Eastbourne and Brighton are two of Britain’s most popular seaside resort towns. The two towns are relatively close to one another, being only an hour’s drive away. If you live in Britain or are visiting and want to enjoy your summer, then a trip to either of these towns is a great idea. They are the quintessential British seaside towns, complete with Victorian architecture and arcades.
If you are visiting one and want to visit the other too, then you may be wondering about how long it takes to travel between them. This post will answer that question, explaining travel times by car, train, and bus.
Traveling by Car
It takes about an hour to travel from Eastbourne to Brighton, although every day’s different. The best way to find out about the time that it will take you to travel between the towns is by using a satellite navigation application, which has real-time traffic updates. If you are traveling to the United Kingdom from another country, then hiring a car is a good idea. Brighton has a lot of rental companies that you can use, which makes renting from the city center a relatively easy process. You can travel directly to Brighton from London by train from St. Pancras Int’l. It’s easier to get to Brighton from London than Eastbourne.
Traveling by Train
The time that it takes to travel between Brighton and Eastbourne by train varies on the day and the service that you are using. The maximum amount of time that it will take is around an hour and a half. The British railway system is very good and delays are uncommon, although in recent months there have been a series of strikes, and more are planned for the summer. You can find out about ongoing strikes by visiting Network Rail’s website at the time you are traveling.
Traveling by Bus
Out of all of the options given so far, traveling by bus is by far the longest and most stressful. You can take a coach directly between the two towns, which takes around an hour and a half. On a bad day, it can take up to two hours. You have to factor in traffic and weather, in addition to the bus’s capacity. If it is full then you will have to wait for another bus. The bus is the cheapest option, however. A ticket can cost as little as £9.
Other Methods
Car, train, and bus aren’t your only options. You could also consider cycling. There are a number of cycle routes that you can take between the towns. It’s also possible to hike, although it could take you two days. A lot of people also find sailing between the two towns to be a good option. As they are both seaside towns, taking a boat is a convenient option. You can travel between Brighton and Eastbourne by boat in as little as half an hour. You can charter a boat to do this.
What to Do?
If you want to visit Brighton or Eastbourne because you want to see what quintessential English seaside resort towns are like, then it’s a good idea to first plan out the kinds of activities that you will be doing. If you do not take the time to research activities, then you won’t get the most out of your trip. There are lots of things to do in both of these towns, from exploring bookshops to visiting theme parks. Here are a few of the most popular things:
Swimming
If you are visiting during summer, then Britain’s south coast is a great place to go swimming. The water is warm, the beaches in these towns are pleasant, and there aren’t any predatory animals to worry about (i.e., sharks), other than jellyfish that is. You should watch out for the jellyfish. Jellyfish can be a nuisance on British beaches because there tends to be a lot of them. Highly venomous jellyfish are rare in England though, so if you do encounter one and touch it, a mild sting is all that you are likely to get.
Sightseeing
Sightseeing is something else that you could consider. Brighton and Eastbourne are historic English towns, with interesting histories. There are lots of monuments and historical sights to see in these towns. In addition to there being sights for you to see in these towns, there are also lots of old buildings, churches, and places to visit nearby. The British countryside is beautiful and deserves a visit. If you enjoy hiking, then you could take a walk through nearby country trails. There are lots of them. If outdoor pursuits interest you, then you may also want to consider going fishing or kayaking.
Shopping
You may also want to consider going shopping. While there isn’t a broad selection of shops in these towns (like you might find in London), there are still lots of ones that you should visit, like handmade rock candy shops, and other artisanal stores. If you have never been to Britain before, then you might want to visit a fish and chip shop. Fish and chips are a very popular choice for British people when they are at the beach. It is a meal that wherever you go in the country, you will find people who talk highly of it.
Gaming
One last thing that you should potentially consider doing is visiting an arcade. Any English person that has been to a seaside town when they were young will have fond memories of visiting arcades. An arcade is a large building with lots of video game machines. Most British arcades are very affordable, too. You don’t need to bring a lot of money in with you. If you intend on visiting an arcade, then be sure to bring friends and family along with you, so that you can all have fun together. Arcades can be boring if you are alone.
Traveling between Eastbourne and Brighton is pretty straightforward and won’t take more than two hours, no matter what method of transport you choose (unless you walk or cycle). The two towns are definitely worth visiting if you are on Britain’s south coast, especially during the summer. There are lots of hotels, bars, and restaurants that you can visit when you are there, as well as bed and breakfasts if you want somewhere quieter to stay.
