Brighton Travel Essentials

Brighton has a temperate climate, with mild winters and moderately warm summers.

• Average temperatures range from 3ºC in winter to 20ºC in summer.
• Most rainfall occurs from October to January.
• The sunniest and warmest time of the year is from May to September. As for the weather, it’s the best time to visit Brighton.
• July and August are peak tourist season, with hotel and flight prices rising accordingly.

• Primary language: English
• Plug Type: G
• Electricity: 220-240 V
• Currency: Pound sterling (£)
• International Dialling code: +44 1273
• Emergency telephone number: 999

By plane

Brighton sits on the south coast of England, about 70 miles south of central London. Chances are great that, coming from abroad, you’ll land at Heathrow or Gatwick, the 2 main airports in the UK’s capital. There are several transfer options to reach Brighton:

• A taxi takes around 2 hours.
• The train takes around 1 hour. The main departure point is Victoria Railway Station in the centre of London.
• The bus takes around 1-2 hours, depending on the day and time of departure. Many buses depart from Victoria Coach Station. It’s the cheapest option to get to Brighton from London.
• Car rental agencies can be found in the 2 main airports in London.

Brighton Railway Station

Brighton Railway Station is just north of the city centre, a stroll away from the beach. Built in 1840, it’s one of the busiest train stations in the UK. A coffee shop, a Marks and Spencer shop and ATM machines are some of the facilities available in Brighton train station. From here, you can get to your hotel by bus or taxi.

The most pleasant way to explore central Brighton is on foot. The city centre is a compact 1 sq mile and its main centre of interest, the beach, is walking distance from many landmarks and attractions. These include the Royal Pavilion, the Mechanical Memories Amusement Museum and the Sassoon Mausoleum.

For longer journeys, Brighton features the following options: 

• There’s an excellent bus network. Single ride and unlimited 1-day tickets are available.
• The Volk's Electric Railway is a historic tram line that links the Palace Pier Jetty to Black Rock along the beach.

• Many taxi and black cab companies operate in Brighton. The most popular are Brighton & Hove Radio Cabs, City Cabs Brighton and Streamline Taxis.
• Over 40 taxi ranks can be found throughout the city.
• Taxis can be hailed on the street unless a taxi rank nearby.
• Payment of the fare by credit card is possible by using one of the Brighton taxi apps available for iPhone and Android devices.
• You can also use the popular MyTaxi app to hail a taxi in Brighton.

Brighton features a bike-sharing scheme named BTN BikeShare. It’s a great way to explore Brighton on clear days. All you need to do is to register online and install the app on your mobile phone. Docking stations can be found all around the centre of town.

Brighton Festival 

• What: A celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, and literature in many venues throughout Brighton.
• When: 3 weeks in May
• Where: Many venues, but Brighton Pavilion hosts the most events

Brighton Fringe Festival 

• What: A diverse arts festival showcasing comedy, cabaret, theatre and music. Lots of up-and-coming acts perform at the Brighton Fringe. It runs concurrently with the more mainstream Brighton Festival.
• When: 4 weeks in May-June
• Where: many venues throughout Brighton

Brighton Pride 

• What: One of the UK’s most famous LGBTQ+ events, with a main parade and many smaller parties.
• When: A weekend in August
• Where: Preston Park