London St Pancras International to Brighton Trains From €5.79*

The Thameslink train from London St Pancras International to Brighton takes as little as 1 hour 20 minutes on the fastest services. There are up to 4 departures per hour too, making it a breeze to plan a day trip to the West Sussex coast.

Aside from holidaymakers and daytrippers, this is a popular route among commuters and international travellers - the line connects commuter towns, like Croydon, and Gatwick Airport to the capital.

This operator has departures to a wide array of destinations both north and south of London, including Cambridge, Bedford, Brighton and Gatwick Airport. It's one of the few train companies that runs services through the centre of London.

Departing from London St Pancras International

Thanks to the 6 Underground lines and countless bus lines that stop outside, St Pancras International is easy to reach from across the capital. You can take the Northern, Victoria, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City or Metropolitan lines to get there - these stop at the Tube station it shares with King's Cross.

St Pancras has international services to cities like Paris on the Eurostar, East Midlands Railway trains to Sheffield and Leicester, Southeastern services to Kent, and Thameslink trains heading south. Inside, you'll find shops, cafes and everything you need for your journey to Brighton.

Main Stops

There are 13 stops on this line, with the major stations being London Blackfriars, London Bridge, East Croydon, and Gatwick Airport.

Arriving at Brighton

Brighton station is centrally located and a short walk from the beach. When you arrive, head down Queens Road to reach the seafront and famous pier. If you're keen for a quick bite to eat when you arrive, The Lanes are full of indie cafes and restaurants. The iconic Royal Pavilion is just 10 minutes away, too.

Brighton is one of the region's major railway hubs and sits at the end of the Brighton Main Line. This has branches from London Victoria and London Bridge that converge at East Croydon. It's the perfect starting point for exploring the south coast too, with trains to Portsmouth, Southampton, Lewes and Eastbourne.

Southern and Thameslink are the main operators here, with frequent services along the coast and from London. Outside, you can catch local buses to all parts of the city and surrounding towns.

Thameslink train classes

Thameslink trains usually have both Standard and First Class available on their St Pancras to Brighton services. Free Wi-Fi is normally available throughout the train.

• Standard Class: Travel in the main carriage and you'll find comfortable seats in a 2-2 configuration. Carriages are air-conditioned to stay comfortable in all weather, too.
• First Class: Choose First Class if you plan to get some work done on the way to Brighton - seats in Thameslink's premium coach are equipped with tables and power sockets. You'll also benefit from a quieter carriage with less noise.

Thameslink train travel advice

• Luggage: Store your bags in the overhead racks or the spaces at the end of each carriage. There's no strict limit but only board with what you can comfortably carry.
• Bicycles: You can bring your bike for free but avoid peak times - bikes can't go on trains that arrive into London between 07:45 and 09:45 or leave between 16:30 and 19:00 Monday to Friday.
• Children: Kids under 5 travel free, and those aged 5–15 get child fares (50% off). Pushchairs are welcome - just fold them during busy times if asked. You may need to have your under-5 on your lap during peak times, too.
• Pets: You can board with up to 2 pets for free - they need to be on a lead or in a carrier and must stay on the floor.
• Passenger Assistance: Book help at least 2 hours before travel by phone, online or through the app. Staff can help with boarding, moving your bags and other tasks. 

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.