London to Brighton by train

You can take a direct train from London to Brighton in about an hour, with no change. Three companies run them, Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, from different London stations. Pick your train by the London station that suits you, because that decides the company and the ticket.

Three companies serve Brighton from London

Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express all run to Brighton. For a visitor the difference is the London station you start from, and what the ticket allows.

Southern runs from London Victoria. Gatwick Express also runs from London Victoria and calls at Gatwick Airport. Thameslink trains to Brighton call at London St Pancras International, London Blackfriars and London Bridge, so they suit you if you start in the City or at St Pancras.

Choose the London station that is closest to you

Brighton trains leave from several stations, and so start from the one nearest you. London Victoria is on the western side of central London and has the Victoria, District and Circle lines. London Bridge is south of the river and has the Northern and Jubilee lines. London Blackfriars and London St Pancras International are on the Thameslink line, so you can start from St Pancras without crossing London first.

Find Brighton on the departure board and check the platform shortly before you leave. Look at the destination on the board, not the company name.

Trains run several times an hour all day

Expect several trains an hour through the day, so you rarely wait long. The journey is about 1 hour on the fastest trains, and Thameslink between London Bridge and Brighton takes 1 hour 1 minute to 1 hour 5 minutes. Slower trains that call at more stations take longer, so check the arrival time before you buy. Check your date for the first and last train.

Tickets: buy for the company you will ride

There are three kinds of ticket. Advance tickets are the cheapest. You buy them ahead for one named train, and you cannot swap to another. Off-Peak tickets are cheaper than Anytime and allow travel outside the busiest hours, while Anytime tickets let you travel on any train on your date.

This is where visitors lose money. A "London Terminals" ticket covers London Victoria and London Bridge, among others. A "London Thameslink" ticket covers London Bridge, London Blackfriars and London St Pancras International, among others. Before you pay, check that the ticket names the London station your train uses. If you are not sure, buy at a station ticket office or ask staff before boarding.

A Railcard takes up to one third off many fares, and it is worth buying only if you will make several journeys. Children aged 5 to 15 can travel for £2 each with an adult on Off-Peak tickets. Fares change with the time of day and how far ahead you buy, and the price on your date is the only one that counts.

You do not need a reservation, and Global Passes are valid

You cannot reserve a seat on Southern trains. Pick any free seat when you board. Trains can be full at busy times, so board early if you want to sit together.

Interrail Global Passes (for people who live in Europe) and Eurail Global Passes (for people who live outside Europe) are valid on Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, and a pass holder can board without a reservation. Show your pass with your travel day filled in. If you live in the UK, a Global Pass covers only one outbound and one inbound journey in your own country, so you cannot use it for an ordinary trip inside Britain.

Engineering works can close the line

Some days the main line to Brighton is closed. On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2026 no trains run between Brighton and Three Bridges. A diverted Southern train runs between London Victoria and Brighton via Gatwick Airport, Horsham, Worthing and Hove, so the trip takes longer. On Sunday 10 January 2027 no trains run between Gatwick Airport and Purley or East Croydon. From Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 February 2027 no trains run between Three Bridges and Brighton via Haywards Heath. Check your date before you travel.

Arriving in Brighton

Trains arrive at Brighton station on Queens Road. It has step-free access to all platforms, a ticket office, shops and refreshments, and bus services for onward travel. Many Southern trains have free wifi and charging points, which is useful if you are checking your onward plans on the way.