Last Updated on 19 May 2026 by Dave King
Brighton buses are run by Brighton and Hove Buses, and they cover the city centre, seafront, universities, the marina and surrounding towns. Single fares are capped at £3 until March 2027. citySAVER day tickets start from £6.30 on the app or The Key online. This guide covers the routes that matter, current fares, how to pay, and the practical stuff most guides skip.
Table of Contents
Quick Reference Table
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Brighton and Hove Buses |
| Single fare | £3 maximum (capped until March 2027) |
| citySAVER day ticket | £6.30 on app/The Key online, £6.80 on bus/Tap On Tap Off |
| Children and young people | Up to four children travel free with an adult for journeys wholly within the Brighton & Hove City Council area, excluding night services. Unaccompanied fares vary, so check the journey planner |
| Payment | Contactless, Apple/Google Pay, Key Card, app, cash |
| App | Brighton and Hove Buses app (iOS and Android) |
| Night buses | Selected night routes including N1, N5, N7, N12, N14, N25, N29 and N48 |
| Travel Hub | 27 North Street, Brighton BN1 1EB |
The Main Routes
You do not need to memorise the full network. These are the routes most people actually use.
Route 1 / 1X covers the Mile Oak to east Brighton corridor. Route 1 runs between Mile Oak and Whitehawk. Route 1X is a limited-stop service between Mile Oak and Brighton Marina. This is a useful east-west route through the city centre.
Route 7 connects Hove with Brighton Station, Old Steine, the Royal Sussex County Hospital and Brighton Marina. Useful for getting between Hove, central Brighton and the marina.
Route 5 runs from Hangleton and Hove through the city centre to Patcham via London Road. Good for reaching London Road shops and the northern suburbs.
Route 25 connects Old Steine with Falmer and Sussex University, stopping at Falmer station for the Amex Stadium. For match-day travel, Brighton and Hove Buses also lists routes 3X, 23, 28 and 29, with 25X and 29A available for weekday matches.
Route 12 runs along the coast from Churchill Square to Saltdean, Peacehaven, Newhaven and on to Eastbourne. This is the Coaster route and one of the most scenic Brighton buses services.
Routes 28 and 29 run from Brighton via Falmer and Lewes. Route 28 continues towards Ringmer, Hailsham and Eastbourne, while Route 29 continues towards Uckfield, Heathfield and Tunbridge Wells. Useful for South Downs day trips and reaching Lewes without a car.
Night buses run on selected routes after midnight, including N1, N5, N7, N12, N14, N25, N29 and N48. They cover the main corridors including the seafront, Lewes Road, London Road and Hove.
Fares
All single fares on Brighton buses are capped at £3 until at least March 2027 as part of the national fare cap. Some shorter journeys cost less. The easiest way to pay the right amount is to use contactless (Tap On, Tap Off), which automatically charges you the correct fare.
citySAVER day ticket: £6.30 if bought on the app or The Key online. £6.80 if bought on bus or using Tap On Tap Off. Valid on all Brighton and Hove Buses within the citySAVER zone (Shoreham to Saltdean, Patcham to Falmer). Not valid on night buses or City Sightseeing.
networkSAVER day ticket: Valid on all Brighton and Hove Buses, including night buses, except City Sightseeing. It can also be used on some other operators’ services, so check the official zone details if travelling outside Brighton and Hove. Available for 1 day, 7 days, 28 days, 90 days or annual. Buy on the app for the best price.
Children and young people: Up to four children travel free with an adult or concessionary pass holder for journeys wholly within the Brighton and Hove City Council area, excluding night services. Unaccompanied fares vary by journey, so check the journey planner.
Students: Discounted citySAVER and networkSAVER tickets are available on the app with student verification.
How to Pay
Contactless is the simplest option. Tap your bank card, phone or watch when you get on (Tap On) and again when you get off (Tap Off). The system works out the cheapest fare automatically and caps your daily and weekly spend.
The app lets you buy tickets in advance, including discounted day tickets. You activate the ticket when your bus approaches. The app also shows live bus times and route maps.
Key Card is Brighton and Hove Buses’ smartcard. Load credit or tickets onto it at the Travel Hub at 27 North Street (BN1 1EB), at the desk at 43 Conway Street in Hove (BN3 3LT), or online.
Cash is still accepted on most non-express services, but from 26 May 2026 express services 1X, 3X and 25X only accept non-cash payments on board.
Getting from Brighton Station to the Town Centre
It is around a 10-minute walk downhill from Brighton Station to the nearest seafront, and most people walk it. If you have luggage or mobility issues, route 7 stops at Brighton Station and reaches Old Steine in about five minutes. Look for buses heading towards Brighton Marina.
Churchill Square shopping centre and the Lanes are both a short walk from Old Steine.
Getting to the Amex Stadium
Route 25 stops at Falmer station for the Amex Stadium, with frequent services. Routes 28 and 29 also stop at Falmer, and for weekday matches Brighton and Hove Buses also lists routes 25X and 29A. Check the football buses page before travelling, especially for non-Albion matches or special events.
Getting to Brighton Marina
Routes 7 and 1X both serve Brighton Marina from the town centre. The journey takes about 15 to 20 minutes from Old Steine. Buses run frequently throughout the day.
Accessibility
All Brighton and Hove Buses have low-floor boarding and ramps. If a ramp cannot be deployed due to road or kerb conditions, the Wheelchair Taxi Guarantee scheme arranges a free accessible taxi to complete your journey. The Helping Hand scheme provides extra assistance for passengers who need support boarding, alighting or with luggage. Drivers who participate have completed disability awareness training.
Major stops including Old Steine and Churchill Square have real-time bus information, and Brighton and Hove City Council is upgrading audio bus stop facilities across the city.
FAQs
How much is a bus in Brighton?
Single fares are capped at £3 until at least March 2027. A citySAVER day ticket is £6.30 on the app or The Key online, or £6.80 on bus/Tap On Tap Off. Up to four children travel free with an adult for journeys wholly within the Brighton and Hove City Council area, excluding night services. Unaccompanied fares vary by journey, so check the journey planner.
Do Brighton buses accept contactless?
Yes. Tap On, Tap Off contactless is available on all Brighton buses. Tap your card or phone when you board and again when you leave. The system calculates the cheapest fare and caps daily and weekly spending automatically.
What time do Brighton buses stop running?
Most daytime services run until around 11pm to midnight. Selected night routes run after midnight, including N1, N5, N7, N12, N14, N25, N29 and N48.
How do I get from Brighton Station to the seafront by bus?
Route 7 stops at Brighton Station and reaches Old Steine in about five minutes. Look for buses heading towards Brighton Marina. Alternatively, it is around a 10-minute walk downhill.
Are Brighton buses wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Every bus has low-floor boarding and a deployable ramp. If a ramp cannot be used, the Wheelchair Taxi Guarantee scheme provides a free accessible taxi. The Helping Hand scheme offers additional support for passengers with disabilities.
Is there a bus to the Amex Stadium?
Route 25 stops at Falmer station for the Amex Stadium, with frequent services. Routes 28 and 29 also stop at Falmer. For weekday matches, routes 25X and 29A are also available.
Final Thoughts
Brighton buses are straightforward once you know a few route numbers. Routes 1 and 7 cover most of what visitors need. The £3 single fare cap runs until March 2027, and the citySAVER day ticket at £6.30 on the app or The Key online is good value if you are making more than two journeys. Use contactless Tap On, Tap Off for the simplest experience. Download the Brighton and Hove Buses app for live times, and check the Travel Hub at 27 North Street if you need a Key Card or in-person help.
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