Coventry vs Brighton: getting from Brighton to the CBS Arena

Coventry City host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Coventry Building Society Arena (CV6 6AQ), just north of the city centre off Jimmy Hill Way. Coventry Arena railway station is beside the ground, giving rail travellers a short final walk to the stadium.

How to get from Brighton to Coventry by train

The train is the most relaxed way to do this away day, and it has a big advantage: the ground is right beside Coventry Arena railway station, a five-minute walk from the turnstiles. There is no direct service from Brighton, so you will make one change, with the quickest trains taking a little under three hours.

• Via London: Brighton to London, cross to London Euston, then a fast Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern train to Coventry (the Euston to Coventry leg is about an hour).
• Via Reading: Brighton to Reading, then a direct CrossCountry train up to Coventry. This avoids crossing central London and is often the simpler option.

You arrive at Coventry city-centre station. From there, check the live local rail timetable for Coventry Arena station or use the extended Number 20 bus service towards the Arena area. A taxi from the city centre is another option. Check your return journey before you travel, especially for an evening kick-off.

How to get from Brighton to Coventry by car

By car it is around 155 miles and about three hours, almost all motorway. The usual route is the A23 and M23 up to the M25, round to the M40, then the M42 and M6 towards Coventry. The M25 is the part that decides your journey time, so leave early on a matchday. Put CV6 6AQ into your sat nav to bring you straight to the arena.

The one thing worth sorting before you set off is parking. Matchday restrictions operate around the Arena and nearby streets, so use an authorised pre-booked car park rather than arriving without a plan.

How to get from Brighton to Coventry by coach

National Express runs coaches from Brighton to Coventry, though they route through London and take a good deal longer than the train. It is the cheapest option if time is not tight. Coaches arrive in the city centre, so you will finish with a short taxi or local train to the ground.

Getting to the ground once you arrive

Coventry Arena railway station is within walking distance of the stadium. If you come by car, use your pre-booked space and follow event signage and steward instructions. From Coventry city centre, rail, the extended Number 20 bus and taxis are all practical final-leg options.

Where to stay in Coventry

If you are staying overnight, choose between the arena area for the shortest matchday journey and Coventry city centre for more food, bars and transport options. For an evening game, a city-centre hotel can also make the trip home easier if you do not want to rush for a late train.

See every hotel near the CBS Arena and in Coventry on a map, with Google ratings and how long each one takes to reach the ground.

Making a day of it in Coventry

With the travel sorted, the rest is the fun part. Get there early, find a spot for a pre-match drink and time your walk to the turnstiles so you are not rushing:

• Pubs and bars near the CBS Arena, with walking distance from the ground.
• Where to park and how far it is from the arena on foot.
• The matchday timetable, built around the next home kick-off.
• Plan your day: your trip from home to the turnstiles, with a pub or a car park on the way.

First time at the ground? Our Coventry City matchday guide for away fans covers everything else around your visit.

Frequently asked questions