We have a seven hour layover in Gatwick. Do trains go to Brighton and other places on the coast? Is it do-able? Any suggestions of things to do or see? We'll be tired after a night flight from Dallas, but 7 hours in the airport is more than I can bear.

If you do a text search here for gatwick AND layover you'll find several strings with this same question. There is a train to Brighton that takes about 30 mins &amp; is one suggestion, but someone else warns that trains can be delayed frequently &amp; you must allow enough time when you get back for going through customs &amp; security once exiting the airport. Can't advise you one way or the other. <BR>Depending upon what day you're there &amp;<BR>what time, you could just cab into the town of Crawley which is very close &amp; have an Indian or chinese meal. I've been to Raj Tandoori (I think that's the name) &amp; it was good. The town is nothing special but it is better than sitting at the airport.

Yes there is a Victoria Station to Brighton train that stops at Gatwick Airport. I also recommend taking this train between Gatwick Airport and London because it is cheaper than the Gatwick Express and doesn't take much longer.

Trains from Gatwick to Brighton are quite frequent. If this trip is between April-October, a 3 hour quick trip to Brighton is very feasible. Allow 30 minutes from Gatwick to Brighton. From Apr-Oct there is a hop on/hop off bus tour with a pick up point at the train station. Get on the open top bus and go for the tour and absorb the ocean air. Stop off at the Palace Pier for a quick stroll and a bite to eat before heading back to the train station to arrive LGW at least 2 hrs before your connecting flight. If your trip is before April and still want to visit Brighton, it's about a 10-15 minute walk from the station to the ocean (Palace Pier open year round). A nice walk on the pebble beach towards the marina and a visit to the SeaLife aquarium can sub for the tour.

I don't know what day of the week you are planning on doing this, but keep in mind that fast trains don't run on Sundays to Brighton and the Sunday service is also slow as well. Brighton is lovely. Make sure you get a Brighton rock candy. Enjoy your day.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We'll be passing through on a Saturday in September.

Funny you should ask. My wife and I took the train from London on Sunday, March 23 and as we passed thru the station at Gatwick I thought how convenient it would be for a quick trip to Brighton.<BR><BR>You should have plenty of time to walk DOWNHILL (15/20 minutes) to the seafront, have lunch, and a must visit to the Royal Pavilion (about 1 hour). If you have time visit the Art Gallery for the collection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Take a taxi back to the station.<BR><BR>Enjoy.<BR>

There was a recent post about a serious fire in Brighton. Do a text search.

The fire in Brighton was the unused West Pier.