Brighton Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: Pier, Pavilion & Sea Views

Summary

See Brighton’s pier, pavilion and marina from the open-top bus

You’ll feel Brighton’s energy from the top deck as you ride between Palace Pier, Royal Pavilion and Brighton Marina on this flexible hop-on hop-off bus tour. With audio commentary in seven languages and discounts on local attractions, you can explore at your own pace — stopping for sea views or spontaneous snacks whenever you want.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re not getting off already, are you?” That’s what the driver grinned when we almost missed our stop for the Royal Pavilion — I guess we were too busy gawking at the sea through those big windows. Brighton’s hop-on hop-off bus tour felt like a moving balcony over the city. We started at the Palace Pier (the seagulls are loud, but honestly it just fits), then drifted up to Hove where the air smells faintly salty and someone was selling chips out of a van. The audio guide in my headphones had this dry British humor — I kept nudging my partner every time it pointed out something odd about local history. I never expected to laugh so much on a bus.

We hopped off for a bit at Brighton Marina, mostly because I wanted to see if the boats really were as colorful as everyone says (they are). There was a breeze that made my coffee go cold fast, but it was worth it for that view. Our ticket included discounts for crazy golf and SEA LIFE Brighton — didn’t have time for both, but we did sneak into SEA LIFE. The jellyfish room is weirdly peaceful; you can hear kids’ voices echoing off the tiles and everything glows blue. Oh, and if you’re traveling with someone who loves trains, don’t miss Volk’s Electric Railway — our driver mentioned it and we got 25% off with our ticket.

The best part? No pressure to rush anywhere. We could hop off at Seven Dials just because we liked the look of a bakery window (the cinnamon smell was unreal), then catch another bus half an hour later. The city feels different from above — you spot little gardens behind terraces and people waving from balconies. At one point, an older couple boarded with their dog in a pram; nobody blinked an eye. Brighton’s like that — everyone sort of fits in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Brighton by hop-on hop-off bus

• Board City Sightseeing bus
• Enjoy panoramic city and sea views
• Hop off at Brighton Palace Pier
• Visit West Pier
• Explore Grand Avenue
• Stop at Hove, Palmeira Square
• See Seven Dials area
• Visit Brighton Station (Stop B)
• Stop at Clock Tower (Stop N)
• Visit Royal Pavilion (Stop F)
• Stop at Pepper Pot
• Visit Brighton Racecourse
• Explore Brighton Marina
• Return to starting point

Top questions

How long does the full Brighton hop-on hop-off bus loop take?

The full tour loop takes about 50 minutes if you stay on without hopping off.

What attractions can I visit using this Brighton sightseeing bus?

You can visit spots like Brighton Palace Pier, Royal Pavilion, SEA LIFE Brighton, Brighton Marina, Hove Palmeira Square and more along the Red Route.

Are there discounts included with my ticket?

Yes, your ticket includes discounts for SEA LIFE Centre entry, Volk's Electric Railway rides, crazy golf at GLOBALLS and more.

Is there an audio guide on board?

Yes, there is an audio guide commentary available in 7 languages with free headphones provided.

Can I use public buses with my sightseeing ticket?

Your ticket gives unlimited access to all Brighton & Hove Bus services until 4:30am after expiry.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all buses are wheelchair accessible and infants or small children can use prams or strollers onboard.

When do buses run during the day?

The first bus departs Stop 1 at 10am; last bus leaves at 5pm. Frequency varies by season between every 30–60 minutes.

Where can I redeem my voucher?

You can redeem your voucher at any of the 12 official tour stops before traveling on other services.

What’s included

Your day includes unlimited hop-on hop-off travel across all Brighton & Hove Bus routes for one or two days (depending on your ticket), plus audio commentary in seven languages with free headphones. You’ll get discounts on local attractions like SEA LIFE Centre entry, crazy golf at GLOBALLS, Volk's Electric Railway rides and entry to Royal Pavilion & Gardens as well as other museums — all while exploring Brighton’s best sights at your own pace.