London to Brighton Trains From £6.85*

During the busy summer beach season, travellers can expect up to 8–12 direct trains every hour on this 46-mile route, making it easy to plan a spontaneous day at Brighton Beach or a weekend exploring the famous Brighton Palace Pier and the South Downs.

• Journey time: Gatwick Express offers the fastest direct service, making it a great choice if you are departing from London Victoria.
• Onboard comfort: Gatwick Express provides power sockets at most seats alongside generous luggage storage originally designed for airport passengers.
• Value for money: Thameslink services are cheaper and accept contactless payments throughout the route.

Travelling from London to Brighton is one of Britain's most popular rail journeys, especially during the summer holiday season when thousands head south for the beach every day. Millions of passengers travel between London and Brighton each year, highlighting its popularity as one of the UK's busiest leisure rail corridors.

Departure from London

More than 1,000 direct trains leave London for Brighton each week, giving passengers excellent flexibility throughout the day. London Victoria and London Bridge are the principal departure stations, both offering seamless connections with the wider Transport for London network and extensive passenger facilities before you board.

London Victoria

• The Tube: The Victoria, Circle and District lines provide direct access to the station, making it one of London's easiest long-distance rail hubs to reach.
• London buses: Routes including the 11, 38, 52, 170 and 211 stop immediately outside the station at Terminus Place for convenient onward connections.
• National Express: The nearby Victoria Coach Station is around a 10-minute walk away.
• Cycle access: Santander Cycles docking stations are available close to the station for those cycling into central London.

• Main concourse: Check the live departure boards before heading to your platform, which can be reached via escalators or lifts from the main concourse. 
• Platforms: Brighton services operated by Southern and Gatwick Express depart from Platforms 13-19.

Grab a coffee from Black Sheep Coffee or Pret A Manger, pick up a meal deal from Boots or Sainsbury's Local, or browse WHSmith for snacks, books and travel accessories. The station also offers toilets, cash machines, luggage storage and free Wi-Fi to make your wait more comfortable.

London Bridge

• The Tube: The Jubilee and Northern lines connect directly with the station, offering fast links from Canary Wharf, Waterloo, King's Cross and north London.
• London buses: Frequent services including routes 17, 21, 43, 47, 141 and 381 stop around London Bridge and Borough High Street.
• River services: Uber Boat by Thames Clippers operates from London Bridge City Pier, approximately a five-minute walk from the station.

• Upper concourse: Most Thameslink departures leave from the through platforms reached via escalators from the main concourse.
• Platforms: Brighton-bound Thameslink services depart from Platforms 4, although passengers should always check the live departure boards.
• Wayfinding: Clear colour-coded signage helps passengers navigate between Underground, National Rail, and station exits.

Pick up fresh sandwiches or snacks from M&S Simply Food, enjoy a coffee from Grind or Pret A Manger, or visit Gail's Bakery for pastries before your journey. You'll also find toilets, cash machines, luggage storage, free Wi-Fi and several convenience stores throughout the station, making it easy to stock up before heading to Brighton.

Onboard trains from London to Brighton

Trains reach speeds of up to 100 mph, covering the 46-mile route in well under an hour on the fastest services.

The scenic side

• Sit on the right-hand side shortly after leaving London Bridge, to enjoy excellent views of The Shard and parts of London's skyline before the train heads south through suburban neighbourhoods.

Key landmarks

• The Ouse Valley Viaduct: About 40 minutes into the journey, this Victorian engineering landmark spans the River Ouse on 37 elegant brick arches.
• Clayton Tunnel: Opened in 1841, the distinctive Gothic-style northern portal resembles a small castle and remains one of Britain's most recognisable railway structures.
• South Downs National Park: As Brighton approaches, passengers enjoy sweeping views of the chalk hills that define this protected national landscape.

Arriving at Brighton

Brighton station is located approximately 0.5 miles from the seafront, making it one of Britain's most conveniently positioned coastal railway stations. During the peak summer holiday season, thousands of visitors arrive every day, with the beach, shopping streets and famous attractions all within easy reach.

The correct exit

• Main South Exit: Walk through the main ticket barriers onto Queens Road for the most direct route to Brighton city centre, Brighton Beach and Brighton Palace Pier.
• Western Side Exit: Leave near the front-left of the concourse to exit onto Trafalgar Street for the most direct route to the independent boutiques, cafes and colourful streets of the North Laine district.
• Taxi rank: Head towards the rear exit of the station to find the dedicated taxi rank serving hotels, attractions and residential areas.
• Accessible exit: Step-free access is available directly through the main street-level station entrance without needing lift.

Onward travel

• Brighton & Hove buses: Bus stops outside the main entrance provide regular services to Brighton Marina, Hove, Devil's Dyke and Rottingdean.
• Coaster services: Route 12 Coaster offers scenic journeys east towards Saltdean, Peacehaven and the dramatic Seven Sisters coastline.
• Local taxis: Licensed taxis are available throughout the day, with journey times of around five minutes to most seafront hotels.
• Cycle hire: Public cycle hire stations near the station make it easy to explore Brighton's promenade and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Walkability

Brighton is one of England's most walkable seaside cities. The route from the station to Brighton Beach follows Queens Road on a gentle downhill walk that takes between 10 and 15 minutes.

Along the way, you will pass independent shops, cafes and restaurants before reaching the lively seafront, where Brighton Palace Pier, the beachfront promenade and the city's famous pebble beach are all within easy walking distance.

No shuttle bus is required for most visitors, making rail travel one of the simplest ways to enjoy a summer holiday on the Sussex coast.