Moving to Brighton: The Day One Guide

23 Jun 2026

Luke M. Williams

A sea of cardboard boxes, a slightly stressed parent behind the wheel, and the undeniable hum of anticipation: moving day is the official start of your Brighton chapter. Packing your entire life into a few suitcases is chaotic enough without worrying about unknown streets. Navigating a new city on its busiest weekend can feel overwhelming, but a few local secrets will keep your peace of mind intact.

Moving to Brighton: The Day One Guide

How Do I Avoid Move-In Traffic on the Way to Brighton?

You can avoid major delays by arriving before 8:00 AM and avoiding Lewes Road during peak mid-day hours. Most students driving into Brighton from London and the north travel via the M23, which flows directly into the A23 thoroughfare. Meanwhile, those coming from the east or west will approach via the A27, converging at the northern edge of the city.

Because Lewes Road (A270) serves as the main academic corridor leading to the primary university campuses and massive student housing hubs, it becomes an absolute bottleneck on move-in weekends. An early start is your best defence. If your accommodation sits closer to the seafront or the city centre, your route will take you down the main A23 spine past Preston Park. This route can stall completely during peak weekend shopping hours, so check live transit apps before you leave the major dual carriageways.

Where Can I Safely Park and Unpack in the City?

For affordable parking near the central student hubs and the bottom of Elm Grove, use the council-run London Road Car Park on Providence Place. It is one of the more economical multi-storey options close to the centre, though you should prepare to navigate tight spaces during the peak weekend rush.

If your accommodation sits closer to the independent shops and vibrant streets of the North Laine, head to the Trafalgar Street Car Park (accessed via Blackman Street). It is perfect for central unloading, with 24-hour rates sitting around £26. For maximum convenience right by the central shopping district or the seafront, Regency Square Car Park or the Churchill Square NCP are clean and well-lit, though they command a premium price of up to £35 per day.

How Do I Navigate Brighton?

You can navigate the city easily by ditching the car after unloading and using local bus routes or trains instead. Once your heavy crates are safely inside your room, driving around Brighton’s famous one-way systems and bus lanes becomes more of a hassle than a help.

  • Hop on the local rail: The local train network connects Brighton Station directly to Moulsecoomb and Falmer stations in just a few minutes, making travel between central areas and outer university campuses fast and simple.
  • Use the main bus corridors: The 25, 25X, and 3X express bus routes run constantly, creating a seamless link from Palmeira Square and the Old Steine directly down Lewes Road to the universities.
  • Grab an e-bike: For quick trips to grab forgotten essentials, you will spot distinct Beryl BTN dockless e-bike stations scattered extensively across the campus zones and seafront.
  • Plan your airport transit: If you are catching a flight, Gatwick Airport is incredibly convenient, offering direct, high-frequency train links that get you right into Brighton Station in roughly 30 minutes. For long-haul international flights via Heathrow, direct National Express coaches run straight to the Pool Valley Coach Station in the heart of the city.

Getting keys to your new space is a major milestone. Take a breath, unpack at your own pace, and start exploring your new home by the sea. For a closer look at settling into university life, take a look at our choices of student accommodation in Brighton.

Table of Contents