Trains from London Victoria to Hastings from £5.00

Looking to escape the busy city life for a seaside break on the stunning Sussex coast? Travelling from London Victoria to Hastings by train is one of the easiest and most scenic ways to do just that. Whether you’re heading for the day, a weekend away or even a longer trip, this route is popular with families, couples and solo travellers alike.

With direct services available daily and an average journey time of around two hours, hopping on the train means you can sit back, relax and enjoy views of the rolling English countryside before arriving just a short walk from the coast.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the journey from London Victoria to Hastings, including which train companies operate the route, where to find the cheapest tickets, and what to do once you arrive.

As you might expect, the main station in Hastings is Hastings Station. It’s located within easy reach of the town’s main offerings. This includes the Old Town, boasting traditional pubs, boutique shops, and Hastings Pier. The station is also close to Hastings Castle, one of the area’s main tourist attractions and a favourite amongst history lovers.

Hastings Station is managed by Southeastern Railway and it has everything you would expect from a town’s main station, including ticket machines, toilets and baby changing facilities, waiting rooms, seating, shops, refreshments and ATMs. There’s also parking, including bike storage. The station is open from 05:50 to 20:30 every day, with staffed help available for a lot of that time.

What line is the London Victoria to Hastings route on?

Trains from London Victoria to Hastings run along the Southern and Southeastern routes, which take you through several key destinations in Kent and East Sussex. The journey covers around 55 miles and generally takes just under two hours, though some services are a little longer depending on the number of stops.

This direct line offers a smooth and scenic ride, especially as you approach the coast, with countryside views and glimpses of historic villages along the way.

Which train company offers services to Hastings? 

Southern and Southeastern both provide services between London Victoria and Hastings, with various journey times available, depending on the route taken. The route from London Victoria to Hastings goes through key destinations, including Clapham Junction and Gatwick Airport. There are a few differences between the stops depending on the time and operator, but this is as expected with most lines.

With so many trains going from London Victoria to Hastings, it’s unsurprising that ticket prices fluctuate a lot. You can sometimes find tickets for as low as £5.00 when booked in advance or during off-peak times, but the average price of a ticket from London Victoria to Hastings is closer to £30. The price increases for peak journeys, such as those during busy commuting hours, and if you want to travel in First Class. You can lower the cost of a train ticket to Hastings by using a Railcard, which can reduce the fare by one-third.

With a fairly quick journey time of around two hours, and with direct trains running from as early as 05:34 and as late as 22:46, it’s easy to see why the London Victoria to Hastings route is a popular one. Various direct services are running each day, as well as some non-direct options. 

Some services may require a quick change at Lewes or Eastbourne depending on the time of day, but many are direct. It’s always worth checking the journey details before booking to choose the quickest and most convenient option.

Buying train tickets from London Victoria to Hastings is simple and stress-free, and there are various ways to do so. You can buy tickets at London Victoria, either by using a self-service machine or a customer service counter. This gives you a chance to ask any questions about the route, using a Railcard or request accessible help. However, as London Victoria is a busy station, buying tickets in person during rush hour and at weekends can be time-consuming. 

This is why many travellers opt to buy tickets from London Victoria to Hastings online, using Trip.com, which means you avoid queues and delays at the station.

There’s no shortage of things to do in Hastings, including wandering the winding streets of the Old Town and the fishing quarter of Rock‑a‑Nore, where you'll find net huts, fresh seafood and the Hastings Fishermen’s Museum. You can also ride the East Hill and West Hill funiculars, the steepest cliff railways in Britain, to access the trails of Hastings Country Park and the ruins of Norman Hastings Castle at the top of the cliffs. 

If you’re an art enthusiast, head to the creative hub which is filled with independent galleries, vintage shops and artisan cafes. There’s also the Electric Palace cinema, Pelham Arcade and a bustling live music and pub scene spanning both Hastings and St Leonards.

There’s plenty before boarding at London Victoria. You can wander the streets of Belgravia, visit Westminster Cathedral, enjoy a walk in St James’s Park, or head to Buckingham Palace for a classic London photo. There are also plenty of cafes, shops, pubs and restaurants around Victoria Place and Cardinal Place, making it easy to keep busy before your train to Hastings.