West Sussex rail

County overview

There are six train operators in West Sussex, including Gatwick Express.

You can find out about accessibility at stations on the National Rail information website. 

Simply enter the name of your station (or three letter code if you know it).

Or use the National Rail access map to check accessibility at local station. 

Key tips

Always allow yourself plenty of time to plan your journey. It may be worth considering:

• If you will need help to access the train and will you be travelling with mobility equipment. Consider whether it is easier to take equipment with you or hire it at your destination, from an outlet such as ShopMobility.
• Booking passenger assistance in advance. Before you contact the train operator to arrange this, consider all aspects of your journey so all the information can be obtained in one call. For example, can assistance be arranged for a connecting train service? 
• When booking passenger assistance, you should be able to provide the size of a wheelchair or mobility scooter, including the total weight with or without the user.
• What local transport do you need once you arrive at your destination? Will you need to pre-book an accessible taxi?
• Will you be making this journey more than once a year? If so, it may be worth researching concessionary travel schemes.

Remember that your local Hubs Mobility Advice Service can signpost you to the correct travel operator and mobility organisations.

Operators

Gatwick Express 

https://www.gatwickexpress.com

A direct fast service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.

Govia Thameslink

https://gtrailway.com

Operate trains from the South Coast, from Brighton to Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Gatwick Airport and Three Bridges to London Bridge, and London Blackfriars.

Great Western Railway

https://www.gwr.com

Run the Adur Valley line.

Southeastern 

https://southeasternrailway.co.uk

Run trains to East Sussex and Kent.

Southern Railway

https://www.southernrailway.com

Owned by Govia Thameslink, Southern run trains from the South Coast to London via Crawley, Chichester, Arundel, Horsham, and Worthing. Southern trains go to Clapham Junction, London Bridge, Waterloo, and London Victoria.

Southwestern Railway     

https://www.southwesternrailway.com

Help with cost

Senior Railcard

A Senior Railcard is available to people over 60 and costs £30 for a year or £70 for three years. It gives a discount of a third off rail journeys. 

The Disabled Person’s Railcard

The Disabled Person’s Railcard costs £20 for a year and £54 for three years. It entitles savings of a third off rail journeys. Information regarding costs and full eligibility criteria are available online.

Special assistance

If you are planning to travel on National Rail services, you can request an assistance booking in advance – now up to two hours before your journey is due to start, any time of the day. 

Passenger Assist is a national system used by all train companies, which allows them to make the necessary arrangements for your journey.

How it works

If you have a disability, non-visible disability, or are elderly, you can pre-book journey assistance to make sure you get the help you need for your journey, including changes, and connections that involve other train companies.

You can also “turn up and go” without booking assistance in advance. If you require assistance at short notice, make yourself known to a member of staff or use a Help Point when you arrive at the station.

You can request Passenger Assist either via the train company you are travelling with or nationally through Network Rail. 

Book Passenger Assist via National Rail

Plan assistance

Contact: 0800 030 9224 (Freephone, including from mobiles)
Lines are open 24 hours a day (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

Book Passenger Assist via individual train companies

Gatwick Express 

Operate a Turn up & Go policy but passengers may feel more comfortable booking via this link.

Contact: 0800 138 1016

Govia Thameslink

Book assistance

Contact: 0800 058 2844

Great Western

Passenger assistance

Contact: 0800 197 1329

Southern Railway

Book assistance for your journey

Contact: 0800 138 1016 or email myjourney@southernrailway.com

Southeastern 

Accessible travel

Contact: 0800 783 4524

Travelling with a mobility equipment

All train operators in West Sussex can carry manual or powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters up to a maximum size of 700mm wide by 1200mm long and not exceeding a weight of 300kg including the passenger.

As there are a limited number of spaces available to wheelchair users on each train, it is important that you book your space in advance.

Mobility scooter permits

Some operators require a mobility scooter permit to board. If you are making a connection to an onward service with another operator, remember to check if you will need a permit for the connecting train.

Govia Thameslink

Will allow you to travel with your scooter up to the maximum size stated above.

Great Western

Will allow you to travel with your scooter up to the maximum size stated above with a permit.

Contact: 0800 197 1329 or download the following PDF for guidance and to apply for a permit.

If you are not eligible for a permit, you can still travel with your scooter but it must be folded and stowed in the luggage rack.

Southern Trains

Will allow you to travel with your scooter up to the maximum size stated above.

Their trains have spaces in carriages that are clearly marked on the outside of the train. Wheelchair spaces are available within standard class accommodation only. 

Southeastern 

Will allow you to travel with your scooter up to a maximum size stated above. 

Assistance Dogs

Contact the train operator directly but you may find the following information useful.

Routes and timetable links

National Rail’s journey planner is a useful online tool for planning a route. 

Most local rail stations will have paper timetables – but they do change seasonally in winter and summer. The rail operators will also have the facility to journey plan on their website, where you can also buy tickets. 

Trainline is a national journey planning resource where you can buy tickets. There is normally an administration fee.