Trains to Brighton

Travelling from London to Brighton (and the beach)

There are plenty of direct trains from London to Brighton every day, and lots of services on the weekend, too.

Which London stations go to Brighton?

There are two main stations in London that trains to Brighton start from – London Victoria and London Blackfriars – however you can also hop on a train to Brighton from London St Pancras, Farringdon, London Bridge and East Croydon.

The quickest way to get from London to Brighton by train is on a Gatwick Express train from Victoria, as it only takes an hour. The slower but slightly cheaper option is a Thameslink service from Blackfriars, which usually takes 1h 15m and offers delightful scenery throughout the journey. Free WiFi is available on Thameslink and Gatwick Express trains.

Getting from the train station to Brighton beach

Once you arrive into Brighton, it’s super easy to get to the beach from the station. The main station exit takes you onto Queens Road – head straight down towards the sea and keep and walking til you reach the beach, it’s around an 11-minute walk.

Buy London to Brighton tickets

---

Popular train journeys to Brighton

Travelling by train is the fastest, easiest and greenest way to get to Brighton from the other UK destinations. Southern and Thameslink services frequently run between London and Brighton, with a journey time of approximately one hour. Have a look at our table below for more information about the most popular routes to Brighton, or start your search for a different station in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.

Route	Fastest journey	Train operator
London to Brighton	52m	Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Southern
Bedford to Brighton	2h 22m	Thameslink
Cambridge to Brighton	2h 25m	Thameslink
Bath to Brighton	3h 17m	Great Western Railway
Gatwick Airport to Brighton	1h 22m	Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Southern

 

---

Visiting Brighton

Brighton is one of the best places to visit for a long weekend break. Approximately eight million tourists visit Brighton each year. A large number of these will head straight for Brighton Pier, arguably the town’s best-known landmark, in the summer. Classic fairground rides including bumper cars and a helter-skelter are situated at the end of the pier, as well as a games arcade for family fun on rainy and sunny days.

Sea Life Brighton is another tourist favourite. Devised by the same engineer who built the city’s now-defunct West Pier, the aquarium first opened to the public in August of 1872. Today the aquarium brings ocean enthusiasts young and old face to face with sharks and stingrays and a variety of other marine life.

Architecture lovers will be enchanted by the Royal Pavilion. Commissioned by Prince George, the Pavilion was built in the early 19th century and sold to the town of Brighton in 1850. Nowadays, visitors are able to truly appreciate the building’s Regency design and Indian inspired architecture. The Pavilion also holds a number of exhibitions and events throughout the year.

Before you head home, visit Brighton’s famous Lanes shopping area. These winding streets are a haven of independent shops and quirky boutiques, making it the perfect spot to source a unique memento of your trip.

The best time to visit Brighton is undoubtedly in the summer months, but if you're planning on staying a few nights, this is often the most expensive time of year for accommodation. Fortunately, many of the train ticket prices to Brighton from the major towns and cities don't fluctuate with demand (and the rising summer temperatures) - this usually just depends on the time of day you travel.

---

Frequently asked questions

What's the main train station in Brighton?

The main train station in Brighton is Brighton station. It's located in the city, not far from the beach and The Lanes.

Which train companies run trains to Brighton?

There are a number of trains companies in the UK that operate trains to Brighton, including Thameslink, Southern and the Gatwick Express.

How can I get cheap train tickets to Brighton?

It’s easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Brighton. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.

How do I get to Brighton beach by train?

It only takes 11 minutes to walk from Brighton station to the beach. Simply head out of the station and walk down Queens Road to the very end, where you'll see the beach right in front of you.

Are trains running to Brighton?

Trains run frequently almost every day to Brighton, although there may be less services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Brighton.

Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Brighton?

Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Brighton, these include:

• Network Railcard (London & South East Travel Zone)
• Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
• 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
• 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
• 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
• Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
• Family & Friends Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
• Disabled Persons Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)

Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.