c2c: Tickets, Timetables and Facilities

c2c: Buy tickets conveniently and easily at Omio

A trip to London is full of wonderful moments. London’s Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and the imposing Big Eye – there is a lot to see! Even beyond London. The surrounding region is also well worth exploring. With the award-winning c2c railway, you can easily commute between East London and South Essex, stopping at many stations along the way. Get the best deals on tickets with Omio, which offers you the best conditions when it comes to getting one of the coveted tickets at a low price. Omio shows you at a glance which ticket is cheapest for you. Here, you get the perfect overview of all timetables. You’ll find out which is the fastest connection, whether you have to change trains and how long you’ll be travelling for. Omio is the ideal partner for your journey planning!

Find affordable tickets for c2c with Omio 

No matter which route you choose, you can always find tickets at the best price with Omio. Omio keeps an eye on all the ticket options from the renowned rail provider c2c and shows you how you can save as much as possible. All you have to do is enter your desired departure city, destination station and travel date and you’ll get an overview of all possible connections. Buying tickets couldn’t be easier than with Omio! Your ticket is available online or offline immediately after purchase. You can pay conveniently with PayPal, Sofort or your credit card. And if you don’t just want to travel cheaply by train, bus or plane, Omio also offers you the option of booking inexpensive accommodation at the same time, in cooperation with Booking.com.

Everything you should know about c2c

c2c is regarded as one of the most punctual and popular rail operators in the UK and, as such, has won numerous awards. Awards won include the Rail Operator of the Year trophy, awarded to c2c at the 2018 National Transport Awards. The c2c route runs from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness, connecting 26 stations between East London and South Essex. Trains also run from London Liverpool Street station at weekends.

The name of the railway company is often interpreted as Coast to Capital or Capital to Coast. However, it does not have a real meaning. Above all, c2c sees itself as having a duty to offer its customers the best possible service. The name stands for the unique, youthful charm of the company. The official name of c2c is actually Trentitalia c2c Limited. c2c was founded in 1996 under the name LTS Rail. In 2000, the company was then renamed c2c Rail Limited. Since 2017, c2c has been owned by Italy’s Trentitalia.

Originally, c2c operated a fleet of English class 302, 310 and 312 multiple units taken over from Network South East. These multiple units were gradually replaced by more modern trains. In 2003, c2c was the first railway company to have a train fleet that was barrier-free. In the past, the trains used included the Bombardier Electrostar class 387, with a maximum speed of up to 110 mph (177 km/h). Today, it is mainly class 720 trains that make their way across the tracks. The Bombardier Aventra reaches a maximum speed of 103 mph (166 km/h). It is primarily used on the lines from Fenchurch Street/Liverpool Street to Grays/Southend Central/Shoeburyness. The trains are maintained at East Ham Depot and Shoeburyness Depot.

c2c currently transports around 28 million passengers per year. The number of kilometres travelled exceeds the 600 million mark (approx. 373 million miles). c2c offers its passengers a commuter service from the London terminus at Fenchurch Street to South Essex.

The increased passenger volume required an increase in the train fleet in 2022. The number of staff was also increased accordingly. c2c offers its passengers a real-time passenger information system, high security measures, accessible stations, and much more.

Coast in the English county of Essex. Source: Pixabay

Train ticket types at c2c

c2c offers you a wide range of tickets, with which you can save a lot of money. For example, there are Daily tickets, Season tickets, Flexi Season tickets and Off-Peak tickets.

Daily tickets

These practical day tickets can be purchased in advance for a planned journey on a specific day. However, they are also ideal if you want to travel by train spontaneously. You can choose between a single ticket or a return ticket.

Season tickets

Do you often travel on the same route, or would you like to regularly take advantage of c2c’s offering over a longer period of time? Then Season tickets are just the thing for you. Season tickets are available as weekly tickets, monthly tickets or annual tickets.

Flexi tickets

A perfect alternative to the Season tickets are the Flexi tickets. You get eight undated day tickets that you can use with complete flexibility over a period of 28 days. You can travel between two stations whenever you want. If you travel outside of peak times, you can even get an additional discount. Flexi tickets are especially good if you only want to travel two or three days a week.

PlusBus tickets

The PlusBus ticket allows you to continue your train journey by bus. With the PlusBus ticket, you can get to the station of your choice at any time. With just one ticket, use the bus to travel to or from a c2c station and then use the train. If you are travelling with children between the ages of five and 15, they pay only half the fare.

Group tickets

Group tickets are best combined with an Off-Peak ticket. It allows you to save up to a third of the fare when accompanied by two to eight people. If you’re travelling with family or friends, you should definitely take advantage of this cheap option. Groups of three to nine can save even more by travelling off-peak.

Off-Peak tickets

Off-Peak tickets allow you to benefit from great discounts in a variety of ways. For example, children under four travel for free. Older children accompanied by an adult pay a very small fee during school holidays and weekends.

The Railcard

With the National Railcard, you can save a third of the cost of your ticket. For 16- to 17-year-olds, the savings are even higher. There is also a Railcard for people aged 16 and 25 and for people aged 26 to 30. This variant can also be combined with the Oyster Card, for example. There is a minimum fare for journeys during the morning rush hours; otherwise, you can save up to a third of the regular fare with this ticket.

The Railcard for Seniors is for passengers aged 60 and over, who can use this ticket to travel throughout the UK. The Network Railcard is for anyone over the age of 16. With the Network Railcard from c2c, you can explore London and the South East of Great Britain and save a third of the fare. You can even have up to three adults travelling with you on your ticket, who will also receive a discount. Children aged five to fifteen receive a further discount of more than 50 per cent on the children’s fare.

The Two Together Railcard is the right choice if you are travelling as a couple. Whether with your partner or a good friend or acquaintance, you can, again, save a third of the fare here. With the Family & Friends Railcard, you can travel together as a couple or as a group of four. With this Railcard, you can also benefit from great discounts with c2c partners. Enjoy discounted admission to theme parks, museums and more.

Of course, there is also a special Railcard for severely disabled persons. This makes it possible for physically impaired persons to retain their mobility when travelling. There are also further offers for members of the armed forces and for veterans.

Canvay Card

The Canvay Card allows you to travel between Southend and Canvey Island at discounted rates. You can use the Canvay Card for unlimited commuting between Benfleet and Shoeburyness and to use the First Essex bus services on Canvay Island. The Canvay Card can be combined with some other railcards. However, it is only available as a weekly pass.

London tickets

With c2c, you have the opportunity to discover London in many different ways. Combine the different ticket options to get the best savings. Whether a Travelcard with Anytime or Off-Peak tickets or Oyster – there is a wide range of cheap London tickets!

City of London. Source: Pixabay

Classes at c2c: Facilities on board

c2c does not offer its passengers a first class. Here, every traveller enjoys consummate service. All c2c trains are fully air-conditioned. The temperature of the trains is regulated onboard by a computer. A continuous temperature of 21 degrees Celsius is guaranteed, so that you can enjoy the one-hour journey from London to South Essex in the most pleasant conditions. Of course, the trains are equipped with clean and comfortable toilets. The c2c service also includes free Wi-Fi on all trains.

If you want to enjoy maximum peace and quiet on your journey, c2c offers you special quiet zones. If possible, you should not make any calls in the quiet zones and should set your mobile phone to silent. With c2c, every fourth carriage is equipped with such a quiet zone.

By the way: smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted on c2c trains.

Types of train: This is how you travel with c2c

The class 387 trains are used on all c2c routes. These are four-car electric multiple units that travel at approximately 112 mph (180 km/h). 

The class 357 Bombardier Electrostar runs at approximately 100 mph (160 km/h) between Fenchurch Street or Liverpool Street and Grays, Southend Central and Shoeburyness.

Since 2022, approximately twelve class 720 trains have been in service, which are also capable of speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h).

Journey planner: Timetables and timetable changes at c2c

c2c’s trains are on the move from early morning until deep into the night. The first train from Fenchurch Street to Southend leaves at dawn. At peak times, some trains run only a few minutes apart. Note, however, that timetables can always change at short notice. The timetable information at Omio is extremely reliable and is continuously updated. Unfortunately, no timetable information is immune to disruption caused by unforeseen events. No matter which route you are travelling on, severe weather, a strike or other events can never be completely ruled out when you are travelling by train. If there is a strike, timetables may be adjusted at short notice if necessary. In the case of other incidents, this is often not possible. If there is a c2c strike, you will usually find the relevant information in good time. As a rule, c2c strikes are announced in good time so that the timetables and journey planner can be rearranged accordingly. Fortunately, due to the high frequency of c2c connections, minor strikes and other disruptions usually do not have too great an impact.

c2c train map: Discover Great Britain with c2c

Want to travel from London to Glasgow by train? Or would you like to admire the rugged cliffs of Cardiff? Whether it’s from Limehouse to Southend or from Fenchurch Street station to Basildon, c2c can take you to almost any destination in the UK. Although c2c trains themselves only operate in the London and Southend area, there are plenty of options for you to change to a connecting train to your dream destination. 

Want to take a trip to beautiful Glasgow, Scotland? Omio has the perfect connection for you! Cardiff is about three hours by train from London. Getting to Glasgow takes a little longer. You’ll need just over six hours to get to Scotland. 

From Luton to Southend takes about two hours by c2c train. The journey from Upminster to Basildon takes just under eleven minutes. The journey from London to Rainham will take you to your destination via six stations. Want to continue south from Rainham to Shoeburyness? Then make yourself comfortable on the c2c trains and enjoy the journey.

Most popular routes with c2c

c2c is primarily a London commuter railway, running on the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway line from London Fenchurch Street to East London and the southern part of Essex. On the main line from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness, trains run about eight times an hour outside peak hours. Other important routes include those between Grays and Rainham and between Pitsea and Ockendon, which run around four times an hour outside peak hours.

One of the most popular routes taken by the c2c train is the route from Limehouse to Southend on Sea. Just hop on at Limehouse and get off in relaxed fashion less than an hour later at Southend on Sea. 

The route from Tilbury to London is also popular. In addition, the connection from Fenchurch Street station to Southend Central is enjoying increased demand. Or perhaps you would like to visit Basildon? You can break your journey at any number of stations to see charming places along the way.

Southend-on-Sea, England. Source: Pixabay

The sustainable way: Enjoy climate-friendly travel with c2c

c2c uses environmentally friendly electric railcars on all its routes. You can buy tickets via the app or online, which is also good for the environment. In addition, travelling by train generally offers significant advantages compared to travelling by car. You get on the train, take a seat in one of the comfortable seats and can browse through a good book in comfort. Thanks to Wi-Fi on board, you can also do important work or otherwise be online while travelling with c2c. Whether you're travelling a short distance from Fenchurch Street station to Laindon or from London to Glasgow, travelling by train can be very relaxing.

Journey planning: Tips for your train journey with c2c

You want to know if you can take your bike with you on your c2c journey? That’s no problem with c2c. There are no costs whatsoever. The only restrictions are that there must be enough space available and that you are not travelling during rush hours. 

Is your dog your best friend and has to travel with you? With c2c, up to two dogs are allowed. Of course, you can also bring other small animals on board. You just can’t bring more than two. With c2c, you do not have to pay to transport your four-legged friends.

There is a limit on the amount of luggage you can take with you, but it is not strictly controlled. Officially, you are only allowed to carry two pieces of luggage. The height, width and length of each suitcase may not exceed 62 inches (158 centimetres). In addition, they may not exceed a weight of 32 kilograms.

The most important destinations with c2c: London and the coast

During peak hours, c2c trains run more than five times per hour. Only outside peak hours does the frequency drop to four times an hour. The journey from Fenchurch Street to Basildon takes just over half an hour, and to Southend Central, about an hour. The fast connections with the outer boroughs allow you to make many beautiful detours to enchanting places. London is a stunning city, but the southern region of the UK is also always worth a visit.

Southend on Sea is one of the most popular towns in Essex. This interesting seaside town guarantees numerous entertainment options. Stroll along Southend Pier and watch the boats go by, or take some food for the seagulls and enjoy a day at sea. And don’t forget to visit Adventure Island. Depending on the time of year, be sure to bring a suitable swimming outfit to get comfortable in the sun on one of the great beaches.

Old Leigh in Leigh on Sea awaits you with romantic pubs, fish stalls serving delicious seafood, and lovely restaurants. 

Stratford invites you to take a leisurely shopping trip, Rainham will surprise you with the historic charm of its old village, and a theatre performance in Basildon’s Towngate Theatre will be sure to keep you entertained.

c2c: Offers and deals

c2c offers its passengers numerous discounts that can prove worthwhile. In addition to discounts for senior citizens and children, there are also Season tickets with different validity periods, from one week to one year. The 2FOR1 tickets and the Southend Deals are also of interest. Take advantage of the c2c Family Travelcard to enjoy a wonderful day out with your family, or travel with your friends with the Group Save Card and enjoy an eventful day.

FAQ: c2c