If you have ever sat in London thinking, 'I just need to see the sea', then this one is for you. Brighton is one of those places that feels like a proper escape without actually being far away, which is why it is such a classic day trip from London.
I recently decided to do a fun day trip to Brighton from London, hopping on a Thameslink train from London Bridge and seeing where the day took me. Getting the train was by far the easiest option as it saved me the hassle of trying to find parking and meant I could relax, read my book and enjoy the journey.
Wow, this whole day was a trip down memory lane! I grew up near Brighton and it brought back so many memories whilst also reminding me why it is still such a brilliant place to visit now.
If you are wondering how to get to Brighton by train, what to do once you’re there, and whether it is actually worth it for a day trip, this is exactly how my day went.
How to get to Brighton by train from London
One of the biggest reasons Brighton works so well as a day trip is how easy it is to get to. I took a Thameslink train from London Bridge to Brighton and the journey took just over an hour (63 minutes to be exact!)
Trains run every 10-20 minutes during peak times which means you can be flexible with your plans. No early alarms, no complicated changes, no driving or parking stress. Just get on the train, sit down and suddenly you are by the sea.
I booked my tickets in advance and they were only £8 each way, so make sure you plan ahead to save money on your train fare - you can book up to 12 weeks in advance.
If you’re taking the family into Brighton to visit the pier, up to four kids can travel for £2 each when travelling off-peak. Or if you’re heading there with friends, make sure that you opt for the GroupSave tickets, which can provide great savings for parties of 3-9 adults travelling outside of the rush hour periods.
Brighton is also very walkable, so once you arrive, you can pretty much forget about transport and just explore on foot, which is exactly how I like to do it.
First stop: coffee
After arriving in Brighton, my first priority was coffee. Or technically, matcha. I headed straight to Garden Café which I had heard loads about on TikTok.
I ordered a lavender matcha and I’m pleased to report that it fully lived up to the hype. Sometimes TikTok recommendations can be hit or miss, but this one did not disappoint at all.
The café was one of those places that feels cosy and calm so it was the perfect way to ease into my day, reading my Kindle, rather than rushing around immediately. Definitely worth adding to your Brighton list if you like trying something a bit different to a standard oat latte.
Independent shopping in Brighton
One of the things I love most about Brighton is how independent it feels. After matcha, I spent a good chunk of time just wandering and browsing small shops, which is honestly one of my favourite ways to explore anywhere.
Hands down, my favourite stop was Wild Iris perfume. If you are even vaguely interested in fragrance, you need to go here, and it’s just a few doors up from Garden Café.
They stock really unique perfumes from small independent brands, many of which I had never heard of before. I could have stayed there all day smelling everything. The kind of place where every scent feels interesting and different, not just another variation of something you already own.
The owner was absolutely lovely and happy to chat through the fragrances, which made the experience even better and she even offered me a free sample of a perfume. Result!
Walking through The Lanes
From there, I made my way towards the beach via The Lanes which is one of Brighton’s most iconic areas.
The Lanes are perfect for wandering without a plan. Narrow streets, independent jewellery shops, vintage stores, quirky little boutiques and plenty of places you accidentally spend far too long window shopping.
Even if you are not planning on buying anything, it’s just a really nice area to walk through and soak up the atmosphere. I’m a magpie for sparkly things so I loved looking at all of the gorgeous pre-owned jewellery and watches.
Whilst in The Lanes, I popped into Hugo & Green plant shop as it caught my eye when passing. Inside, you’ll find a huge terrarium in the middle of the shop and a stunning display of plants that makes it feel more like an installation than a shop - it’s definitely worth visiting to look around.
Lunch with a sea view
By this point, I was ready for lunch in Brighton. I had two strong contenders in mind: Social Board, known for their mega sandwiches, or Shelter Hall, a street food hall.
I chose Shelter Hall and if you’re going to Brighton as a group, you’ll love it here as there are seven food stalls serving up pizzas, steak, tacos, burgers, bao buns and more. There are vegan and vegetarian options too. You can mix and match cuisines and service is quick which is great for a day trip when you want to maximise time.
I sat outside on the balcony, overlooking the beach and the abandoned West Pier. It was one of those moments where you realise how lucky Brighton is with its location. Even on a short trip, it genuinely feels like a proper escape from the busyness of London.
Brighton Palace Pier and seaside nostalgia
After lunch, I walked five minutes along the promenade to Brighton Palace Pier, which ended up being the most nostalgic part of the whole day for me.
I grew up in West Sussex and I somehow managed to convince my parents to take me to Brighton Pier most weekends. My brother and I were obsessed with playing the Dolphin Derby game on the Pier as kids, so I went looking for it but sadly the game wasn’t there anymore. It was still fun to wander around the pier which brought back all of the memories.
Of course, no visit to the pier is complete without the freshly made doughnuts - I don’t know what it is about these doughnuts, but they’re some of the best you’ll ever have and they were just as good as I remembered. I was feeling brave and risked losing my doughnut to a swooping seagull taking this photo. It felt like a genuine Brighton success story that no seagull stole it!
Brighton Pavilion
Next, I slowly made my way back towards the station, walking past Brighton Pavilion.
The Pavilion is one of Brighton’s most recognisable landmarks and even if you do not go inside, it is worth seeing from the outside as it’s so beautiful. The surrounding gardens are a nice place to sit and people watch before heading back to London.
From there, it was an easy walk back to Brighton Station to catch my Thameslink train back to London Bridge.
Is it worth doing a day trip to Brighton from London?
Short answer: yes, absolutely.
Long answer: Brighton is one of the best day trips from London because it feels like a complete change of scenery. You get the sea, independent shops, great food and a quirky, relaxed atmosphere, all without needing to take time off work or book a hotel.
A Brighton day trip is ideal if you want:
- A seaside escape without needing overnight accommodation
- Huge variety of independent shops and small businesses
- Good food with plenty of choice
- A walkable city with lots of character
- An escape from the noise of London
Brighton is the perfect place to visit all year around - you can spend the day by the sea, go for a swim if it’s warm enough, browse unique shops, eat well and still be home by the evening.
For me, it was also a personal trip, revisiting places from my childhood and re-living the memories whilst discovering new favourites. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, Brighton always seems to offer something new.
If you are planning a day trip to Brighton by train, I cannot recommend it enough. Jump on a direct Thameslink train, bring comfy shoes and let yourself wander. You will almost always stumble across something good.
About The Author
Chloe Carmichael, founder of Chloe’s Deal Club, is your trusted money influencer helping the nation save with her viral money-saving tips and deal stacking tricks.
Since 2019, Chloe has amassed a huge and loyal community of 240,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and her newsletter.
Chloe is a former regular on ITV's This Morning, has co-presented TV shows on Channel 4 and Channel 5, features on the radio giving listeners her must-have deals and won Money Influencer of the Year at the British Bank Awards 2024.
