Coach and Minibus Hire in the United Kingdom

Brighton Coach Hire, Seafront to Gatwick

In Brighton the coach plan revolves around Madeira Drive. The coach park and the council drop-off bays are both on it, and both are lost when the seafront hosts a big event.

One road does most of the work

A typical group sets down on Madeira Drive, spends the day in town and is collected from the same stretch. The coach park near the Marina is kept for coaches all year and is pay-and-display, so the vehicle can stay close by. For the pier and SEA LIFE, the drop-off bays just past the roundabout are the natural stop.

The weak point is event days. When Madeira Drive closes for a large seafront event, the coach park goes with it. Before you fix a date, check the council's event dates, and if they clash, ask the operator for a different set-down and a place to wait.

Setra 49-seat touring coach, exterior
Setra 49-seat touring coach, exterior

Gatwick and Heathrow runs

Gatwick is about 28 miles north on the A23 and M23, around 40 minutes in light traffic. Gatwick requires group vehicles above eight seats to collect from its coach park. The permit is good for three hours in the coach park, enough slack for most late landings.

Heathrow is about 60 miles, roughly an hour and a half. Coaches report first to the West Ramp Coach Park and are sent to a terminal stand when the group is ready, so the leader must be reachable as soon as the plane lands.

Airports serving Brighton

Stadiums and arenas

  • American Express Stadium (the Amex), Falmer — Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League); about 32,000 seats; Falmer railway station is next to the ground
  • Brighton Centre — Concerts, conferences and exhibitions

Day trips and transfers from Brighton

  • Devil's Dyke — about 6 miles, about 20 min
  • Lewes — about 9 miles, about 25 min
  • Arundel — about 22 miles, about 45 min
  • Seven Sisters and Beachy Head — about 22 miles, about 50 min
  • Chichester — about 32 miles, about 1 h
  • Central London — about 55 miles, about 1.75-2 h

Coach rules in Brighton

  • Gatwick Airport (LGW) is about 28 miles north of Brighton via the A23 and M23, about 40 min in light traffic; Heathrow is about 60 miles (about 1.5 h).
  • The Madeira Drive coach park, near Brighton Marina, is reserved for coaches all year and is pay-and-display; it is within easy reach of the city-centre set-down points.
  • Council-operated coach drop-off bays are on Madeira Drive just after the roundabout, the set-down point used for SEA LIFE Brighton and the Palace Pier.
  • Madeira Drive is closed to traffic for large seafront events, and the coach park cannot be used on those days; check event dates with Brighton & Hove City Council when planning.

Conferences and match days

Conferences at the Brighton Centre, on King's Road, can reach about 5,000 delegates. Many will walk from seafront hotels. For those staying in Hove or at the Marina, a timed coach shuttle morning and evening is simpler than a queue of taxis.

At the Amex in Falmer, the railway station is right next to the ground. For a supporters' coach, fix the pick-up point before kick-off and expect slow roads afterwards.

Along the coast and up the Downs

Devil's Dyke is about 20 minutes, Lewes about 25. Arundel and Seven Sisters with Beachy Head each take under an hour. Central London is about two hours each way at busy times, so a London day with an evening show ends late; agree the return time before booking.

Questions

Where can the coach wait while we are on the seafront?

Usually the Madeira Drive coach park near the Marina. On days when the road is closed for an event it is not available, so check the date first.

Where does a school group get dropped for SEA LIFE?

At the council drop-off bays on Madeira Drive, just after the roundabout. The same bays suit the Palace Pier.

How long should we allow to reach Gatwick?

About 40 minutes when the roads are clear. Add more at peak times and on summer weekends, and add check-in time on top.

Other charter services

Vehicles