It is 7 miles 44 chains (12.2 km) measured from Charing Cross.

Trains serving the station are operated by Southeastern and Thameslink.

It was first opened in 1849 by the South Eastern Railway on the North Kent Line and is close to the junction where the routes via Greenwich and Lewisham converge (the link from Greenwich and Maze Hill being completed in 1878).

Services at Charlton are operated by Southeastern and Thameslink using Class 376, 465, 466, 700 and 707 EMUs.

The typical off-peak service in trains per hour is:[4] Additional services, including trains to and from London Cannon Street via Sidcup call at the station during the peak hours.