With 39 million individual visits every year, the South Downs is one of the South East’s most popular tourist destinations. The vast majority of visitors come by car. The increasing use of vehicular transport within the National Park can threaten the very qualities that attract people in the first place, as well as causing congestion at some sites.

Walking, cycling or taking the bus are the most eco-friendly ways to enjoy the Park. To help you leave the car at home, we’ve set up a number of transport projects within the National Park area. 

If you’re planning to come to the South Downs by public transport, check www.nationalrail.co.uk, tel: 08457 48 49 50 or www.traveline.org.uk, tel: 0870 6082608. The hugely helpful traveline website will help you plan your journey door-to-door, based on postcodes, place-names or addresses. It will even show you detailed maps of each stage of your journey, so you’ll know exactly where you’re going.

You can travel on buses and trains, all day long with a Downlander ticket; take advantage of Cuckmere Community Bus; Breeze up to the Downs bus networks from Brighton or literally Take the Bus for a Walk by enjoying one of the inspiring walks which start and stop at bus stops.

Downlander Ticket

With the Downlander Ticket, you can travel over much of the South Downs, all day long, without paying for car parking or petrol. Valid for both Southern train services and a number of local bus services, a Downlander tickets costs as little as £10 a day, offering excellent value for money.

Take the Bus for a Walk

Take the Bus for a Walk

Bus Walks is a series of leaflets featuring inspiring walks handily starting and finishing at bus stops.  There are 18 Bus Walk across the Downs, taking in footpaths and bridleways in areas from Worthing to Beachy Head.  Each unique walk offers a different experience of the Downs, including the option of exploring areas of new Open Access land (not available for Worthing leaflet yet).

Bus Walks 1, 2 and 3
Bus Walks 4, 5 and 6
Bus Walks 7, 8 and 9
Bus Walks 10, 11 and 12
Bus Walks 13, 14 and 15
Bus Walks 16, 17 and 18

Cuckmere Community Bus

Since 1976, The Cuckmere Community Bus has taken people living in the villages of the Cuckmere Valley into town for shopping, doctor’s appointments, or just for pleasure. Operated entirely by helpful, friendly volunteers, the Community Bus also runs weekend ‘rambler’ services between Eastbourne, Alfriston, Berwick Station, Wilmington, Litlington and Seaford.

Breeze up to the Downs

Breeze up to the Downs is a network of three bus services linking Brighton with some of its most popular countryside destinations:

Full timetables can be found in the 'Breeze up to the Downs' leaflets for each service which can be downloaded by visiting the bus company's website, to do this, please click on the link above for the route your require.