How to Reach Worthing with Ease After Flying into London

I’ve always said that Worthing is the kind of place you don’t just stumble into—you discover it. Nestled along England’s southern coastline, Worthing is often overshadowed by its flashier cousin Brighton. But for those in the know, it’s a more peaceful, charming alternative with plenty of seaside allure. The tricky bit? Figuring out how to get there easily once your flight touches down in London.

I’ve done this trip countless times—both for work and personal retreats. I’ve flown into Heathrow, Gatwick, and even Stansted, and I’ve tested train options, airport shuttles, and car hires. So, consider this your no-nonsense, real-life field guide to getting from London to Worthing comfortably, efficiently, and with as little stress as possible.

Landing in London: Which Airport to Choose

Let’s start here. London has six airports, but for our purposes, only three are realistically suited for your onward journey to Worthing: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), and London City Airport (LCY). Each offers different advantages.

✈️ Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Heathrow is the UK’s largest and most globally connected airport. If you’re flying in from Asia, the Middle East, or North America, there’s a strong chance you’ll touch down here. It can be a bit overwhelming at first—five terminals, endless corridors, and the occasional long immigration queue—but once you get your bearings, it’s actually quite traveller-friendly.

The journey from Heathrow to Worthing might not be a straight line, but it’s smoother than many assume. After testing taxis (pricey), airport shuttles (slow), and indirect trains, I’ve developed a tried-and-tested route that balances speed, comfort, and cost:

• Heathrow Express to London Paddington — It’s a fast, clean, air-conditioned ride that gets you into the heart of London in just 15 minutes. I always grab a window seat to decompress after a long-haul flight.
• Then, hop on the London Underground (District or Circle Line) from Paddington to Victoria Station. The journey takes about 25–30 minutes.
• From London Victoria, board a Southern Railway train to Worthing. These trains run frequently, typically every 20–30 minutes. The final leg is the longest—about 90 minutes—but it’s scenic, especially as you glide past rolling Sussex fields and sleepy coastal hamlets.

💬 Personal Note: If you time it just right—departing Victoria between 9:30 and 10:00 am on a weekday—you’ll miss the commuter rush and often get an entire carriage to yourself. I once wrote half a blog post undisturbed during that ride.

💬 Passenger Tip: Try to sit on the left-hand side of the train heading south. As you approach Worthing, the sea starts to peek through the gaps in the landscape—subtle at first, then glorious.

🧾 Typical Cost: Between £45–£70, depending on the time of day and whether you book tickets in advance
🔗 Book via: Trainline, Heathrow Express

🧠 Travel Hack: If you’ve got luggage and don’t fancy the Underground, use a taxi from Paddington to Victoria. It’ll cost about £15–£20 but saves the stairs and tube crowds.

✈️ Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Now, let me be upfront—Gatwick is my favourite airport when it comes to getting to Worthing. I’ve flown into Gatwick more times than I can count, and it’s always the most straightforward route to the coast.

The airport itself is compact, efficient, and well-signed. There’s something calming about arriving here. You can be off the plane and onto a train platform in under 30 minutes, especially if you’re travelling with just hand luggage.

Here’s how simple it is:

• From the Gatwick South Terminal, walk directly to the train station—it’s attached to the airport. No shuttle bus, no waiting.
• Catch a Southern Railway or Thameslink service direct to Worthing. The trains are modern and have USB outlets and decent Wi-Fi on most routes.
• The journey takes around 50 to 55 minutes and is nearly always on time.

💬 Real Experience: I once booked a red-eye EasyJet flight from Barcelona that landed at 8:00 AM. I was walking into my Worthing Airbnb by 10:15 AM. Coffee in hand, feet up, stress-free.

💬 Traveller Review: “It’s the most relaxed arrival I’ve had into a UK coastal town. Beats the drive down to Brighton any day.” — Katie, Melbourne

🧾 Typical Cost: £12–£22 one way, especially with off-peak tickets or an advance purchase
🔗 Book via: National Rail, Southern Railway

🧠 Booking Tip: Use the Railcard system if you’re eligible. A 26–30 Railcard or a Senior Railcard gets you 1/3 off on most fares. You can apply online before your trip and even load it to your mobile wallet.

✈️ London City Airport (LCY)

London City Airport is like a well-kept secret that only frequent flyers talk about in hushed tones. If you’ve ever battled through the chaos of Heathrow or the queues at Gatwick, LCY feels like a breath of fresh air. Small, efficient, and shockingly fast — you can often be through passport control and out the door in under 20 minutes.

I’ve flown into City from both Frankfurt and Geneva, and the arrivals experience here is one of the smoothest in the UK. There’s just something comforting about the quiet, businesslike hum of this airport. No screaming kids, no endless walking between terminals — just clean lines, polite staff, and flights that run like clockwork.

Getting from LCY to Worthing takes longer than from Gatwick, but it’s absolutely doable if you’re not in a rush:

• Take the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) straight from the airport terminal to Bank Station. Sit up front — it’s automated, so you can pretend you’re driving.
• Transfer at Bank to the District or Circle Line and travel west to Victoria Station.
• From there, hop on a Southern Railway train bound for Worthing. Trains run every 30 minutes and the total journey takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on your transfer speed.

💬 Local Tip: Avoid rush hour on the DLR. It’s a favourite of London commuters, and with limited space, dragging a suitcase on at 8:00 AM can feel like stepping into a sardine can.

🧾 Typical Cost: £35–£60 depending on train class and time of day
🔗 Book via: TfL Journey Planner, Trainline

If you land at LCY in the afternoon and take your time, you’ll get to Worthing by dinner — ideally just in time for a pint and some seaside fish and chips.

✈️ Recommended Flights into London (Ideal for Worthing Transfers)

If you’re still browsing flight options, here are three I can vouch for — all personally tested, and each with distinct benefits depending on your needs.

🛫 Emirates Flight EK001 – Dubai to London Heathrow

There’s something timeless about flying Emirates’ A380. The upper deck — quiet, refined, softly lit — feels like a luxurious sky lounge. I flew this route after a work stint in Dubai and arrived feeling not just rested but genuinely pampered.

The best part? Emirates offers a complimentary chauffeur service for business and first-class passengers, and you can even pay extra as an economy flyer to add it on. When I landed, a suited driver met me just outside customs and whisked me directly to my Airbnb in Worthing. No transfers, no hauling bags across train platforms — just a smooth, scenic drive through Sussex countryside.

💬 Passenger Review: “The A380 feels like a luxury hotel in the sky. Best sleep I’ve had on a plane.”

🔗 Book via: Emirates UK
💷 Price Range: £480–£650 return in Economy (more for Business)

💡 Booking Tip: Choose the evening departure from Dubai — you’ll land in London mid-morning, with plenty of time to reach Worthing before dark.

🛫 British Airways Flight BA276 – Mumbai to London Heathrow

This is one of those routes that makes long-haul feel dignified again. The 777 may not have the glamour of an A380, but the flight was seamless — I had a window seat, pre-ordered a vegetarian meal, and the flight attendants were genuinely attentive.

BA’s in-flight entertainment is superb, especially for long stretches. And I love their punctuality — my flight landed 25 minutes ahead of schedule, which is gold when you’ve got an onward train journey.

💬 Traveller Insight: “It’s not just about getting to London—it’s the comfort that matters when you’re facing onward travel.” — Anjali, Delhi

🔗 Book via: British Airways
💷 Price Range: £400–£720 return

💡 Insider Tip: Join the Executive Club for points and perks, and check their seasonal flash sales — I once booked this route for £389 during an August promotion.

🛫 EasyJet Flight EZY8182 – Amsterdam to London Gatwick

This one is a total steal if you’re on a budget or just hopping over from mainland Europe. I took this flight for a long weekend getaway, and I couldn’t believe how efficient it was. Boarding was brisk, the crew was casual but kind, and the plane touched down 10 minutes early. From there, I was on a Southern Railway train to Worthing within 40 minutes.

Gatwick’s connection to Worthing is unbeatable. You step out of the terminal and into the train station — no buses, no fuss. If I’m travelling light, this is my go-to route.

💬 Review: “Surprisingly smooth for a budget flight—and you land practically next door to Worthing.”

🔗 Book via: EasyJet
💷 Price Range: £45–£90 one way

💡 Booking Advice: Use the EasyJet app to check in and access mobile boarding passes. They sometimes release promo fares mid-week — I scored this route for £39 once, including a checked bag.

Best Platforms to Book Flights and Travel in the UK

After countless bookings, reschedules, and even a few cancellations, these are the platforms I now trust the most:

• Skyscanner UK: Best for comparing flights
• Trainline: Great for train fares and e-tickets
• Opodo: Excellent for international multi-city trips
• Booking.com: Handy for bundling hotels with transport
• National Express: If you prefer buses (budget-friendly but longer)

💡 Insider Booking Tip: Always toggle the “flexible dates” option on Skyscanner. I once shaved £110 off my fare just by flying on a Thursday instead of a Friday.

Arrival in Worthing: What to Expect

Walking out of Worthing station is like stepping into a gentler rhythm of life. Victorian shopfronts, the smell of salt and coffee in the air, and the sea just a 10-minute stroll away. Whether you’re heading to a boutique hotel along Marine Parade or a cosy B\&B tucked into the town’s Georgian streets, Worthing welcomes you with a softness London rarely offers.

And don’t forget to pick up a local map at the station’s tourist info board. The best parts of Worthing—like the hidden alleys near Warwick Street or the artisan bakeries around Montague Place—are best explored on foot.

If you need help with itinerary planning or boutique hotel suggestions, just let me know—I’ve got an entire spreadsheet of Worthing gems tucked away.