London to Brighton Distance
Straight-Line Distance
~47 miles (76 km) measured directly between central London and central Brighton.
Driving Distance
~50–55 miles (80–88 km) via the M23/A23, taking around 1 to 1.5 hours.
Train Journey Time
The fastest direct trains take about 58 minutes, with most services running 1h to 1h10min.
Time Zone
London and Brighton are in the same time zone (GMT/BST), so there is no time difference.
How to Calculate the Distance Between London and Brighton
The exact distance depends on which parts of each city you measure from and which route you take. Check any specific starting point in seconds:
Type London, or a specific area like Victoria, in the "From" field.
Type Brighton, or a specific area like the seafront, in the "To" field.
See the exact straight-line distance and full map for your specific locations.
Train vs Driving: Which Is Faster?
Frequent direct trains with over 300 daily departures make rail the easiest way to reach Brighton for a day trip:
Train (Recommended)
- ~58 minutes to 1h10min city-centre to seafront
- Direct services from London Victoria, Blackfriars or London Bridge
- Around 300+ daily direct trains
Driving
- ~1 to 1.5 hours via the M23/A23
- Avoids relying on train timetables
- Parking near the seafront can be limited and pricey in summer
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Brighton from London?
Brighton is approximately 47 miles (76 km) from London as the crow flies. By road the distance is closer to 50 to 55 miles, depending on the exact route and starting point.
How long does it take to drive from London to Brighton?
Driving takes around 1 to 1.5 hours in normal conditions via the M23 and A23. Summer weekends and bank holidays can add significant delays near the coast.
How long is the train from London to Brighton?
The fastest direct trains take about 58 minutes, with most services from London Victoria, Blackfriars or London Bridge running 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes.
Is there a time difference between London and Brighton?
No. Both cities are in the UK and use the same time zone (GMT in winter, BST in summer), so there is no time difference between them.
Is Brighton a good day trip from London?
Yes. With direct trains under an hour and frequent departures, Brighton is one of the easiest and most popular seaside day trips from London.
Planning Your London to Brighton Trip
Train Planning
Book off-peak tickets for the cheapest fares on the under-1-hour Victoria–Brighton route.
Road Trip Planning
Factor in extra time for parking near the seafront, especially on summer weekends.
Day Trip Planning
With under an hour on the train, Brighton's Lanes, pier and seafront are easily doable in a single day.
Shipping & Freight
Businesses use the ~50-mile road distance to estimate delivery timelines between the two cities.
Other Popular UK Distances
Planning more UK travel? Check our UK distance calculator for routes between other British cities.