It is 70 miles 61 chains (113.88 km) from London Liverpool Street; the preceding station on the line is Dovercourt.

[2] The original station had three platforms and included lines which ran directly onto the two piers from which the GER ferry services operated.

[2] The arrival/sailing of a train ferry every six hours (day and night) with each vessel bringing and sailing with 36 continental wagons which were handled over sidings on the north-west side of the station created a high level of activity, and in later years car trains were regular users of the outer platforms delivering/collecting cars for MAT Transport and delivering cars, mainly for BMC, for eventual shipment from Navyard Wharf.

[5] On 15 April 2019 the station buildings opened as "The Harwich Town railway and maritime" museum.

Trains generally call at all stations along the Mayflower Line; some are extended to or from Colchester and/or London Liverpool Street.