A Brighton day trip from London is a really easy and fun day trip option for couples, families and solo travellers thanks to how well–connected the coastal city is to the capital.
Just a 2 hour drive or a 1 hour train journey, Brighton is one of the best day trips from London by train, with trains running regularly throughout the day – usually every 30 minutes.
So if you’re thinking about planning fun day trips to Brighton from London, here’s a 1 day Brighton itinerary to get you on the right track with planning a fun day out on the south coast.
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Brighton day trip itinerary: Is Brighton Worth Visiting?
The jury is sometimes out on Brighton.
Some people say it’s overrated and too busy, others say it’s a must-visit in the UK and you can’t go wrong with a Brighton day trip to the coast.
Whatever you hear, it’s a great chance to decide for yourself. There’s no doubt that a day at the seaside is a great feeling, plus there is loads to do in Brighton, plenty of attractions and family-friendly activities. There’s also loads of eateries, bars and cafes so even if the weather is a bit rubbish, there’s loads of options for you to choose from.
Brighton does get very busy during the summer months, particularly on the weekends. But if you expect the crowds, you’ll be prepared and if you’re able to visit on a weekday or outside of the main season (May or September) are great times with less crowds but you still have the chance of some sunshine.
How to get to Brighton
There are 3 main ways to reach Brighton – by car, by train or by bus.
Driving takes 2 hours and honestly, who wants to drive from/through London to go south? We recommend taking the train which is a much easier option.
Alternatively, if you prefer to have your trip organised for you, we also share some London to Brighton tour options below.
London to Brighton by train
Taking the train to Brighton from London is super easy. You just need to take the Gatwick Express train from Victoria Station which departs every half an hour during the day.
Alternatively, you can also take the Thameslink service from London Bridge. This train from London to Brighton also runs every 30 minutes and runs later into the evening for your return to London – the last Thameslink service departs Brighton at 10.28pm (correct at time of writing, please check timetables for the most up to date timings).
London to Brighton by bus
The London to Brighton bus options are probably the cheapest option with tickets starting from £6, however the journey takes almost 3 hours – longer than going by car!
So we’d only really recommend taking the bus if you’re perhaps planning a weekend trip to Brighton from London instead.
Brighton Tours from London
If you’d prefer to have your travel and itinerary planned for you, then tours are a great option for a day trip to Brighton.
Get Your Guide has great day tour options within the UK and this London to Brighton tour includes your rail travel to Brighton and a hop-on hop-off bus ticket for the Sightseeing bus in Brighton.
This is great value for money as you can use the sightseeing bus to not only see the city, learn about it from the guided commentary and see more than you would on foot, it also allows you to use the bus as unlimited transport around the city for the day!
Book your Brighton day tour from London here.
Your Brighton day trip from London itinerary
Brunch at Lost in the Lanes
After your train journey down from London, you’ll need a refuel and there’s nowhere better than heading to the Lanes and finding a cute and quirky brunch or breakfast spot.
Located in the heart of the Brighton Lanes is this brunch restaurant – Lost in the Lanes where you’ll find all the brunch staples like avo toast or a full English, all the way to some more alternative breakfast options like honey toast or Welsh rarebit.
The sourdough toast is absolutely to die for and the veggie breakfast is brilliant too (Halloumi for breakfast? Yes please!)
Brighton does small, quirky and independent so well and this is a great spot to start your day.
Explore the charming Lanes in Brighton
Make sure you leave time for a wander around the Brighton Laneways. This is probably the most charming part of the city with independent stores and small businesses tucked away down a rabbit warren of alleyways and lanes.
This is the place to find a quirky keepsake, a gift you’ve been wanting to find for someone or a unique souvenir to take home.
Visit the Royal Pavilion
The stunning Royal Pavilion is located just next to the lanes and looks like something straight from Asia.
In fact it was actually built for King George IV in 1823 as his seaside palace and it was deliberately designed in the style of Indian and Chinese architecture.
Even if you choose not to go inside, seeing this spectacular palace from the outside is worth a quick wander by.
And inside the Pavilion is just as spectacular with lavishly decorated rooms, rich colours and Regency grandeur that is really spectacular to see in a seaside town in England!
Book your Brighton Royal Pavilion tickets here.
Walk along Brighton Beach and see the Upside Down House
Come rain or shine, a stroll along Brighton Beach is a must-do on a Brighton day trip from London.
Whether you’re a beach person or not, you can still enjoy a walk along the waterfront, see the seaside architecture, the pier, the seafront attractions and the famous Upside Down House in Brighton.
This impressive attraction is one of the most unusual things to do in Brighton, nothing is more conspicuous than a bright turquoise house upside down on the waterfront!
Think UP! Disney Pixar vibes, this is definitely one of the more recent and unusual Instagrammable spots in Brighton.
Eat fish and chips on Brighton Palace Pier
Of course, visiting the famous and historic Brighton Pier is one of the quintessential things to do in Brighton!
Grab some fish and chips from Harry Ramsden’s or Captain’s, both are near the pier and take a walk along the iconic Brighton Palace Pier.
Originally opened in 1899, the pier is a much loved Brighton attraction that families, couples and groups always love to visit.
You’ll find arcades, restaurants, bars and plenty of seating to enjoy the view from.
See Brighton from above at the i360 Tower
Looking for something a bit more unique when you’re planning things to do in Brighton on a day trip?
Why not head up the British Airways i360 Tower for 360degree views of the city, the seafront and miles beyond.
What makes this unique is the ‘flight’ aspect of it. You board the glass pod at ground level and then descend 450ft into the air for panoramic views of the city.
You can buy your ticket here for a 25-minute flight slot.
Go Independent for dinner and drinks
Brighton is all about independent small businesses and there are so many fantastic options to choose from – you really need to embrace it.
When deciding where to eat in Brighton, you have a huge variety of bars and restaurants to choose from in and around the Lanes. Or to try somewhere a bit different, head up London Road to the centre of Brighton where you’ll find even more bars and restaurants to choose from.
We love this Brighton craft beer brewery – Unbarred Brewery and Taproom who won Best Sussex Beer for their flagship craft beer in the first year of production. Their thriving taproom and beer garden is a lot of fun and perfect for a relaxed drink and dinner. They also have an extensive pizza menu.
Best day trips from Brighton
If you’ve got more than one day in Brighton, why not plan a day trip from Brighton?
Take a look at these options for things to do near Brighton:
- South Downs National Park
- Seven Sisters Cliffs at Seaford Head Nature Reserve
- National Trust Nymans
- Arundel Castle
- Hastings
- Rye
- Camber Sands
Where to stay in Brighton
If you are staying longer than a day in Brighton, check out these options for places to stay in Brighton.
To stay right on the seafront, close to the Brighton Palace Pier, check out The Old Ship Hotel or the Jury’s Inn Brighton Waterfront.
The Grand Brighton is another spectacular option decorated in Renaissance style, also on the seafront, about 10 minutes walk from the pier.
For boutique hotels in Brighton, check out The Charm Brighton Boutique Hotel and Spa, just a couple of minutes from the seafront by foot in Kemptown and with spectacular historic rooms and amazing breakfast options.
We also love the funky and award-winning Snooze boutique hotel which is also in Kemptown and decorated in a super funky style of bright colours and eclectic styling.
For a luxury hotel in Brighton, check out Malmaison Brighton which is located on the marina around 2 miles form the centre. It has beautifully decorated rooms with monsoon showers, a roof bar and terrace, a restaurant with locally sourced produce, free parking and free wifi.
For a budget friendly hotel stay in Brighton, check out the Best Western Princes Marine Hotel in Hove.
Summary: Brighton from London day trip
Hopefully this London to Brighton day trip itinerary has given you plenty of inspiration for just how much you can see and do in Brighton in one day.
Whether you prefer a relaxed wander around the town or a more action packed day of activities, Brighton makes it super easy to cater for everyone with their choice of attractions, shops, restaurants and bars.
Pin for later to plan your future trip!
