Brighton Pride Festival: Travel Tips for the Big Night
The Brighton Pride Festival wraps up at 10:30 PM on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Thousands will stick around for the headline acts, so expect huge crowds. If you’re heading out of the city that night, plan your journey well in advance.
Train Travel: Extra Trains and Rainbow Queues
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), running Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express, is teaming up with Pride organisers, Sussex Police, and Brighton & Hove City Council to keep trains running smoothly. They’re adding more trains and extra carriages to handle the rush.
- Trains will be packed – give yourself extra time and don’t expect to board the first service.
- Allow at least an hour to get from the festival to Brighton station.
- Buy your train tickets in advance to speed things up.
- No glass bottles allowed at the station or on trains for safety reasons.
Brighton station will run a rainbow queue system to direct passengers:
- Green Queue: East Coastway (to Lewes, Seaford, Eastbourne)
- Purple Queue: West Coastway (to Shoreham, Worthing, Chichester)
- Blue Queue: Brighton Main Line (to Haywards Heath, Gatwick, London)
Note: Preston Park and London Road stations will be closed all weekend. Check Southern or Thameslink websites and social media for updates. Plan your Rail journeys via National Rail.
Getting to Brighton by Bus
If you’re coming from West Sussex, catch buses 270, 271, 272, or 273. From East Sussex (Lewes, Eastbourne), hop on Regency routes 28 and 29 or Coaster routes 11X, 12, 12A, 12X, and 13X.
Brighton & Hove Buses’ special Diversity Bus will shuttle between the city centre and Preston Park on Pride day. Metrobus service 500 links Preston Park, Old Steine, and Kemp Town, while service 600 ferries campers from Waterhall Campsite to Old Steine.
Contactless payments work on all Brighton & Hove and Metrobus buses. For live updates, check their websites and social feeds.
National Express runs hourly coaches from London Victoria and other UK cities, so there are plenty of options.
By Car? Think Again!
Expect major road closures on Pride day. There’s no parking at Preston Park or nearby, and Madeira Drive parking is restricted. Central Brighton parking is scarce and pricey. Save yourself the hassle—use public transport instead.
