Brighton is one of the most popular seaside destinations from London and a common longer journey out of the capital — for day trips, weekends, students heading to university, conferences, weddings and moves. The train is quick and frequent, so a taxi isn't always the obvious choice. But there are plenty of situations where a car door to door is the better option, and a few where it's clearly the only sensible one.
How far is Brighton from London by car?
By road, Brighton is roughly 50 to 55 miles from central London, depending on where you start. The route runs south on the A23 through Streatham and Croydon, joins the M23 near Hooley, passes Gatwick, and continues on the A23 into Brighton.
Journey time depends on your start point and traffic, so check a live route planner on the day. The variable part is almost always getting out of London — south London's A23 corridor can be slow at peak times, and Friday afternoons heading to the coast in summer are notoriously busy.
Train vs taxi to Brighton
By train, services run from London Victoria and from London Bridge and other Thameslink stations. The fastest trains take around an hour, with frequent services through the day.
By car, you go from your door to your destination with no station at either end.
The train usually wins when:
- You're one or two people travelling light
- You're staying near Victoria or a Thameslink station
- Your Brighton destination is walkable from the station
A taxi tends to make more sense when:
- You're a group. One vehicle fare shared by four or more people can compare reasonably with several peak-time rail tickets.
- You have a lot of luggage — a university move, a holiday let, a wedding outfit and a suitcase. Our university move-in guide covers the student side of this.
- You're not near a direct station. Crossing London to Victoria with bags adds an extra leg to the journey.
- Your destination in Brighton or Hove isn't near the station, such as the university campuses on the edge of the city or a venue out of the centre.
- It's late at night, after the last convenient train, or during engineering works when rail replacement buses run — see our rail strikes and disruption guide.
Combining Brighton with Gatwick
Gatwick sits right on the route, about halfway between London and Brighton. That makes a few combinations very straightforward:
- Brighton to Gatwick for a flight is a short run — much shorter than coming from London.
- Landing at Gatwick and heading straight to the coast avoids going into London at all.
- A group from London flying from Gatwick after a weekend in Brighton can do one journey from the coast.
For Gatwick-specific details — terminals, pickup points and fees — see our Gatwick airport taxi guide, the Gatwick airport page and the London to Gatwick route.
Planning the journey
- Leave London early or late. Avoid the weekday evening rush and summer Friday afternoons if you have a choice.
- Give a precise Brighton address. The city centre has pedestrianised areas, one-way streets and restricted lanes, so a named entrance or street helps your driver get you close.
- Match the vehicle to the load. Four people with suitcases needs an estate or larger; five or more needs a minibus. Our how many people fit in a taxi guide has the full breakdown.
- Book the return separately if your plans are loose. For a fixed day trip, booking both ways at once is simpler.
What does a taxi from London to Brighton cost?
The fare depends on your exact start point, the vehicle and the time of day, so it's best to get an estimate for your specific journey. Our long-distance taxi guide explains how fares are calculated over longer distances and why the effective rate per mile falls as the journey gets longer. All prices are estimates, and we confirm the final fare when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How long does a taxi from London to Brighton take? A: It depends on where you start in London and the traffic on the A23 leaving the city. Brighton is roughly 50 to 55 miles away, so check a live route planner on the day.
Q: How many miles is Brighton from London by car? A: Roughly 50 to 55 miles from central London, via the A23 and M23.
Q: Is it cheaper to get the train or a taxi to Brighton? A: For one or two people, the train is usually cheaper. For a group sharing one vehicle, or anyone with a lot of luggage, a taxi can be comparable and saves crossing London to a station.
Q: Can I get a taxi from Gatwick to Brighton? A: Yes. Gatwick is on the way from London to Brighton, so it's a much shorter journey than coming from the capital.
Q: What taxi do I need for a university move to Brighton? A: An estate suits one student with several bags and a passenger. If you're bringing boxes, bedding and family members, a minibus gives more room.
Heading to the coast? Get an estimate for your London to Brighton journey — add your luggage when you book so you can choose a vehicle with enough space.