Travel and Transit
Travel information for getting to Eastbourne and making your journey to Dyalog ’26 as straightforward as possible.
Arriving in the UK
NOTE: You will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. It costs £20 (when bought through the official government website – other sites might inflate this charge) and lasts for two years from the date of issue. Go to https://www.gov.uk/eta for more information and to apply for an ETA.
The nearest airports are:
- London Gatwick (45 miles / 72 km)
- London City (68 miles / 109 km)
- Southampton (83 miles / 134 km)
- London Heathrow (85 miles / 137 km)
- London Stansted (90 miles / 145 km)
- London Luton (112 miles / 180 km)
London Gatwick is the most convenient airport for Eastbourne. There are direct trains from Gatwick airport to Eastbourne, with the journey taking around 55 minutes.
If you are arriving at Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, London City, or Southampton airports, you should expect a longer journey with one or more changes.
Several ferry routes connect the U.K. with mainland Europe. The approximate distances from the main U.K. ferry ports to Eastbourne are:
| From | Departure Port | U.K. Arrival Port | Approximate Distance to Eastbourne |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Dieppe, France | Newhaven, England | 13 miles / 21 km |
| France | Calais, France | Dover, England | 70 miles / 113 km |
| France | Le Havre, France | Portsmouth, England | 72 miles / 116 km |
| Holland | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Hull, England | 260 miles / 418 km |
Newhaven is the closest ferry port to Eastbourne. The Dieppe to Newhaven route is usually the most convenient option if you are travelling from France, as Newhaven is only around 13 miles from Eastbourne. The ferry operator DFDS lists the Dieppe to Newhaven crossing as taking around 4 hours.
Dover and Portsmouth are also possible arrival ports, but onward travel to Eastbourne will take longer. Hull is much further away and is likely to be most suitable for visitors who are already planning to travel across the U.K. by car.
Ferry crossing times, operators, and timetables vary by route and season, so we recommend checking the latest sailing information before booking your journey.
By Eurostar
Eurostar passenger trains run through the Channel Tunnel to London St Pancras International. From St Pancras, you can travel onwards to Eastbourne by train, usually from London Victoria or another London terminal.
By Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle carries cars and other vehicles through the Channel Tunnel between Calais, France, and Folkestone, England. From Folkestone, Eastbourne is approximately 60 miles / 97 km by road.
Getting to Eastbourne
Once you have arrived in the U.K. there are various options for getting to Eastbourne.
You can check train times, prices, and tickets using the National Rail journey planner.
from GATWICK AIRPORT
There is a direct train (half hourly service) from Gatwick train station, which is at the South Terminal – approximate cost £25.
To get to Gatwick from Heathrow: take the National Express bus/coach shuttle to Gatwick (this picks up at all terminals and runs 24/7 with 2 or 3 services an hour) – approximate cost £25. NOTE: If you have suitcases or heavy luggage, this is the easiest option for getting to Eastbourne.
from VICTORIA STATION
There is a direct train (half hourly service) from Victoria train station – approximate cost £35.
To get to Victoria station: Map of the London underground
- from Heathrow (by underground): take the Piccadilly line (eastbound) to Hammersmith underground station, cross the platform and take the District line (eastbound) towards Upminster underground station (do not get a district line train to Edgware road!), get off at Victoria underground station and follow signs to the mainline station – approximate cost £6.
- from Heathrow (by train and taxi): take Heathrow Express (HXX) train to Paddington station, then get a taxi/black cab to Victoria railway station – approximate cost £20 for HXX and £25 for taxi.
- from St Pancras station (by underground): take the Victoria line (southbound) towards Brixton, get off at Victoria underground station and follow signs to the mainline station – approximate cost £4.
Cars can be rented at Heathrow airport and Gatwick airport.
The reception at the View Hotel can help with details for local car hire companies in Eastbourne.
Route calculations can be performed in advance using the AA’s route planner.
NOTE: Taxis in the U.K. usually accept credit cards but some do not, so please check when you book or make sure you have enough cash to pay for the journey.
Taxis hired at the airport are much more expensive than taxis that are booked in advance (the cost increases by 25-40%). Several taxi companies in Eastbourne offer services to and from Heathrow airport (approximately £160), Gatwick airport (approximately £95) and Eastbourne railway station (approximately £5):
| Taxi Company | Phone Number | Website |
|---|---|---|
| 720 Taxis (recommended by the View Hotel) | +44 1323 720720 | eastbourneandcountrytaxis.co.uk |
| Eastbourne Taxis | +44 1323 660004 | taxiseastbourne.co.uk |
Travel FAQ
Are there any special requirements to enter the UK?
Yes. You will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the U.K. It costs £20 when bought through the official government website, and lasts for two years from the date of issue. Other websites might charge more, so we recommend applying through the official UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/eta.
Which airport is most convenient for Eastbourne?
London Gatwick is the most convenient airport for Eastbourne. There are direct trains from Gatwick Airport to Eastbourne, with the journey taking around 55 minutes.
Is there a direct train from London to Eastbourne?
Yes. Direct trains run from London Victoria to Eastbourne approximately every 30 minutes. The journey is usually straightforward, but we recommend that you check train times before you travel.
Can I travel from Heathrow airport to Eastbourne by train?
Yes, although there is no direct train from Heathrow airport to Eastbourne. One option is to travel from Heathrow airport to London Victoria, then take a direct train from Victoria to Eastbourne. If you have suitcases or heavy luggage, the National Express coach from Heathrow airport to Gatwick airport might be easier, followed by a direct train from Gatwick to Eastbourne.
Can I travel from Gatwick airpoirt Eastbourne train?
Yes. There is a direct train from Gatwick airport to Eastbourne. Gatwick railway station is at Gatwick airport’s South Terminal, and the journey takes around 55 minutes.
What is the closest ferry port to Eastbourne?
Newhaven is the closest ferry port to Eastbourne. The Dieppe, France to Newhaven, England route is the most convenient ferry option if you are travelling from France; Newhaven is approximately13 miles / 21 km from Eastbourne.
Can I travel to Eastbourne through the Channel Tunnel?
Yes. Foot passengers can travel by Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to London St Pancras International, then continue to Eastbourne by train. If you are travelling with a vehicle, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle runs between Calais, France and Folkestone, England. From Folkestone, Eastbourne is approximately 60 miles / 97 km by road.
Should I hire a car?
You should not need a car if you are staying in central Eastbourne, as the town is well connected by train and taxis are available locally. However, hiring a car might be useful if you plan to travel around the surrounding area before or after the event.
Can I get a taxi from the airport to Eastbourne?
Yes, but taxis hired directly at the airport are usually more expensive than taxis booked in advance. Several Eastbourne taxi companies offer airport transfers, including services to and from Heathrow airport and Gatwick airport.
Do taxis in the U.K. accept credit cards?
Many taxis in the U.K. accept credit cards, but some do not. Please check when you book, or make sure you have enough cash to pay for your journey. Uber also operates in the U.K.
Do I need to tip in the U.K.?
Tipping is appreciated in the U.K., but it is not expected in the same way as in some other countries. In restaurants, a service charge might be included on the bill. If it is not, a tip of around 10% to 15% is usually considered generous for good service. Tipping is not usually expected in pubs or cafés. In taxis, rounding up the fare is common and appreciated, but not required.
Can I pay by card?
Card and contactless payments are widely accepted in the U.K., including in most shops, restaurants, pubs, cafés, and taxis. However, it is still useful to carry a small amount of cash, especially when travelling or using local taxi services.
What power plugs are used in the U.K.?
What number should I call in an emergency?
In an emergency, call 999 or 112 for police, fire, ambulance, or coastguard services. For fast but non-emergency medical help, call 111.
Useful Links
The following links might be useful when planning your journey to Eastbourne for Dyalog ’26. Please check travel times, routes, and prices before booking, as services and timetables can change.
Entry Requirements
Airports
Ferry and Channel Tunnel
Trains and Public Transport
Driving and Route Planning
Maps
Taxis (Eastbourne based)
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