It is 47 miles 36 chains (76.4 km) down the line from London Victoria.

Harrietsham station opened on 1 July 1884, as part of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway's extension of the line from Maidstone to Ashford West.

[3] The ticket office is staffed only during the morning peak period; at other times, a PERTIS 'permit to travel' machine, located at the entrance to the up platform, can be used.

[4] All services at Harrietsham are operated by Southeastern using Class 375 and 377 electric multiple units.

The typical off-peak service in trains per hour is:[5][6] Additional services call at the station during peak hours, including trains to and from London Charing Cross.