Planning a weekend away or a sunny day out at the beach? Trains to Hastings take just under an hour and a half from London, an hour from Brighton and half an hour from Eastbourne, so you’ll be soaking up the sun in no time.
We’re here to be your one-stop-shop for cheap train tickets, times and info about how to get to Hastings by train. If you want to get straight to booking, start a search for times and tickets above, or keep reading to find out more about trains to Hastings.
How to buy cheap train tickets to Hastings
There are a few ways you can save money on train travel this summer. Some of our top tips for booking cheap train tickets to Hastings include:
Travel Off-Peak
Tickets are usually cheaper to Hastings if you travel during Off-Peak hours. This is normally outside of rush hours during Monday to Friday, and anytime during the weekend. We’ll highlight whether a journey is during Off-Peak train times as your search for tickets.
Book in advance
Train tickets to Hastings normally go on sale around 12 weeks in advance, usually at their cheapest price. If Advance train tickets aren’t on sale yet, why not sign up to our Ticket Alert tool, and we’ll email you as soon as you can buy tickets for your chosen date.
Save up to 1/3 with a Railcard
Railcards can save you to 1/3 on the price of eligible train tickets to Hastings. Costing just £35 for one year, it doesn’t take long to make your money back either. Find out if you qualify for one and buy a Railcard online with us today.
Save up to 1/3 with GroupSave
If you’re heading to Hastings with three to nine of your favourite pals, we’ll let you know if you qualify for GroupSave when you search. This discount allows groups that are travelling together to save up to 1/3 on rail fares.
Split your train tickets
Splitting your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
Why not check out our train deals and discounts guide to discover the latest offers from train companies you can book with us.
Popular train routes to Hastings
Travelling by train is the fastest, easiest and greenest way to get to Hastings from the other UK destinations. Southeastern and Southern services run frequent services to Hastings. Have a look at our table below for more information about the most popular routes to Hastings, or start your search for a different station in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train operator |
|---|---|---|
| London to Hastings | 1h 23m | Southeastern, Southern |
| Bexhill to Hastings | 9m | Southern |
| Eastbourne to Hastings | 32m | Southern |
| Brighton to Hastings | 1h 7m | Southern |
| Rye to Hastings | 18m | Southern |
Fast trains to Hastings
Southeastern's high-speed Javelin trains can whisk you from London to Hastings in around an hour and a half. Reaching speeds of up to 140 mph, these trains were originally commissioned to ferry spectators to and from the Olympic Park during the London 2012 Olympics, and the nickname Javelin stuck. All trains are modern and comfortable, so you'll enjoy free WiFi and power sockets at your seat to keep you connected during your journey.
Visiting Hastings
This popular seaside town has been welcoming tourists from all over the country since Victorian times. From amusement arcades to beautiful beaches and important historic sites, Hastings is the perfect location for a sunny day trip or weekend away.
There are lots of things to see and do in Hastings for all ages. Whether it's a trip to Smugglers Adventure, a museum built into underground caves about the rise and fall of smuggling, or a wander around historic Hastings Castle, the castle's construction was so important it's even featured in the Bayeux Tapestry, you'll never be stuck for things to do.
If you want to get a view of Hastings like no other, take a trip on the East Cliff Railway, the steepest funicular railway left in the UK. Once you reach the top, you can wander around Hastings Country Park and take in breathtaking views of Hastings’ Old Town, Stade and Rock-a-Nore.
Frequently asked questions
What's the main train station in Hastings?
The main train station in Hastings is Hastings station. It's located in the town, not far from the beach.
Which train companies run trains to Hastings?
The main train companies running services to and from Hastings station are Southern and Southeastern.
How can I get cheap train tickets to Hastings?
It’s easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Hastings. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.
How do I get from Hastings train station to the beach?
It only takes 7 minutes to walk from the station to Hastings beach. Turn left out of the station onto Station Approach, then follow the road round and continue down Havelock Road. Then just keep walking straight until you reach the beach.
Are trains running to Hastings?
Trains run frequently almost every day to Hastings, although there may be less services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Hastings.
Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Hastings?
Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Hastings, these include:
- Network Railcard (London & South East Travel Zone)
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Family & Friends Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Persons Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.