Are you looking for ways how to get from London to Hastings in East Sussex, UK? I got you covered in this article. I lived in the UK for more than a decade and visited Hastings with my family. I will share with you the various ways how to visit this beautiful and historical town from London.
You can reach Hastings from London by train, bus, car and taxi. The road distance between London and Hastings is 125.36 kilometres or 77.9 miles while the direct distance is 98.17 kilometres or 61 miles. It takes about 1 hour and 57 minutes to travel this distance by car.
Hastings is a historic and art-filled destination located in East Sussex, UK. This huge seaside resort town is a popular weekend break destination for those coming from London because of its convenient location.
While Hastings is primarily known for the Battle of Hastings that transpired in 1066, this destination has quite a lot to offer to visitors coming from London. Let’s look at all the different transport options which you can take to go to Hastings.
How to get from London to Hastings, East Sussex, UK:
OPTION 1: How to get from London to Hastings by Train
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 31 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £16
Getting on a train from London is a popular way to reach Hastings. It is a cost-efficient mode of transport, bringing you to Hasting in about one and a half hours for less than £20.
Southeastern and Southern Railways travel this route. The train leaves from London Bridge or London St Pancras International and arrives at Hastings Station.
Here is a summary of what the trips look like:
Train from London to Hastings
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 6:37 am | 8:08 am | 1 hour 31 minutes | £19 |
| Latest trip | 10:37 pm | 12:10 am | 1 hour 33 minutes | £19 |
| Fastest trip | 8:37 am | 10:08 am | 1 hour 31 minutes | £19 |
| Cheapest trip | 7:08 am | 9:08 am | 2 hours | £16 |
I recommend you book via Omio. Make sure to check them out a few weeks before your scheduled trip so that you can avail of great deals for booking in advance.
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend checking Omio. They are a one-stop shop for trains and other transportation that suit your budget and schedule.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to Hastings by Bus
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours 20 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £16
You can take a bus from London if land travel is your more preferred way to move about. Just keep in mind that this is not a direct trip, so you are required to transfer to another bus in Tunbridge Wells.
Southeastern has buses travelling from London Bridge to Hastings Station. There are only a few trips available daily, so make sure to book in advance.
Here is a table of sample journey details in Omio:
Bus from London to Hastings
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 6:17 am | 8:37 am | 2 hours 20 minutes | £16 |
| Latest trip | 9:17 am | 11:37 am | 2 hours 20 minutes | £16 |
BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!
If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with OMIO. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the UK.
OPTION 3: How to get from London to Hastings by Car
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 53 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £74.94
You can drive from London to Hastings if you wish to have a more private and flexible journey. The drive takes you to Hastings via A21. The journey is 77.2 miles long and takes less than two hours to complete.
Should you need to get a rental car, I recommend Discover Cars. They have all the great deals from top rental car companies on one easy-to-navigate website.
I hope this is not your first time driving in the UK, but if it is so, be sure to read my personal UK driving tips to get you more confident on the road.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
OPTION 4: How to get from London to Hastings by Taxi
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 2 minutes
- Travel Fare: varies
If you want to avail of a private transfer, you can book a taxi from London to get you to Hastings. This option works best for those travelling as a group and would like to have a professional take care of the driving instead of them renting a car.
This option may be costly, but if you can possibly divide the fare among the travelling party, then getting a taxi will not feel so expensive after all.
HERE ARE SOME RECOMMENDED TOURS FROM GET YOUR GUIDE:
More About Hastings, East Sussex, UK:
- Hastings in East Sussex is among the best seaside towns in the UK that are definitely worth visiting!
- Looking for a day trip destination from London? Hastings has much to offer, from hilly natural parks to interesting art galleries.
- Do you fancy to visit other towns like Rye, East Sussex? I made a transport guide from London to Rye. Feel free to read it to help you plan your visit.
- I also wrote another article about the 15 Best Things to Do in East Sussex (UK) to learn more about this beautiful English county.
Map of Hastings, East Sussex, UK:
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from London to Hastings
Which London station goes to Hastings?
London Bridge or London St Pancras International Stations have trains that go to Hastings.
Is Hastings commutable to London?
Yes, you can commute from London to Hastings by train, bus, car and taxi.
How long is it from London to Hastings?
The travel time between London and Hastings is more or less two hours.
How much is it from London Bridge to Hastings?
The train travel from London Bridge to Hastings costs about £16.
Is it cheaper to drive or take the train in London?
It is definitely cheaper to take the train from London when going to Hastings – that is if you are renting a car. The cost to rent a car is about four times more expensive than a train ride.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Hastings?
The cheapest way to get from London to Hastings is by bus. It only costs £16 for a one-way fare. However, you can get the same affordable price via train if you book in advance and avail of deals.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Hastings?
The fastest way to get from London to Hastings is by train. You can get there in as fast as 1 hour and 31 minutes.
What is the best way to get from London to Hastings?
The best way to get from London to Hastings is by train. It is by far the fastest way to get there, and if you book in advance, you can get a one-way ticket for as low as £16.
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for my UK trip?
YES – If you’re traveling to the UK, securing travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is essential for your peace of mind; I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance, which is renowned for its reliability. (READ MORE)
💧 Can I drink tap water in the UK?
YES – You can confidently drink tap water in the UK—just run it for a bit first—and use a Hydro Flask travel bottle, it is a great eco-friendly companion to keep you hydrated while touring the UK attractions.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in the UK?
YES – Renting a car in the UK is one of the best ways to see the country. I recommend Discover Cars, to check for the best car rental deals that suit your budget. See my UK driving tips here.
📲 Will my phone work in the UK?
POSSIBLY. Always check with your home mobile provider. If it won’t work or is too expensive, I recommend using Airlo E-Sim for data packages to stay connected online.
🔌 What adapter should I use in the UK?
TYPE G – In the UK, you’ll need a type G plug travel adapter with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle to power your devices, and the electrical system runs on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. (READ MORE)
✈️ What is the best site to buy UK flights?
For finding affordable UK flights, I recommend using Skyscanner. You can always compare the prices that suit your budget.
🛏️ What is the best way to book accommodations in the UK?
My go-to for UK accommodations is Booking.com. I recommend to always check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.
💷 What currency do I need for my UK trip?
Sterling Pounds – I suggest getting a Wise Travel Card for your hassle-free forex and contactless spending while in the UK. (READ MORE)
🧳 What do I pack for the UK trip?
Depending on the season – You can check my article about the best time to visit the UK.
🛂 Do I need a visa for the UK?
Likely Not – US, Canada, AU, NZ, and EU passport holders do not need a visit visa to the UK. If ever you need one, read more on how to apply for a UK visit visa. Visit iVisa.com to help you with your visa travel documentation needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel BlogEverything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.