Find out what options there are for getting to Sussex from the airport.
Travel disruption on 21 and 24 September
Important: There are Brighton and Hove football matches taking place on Thursday 21 September (8pm kick-off) and Sunday 24 September (2pm kick-off). This may cause significant travel disruptions and congestion, and will limit the number of car parking spaces on campus as fans arrive to the football ground.
We recommend that you avoid arriving on campus during these games, as well as the two-hour period before and after each match.
Travelling from Heathrow Airport
There are a number of public transport options for travelling to Sussex from Heathrow Airport.
Public transport
You can travel to Brighton from Heathrow Airport using National Express Coaches or National Rail.
A National Express public coach takes about two hours to get to Brighton from Heathrow.
You can buy tickets through the National Express website.
National Express coaches arrive at Pool Valley Coach Station in Brighton. You can get a taxi from East Street or a bus from Old Steine to your accommodation.
You can get an underground or overground train from Heathrow Airport into London, although the train is not recommended if you have heavy luggage. You can plan a journey on the Transport for London website and download a map of the London Underground train network. You can get trains from London Bridge and London Victoria to Brighton Station, and from Brighton Station to Falmer Station if you’re heading to campus. Use the National Rail website to plan your journey.
If you arrive to Falmer Station between Thursday 21 September and the morning of Sunday 24 September, a free shuttle bus will drop you to your on campus accommodation.
You can book a taxi directly to your accommodation – see the “Travelling by taxi” section below.
Arrivals Weekend coaches
We will provide free coaches from Heathrow airport to both campus and Brighton city centre over Arrivals Weekend, from Thursday 21 September to Sunday 24 September 2023.
Coach booking is now closed.
Travelling from Gatwick Airport
If you are travelling from Gatwick Airport, you can get a train to Brighton Station, where there are connections for Falmer Station if you are heading to campus.
We will not be providing any transport from Gatwick airport, so it’s important that you plan your journey in advance.
Travelling by taxi
If you’re travelling to Sussex with family or you have large luggage, you may wish to travel from the airport by taxi.
We have an arrangement with 581 Taxis where you can book a taxi to meet you at the airport. Receive a discount as a Sussex student by quoting the discount code Sussex581.
To book, contact the taxi company directly by calling +441273 300300 or email taxis@581travelltd.co.uk. You will need to provide your:
- name
- date of arrival
- landing time
- airport
- flight number
- terminal
- address in Brighton & Hove
- contact phone number.
Price and payment
For Sussex students, the prices are:
- from London Heathrow, £116
- from London Gatwick, £70.
This includes car parking and a waiting time of one hour. After the first hour, the waiting time costs £20 an hour plus any extra car park charges.
If you want to share a taxi, request this when you book and 581 can discuss a price for a shared taxi.
You will liaise directly with 581 so make sure the company has your details and a contact number (this can be an international number). Confirm also with them if you should pay by card or with cash.
More transport options
Find out how to get to the University of Sussex campus if you are travelling by train, car, bus or taxi.