Trains from London Victoria to Brighton from £8.00

Are you dreaming of a seaside break in Brighton? Hopping on board a direct train service from London Victoria is a quick and straightforward way to escape the capital for a day trip or weekend on the South Coast. Our guide below is here to help you plan your trip, with all the information you’ll need to get from London Victoria to Brighton by train.

Which London station goes direct to Brighton?

You can catch a direct train to Brighton from London Victoria. Victoria Station is a major transport hub in London’s West End and boasts great tube, rail, bus and coach connections. If you’re arriving by tube, the station is served by Circle, District and Victoria lines, meanwhile, local bus services stop just outside the station.

Prefer to pedal your way to Victoria? No problem, cyclists can make use of the sheltered bicycle storage at Victoria Place. You’ll also find Victoria Coach Station, with coaches arriving from all over the UK and Europe, located just a short stroll from the train station entrance.

There are plenty of useful facilities available for passengers before you hop on board your train to Brighton. These include:

• Water fountains
• ATMs
• Free public Wi-Fi.
• Accessible toilets
• Baby changing facilities
• Left luggage facilities
• Seating areas

If you’re feeling peckish or in need of a cuppa before your train departs, you’ll find a wide selection of stands, cafes and restaurants at London Victoria, with options such as Itsu, Knot Pretzels, Soul + Grain and Wasabi. Meanwhile, for last-minute supplies, you could head to Superdrug or M&S Simply Food.

If you’ve got some extra time before your train departs and you fancy squeezing in some sightseeing, London Victoria station is within walking distance of some of London’s most famous attractions, including Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park.

You’ll also find direct services between London Bridge and Brighton operated by Thameslink.

Which train lines go to Brighton?

There are two operators providing direct train services from London Victoria to Brighton: Gatwick Express and Southern. Which one you choose will depend on which day of the week you’re travelling, as Gatwick Express operates direct services Monday to Saturday, while Southern operates direct services on Sundays.

The 47 miles journey can take just 1h 5m on the fastest services, with typical travel times of between 1 hour and 1h 5m. Gatwick Express services from London Victoria to Brighton generally operate every half an hour, stopping at Gatwick Airport and Haywards Heath on the way. Sunday Southern services from Victoria to Brighton also generally operate on a twice-per-hour timetable, although they include additional stops at Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Three Bridges, Burgess Hill and Hassocks.

While onboard, both Gatwick Express and Southern services offer free Wi-Fi, so it’s easy to stay connected as you travel. As Gatwick Express trains are designed for passengers travelling to and from the airport, there’s also generally great space for luggage.

With regular direct trains taking around an hour to get you from the capital to the coast, it’s certainly possible to do a day trip to Brighton. The last train back to Victoria is usually after 22:30 but make sure to check if you’re coming back in the evening. Of course, with so much to do in Brighton, you might prefer to extend your visit to a weekend or longer. Whichever option you choose, be sure to check out our Brighton destination guide for suggestions on what to do, where to stay and places to eat.

Travelling First Class from London Victoria to Brighton

Gatwick Express and Southern both offer the option to upgrade to First Class. However, it’s worth noting that First Class on both services doesn’t offer significant benefits over Standard Class tickets like you may find on some services. The main benefit in both cases is that the carriages are likely to be less crowded and quieter. You can book advanced First Class fares using our journey planner. Just select the route you want to travel, and before proceeding to the payment screen, click on ‘View 1st Class & More tickets’.

How much is a ticket from Victoria to Brighton?

Train tickets from Victoria to Brighton can start from as little as £8.00, although average fares are usually around £30 to £35. Head over to our journey planner to compare prices and book tickets. Great ways to save money on train tickets to Brighton include booking in advance, travelling off-peak and making use of split tickets where possible.

Can I use an Oyster card from London to Brighton?

No, Oyster cards are not valid for the journey from London to Brighton, as Brighton is beyond the areas covered by Oyster. You’ll need to buy a ticket at the station on the day or in advance. Be sure to make use of our journey planner to find the best option for your trip.

Arriving at Brighton station

Brighton Station is located on the northern edge of the city centre. Popular attractions, including the Royal Pavillion and the Lanes are within walking distance, while seafront highlights such as the i360, Brighton Beach or the Pier can be accessed on foot or via local bus services from outside the station. Local bus routes also connect with nearby Hove, Eastbourne and the University of Brighton and University of Sussex campuses.

Before you set off to the beach, if you need to grab a quick cuppa or snack, you’ll find options including Pret, FCB Coffee and Pizza Rebellion. There are also shops such as M&S Simply Food and Superdrug for those in need of supplies before getting stuck into sightseeing.

The station is also equipped with numerous other facilities, including:

• ATMs
• Accessible toilets
• Baby changing facilities
• Seating areas
• A waiting room

If you’re considering onward train travel from Brighton to other destinations around the South Coast, there are direct trains to Eastbourne, Worthing, Chichester and Southampton from Brighton station.

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