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Major city · United Kingdom

Brighton

Give Brighton 2 nights: one full day for the pier, Pavilion and Lanes, one for the seafront or a South Downs trip. Skip it as a London day trip in July–August.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Brighton is a Regency seaside city on the English Channel, 76 km south of London and about an hour by train from Victoria. Its compact centre — pier, Royal Pavilion, the Lanes and North Laine — fits into a day, but the pebble beach, the South Downs and a busy festival calendar reward a two-night stay. It is the UK's best-known LGBT city and a student town, so prices and crowds swing hard with the season.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
avoid Jul–Aug weekends (crowds, higher room rates), Pride Saturday in early August
Airports
LGW · LHR · ESH
Nights
2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Brighton111 ▾
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Brighton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
  • BeerPint of draught beer£5–7 (≈ US$7–10)
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, 3 km (1.9 mi)Higher starting charge after midnight Friday and Saturday.£8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
  • Museum or sight ticketRoyal Pavilion entrycheck the official site
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
  • High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room£220 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £95 (≈ US$130) · High £170 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Brighton Palace PierRoyal PavilionThe Lanes and North LainePebble beach and seafrontLGBT nightlife in Kemptown
Airports
LGW London Gatwick (Closest major airport; direct trains to Brighton in as little as 25 min) · LHR London Heathrow (National Express coach 025 direct, about 1 h 40 min; train via London is slower door to door) · ESH Brighton City Airport (Shoreham) (Light aircraft and sightseeing flights only; no scheduled services)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  5. May

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    21°C (70°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid*

    21°C (70°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)), coolest Feb (3°C (37°F) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Jun (7). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Brighton: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C (46°F)

4°C (39°F)

13 rd

Feb

9°C (48°F)

3°C (37°F)

10 rd

Mar

11°C (52°F)

4°C (39°F)

9 rd

Apr

14°C (57°F)

5°C (41°F)

8 rd

May

17°C (63°F)

9°C (48°F)

8 rd

Jun

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

7 rd

Jul

21°C (70°F)

13°C (55°F)

8 rd

Aug

21°C (70°F)

13°C (55°F)

9 rd

Sep

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

8 rd

Oct

16°C (61°F)

9°C (48°F)

11 rd

Nov

12°C (54°F)

6°C (43°F)

12 rd

Dec

9°C (48°F)

4°C (39°F)

12 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The centre is walkable: station to pier is about 20 min downhill. Brighton & Hove Buses run frequent city routes; a day ticket covers the city. Trains link Brighton with Hove, London Road and Falmer (universities, Amex stadium). Taxis are teal and white and pricier than most English cities; Uber and FreeNow also operate.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Seven Sisters and Eastbourne

go

Door to door: 1.5–2 h each way

Train to Eastbourne or Seaford, then bus or walk the coast path

Chalk cliffs; check bus times before setting out.

Lewes

go

Door to door: About 40 min

Train from Brighton, about 20 min

Castle, brewery and a compact old town; easy half day.

Hastings

go

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Train along the coast, about 1 h 15 min

Old town and 1066 country; a full day.

Rye

go

Door to door: About 2 h

Train via Hastings or Lewes, about 1 h 30 min

Cobbled hill town; pairs well with a night away.

Newhaven

caution

Door to door: About 45 min

Train from Brighton, about 25 min

Ferry port and fort; limited sights for a whole day.

Londongo

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Train from Brighton to Victoria or London Bridge, about 1 h

Do it as a day out from London, not the reverse, unless you have a reason.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

The Lanes and North Laine

Central, walkable to the pier and Pavilion; noisiest at weekends, book early.

Kemptown

East of the pier; LGBT bars and guesthouses, 10–15 min walk to the station.

Seafront and Hove

Sea views and quieter nights; Hove is 15–20 min walk west of the pier.

Around Brighton station

Best for one night with bags; 10 min downhill to the seafront.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£55–85 (≈ US$75–120) excl. bed
Mid
£85–140 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
High
£140 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × £120£240
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £95£380
Train London Victoria → Brighton, one way2 × £20 · check; cheaper booked ahead, more at peak£40
Brighton & Hove Buses day ticket2 × £4 · check£9
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£69
Trip total≈ £190 per person per day, bed included£758≈ US$1,100

2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Brighton excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
Fish and chips£10–16 (≈ US$14–25)
Pint of draught beer£5–7 (≈ US$7–10)
Bus single / day ticket£2.20 (≈ US$3) / £4.40 (≈ US$6) (check)
Taxi, 3 kmHigher starting charge after midnight Friday and Saturday.£8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
Royal Pavilion entrycheck the official site
Pier rides wristbandcheck the official site

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Brighton is generally safe for visitors. The real risks are the pebble beach on bare feet, strong currents and cold water, seafront crowds on summer weekends, and drink spiking or card skimming in late-night bars: watch your drink and your bag.
  • Pebble beach: bring shoes for the water, not bare feet.
  • Seafront parking is limited and expensive on sunny summer days; arrive early or take the train.
  • Avoid driving in on Brighton Festival children's parade day (early May), London to Brighton Bike Ride (a June Sunday), Pride Saturday (early August), the marathon (early April) and the veteran car run (first Sunday of November).
  • Saturday trains are packed when Brighton & Hove Albion play at home: surge towards Brighton at lunchtime, back to London late afternoon.
  • Taxi meter starts at a higher rate after midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Emergency numbers

NHS non-urgent
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

BrightonBrighton

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No embassies in Brighton; they are in London. US citizens: US Embassy, London. Check your own country's London embassy for consular help.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Gatwick → Brighton by train: about 25–40 min; check the fare (roughly £10–12 (≈ US$14–16))
  • London Victoria → Brighton by train: about 1 h; check the fare (roughly £15–25 (≈ US$20–35) off-peak)
  • Brighton & Hove Buses day ticket: £4.40 (≈ US$6) (check)

Say or show

  • Hello — Hello
  • Thanks / Thank you — Thank you
  • Please — Please
  • Sorry — Sorry / Excuse me
  • Where is the station? — Where is the station?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?

English is the only language you need. Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants if no service charge is added; not expected in pubs.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Brighton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Jul–Aug weekends (crowds, higher room rates), Pride Saturday in early August · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for LGW: train times, coach fallback, late-arrival rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: station and North Laine, the Lanes and seafront, Kemptown, Hove.
  3. Place pages with verified opening hours (Royal Pavilion, i360, Sea Life) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Festival and event fixtures so closure days show as red before booking.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources