Planning a seaside escape from London? Brighton is one of England’s most iconic day-trip destinations — colourful, creative, and full of charm. Just an hour from the capital by train, this vibrant coastal city is perfect for families looking for a fun and easy day out. From exploring the famous Brighton Pier and strolling along the pebble beach to wandering The Lanes and enjoying fish and chips with a view, this guide has everything you need to plan the perfect day trip to Brighton from London.
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Getting from London to Brighton via Train
Brighton is one of the easiest day trips from London, thanks to its frequent and fast train connections. You can travel directly from either London Victoria or London Bridge stations, with trains running approximately every 15–30 minutes. The journey takes less than an hour and a half, making it perfect for a day trip!
Tips for Booking Your Day Trip to Brighton:
- Tickets: Check times and tickets via the National Rail Website, and book in advance to get a cheaper price. Children under 5 travel for free (no ticket needed), and kids aged 5-16 get half price travel. Purchase a child ticket for them.
- Consider a Rail Card: if you plan to travel by train a lot, a rail card may be worth investing in. They cost £35 for a year but can save you up to a third on train fares. (Usually not valid at peak times though!) Find out more about rail cards here.
- Early Start: Catching an early train from London gives you more time to enjoy Brighton’s attractions, beaches, and pier.
- Return Options: Trains run late into the evening, so you can enjoy a full Brighton day out before heading back.
- Family-Friendly Travel: Most trains have spaces for pushchairs (or strollers), making it easier if you’re travelling with young children. Try to use the door marked with the disabled symbol, as these carriages have more space. You will need to move your pushchair if a wheelchair needs the space!
If you prefer driving, Brighton is about 1.5–2 hours from central London, but parking can be expensive and tricky, especially near the pier and seafront. Taking the train is often faster, more relaxing, and family-friendly.
BRIGHTON BEACH WITH THE PIER IN THE BACKGROUND
A Perfect Day Trip to Brighton Itinerary
We actually spent a weekend in Brighton, so this isn’t the exact itinerary we followed, but I think it is the one that will work the best for a day in Brighton. I will talk more about turning your day trip to Brighton into a weekend in Brighton below.
Morning – Wander The Lanes & Brighton Pavilion
I always recommend starting your day early to beat the crowds. From the station, it’s a short walk down to the Lanes shops. If you need to grab a coffee or breakfast, you will pass plenty of great options. The Flour Pot Bakery is always a favourite!
Head towards The Lanes. There are two sets of Lanes in Brighton, firstly the Historic Quarter Lanes, which is a maze of narrow streets filled with independent boutiques, vintage shops and jewellery stores. It’s a lovely area to explore before the crowds arrive.
Brighton also has the North Lanes, a separate set of roads that stretch between Trafalgar Street and North Street. These are wider roads, lined with independent and vintage stores, coffee shops and restaurants. Colourful flags hang over the streets, and they add to the charm!
Make sure to walk past the Royal Pavilion, which is an iconic landmark in Brighton. Its beautiful Indian-style architecture and surrounding gardens make it one of the most photogenic spots in town.
Top Tip: If you’re visiting Brighton with kids, the Pavilion Gardens are great for a quick snack break or a run-around before heading to the beach.
THE LANES & BRIGHTON PAVILION
Lunch – Fish & Chips
A trip to the seaside wouldn’t be complete without fish and chips! Again, you will find plenty of options in Brighton! We usually get them from the shop right by the entrance to the pier and take them to eat on the beach.
If you’d rather sit down in a proper restaurant, you can do this at The Palm Court, which is located on the Brighton Palace Pier. You will also find multiple other options along the seafront.
Do be aware of seagulls, they have no fear, and they will often swoop down to try and steal your food!
Afternoon – Brighton Beach & Pier and Walk the Seafront
On a day trip to Brighton, you can’t miss out on a visit to the Brighton Palace Pier. Walk along the wooden boardwalk, enjoy the sea views, and try a few of the classic rides and arcade games. There’s something for every age, from a cute carousel to thrilling roller coasters.
My children especially love the Pier and would have stayed there all day! The classic 2p slot machines were a big hit.
The pier now charges an entrance fee of £2 per adult and £1 per child. You can also purchase wristbands for unlimited rides. I have discussed this further in my full Brighton family guide.
If you’re visiting on a warm day, stop for an ice cream along the promenade before heading down to Brighton Beach. My kids also loved being on the beach and throwing the pebbles into the water.
An alternative, if you’re visiting Brighton as a couple or solo traveller, is to walk along the seafront. There is plenty to see, including the remains of The West Pier. It burned down in a fire, but the remains can still be seen out to sea.
You could also ride the Brighton i360. I haven’t done this personally, but it is a unique thing to do in Brighton.
ENJOYING THE ICONIC BRIGHTON PALACE PIER
Dinner in Brighton
You may still be full from lunch and not really need a big meal out for dinner, but if you’re hungry, there are lots of fantastic places to eat.
Choose from one of the many places along the seafront or head back towards the Lanes (which is on the way to the station). Around the Lanes and the centre of Brighton, you will find all the main chain restaurants, plus a lot of independent places as well.
Our kids always choose pizza, so we usually go to Donatello, which is a delicious, family-run Italian restaurant. The food is great and it is very child-friendly, (although we used to go here pre-kids as well!)
That’s the end of your fay trip to Brighton itinerary. Finish it off by heading to the station and catching the train back to London!
FISH & CHIPS OR PIZZA IN BRIGHTON
Turning Your Day Trip into a Weekend in Brighton
We’ve taken a day trip to Brighton many times, but the last time we visited, we went for a weekend!
Arriving in the afternoon on a Saturday allowed us to have a full day of exploring on the Sunday before heading back to London in the late afternoon.
If you’re visiting Brighton with kids and have the time, I would definitely recommend turning your trip into a weekend in Brighton!
We stayed at the Premier Inn Brighton City Centre, which was a great location and very inexpensive. If you’re looking for something more luxurious, The Grand has been recently renovated and has rooms overlooking the sea.
Itinerary for your Weekend in Brighton
On the Saturday afternoon, we checked in, had a walk along the beach and went for dinner at Donatello (which I mentioned above).
Our kids get up early, so we were on the beach by 8:30 am. One of the highlights of my weekend was sitting on the empty beach, listening to the sea and watching my kids throw pebbles in the ocean. It was very relaxing!
We were the first ones on the pier at 10 am when it opened. The kids played here until lunch time when we got fish and chips on the beach.
After lunch, we explored the Lanes and had a short walk on the seafront before catching the train back to London.
Thank you for reading our guide on planning a perfect weekend or day trip to Brighton from London. We hope you have an amazing visit to the seaside!
Happy Exploring,
