Getting Around Worthing
Worthing is a seaside town in West Sussex well connected by rail, bus, and road to the rest of southern England. For visitors, the town is compact and walkable, with good public transport options for exploring the wider area.
Walking and Cycling
Much of central Worthing is easy to explore on foot. The main shopping district on Montague and South Streets lies just one block from the seafront, making it convenient to move between these areas. The town benefits from good pedestrian infrastructure and a manageable town centre layout.
Worthing lies on National Cycle Network Route 2, which runs along the English Channel coast. The section from Brighton to Worthing is partly traffic-free and follows the coast for most of its length, making it pleasant for cycling. You can also cycle from the train station to the seafront, and further east along the coast towards Lancing and Shoreham.
Buses and Local Transport
Buses are the main form of public transport within Worthing itself. Stagecoach operates regular services throughout the town and surrounding area. The Pulse service runs every 10 minutes during the day, connecting Durrington, Worthing town centre, and Lancing. The 700 Coastliner runs every 15 to 20 minutes between Brighton and Littlehampton via Worthing, stopping near the Dome Cinema.
Compass Buses also provides services in the town. For longer-distance coach travel, National Express operates services to and from London, arriving at the bus station on the seafront near the Dome Cinema. Advance online booking typically offers significant savings on coach fares.
Trains and the Rail Network
Worthing has five railway stations, all on the West Coastway Line. The main station, Worthing Station, is located just northwest of the town centre and is the main arrival point. The four suburban stations are East Worthing, West Worthing, Durrington-on-Sea, and Goring-by-Sea, spaced at intervals along the line running east to west through the borough.
All stations are operated by Southern Railway, which runs frequent daily services to major destinations. From Worthing, you can reach:
- London (Victoria and London Bridge stations) in around 75 minutes
- Brighton in around 20 minutes
- Chichester in around 30 minutes
- Portsmouth in around an hour
- Gatwick Airport in around 45 minutes
Southern Railway also occasionally receives long-distance services operated by Great Western Railway.
Tickets for Southern Railway can be purchased very cheaply online (from as little as £3 one way, or £2 with a railcard) and collected from automated machines at your departure station. This approach is significantly cheaper than purchasing tickets at the station.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material does not provide specific information about taxi ranks, taxi firms, or ride-hailing services in Worthing. You should enquire at your accommodation or at the train station for local taxi contact details.
Getting from Airports to Worthing
The closest airport to Worthing is Shoreham Airport, a small facility located about 5 miles to the east serving light aircraft. For most international and large domestic flights, you will arrive at London Gatwick Airport, approximately 28 miles away. From Gatwick, trains run to Worthing in around 45 minutes. Tickets can be booked online in advance at competitive prices.
By car, Gatwick is accessible from Worthing via the A264/M23 dual carriageway link to the A24.
Roads and Driving
If arriving by car, Worthing is well connected by major roads. The A27 runs through the north of the town, providing straightforward connections to Brighton and Chichester. The A24 runs northwards to London via Horsham and connects Worthing to the M25 motorway; it is dual carriageway for much of its length. The A259 coastal road connects Worthing to Littlehampton, Chichester, Brighton, Hastings, and Folkestone.