Dartford railway station serves as a key transport hub in the North Kent region, managed by Southeastern. Located approximately 17 miles from London Charing Cross and within London fare zone 8, it is one of the busiest stations in Kent, with millions of passengers using it annually. The station is an interchange point where three lines from London converge: the North Kent Line, the Bexleyheath line, and the Dartford Loop Line via Sidcup. Services run frequently to central London terminals including Charing Cross, Cannon Street, and Victoria, as well as destinations further afield such as Luton, Bedford, Gravesend, and Rainham.
The station features four platforms with ticket barriers controlling access, and it is fully accessible. It has undergone several upgrades, including a new station building completed in 2013. Dartford is also integrated into the Oyster and contactless payment system, making travel more convenient for passengers. Local bus routes serve the station, providing onward connections. A plaque at the station commemorates the chance meeting of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who went on to form the Rolling Stones.