Living in campus halls at Falmer, student housing in Moulsecoomb, or private flats near Seven Dials while working in central Brighton creates a unique daily challenge. You might wrap up a lab or seminar at 16:00, start a retail shift at Churchill Square by 17:00, and finish an evening bar pack-down in the Lanes well past midnight.
When you work part-time alongside your degree, your commute directly impacts your bottom line. An ill-planned trip home or an unnecessary taxi can easily wipe out an hour or two of hard-earned wages. Fortunately, Brighton has one of the best-connected public transport networks in the UK for students, provided you know how to navigate the routes, ticket discounts, and late-night schedules.
Here is everything you need to know about getting between lectures, your workplace, and home efficiently, affordably, and safely.
The Backbone: The 25 and 24-Hour N25 Bus Route
The Lewes Road transport corridor is the central artery connecting university life to the city centre. If you live or study around the University of Sussex, the University of Brighton Falmer campus, or the Moulsecoomb student hub, the Brighton & Hove Buses route 25 will be your primary commute option.
During daytime peak hours, the 25 runs every few minutes, travelling from Sussex campus down Lewes Road, past The Level, through Old Steine, and terminating near Churchill Square and Palmeira Square. It connects directly with the city's key retail, hospitality, and commercial zones.
Working Late: The N25 Night Service
For students working evening and weekend shifts in busy hospitality spots, standard public transport curfews are a common concern. Brighton is one of the few UK cities outside London with a true 24-hour bus corridor.
When daytime services wind down around midnight, the route transitions into the N25. The N25 runs continuously throughout the night, connecting Old Steine and Churchill Square directly back to Moulsecoomb and Falmer halls.
If your shifts take you towards other neighbourhoods, keep these connected night routes in mind:
- N1: Operates from central Brighton out towards Hove, Portslade, and Mile Oak.
- N5: Connects Old Steine and London Road to Fiveways, Hollingbury, and Patcham.
- N7: Runs from Brighton Marina through Old Steine, Churchill Square, Brighton Station, and out towards Hove and George Street.
For anyone working closing shifts in pubs, clubs, or restaurants, check out our guide to pub, bar, and night shift jobs in Brighton for advice on managing late rotas and night work rights.
Falmer Train vs. Bus: When Speed Trumps Everything
While the bus offers doorstep drop-offs on campus, the train is unbeatable for speed when you are rushing from a late lecture to an early-evening shift in town.
Southern Railway operates regular services between Falmer Station and Brighton Central. The journey takes just nine minutes, with stops along the way at Moulsecoomb and London Road (Brighton).
| Commute Factor | Route 25 / N25 Bus | Falmer to Brighton Train |
|---|---|---|
| Average Journey Time | 25 to 40 minutes (traffic dependent) | 9 minutes |
| Peak Frequency | Every 5 to 8 minutes | Every 15 to 20 minutes |
| Night Coverage | 24 hours (continuous N25 service) | Ceases around midnight |
| Best Used For | Late-night shifts, doorstep campus stops | Tight lecture-to-shift turnarounds |
| Drop-Off Point | Old Steine / Churchill Square | Brighton Central Station |
Train Schedule Limitations
The train is ideal for reaching shifts in the North Laine, Seven Dials, or near the main station in record time. However, the last direct trains from Brighton back to Falmer generally leave just after midnight. If your shift finishes at 00:30 or 01:00, you will need to head down to Old Steine or Churchill Square for the N25 bus rather than relying on the railway.
Linking a 16-25 Railcard to your Southern ticket or Key smartcard saves a third on off-peak single and return rail fares.
Student Bus Ticket Economics: Protecting Your Shift Wages
Commute costs can quietly eat into your take-home pay if you rely on ad-hoc single tickets. To maximise your shift earnings, align your ticket purchases with your weekly working schedule.
Brighton & Hove Buses offers dedicated student fares accessible via their official mobile app or keycard (verified using your university email or UNiDAYS profile).
Calculating the Most Cost-Effective Ticket
- 1 to 2 Shifts per Week (Low Commuter): If you only travel into town once or twice a week, using Contactless Tap-On, Tap-Off with daily capping is usually the simplest and cheapest method.
- 3 to 4 Shifts per Week (Regular Commuter): If you commute for three or more shifts alongside weekday lectures at Grand Parade or city libraries, a Student 7-Day Network Saver or 28-Day Network Saver offers substantial savings, dropping the average cost per journey under £1.50.
- Annual or Termly Passes: If you live off-campus and commute daily between Lewes Road halls and city centre jobs, university-subsidised termly passes provide the lowest per-day travel cost.
Always buy student passes directly in the Brighton & Hove Buses app before boarding to avoid paying standard adult fares at the driver's cab.
Cycling and Active Travel on the Lewes Road Spine
If you prefer to avoid public transport timetables altogether, cycling is one of the most reliable ways to travel between campus and central Brighton workplaces.
The Lewes Road corridor features dedicated, segregated cycle tracks separated from general motor traffic, leading from Falmer and Moulsecoomb straight into The Level, Grand Parade, and Old Steine.
- The Terrain: The route into central Brighton is a gentle downhill ride. Heading back towards Moulsecoomb and Falmer involves a steady, mild incline.
- Beryl BTN Bikes: The city's bike share scheme operates docking hubs across the route, including Falmer campus, Moulsecoomb station, London Road, and Churchill Square. E-bikes are available through the Beryl app, making the northbound journey back uphill effortless after a tiring shift.
- Safety Essentials: If you ride your own bike, high-visibility clothing and working front and rear lights are legal essentials when travelling after dark. Always use a sturdy D-lock when parking in central bike racks near West Street, Churchill Square, or the seafront.
Staying Safe After Late Finishes
Working late shifts in hospitality, retail, or entertainment means heading home when the streets are quiet. Keep these safety practices in mind:
- Stick to Lit Corridors: When walking from your workplace to the bus stop or your accommodation, stay on well-lit main streets such as North Street, Western Road, Old Steine, and Lewes Road. Avoid shortcutting through poorly lit areas like The Level, Queens Park, or unlit seafront lower promenades late at night.
- Check Your Employer's Transport Policy: Many late-night venues and restaurant operators offer safe travel arrangements for staff finishing after midnight. Ask during your onboarding if the business provides staff taxi shares, discounted cab accounts, or buddy-up procedures for closing staff.
- Track Live Buses: Use the live bus tracker on the Brighton & Hove Buses app before leaving your workplace. This lets you time your departure so you arrive at the stop right as the bus pulls in, avoiding long waits alone at the stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 25 bus run all night between Brighton centre and Falmer campus?
Yes. The route runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During daytime and evening hours it operates as the 25, and through the early hours of the morning it operates as the N25, running between Old Steine, Churchill Square, Lewes Road, Moulsecoomb, and Sussex University campus at Falmer.
How much do students save on Brighton & Hove bus passes?
Students enrolled at the University of Sussex, University of Brighton, BIMM, and Greater Brighton Metropolitan College can access discounted student fares that are typically 20% to 30% cheaper than standard adult network fares when purchased via the Brighton & Hove Buses app.
What happens if I miss the last train from Brighton station back to university halls?
If you miss the final Southern train from Brighton Central (which usually departs around midnight), walk down Queens Road to North Street or Old Steine (approx. 7 minutes) and catch the N25 night bus, which operates continuously throughout the early hours back to Moulsecoomb and Falmer.
Looking for flexible shifts that fit around your university timetable? Browse our curated student part-time jobs in Brighton or explore all live part-time vacancies across Brighton to find your next role today.