Local Essentials
The practical stuff most travel sites skip. Everything you need to know before visiting Brighton, from parking to pharmacies.
Accessibility
Town
The city centre, the Lanes and the seafront promenade are largely flat and walkable, though the Lanes' alleys are narrow and cobbled in places, and the streets running inland from the seafront climb steeply. The walk from the station down to the sea is easy; the return uphill is steeper than it looks.
Seafront
The seafront promenade from Brighton to Hove is flat, paved and one of the most accessible routes in the city, suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. The beach itself is shingle, which is hard going for wheels, though beach wheelchairs can be available in season.
Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion and the city museums publish detailed access information; the Pavilion is a historic building with some steps and level changes, so check the Brighton & Hove Museums access pages before visiting.
For venue-level access, contact each place directly. The main obstacles are the shingle beach, the cobbled and narrow Lanes, and the steep streets running up from the seafront.
ATMs & Banking
Banks and ATMs in the city centre and North Laine
North Street, Western Road and Churchill Square, Brighton
Brighton city centre has bank branches and ATMs, including around North Street, Western Road and the Churchill Square centre, along with cash-back at some shops. Contactless card and phone payment is accepted almost everywhere, so you will need little cash. Confirm specific machine locations on the ground, as UK bank branch networks are contracting.
Emergency Services
General Emergency
999 or 112
Police Station
Sussex Police cover Brighton and Hove; for non-emergencies call 101, and for emergencies 999 or 112. The city-centre station is at John Street, Brighton, BN2 0LA.
Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE. The city's main hospital and the region's Major Trauma Centre, with a 24-hour Accident and Emergency department, in Kemptown about a mile east of the city centre.
01273 696955Brighton Station Health Centre (Practice Plus Group)
Open 08:00 to 20:00, seven days a week, including bank holidays. The walk-in clinic sees registered and unregistered patients alike, so a visitor to Brighton can be seen without registering with a local practice, which makes this the practical first stop for anything that is not an emergency. It is a few minutes' walk downhill from Brighton station. For GP services the number is 0300 130 3333. Outside these hours call NHS 111. Serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies go to the 24-hour A&E at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Kemptown, or call 999.
For urgent but non-emergency medical advice, call NHS 111, which can direct you to the right care and to out-of-hours services. Life-threatening emergencies: dial 999 or 112. The hospital direct line (01273 696955) is confirmed correct as of 2026 research (cross-checked against the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust's own site, which also lists the trust headquarters switchboard as 01903 205111 for other enquiries).
Luggage Storage
Commercial left-luggage and locker services operate near Brighton station and around the city centre, bookable through the usual luggage-storage apps. Confirm current provider, hours and pricing on the day.
Parking
The Lanes car park
Rate: Confirm current tariffs locally
The closest large car park to the Lanes and the seafront hotels; some hotels have a discounted arrangement. Central Brighton parking is among the most expensive in the south east.
Brighton Station car park
Rate: Confirm current tariffs locally
Useful if arriving by car but walking or bussing down to the seafront.
Withdean Park and Ride
Rate: Parking plus bus fare; confirm current rates
Park outside the centre off the A27 and take the frequent bus in. The best option for avoiding city-centre parking prices and the one-way system.
Pharmacies
Boots, North Street
129 North Street, Brighton, BN1 1SB
A large central high-street NHS pharmacy a few minutes from the Clock Tower and the Lanes.
Superdrug Pharmacy, Churchill Square
Churchill Square Shopping Centre, Brighton, BN1 2TF
An NHS pharmacy inside the main city-centre shopping centre.
Kemptown Pharmacy
105 St George's Road, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1EA
Serves the Kemptown area near the seafront hotels and guesthouses, close to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
Supermarkets & Groceries
City-centre supermarkets
Brighton and Hove
Brighton has full supermarket provision, including large stores and many convenience branches across the centre, Kemptown, North Laine and Hove, so it is easy to stock up for a picnic on the beach or the Downs or for a self-catering stay. Confirm specific store addresses and hours on the ground.
Taxis & Rideshare
Ranks at the station, East Street and the seafront
Licensed black cabs and minicabs work from ranks at Brighton station, on East Street by the Lanes, and along the seafront near the piers. Streamline Taxis and Radio Cabs are the two main licensed operators, bookable by app or phone. Book ahead in the evening, at weekends and around Pride, when rank waits get long.
Public Toilets
Seafront and city centre: near the piers, along Madeira Drive, and in the main parks and shopping areas
WiFi & Connectivity
Cafes, pubs, hotels and the seafront
Most cafes, pubs, restaurants and hotels in Brighton offer free customer WiFi, and there is public WiFi in parts of the city centre. Mobile coverage across the city is good.
SIM Cards
UK and EU visitors can usually use their existing mobile plan, with EU roaming rules varying by provider since Brexit, so check before you travel. Visitors from further afield can buy a prepaid SIM or an eSIM cheaply; the phone shops and larger supermarkets in the city centre stock them, or arrange an eSIM online before arrival.