Bedford to Brighton train with Thameslink

Thu 20 Aug
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Thameslink
Southern
east_midlands_trains
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
Thameslink
Southern
east_midlands_trains
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Bedford to Brighton

Showing times and prices for 20 Aug

Cheapest price

£22

Average price

£42

Fastest journey

2 h 25 m

Average duration

2 h 26 m

Trains per day

11

Distance

147 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bedford to Brighton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Bedford to Brighton will cost around £42 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £22.

Fast trains

Of the 11 trains that leave Bedford for Brighton every day 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct trains cover the 147 km distance in an average of 2 h 26 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 25 m .

The slowest trains will take 2 h 27 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • ThameslinkW45525
    9:162h27
    Bedford station (BDM)
    11:43Brighton station (BTN)
    £221One-way
    0 changes
  • ThameslinkW45545
    9:462h27
    Bedford station (BDM)
    12:13Brighton station (BTN)
    £221One-way
    0 changes
  • ThameslinkW32976
    10:462h27
    Bedford station (BDM)
    13:13Brighton station (BTN)
    £221One-way
    0 changes
  • ThameslinkW45551
    11:462h27
    Bedford station (BDM)
    14:13Brighton station (BTN)
    £221One-way
    0 changes
  • ThameslinkW45569
    11:162h27
    Bedford station (BDM)
    13:43Brighton station (BTN)
    £221One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Bedford to Brighton

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bedford to Brighton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 46m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £5, and a train costs an average of £21.

Distance: 147 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach

£29

Average Price

£12

Average Price

Cheapest

3h 16m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 46m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 41m

Average total duration

5h 11m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Bedford to Brighton train times

The table below shows live departures for Bedford to Brighton trains for today, Wednesday 19 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Thameslink8:46 Bedford
2h27
11:13 Brighton0 changesdirect
Thameslink9:16 Bedford
2h27
11:43 Brighton0 changesdirect
Thameslink12:46 Bedford
2h27
15:13 Brighton0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Bedford to Brighton by train or coach

Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Thu
20 Aug
Fri
21 Aug
Sat
22 Aug
Sun
23 Aug
Mon
24 Aug
Tue
25 Aug
Wed
26 Aug

Why should you book Bedford to Brighton trains with Omio?

Thameslink as well as Southern or east_midlands_trains offer trains services from Bedford to Brighton.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Bedford to Brighton.

Why book with Omio vs Thameslink?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Thameslink, but also compare tickets for the likes of Southern or east_midlands_trains to find the best option for your trip from Bedford to Brighton.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Thameslink with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bedford to Brighton.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Southern or east_midlands_trains to find the best option for your trip from Bedford to Brighton.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Bedford to Brighton.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Bedford to Brighton

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Bedford to Brighton run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 46m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £21 but you can travel from only £5 by coach.

There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:44. The fastest train covers the 147 km distance in 2h 15m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £5
Distance
147 km
Average train duration
2h 46m
Cheapest ticket price
£21
Trains per day
7
Direct trains
5
Fastest train
2h 15m
First train
0:02
Last train
23:44
Cheapest Month
Apr
Cheapest Day
Fri
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Sat
Least Busy Day
Thu
Best time to book
1 day
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £5

Train companies: Thameslink, Southern, east_midlands_trains from Bedford to Brighton trainsThameslink, Southern, east_midlands_trains trains will get you between Bedford and Brighton from £5. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Southern

About
Southern Rail is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates a wide range of services, from high-speed intercity trains to local commuter services. Its trains include the InterCity 125, InterCity 225, and Class 444 and 450. It also offers a variety of ticket types, such as Advance, Off-Peak, and Super Off-Peak. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Southern Rail are London to Brighton, London to Southampton, and London to Portsmouth.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 35m
Cheapest Price
£31
Southern frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and luggage areas at the end of carriages
Cancellation Policy
According to ticket type conditions
Refund
Full refund provided
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with snacks and drinks
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets available
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free, larger dogs require a ticket
Quiet zone

Thameslink

About
Thameslink is a train service that operates in the United Kingdom. It is operated by Govia Thameslink Railway and serves the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, London, and Surrey. The trains run from early morning until late at night, with some services running 24 hours a day. There are a variety of train types available, including Class 700 Desiro City, Class 377 Electrostar, Class 387/1 Electrostar, and Class 319/0. Ticket types include Anytime, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak, and Advance. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. The most popular routes for Thameslink are London to Brighton, London to Bedford, and London to Luton.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 15m
Cheapest Price
£21
Thameslink frequency
7 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund available if service is canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on some routes offering drinks and snacks
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets free of charge. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

east_midlands_trains

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 10m
Cheapest Price
£73
east_midlands_trains frequency
9 a day

Complete guide to Brighton

Things to do in Brighton

Discover the best of Brighton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Brighton trip today.

  • Recommended

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Contemporary art gallery in the Royal Pavilion Garden, showing major exhibitions in a restored historic building.

  • Recommended

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Museum inside the Royal Pavilion Estate covering local history, fashion, decorative art and changing exhibitions.

Centre for Contemporary Arts Brighton

Seafront gallery dedicated to photography and contemporary visual culture, with changing exhibitions and events.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK seaside city. Hotels and dining are pricier than many British towns, but buses, casual eats and supermarket options help keep daily costs manageable.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
£20-35 per person for a meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale restaurants.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.

Trains from Bedford to Brighton

Thameslink provides regular direct trains from Bedford to Brighton. The schedule starts just before 3:00 a.m. and continues with at least 2 trains an hour throughout the day. The latest departure from Bedford leaves just after 10:00 p.m. Journey times are around 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are no direct services on Sunday. Instead, indirect trains require a change at London St Pancras for Underground connections to the Southern Railway departures from London Victoria.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Bedford to Brighton?

Departure Station: Trains from Bedford to Brighton depart from Bedford station, located about 10 minutes walk west of the town centre and about 15 minutes from the bus station. Local bus services stop close to the station, on Ashburnham Road. There is a taxi rank to the right of the station entrance.

Arrival Station: Bedford to Brighton trains arrive at Brighton station which is situated about 20 minutes walk north of the city centre and beach. There are bus stops close to the station entrance, on Surrey Street, Queens Road, and Frederick Place. Taxis are available from the rank on the station forecourt.

FAQs: Bedford to Brighton train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bedford to Brighton by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Brighton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Bedford to Brighton can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £21, while the average price tends to be around £29.
The train journey from Bedford to Brighton covers a distance of 147 km and takes approximately 2h 15m. Trains run 7 per day.
The train distance from Bedford to Brighton is 147 km.
The first train from Bedford to Brighton leaves at 0:02.
The last train from Bedford to Brighton departs at 23:44.
Trains from Bedford to Brighton run approximately 7 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Bedford to Brighton.
Yes, there is a direct train between Bedford and Brighton. The service operates 5 times per day, provided by Thameslink.
To get from Bedford to Brighton, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Bedford to Brighton.
The train station in Bedford that goes to Brighton is Bedford station (BDM), and it arrives at Brighton station (BTN).
The cheapest way to get from Bedford to Brighton is by coach, costing approximately £5.
Booking trains from Bedford to Brighton in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Bedford to Brighton offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, including views of the rolling countryside, quaint towns, and glimpses of the South Downs near Brighton, which can be quite scenic.
A day trip from Bedford to Brighton is not feasible as the journey duration is 2h 15m. However, there are 7 train journeys available per day.
In Brighton, you can explore the vibrant street art scene with guided tours, visit the British Airways i360 for panoramic views, enjoy performances at the Brighton Dome, and take a scenic walk along the Undercliff Walk. Experience the nightlife in lively bars and clubs. Best sights include the exotic Royal Pavilion, historic Brighton Pier, popular Brighton Beach, charming Lanes, and the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
Two to three days are generally sufficient to explore Brighton's main attractions, enjoy its vibrant culture, and relax by the seaside.
Yes, you can take the train from Bedford to Brighton.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Bedford and Brighton

Most Bedford to Brighton trains use the Bedford to Brighton station pair, with some services arriving at Hove. Use this guide to compare Bedford and Brighton train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Bedford
Arrival train stations in Brighton

Which Bedford station do trains to Brighton leave from?

Trains from Bedford to Brighton leave from Bedford. The station is 1 km from Bedford city centre at Bedford station, Ashburnham Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1DS.
BedfordBedford station, Ashburnham Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1DSWifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parking

Bedford train station facilities and services

Bedford has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Bedford.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Bedford. ATMs are available at Bedford.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Bedford.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Bedford: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Bedford: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Bedford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is adjacent to the taxi rank at the front of the station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

Bedford St JohnsBedford St Johns station, Melbourne Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9ANParkingDiningAccessibilityHotelBike ParkingCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Bedford St Johns from Bedford city centre

Location for Rail Replacement ServicesIn the event of engineering the bus/coach will collect from the Medbourne Road car park, by the path leading to the platform. Please check the direction of travel before boarding.

Bedford St Johns train station facilities and services

Bedford St Johns has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Bedford St Johns.

Tickets and information

Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Bedford St Johns: Parking.

Bike and car services

Available at Bedford St Johns: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Bedford St Johns: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

More options for your journey from Bedford to Brighton

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTrainsTrain Times to Brighton Bedford to Brighton train

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