London to Hastings Trains From €12.25*

Your choice of operator depends largely on whether you prioritise the quickest journey or a more scenic trip along the Sussex coast, since Southeastern and Southern cater to different needs.

The table below compares the two direct operators, making it easier to choose the service that best suits your journey.

• Speed: Southeastern offers the fastest direct trains, saving 30-40 minutes compared with Southern.
• Most scenic route: Southern travels via Eastbourne and Bexhill, providing attractive coastal views before arriving in Hastings.
• Onboard connectivity: Both operators offer complimentary Wi-Fi, using different methods, such as data caps or website filtering, to manage bandwidth.

Travelling from London to Hastings is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a summer holiday by the sea. The journey links central London with East Sussex's famous beaches, Hastings Pier and the historic Old Town.

Departure from London

Around 60 direct trains leave London for Hastings each weekday, departing from London Charing Cross, London Bridge and London Victoria. Each station offers excellent transport connections, modern passenger facilities and straightforward boarding, helping you begin your summer holiday with minimal hassle.

London Charing Cross

Located just a short walk from Trafalgar Square and the Strand, London Charing Cross serves frequent Southeastern trains to Hastings.

• The Tube: Bakerloo and Northern lines stop directly beneath the station, providing quick connections from across central London.
• London Buses: Routes 6, 9 and 139 stop along the Strand, just a short walk from the main entrance.
• Walking: Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and Embankment are all within a 10-minute walk.

• Platforms: Southeastern services to Hastings depart from the main concourse platforms, utilising Platforms 4-6.
• Departure boards: Large digital displays provide live platform information throughout the station.
• Accessibility: Step-free access is available to all platforms, with lifts and accessible ticket gates.

Before boarding, you can pick up a coffee from Costa or grab a meal deal from Marks & Spencer Simply Food. The station also has ticket offices, waiting areas, toilets, cash machines and free Wi-Fi in selected areas.

London Bridge

London Bridge is one of the capital's busiest railway hubs and a popular departure point for fast Southeastern services. Its location beside The Shard and Borough Market makes it especially convenient if you're combining sightseeing with your journey or travelling from south-east London.

• The Tube: Jubilee and Northern lines provide direct access to one of London's busiest interchange stations.
• London Buses: Routes 43 and 141 stop outside the station, alongside numerous other local services.
• Walking: Borough Market and The Shard are both within a few minutes' walk.

• Platforms: Hastings services depart from Platforms 6 or 7 on the through section of the station.
• Wayfinding: Colour-coded signs and electronic departure boards make finding your platform straightforward.

The station has an excellent range of food outlets, including Pret A Manger, Leon and Costa. Convenience stores, toilets, seating areas, ticket offices and luggage facilities are also available before departure.

London Victoria

London Victoria is the departure station for Southern's direct services to Hastings and is one of London's best-connected transport hubs. It is particularly popular with passengers travelling from west and south-west London. At the same time, its extensive shopping and dining options make it easy to prepare for a longer journey to the Sussex coast.

• The Tube: Victoria, District and Circle lines all stop at the station, offering fast links across London.
• Bus services: Victoria Bus Station sits next to the railway station, with frequent services throughout the capital.
• Coach connections: Victoria Coach Station is about a 5-minute walk for National Express services.

• Platforms: Southern trains to Hastings depart from Platforms 11-14 on the eastern side of the station.
• Passenger information: Departure screens are located across the main concourse and near platform entrances.

London Victoria offers one of the widest selections of shops and cafes on the route. You'll find Costa, Upper Crust, Pret A Manger, Sainsbury's Local and WHSmith, alongside waiting areas, accessible toilets, ticket offices and charging points for electronic devices.

Onboard trains from London to Hastings

Direct trains travel at speeds of up to 100 mph, with the journey gradually changing from London's suburbs to the rolling countryside of Kent and East Sussex before reaching the coast.

The scenic side

• Sit on the left-hand side after leaving London on Southeastern for some of the best views across the High Weald's wooded hills and picturesque countryside.
• Sit on the right-hand side on Southern to enjoy glimpses of the English Channel as the train passes through Eastbourne and Bexhill.

Key landmarks

• Battle Abbey: Shortly after Battle station, passengers can spot the historic landscape associated with the famous Battle of Hastings in 1066.
• High Weald: Southeastern trains pass through one of England's most attractive protected landscapes, known for ancient woodland and rolling farmland.
• Pevensey Castle: Southern services pass close to the impressive Norman castle near Pevensey, one of England's best-preserved medieval fortifications.
• Sussex coastline: Travelling via Southern offers distant sea views before reaching Hastings, particularly on clear summer days.

Arriving at Hastings

Hastings station serves around 2 million passengers each year and is less than half a mile from the seafront.

The correct exit

• Town centre: Exit through the main station entrance onto Havelock Road for the quickest walk into the shopping area and seafront.
• Hastings Pier: Continue straight from the main exit for around 10 minutes to reach the promenade and beach.
• Old Town: Leave through the main entrance and follow the seafront east towards the historic streets and fishing quarter.
• Taxi rank: Follow signs to the left-hand station exit for the dedicated taxi rank and passenger pick-up area.

Onward travel

• Stagecoach buses: Local services depart immediately outside the station, providing regular connections across Hastings, Rye and neighbouring communities.
• East Hill Lift: Walk around 15 minutes along the seafront to reach the historic funicular railway serving East Hill.
• West Hill Lift: Continue towards the Old Town for access to the second historic cliff railway and panoramic coastal views.
• Cycling: Cycle parking is available at the station, while several local cycle routes begin close to the seafront.

Walkability

One of Hastings' biggest advantages is how easily you can explore on foot. The beach, promenade and Hastings Pier are around a 10-minute walk from the station, while the historic Old Town can be reached in approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Most of the main summer attractions, restaurants and independent shops are close together, making walking the easiest way to explore the town.