How far is the beach?

The beach is a 10-minute walk from the train station.

Is it better to drive?

Only if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with a family.

National Express runs coaches, but they take much longer than the train.

Where is the best parking?

The Churchill Square car park is very central.

Brighton

Train Driving

Durham to Brighton

Updated: 31 May 2026

The journey from Durham to Brighton covers approximately 440 km. By train, you travel from Durham to London King's Cross, transfer to London Victoria, and take a direct Southern or Thameslink service to Brighton. Driving involves the A1(M) south, the M25, and the M23 towards the coast. Brighton is famous for its pebble beach, the Royal Pavilion, and its vibrant arts scene. Expect a total travel time of approximately 5 hours 30 minutes by train.

Total Distance: 440 km driving distance, 400 km straight-line air distance.

Fastest Way

Train, as it avoids the heavy traffic often found on the M23 and M25.

Cheapest Way

Advance train tickets booked via the LNER website.

Compare Durham to Brighton Routes

	Train Connecting	Driving Direct
Duration	5 hours 30 mins	6 hours
Avg Price	£80 - £190	£75 - £115 in fuel
Operator	LNER and Southern	N/A
Route	Durham to London King's Cross, transfer to London Victoria, then to Brighton.	A1(M) to M25, then M23 south to Brighton.
Tip	Thameslink trains from London Bridge also serve Brighton and can be less crowded.	Parking in Brighton is expensive; use the Churchill Square car park.

Travel Tips

Transfer
Use the London Underground Victoria Line to get from King's Cross to Victoria.
Booking
Book your train tickets as two separate journeys to potentially save money.
Parking
Pre-book your parking space if you are driving to avoid high costs.
Walking
Brighton is very walkable; you won't need a car once you arrive.
WiFi
LNER trains offer free onboard WiFi for your journey.