Thameslink Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Train from London St Pancras International to Brighton

Thameslink is a network of commuter trains running through a core north-south section of London to allow new and longer trains to travel between a wider range of stations without changing trains in London. For a weekend day trip to Brighton, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has a cheap Super Off-Peak Day Return ticket which, combined with my 1/3 off Railcard discount, made for a cheap day trip out of London.

London St Pancras International Railway Station

I started my journey from London St Pancras International Railway Station as it is the closest station from Travelodge London Kings Cross Royal Scot Hotel.

While there is a more direct route to the Thameslink station by the outdoor area, I decided to take the scenic way by walking through the length of London St Pancras International Railway Station.

Heading into London St Pancras International Railway Station.

The grand single-span iron and glass roof with Eurostar trains awaiting departure for the next service to continental Europe.

The Thameslink station is all the way at the end of the length of the station.

My outward Super Off-Peak Day Return ticket for the journey between London Thameslink and Brighton. Despite me knowing that I will most likely start and end my journey at London St Pancras International, I booked my origin as London Thameslink instead to give myself flexibility in starting or ending destinations just in case. London Thameslink stations include St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars, London Bridge, and Elephant & Castle.

Heading through the Thameslink gate line at London St Pancras International.

Thameslink platforms at London St Pancras International are side and underground. Check your destination before heading down to the platform.

I headed down to Platform A for Brighton – the southbound platform.

I had planned to arrive in time for the 1600 train to Brighton which would stop at fewer stations, but the train ahead which stops at more stations was arriving. Knowing that the 1600 train wouldn’t overtake, I boarded the incoming 1550 train instead.

The southbound Platform A of London St Pancras International Railway Station.

My 1550 train to Brighton was running 1 minute late.

And here comes my Thameslink 9T43 train from London St Pancras International to Brighton.

Thameslink only has 1 class of trains used – the British Rail Class 700 Desiro City. I got a 12-car train on this trunk route.

The interior of the Thameslink British Rail Class 700 Desiro City.

A mix of facing and airline seats are available. The layout of Standard Class is a mix between transverse seats for long-distance commuting and wider aisles and open areas for standees.

Passenger information screens are available throughout the train.

The route map of Thameslink services can be found above the doors.

The stopping stations are shown announced after departing from every station.

Luggage racks are available by the doors. This is useful for longer distance travellers and airport transfers as Thameslink serves London Luton Airport and London Gatwick Airport too. Now that the Elizabeth Line is opened, passengers may also transfer to London Heathrow Airport via Farringdon with the Elizabeth Line.

Tip-up seats are also available which doubles up as wheelchair space, buggy space, or more standing space.

As travel time on Thameslink can be long, toilets are also available on board.

The clean toilet available on board the Thameslink British Rail Class 700 Desiro City.

First Class is also available on board the Thameslink British Rail Class 700 Desiro City. Only the front First Class compartment is in use according to the direction of travel. The rear First Class compartment is declassified and anyone can use it without extra fares or penalty.

City Thameslink Railway Station

Making a brief stop at City Thameslink Railway Station.

Heading out of the tunnels to open scenery.

London Blackfriars Railway Station

Making a brief stop at London Blackfriars Railway Station.

Passing by Metropolitan Junction.

London Bridge Railway Station

Arriving at London Bridge Railway Station.

Making a brief stop at London Bridge Railway Station.

Thameslink takes the outer track at London Bridge Railway Station as the inner tracks are with end-on platforms.

Splitting off from the core section at Spa Road Junction.

Passing through London Overground stations on the East London Line at speed.

Overtaking a Southern Class 455/8.

Passing by Selhurst Depot with Southern and Southeastern Class 377 Electrostars stabling.

Approaching East Croydon Railway Station.

East Croydon Railway Station

Making a brief stop at East Croydon Railway Station.

The line from here feels strangely familiar to me despite this being my first time on this route, as I have spent a couple of hours during the 2020–21 Singapore circuit breaker measures driving the Southern service from London Victoria to Brighton and back on Train Simulator Classic.

Gatwick Airport Railway Station

On approach to Gatwick Airport Railway Station, the Gatwick Airport Shuttle Transit South Terminal Station can be seen.

The Gatwick Airport Shuttle Transit operates with 2 sets of 3-car Bombardier Innovia APM 100 (now Alstom), each on its own bi-directional single track.

Gatwick Airport Railway Station is undergoing some reconstruction.

Making a brief stop at Gatwick Airport Railway Station. Quite a number of passengers alighted here as Thameslink is a much cheaper alternative to the Gatwick Express, and the London Thameslink stations and East Croydon offer more options for passengers to board within London than just London Victoria for the Gatwick Express.

Three Bridges Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Three Bridges Railway Station.

Passing by Three Bridges Depot or Three Bridges Traincare Facility.

A nice shadow below while passing over a viaduct.

Haywards Heath Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Haywards Heath Railway Station.

Wivelsfield Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Wivelsfield Railway Station.

Burgess Hill Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Burgess Hill Railway Station.

Hassocks Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Hassocks Railway Station.

Passing by the Preston Park sidings.

Preston Park Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Preston Park Railway Station.

The line to Hove splits off here before Brighton on the wye junction.

Passing by Brighton Lovers Walk Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot.

Brighton Railway Station

Approachi |

Oh well.

Entering Brighton Railway Station.

The journey from London St Pancras International to Brighton takes for my train’s schedule.

After all passengers have alighted, I headed into the First Class compartment for some photos.

Thameslink First Class is also in a 2+2 configuration with mostly table seats.

There’s not much of a premium for Thameslink First Class except for a proper table and power sockets below the seats.

And this First Class seat cover to remind you that you are in First Class even though you’re still in a 2+2 seat.

Walking down the length of the platform to the exit at the front end.

Some Thameslink branding photos at Brighton.

There is a direct curve line to the West Coastway Line at Platforms 1 and 2. Southern services towards Hove, Worthing, Chichester, Portsmouth Harbour, and Southampton Central depart from Platforms 1 and 2.

A Southern Class 313 at Platform 1 for a service on the West Coastway Line.

My original planned 1600 train from London St Pancras International arrived just beside my earlier 1550 9T43 from London St Pancras International,  4 minutes after my arrival at Brighton.

Heading out through the gate line.

The exit out of Brighton Railway Station is just straight ahead.

The sheltered driveway is not in use, with more pick-up lanes in front of the shelter outside of the fence.

The Brighton Toy Model Museum is located underneath Brighton Railway Station, but they were closed by the time I arrived in Brighton.

The façade of Brighton Railway Station.

There is a rough guide on where attractions around Brighton are from the station. Brighton Palace Pier and seafront is straight ahead on the same road from the station.

It’s a downhill walk of about 15 minutes from Brighton Railway Station to Brighton Palace Pier and seafront.

Conclusion

Overall, Thameslink’s Super Off-Peak Day Return ticket is a great and affordable way to take a day trip out of London which costed me only £9 return from London to Brighton.

Thameslink trains may stop at more stations than Southern, but I had the convenience of London St Pancras International being nearby to Travelodge London Kings Cross Royal Scot where I was staying at, and the travel time taken if I had went to London Victoria might have been more than the few additional minutes calling at a few more stations along the line, with the direct core section of Thameslink cutting through the city saving my city connection.