Advice on visiting Brighton.

[Millymollypandy]

Friend and I are planning a trip to Brighton. I’ll be driving but was told parking is “difficult “. Friend wants to visit Emmaus which I think is in the north of Brighton so I plan to drive there first. Do we leave the car there and get a bus to the sea front? Park elsewhere?
It’s about 30 years since I visited Brighton so feeling a bit clueless. It’ll be sometime in May, midweek visit. Thanks for any info.

If it’s the Emmaus superstore then that’s in Portslade, rather than central Brighton. I don’t know if you could park at Portslade station and then get the train in.

Otherwise there’s a park and ride at Withdean sports centre, but don’t know how busy that gets.

https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/travel-and-road-safety/travel-transport-and-road-safety/park-ride

Parking in Brighton (as opposed to Hove or Portslade) is a total pig and I wouldn't even attempt it.

As to what to see, there's the Pavillion, the Volks Light Railway and the Basketmaker's Arms. That's all that's worth seeing IMO.

Alternatively pre-booking a space at one of the NCP car parks might work - expensive though

https://www.ncp.co.uk/parking-solutions/cities/brighton/

You can visit The Lane with antiques shops. A walk on the front is nice and there is a new-ish ride that takes you up high for a good view.

Perhaps park at the Lido and bus it in.

https://www.saltdeanlido.co.uk/

Thanks so much everyone for all the advice.
@DigitalDust i didn’t realise the Emmaus was in a different place so thanks for that.
@IvorTheEngineDriver I’d been told parking was difficult but think your description is probably nearer the truth! Friend doesn’t drive so thinks parking places just magically appear. Think I’ll do the park and ride.

There are several multistorey car parks in Brighton but the price is somewhat eye watering. The bus lanes/one way system can be a bit baffling if you aren't familiar with it.

The park and ride is great, the buses are frequent and cheap and the car park itself seems fairly safe and secure.

Parking is hideous. Depending where you want to go, maybe park at the King Alfred Leisure centre pay and display in Hove which is on Portslade side and walk along promenade. Or for free go to the Marina towards the east near Roedean and walk in from there, or take the Volks railway. You may be lucky with parking on Marine Parade near the beachside swimming pool but payment is by app.

Get Waze on your phone.
be prepared to pay £££ for parking.
Go to the North Laine for lovely shops
Go to the Shelter Hall for lovely food on the seafront.
walk to Hove lawns

There are NCP car parks but as PPs have said they are very expensive but Brighton is so worth it. It’s fab! Enjoy x

mid week parking and you will be fine, no problem at all… but it is expensive, so depends how long you want to stay.

I love visiting my brother in Brighton, never found car parking that bad, and you can book ahead.

I would park near Emmaus and bus in. The number 1 bus is frequent and passes nearby. Use the Brighton Bypass to get to Emmaus, you will avoid a lot of traffic

The park and ride is good. If you go upstairs on the bus, it's like being on a rollercoaster!

i'm currently in Brighton for the weekend and parking is horrendous and horrifyingly expensive

Parking isn’t that bad. It’s expensive, but so is a lot of city centre parking. I tend to use Regency Square car park and walk from there.

Alternatively you could try JustPark, where you book in advance to park on people’s drives.

Actually, it does depend when you go. Weekday in May, you’ll be fine. Sunny Saturday in August I’d be giving it a swerve.

The whole of May is Brighton Festival and the Fringe festival, so the city will be buzzing.

Bus from Emmaus would take ages. I would suck up the price of parking nearer the centre as it's a one off. I usually park in the car park on Blackman Street, at the end/start of the North Laine where all the indie shops and cafes are, wander through there to Pavilion gardens then to the Lanes then seafront.

Oh yes I’d forgotten about the Brighton Festival. Weekday though. I still think it’ll be fine.

Do you have to drive? Brighton is very well connected to public transport with frequent fast trains. Not having to worry about the car will be a nicer day.

32 minutes bus ride from Emmaus to the Lanes. It depends on how important it is to visit there and which direction she is driving from I guess? If from West or North avoiding driving and parking in the city centre could save time and money and a fine from the dreaded bus gate ;)

You are obliged to wear a Dry Robe as an outer garment, unless you can claim an exemption. I had to prove that a grandmother had lived in the area.