuffchuff]

There are seats as a lot of the pass from the other side of Ashford get the highspeed

 

[southern442]

I don't live there but my local station has similar third-rail mainline services to London. Marden is relatively far from London so my guess is that the trains will be busy, but by boarding at the very front or very rear you should find quite a few seats.

 

[DelW]

It might be worth trying it for a day before making potentially an expensive mistake.

A few years ago I was offered a job which would have involved commuting into London then across the centre. I liked the job but had big doubts about the journey (they'd contacted me, rather than me applying to them). In the end I took a day off work and tried it. Even though everything was working OK that day it took me nearly two hours door to door, so I decided that was too much to do every day and turned it down.

 

[david737]

I doubt you would have any problems getting a seat in the mornings on the way up but coming home depending where you join the train you may have to stand as far as Sevenoaks or Tonbridge even.

 

[perry]

I doubt you would have any problems getting a seat in the mornings on the way up but coming home depending where you join the train you may have to stand as far as Sevenoaks or Tonbridge even.

I never thought about the return journey to be honest but you're right, that is also an issue. I would be getting on at London bridge. I'm guessing Charing Cross and Waterloo East will have taken all the seats by then?

 

[30907]

With a season ticket you can always travel in to Cannon St/Charing Cross if getting a seat is vital...

 

[telstarbox]

Contact the local rail user group if there is one (Tonbridge definitely has one).

 

[southern442]

I never thought about the return journey to be honest but you're right, that is also an issue. I would be getting on at London bridge. I'm guessing Charing Cross and Waterloo East will have taken all the seats by then?

Again, I have a similar situation as I often travel from Clapham Junction. Usually most but not all seats are taken, If you're not picky about where you sit and you get on quickly and in the first carriage, there's a possibility of a seat being available.