TrainlineTrainline is Europe’s leading platform for train and bus tickets

Low prices found by our customers
Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

London to Brighton by train

It takes an average of 1h 24m to travel from London to Brighton by train, over a distance of around 47 miles (75 km). There are normally 370 trains per day travelling from London to Brighton and tickets for this journey start from £7 when you book in advance.

First train

03:10

Last train

01:48

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Brighton

Journey time

From 58m

Distance

47 miles (75 km)

Frequency

370 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £7

Train operators

Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Southern

Travelling from London to Brighton by train

Planning a sunny day out or weekend away in Brighton and want to travel by train? Look no further.

The train from London to Brighton usually takes 1 hour and 25 minutes, but can take just 57 minutes on the fastest services. Many of the trains between London and Brighton are operated by Southern as well as Thameslink and Gatwick Express. All three train companies offer free WiFi on most of their trains – just look out for the blue WiFi sign on the door of your carriage.

Whether you’re heading for a day out at Brighton beach (featured as one of our best beaches to reach by train from London) or shopping in The Lanes, use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to book trains to Brighton and search for cheap ticket prices – we’ll show you how much you can save on your train tickets if you travel Off-Peak or use a Railcard. 

Ready to book? Start a search for cheap train tickets from London to Brighton in our Journey Planner at the top of the page, or keep reading for money-saving tips and FAQs.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from London to Brighton? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from London to Brighton take?

The average journey time by train between London and Brighton is 1 hour and 24 minutes, with around 370 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Brighton by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Brighton is 58 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Brighton cost?

Train ticket prices from London to Brighton can start from as little as £7 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from London to Brighton?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Brighton without having to change trains. There are 370 direct trains from London to Brighton each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from London to Brighton leave?

The first train from London to Brighton leaves at 03:10. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from London to Brighton leave?

The last train from London to Brighton leaves at 01:48. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between London and Brighton by train?

Trains travelling from London to Brighton cover a distance of around 47 miles (75 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Brighton to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Brighton.

Cheap train tickets from London to Brighton

Train tickets from London to Brighton start at £7 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Brighton is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team blog

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. We also believe about taking those journeys and sharing our experiences with you, so you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your trip.

London to Brighton by train in under an hour

Getting to London Bridge station

Our train to Brighton departed from London Bridge, a central London railway terminus that has recently undergone a total transformation. The new spacious street-level concourse is the largest in the UK and allows passengers to access all the 15 platforms from just one place. What I really love about this station is how bright it is, with natural light coming from the roofs and illuminating the concourse below.  

We took the tube to reach the station – it’s on the Jubilee and Northern Lines, so it’s super easy to get there.

Boarding the train

For our peace of mind, we bought our digital tickets with Trainline so we didn’t have to queue at the station to buy or collect our train tickets. We boarded a Thameslink train a few minutes before it was due to depart. As Brighton is a very popular destination for Londoners and tourists alike, there was a queue at the entrance of the platform where railway staff checked tickets, but it didn’t take us too long to get on board.

The journey

Thameslink trains are very modern, they have onboard information displays which show exactly where you are in your journey, so you can sit back, relax, and watch the world go by. Free WiFi is also available on most trains – just look out for the blue WiFi logo on the door as you board.

We sat in two forward-facing seats in Standard Class. Before we knew it, we were in Brighton – the journey lasted less than an hour! Brighton station is only minutes away from the town centre and the beach, so you can have your fish and chips straight at the pebble beach, what’s not to like?

About Paola

Paola, a Trainline employee, chose to share her experience of the journey between London and Brighton.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.