Independent local travel guide
How to get around Brighton and Hove
A practical 2026 guide to walking, buses, cycling, trains, taxis and airport connections, with clear advice for visitors, students, families and passengers carrying luggage.
Brighton is compact enough to explore without a car, but its hills, one-way streets, busy events and scattered neighbourhoods mean that no single mode works for every trip. The best choice depends on the exact starting point, destination, time of day, weather and what you are carrying.
This guide is deliberately neutral. It explains where each option is strongest and where it becomes inconvenient. Timetables, fares, road restrictions and service patterns can change, so use the official links below for live information rather than treating any static article as a timetable.
Choose transport by journey, not habit
| Option | Best for | Less suitable when | Check before leaving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | The Lanes, North Laine, Royal Pavilion, Churchill Square, the pier and much of the central seafront. | You have heavy bags, reduced mobility, poor weather or a destination up a steep hill. | Distance, gradient, weather and safe late-night route. |
| Bus | Cross-city journeys, universities, hospitals, residential districts and many South Downs destinations. | A fixed airport deadline, several large cases or a difficult interchange is involved. | Live departure, correct stop, service update and return journey. |
| Bike or e-bike | Seafront travel, commuting and flexible short trips for confident riders. | The route is steep, weather is poor, luggage is bulky or the rider is unfamiliar with UK road rules. | Cycle route, docking or parking, lights and current hire rules. |
| Train | Gatwick, London and Sussex towns including Lewes, Shoreham, Worthing and Haywards Heath. | You still need a difficult first or last mile, or engineering work affects the route. | Live running, platform, planned works and final connection. |
| Taxi/private hire | Door-to-door journeys, luggage, groups, early starts, station pickups and airport transfers. | A simple central trip is easily walkable or well served by a direct bus. | Licensing, booking confirmation, meeting point and total quote. |
Walking in central Brighton
Walking is often the fastest way to move between Brighton station, North Laine, The Lanes, the Royal Pavilion and the seafront. The city centre is compact, and walking avoids waiting for a short bus or sitting in event traffic. Brighton & Hove City Council also promotes walking and cycling as sustainable ways to travel.
The map can be deceptive, however. Brighton rises sharply north from the sea, while luggage makes the climb towards the station or hillier neighbourhoods harder. Pedestrian routes around major road junctions may require crossings that are not obvious to a first-time visitor. At night, choose a well-lit route and stay aware of traffic, especially near the seafront and busy entertainment areas.
Brighton & Hove buses
The local bus network is the backbone of everyday public transport. It covers central Brighton, Hove, universities, hospitals, residential neighbourhoods and destinations beyond the city. Brighton & Hove Buses provides a live journey planner, route maps, service updates and live departure information.
City and neighbourhoods
Buses work well where rail does not, including many uphill residential areas. Search by your exact destination rather than assuming every central stop serves the same direction.
Coast and countryside
Coaster, Regency and Breeze services connect the city with coastal towns, Lewes and selected South Downs destinations. Seasonal and day-specific patterns should be checked.
Live information
Use the operator's journey planner and live stop displays. Event diversions or roadworks can move stops and change normal routes temporarily.
Visitors should note the direction as well as the route number. Old Steine, Churchill Square and the station area contain several stops, sometimes on different sides of a road system. Save the return stop before walking away from the arrival point.
Cycling and BTN BikeShare
Cycling is attractive along flatter coastal routes and can be efficient for short urban journeys. BTN BikeShare provides app-based access to bikes and stations, while the council publishes cycling information and route-planning resources. An e-bike can make hills easier, but availability should never be assumed at a specific hub.
Use a route that matches your confidence. The seafront has busy pedestrian areas, and some sections have specific cycle arrangements. Follow signs, give pedestrians space and do not ride on a pavement unless it is designated for shared use. For a one-way leisure ride, check where the bike can legally and successfully be returned before setting off.
Trains from Brighton, Hove and local stations
Brighton station is the main rail hub for London, Gatwick and regional routes. Hove, Preston Park, London Road and other local stations can be more convenient for particular addresses. Choosing the nearest station by distance is not always best if the required train does not stop there.
Check the live departure and the airport calling point. Allow time to reach the station and move luggage to the platform.
Confirm whether the service reaches Victoria, London Bridge or another London terminal that suits the final destination.
Lewes is a major junction for routes towards Eastbourne, Seaford and other destinations.
Hove may be useful for routes towards Shoreham, Worthing and the west, depending on the service.
Taxis and private hire: know the difference
A hackney carriage can generally be hailed or hired from an authorised rank, subject to local rules. A private-hire vehicle must be booked through its licensed operator before the journey. Passengers should match the driver, vehicle and registration to the booking confirmation and should not enter an unbooked private-hire car that approaches them.
Sussex Airports Taxis is a pre-booked service rather than a rank-based city taxi service. It is most relevant for planned airport journeys, station collections, longer Sussex travel, groups and trips where a confirmed vehicle and pickup plan matter. Local availability should be confirmed rather than assumed.
Night travel and major events
Weekend nights, Pride, football, concerts, festivals and university events can increase demand and cause road closures or relocated stops. A route that works normally may not work during an event. Check official event travel information, bus diversions and the council's road notices before leaving.
For safer travel, plan the return before the event starts, keep the phone charged, use a recognised operator and share the booking details with the group. If a pickup street is closed, contact the operator and agree a legal, visible alternative rather than asking a driver to stop in a bus lane or unsafe junction.
Airport connections from Brighton
Gatwick is directly connected to Brighton by rail and road. Rail can suit a passenger near the station with manageable luggage and a convenient timetable. A pre-booked transfer can be more practical for early flights, families, multiple cases or passengers starting away from the station.
Heathrow usually requires a more complex public-transport journey from Brighton, while a road transfer is longer and more exposed to M25 conditions. The right comparison includes first mile, changes, luggage, check-in deadline and contingency, not only the advertised line-haul time.
- Brighton to Gatwick taxi booking and current price
- Gatwick Airport transfer service
- Heathrow Airport transfer service
Accessible travel and travelling with children
Check accessibility with the relevant operator before travel. Step-free station access, low-floor buses and assistance services can be affected by temporary equipment faults or route changes. Passengers needing rail assistance should use the train operator's booking process.
For road travel with children, Sussex Airports Taxis cannot currently supply child seats. Families should discuss the booking and bring a suitable seat where required. Pushchairs, wheelchairs and other equipment must be declared because they affect safe vehicle capacity.
Live and official transport links
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car to visit Brighton?
Usually not. Central attractions are walkable and the city has extensive bus, rail and cycling options. A taxi can help with luggage, accessibility, late travel or destinations that are awkward by public transport.
What is the easiest way from Brighton station to the seafront?
Walking downhill is practical for many passengers, while buses and taxis are useful with luggage or reduced mobility. Check the exact seafront destination because it stretches across a large area.
Where should I meet a pre-booked taxi at Brighton station?
Use the precise point stated in the booking. Sussex Airports Taxis commonly confirms the main station car park behind the station on Stroudley Road, BN1 4LF, but the current arrangement should always be checked.
Can I take a bus to the South Downs?
Selected Breeze and other routes serve countryside destinations. Check the current route, operating day and return service on the official bus website.
Is the train or taxi better for Gatwick?
The train may suit solo daytime travel from near the station. A taxi may suit early departures, groups, families and heavy luggage. Compare the complete door-to-terminal journey.
Can Sussex Airports Taxis provide child seats?
No. The company cannot currently supply child seats. Discuss the journey in advance and bring a suitable seat where required.
Need a planned Brighton connection?
For a pre-booked station, Sussex or airport journey, send the exact address, date, required arrival time, passenger number and complete luggage list.