The Ultimate Guide to Brighton Transport System for Students

Brighton is a wonderful place to begin your higher learning journey. The city is buzzing with students from all over the world. You will love the easy lifestyle and seaside atmosphere. The quiet charm is the highlight of student life in Brighton. That’s not to say that Brighton is boring. On the contrary, the city is a nexus of adventure and excitement. 

The best part? Brighton is well-connected by a network of buses, trains and cycle routes. It's important to figure out the transport system before you book your student accommodation in Brighton.

Let’s explore the most stress-free travel options for students in Brighton.

TL;DR: Brighton Transport Essentials

Best ways to get around:

• Buses: Brighton & Hove buses, £3 single, student discounts available
• Trains: Falmer station direct to campus, Unizone passes save loads
• Cycling: Bike lanes on main routes, Beryl bike share scheme
• Walking: City centre to campus about 30 minutes
• Must-have apps: Brighton & Hove buses app, National Rail app
• Student discounts: Up to 33% off buses, Unizone train passes, railcards
• Night transport: N25 night bus runs until 5am

Getting Your Head Around Brighton's Geography

Brighton isn't huge, but the layout can be confusing. Here's what you need to know for a smooth commute to the top universities in Brighton.

• City Centre: Where all the nightlife happens. Beach, piers, shopping.
• Falmer: Both universities are here. About 4 miles north of the city centre.
• Lewes Road: Main student area. Connects city center to universities.
• Moulsecoomb: University of Brighton campus. Loads of student housing.

The key insight? Everything runs along a few main routes. Once you understand these, Brighton transport becomes dead simple.

Brighton Bus System - Your Daily Lifeline

Brighton & Hove buses basically run everything. These bus systems have a monopoly in Brighton, but they do it well.

Key Routes for Students

Pro tip from experience: The 25 is your best friend. It runs most frequently and goes everywhere you need.

Student Bus Discounts and Pricing

This is where it gets good for students.

Regular Prices (2025):

• Single journey: £3.00
• Day pass: £4.40 (now £4.00 for students!)
• Weekly pass: £19.50 (now £15.00 for students!)

How to get student discounts:

1. Download Brighton & Hove buses app
2. Upload photo of student ID
3. Upload your student status letter
4. Wait 24 hours for verification
5. Buy discounted tickets through app

Check out the best student discount apps in the UK and reduce your expenditure. 

Types of Bus Tickets

• Single Journey: £3.00. Good for one trip.
• CitySAVER: Unlimited travel around Brighton and Hove for 24 hours. Doesn't include night buses.
• NetworkSAVER: Unlimited travel on the entire Brighton & Hove network. Includes night buses. Your best option if you travel lots.
• Freedom Ticket: £15 per week for unlimited travel across East Sussex. Great if you want to explore beyond Brighton.

Train System - Fast Track to Campus

If you're living in central Brighton, trains are often quicker than buses.

Falmer Station - Your University Gateway

Falmer station sits right opposite both university campuses. It’s literally a 2-minute walk through the underpass.

Key facts:

• 9 minutes from Brighton to Falmer
• Trains every 10-20 minutes during peak times
• Less frequent at weekends (every 30 minutes)
• Direct services to Brighton, Lewes, Eastbourne

Student Train Discounts

16-25 Railcard:

• Costs £30 per year
• Saves 1/3 off most train fares
• Available to all students regardless of age
• Pays for itself in about 10 return journeys

Unizone Ticket:

• Student-only season ticket
• Unlimited travel between Brighton, Lewes, Eastbourne, Seaford
• Need 16-25 Railcard + TOTUM card to buy
• Available weekly, monthly, quarterly

Unizone pricing (approximate):

• Weekly: £25-30
• Monthly: £90-110
• Quarterly: £250-300

PlusBus Tickets

Clever system that combines train and bus travel. It’s perfect if you're visiting Brighton for the day and need transport from the station.

How it works:

• Buy PlusBus with your train ticket
• Gives unlimited bus travel in Brighton for the day
• Costs £4.90 (£3.25 with railcard)
• Covers entire Brighton & Hove area

Cycling in Brighton - Hills and Thrills

Cyclists love Brighton. The seaside views and coastal vibe make it perfect for a morning bike ride. It also helps that Brighton has plenty of routes to make cycling safe and easy. Students love the cycle routes in Brighton. It's fantastic if you’re biking to class or working a part-time job in Brighton as a delivery driver.

Cycling Infrastructure

Main cycle routes:

• Lewes Road: Dedicated cycle lanes from city centre to universities
• Seafront: Flat, scenic route along the coast
• Old Shoreham Road: Connects to Hove and western areas
• London Road: Alternative route north from city center

Reality check: Brighton has proper hills. The main climb from sea level to Falmer campus is about 100 meters elevation. That's a proper workout.

Bike Share Schemes

Beryl Bikes:

• Bright yellow bikes all over the city
• App-based rental system
• Costs from 4p per minute + £1 unlock fee
• Student discounts available
• Docking stations on campus

Student hack: Use Beryl bikes loads for short trips. It’s quicker than waiting for buses. Just check the battery level first - nothing worse than a dead e-bike halfway up a hill.

Bike Safety and Storage

Students can rent a bicycle while studying in Brighton. Before you invest in a cycle, there are a few safety considerations. You can easily park your bike on campus or at your student hall. Bike storage is one of the main highlights of living in Brighton student accommodation. 

Campus storage:

• Free bike racks outside every university building
• Some covered storage available
• CCTV coverage
• Free showers for cyclists

Safety tips from hard experience:

• Get a decent lock: Prevents bike theft while you’re in class
• Use lights: Brighton drivers aren't always cyclist-friendly.
• Check your route first: Some roads are mental busy.

The Bike Shack: Free volunteer-run maintenance workshop on Sussex campus. It's an absolute lifesaver for basic repairs.

Night Transport - Getting Home Safely

Nightlife in Brighton is brilliant. Getting home afterward? That's the challenge.

Night Bus Service

N25 Night Bus:

• Runs from city centre to university campuses
• Every 2 hours between midnight and 5am
• Same route as daytime 25 bus
• Standard fare applies (no day passes valid)

Personal tip: The N25 gets packed after clubs close. You should either leave early or be prepared to wait. 

Taxi Options

Only use licensed taxis to avoid dodgy operators around clubs late at night. Check out our Brighton student safety guide for helpful tips to travel home safely.

Licensed taxi firms:

• 581 Taxis: University partnership, student discounts
• Streamline Taxis: Fixed prices from campus to city center
• Uber: Available but surge pricing common at weekends

Fixed taxi fares from campus:

• To Brighton city centre: £12-15
• To Brighton station: £10-12
• To Hove: £15-18

Money-Saving Transport Strategies

Let’s get real, transport is a major factor that can affect your cost of living in Brighton. It pays to plan out your budget to ensure you don’t blow your savings on travel. Here's how to do Brighton transport on a student budget.

Weekly Transport Budget

• Minimal (mostly walking): £15-20
• Moderate (buses + some trains): £25-35
• Comfortable (unlimited travel): £35-50

Annual Transport Costs

Scenario 1: Bus-only student

• Weekly student bus pass: £15 x 40 weeks = £600
• Occasional taxis: £200
• Total: £800 per year

Scenario 2: Mixed transport

• Monthly bus pass: £12 x 8 months = £96
• Quarterly Unizone: £250 x 3 = £750
• Occasional taxis: £150
• Total: £996 per year

Scenario 3: Cycling + backup transport

• Bike purchase/maintenance: £200
• Occasional buses: £150
• Emergency taxis: £100
• Total: £450 per year

Best Money-Saving Tips

• Get verified for student discounts immediately.
• Use apps for live tracking. Saves you from standing in the rain for buses that aren't coming.
• Consider annual passes if you travel loads. The upfront cost hurts, but you save money overall.
• Walk when possible. Brighton's compact. Many journeys are actually quicker on foot than waiting for transport.

Practical App Setup Guide

These apps will save your sanity.

Essential Apps

Brighton & Hove Buses:

• Live bus tracking
• Route planning
• Mobile tickets
• Student discount booking

National Rail Enquiries:

• Train times and delays
• Ticket booking
• Journey planning

Citymapper (Brighton):

• Multi-modal journey planning
• Real-time updates
• Walking directions

Beryl Bikes:

• Find and unlock rental bikes
• Check battery levels
• Payment and account management

App Setup Priority

1. Download buses app first
2. Verify student status immediately
3. Add payment method
4. Plan your regular routes
5. Save favorites for quick booking

Transport by University Campus

University of Brighton Students

The University of Brighton has multiple buildings in campuses across the city. Here’s how you can effectively manage your commute based on where your lecture hall is located. 

City Campus:

• Walking distance to everything
• All bus routes pass nearby
• Brighton station 10 minutes walk

Moulsecoomb Campus:

• Route 25 bus every 10 minutes
• Falmer station 15 minutes walk
• Good cycling routes

Falmer Campus (shared with Sussex):

• Direct train service
• Multiple bus routes
• On-campus bike storage

Sussex University Students

There are plenty of transport options for students attending Sussex University. Here’s the top modes of transport you should consider. 

Falmer Campus:

• Train station directly opposite
• Excellent bus connections
• Bike-friendly campus design
• Free campus shuttle buses

Accessibility and Special Needs

Brighton transport caters well for accessibility needs. 

Bus Accessibility

Features:

• Low-floor buses on all major routes
• Wheelchair spaces and ramps
• Audio/visual stop announcements
• Priority seating clearly marked

Helping Hand Scheme: Yellow cards for passengers with hidden disabilities. Lets drivers know you might need extra help.

Train Accessibility

Features:

• Step-free access at Falmer station
• Wheelchair spaces on all trains
• Assistance available (book ahead)
• Audio announcements

Campus Accessibility

Both universities offer:

• Accessible parking permits
• Campus transport for mobility issues
• Adapted bike facilities
• Support with transport planning

Emergency Transport Situations

Service Disruptions

Common issues:

• Train strikes (fairly regular)
• Bus route diversions for events
• Weather-related cancellations

Backup plans:

• Download multiple transport apps
• Know alternative routes
• Keep taxi numbers handy
• Join student Facebook groups for updates

Late Night Safety

If you're stuck:

• N25 night bus until 5am
• Licensed taxi firms only
• Call campus security if on university grounds
• Never walk alone late at night

Integration with Student Accommodation

Your choice of accommodation massively affects transport needs. That’s why we recommend booking student accommodation near your university. Here are the best transport options in Brighton student areas. 

Central Brighton Accommodation

Benefits:

• Walk to most places
• All transport options available
• Late night options nearby

Transport costs: Lower, but accommodation costs higher.

Campus-Adjacent Accommodation

Benefits:

• Walk to lectures
• Quieter environment
• Often better value

Transport costs: Higher for city center access.

Recommendation: If you're choosing accommodation, consider transport costs in your budget. Best Student Halls offers properties in prime Brighton locations that minimize transport needs while maximizing student experience.

Your Brighton Transport Action Plan

Week 1 priorities:

1. Download Brighton & Hove buses app
2. Verify student status for discounts
3. Buy a weekly bus pass to try different routes
4. Walk your main routes to understand distances
5. Check train times for your campus

Month 1 goals:

1. Establish regular travel patterns
2. Consider annual passes if you travel loads
3. Try cycling routes when weather's decent
4. Join student transport Facebook groups
5. Calculate actual transport costs vs budget

Long-term strategy:

1. Choose transport method that fits your lifestyle
2. Build backup options for disruptions
3. Stay updated on student discount changes
4. Consider transport costs when choosing future accommodation

The Reality Check

Brighton transport isn't perfect. Buses get delayed. Trains strike occasionally. Hills destroy your legs when cycling. But compared to other university cities? It's pretty good.

What works:

• Comprehensive bus network
• Direct train access to campus
• Genuine student discounts
• Multiple transport options
• Compact city size

What doesn't:

• Hills everywhere
• Can be expensive without student discounts
• Service reductions during holidays
• Limited night transport options

Here’s what you need to know about the pros and cons of living in Brighton. This blog provides honest feedback to help you make an informed decision. 

Final Wisdom

Brighton's transport system can seem overwhelming at first. But once you crack it, getting around becomes second nature.The freedom to explore this brilliant city without worrying about transport? That’s worth every penny of effort to understand the system. Discover more tips in our Brighton city guide for students.

Ready to master Brighton transport? Start with downloading those apps and getting verified for student discounts. Your future self will thank you when you're not overpaying for transport or missing the last bus home.

And if you're still looking for the perfect base to explore Brighton from, check out premium accommodation options at Best Student Halls – where location meets quality for the ultimate student experience.

Found this guide helpful? Share it with your coursemates and help them avoid the transport confusion. Brighton's waiting to be explored. Begin your student adventure in Brighton today!