London to Chichester is one of the more relaxed days out on the south coast: a small cathedral city, a walkable centre and the sea within a few miles. Most visitors take the train, and for one traveller that is sensible. This page covers the drive, the alternatives and what a private driver adds.
London to Chichester: train, coach or private driver?
Train. Services run from London Victoria to Chichester, some direct and some with a change. For a single traveller with light luggage and a flexible plan, an advance ticket is the cheapest and simplest route. The station is a short walk from the cathedral. Look up current times and fares on National Rail.
Coach. National coach services link London with the south coast and cost less than the train, but they take longer and finish at the coach station.
Private driver. We collect you at your London address and drive the 81 miles to Chichester in about 1 h 50 min without traffic. The bags stay in the car, you choose the departure time, and you can add a stop at a country pub or garden on the way.
How long is the drive from London to Chichester?
The distance is 81 miles (130 km), about 1 h 50 min with free-flowing roads. The route leaves London on the A3, then joins the A27 along the coast. The A3 around Guildford and the Hindhead area can be slow at rush hour, and the A27 near Chichester gets congested on summer weekends and race days at nearby Goodwood. National Highways lists live incidents, and you can preview the route on Google Maps.
What to do in Chichester
Chichester is a Roman city with a medieval cathedral, and the old plan is still clear: four main streets meet at the Market Cross, inside walls that you can walk almost all the way round. The cathedral has a detached bell tower and a modern tapestry, and the official Chichester Cathedral site has visiting details and service times.
Other places worth knowing:
- Pallant House Gallery, in a Queen Anne townhouse, with a well-regarded modern British collection.
- The Novium Museum, which shows the Roman history of the city.
- Chichester Festival Theatre, a short walk from the centre.
- Fishbourne Roman Palace, just outside the city, with preserved mosaics.
- Chichester Harbour and the Witterings, for sailing views and beach walks.
Opening times change, so check each attraction’s own website before you plan the day. For wider ideas see Visit Chichester.
Best time to visit Chichester
Spring and early summer are lovely for the walls and the cathedral gardens. July brings Goodwood events nearby, which fill the roads and the hotels, so a quieter day is easier outside those weekends. Autumn is calm and good for harbour walks, and in winter the shops and pubs are cosy even though the days are short. A weekday visit is more peaceful than a Saturday.
What a London to Chichester private driver costs
Our hourly rate outside London, beyond the M25, is £70 in an E-Class, £85 in an S-Class or V-Class and £105 in a Range Rover, with a four-hour minimum.
For a day trip, 1 h 50 min each way plus four hours in Chichester comes to eight hours of hire. That is £560 in an E-Class, £680 in an S-Class or a V-Class and £840 in a Range Rover. VAT is included and the price is agreed before you book. It covers the whole car, however many of you are in it.
A one-way transfer to a hotel or to the harbour, a longer day or an overnight stay is quoted on request. The full rates are on our prices page.
When a car makes sense
A car suits you when:
- you are three or more, so one car replaces several rail fares;
- you want to see Chichester and also Arundel, Goodwood or the coast in one day;
- you have luggage for a stay near the harbour;
- someone in the group finds long walks or changing trains difficult;
- you would like to leave London at a time that suits you rather than the timetable.
If you are alone and the plan is simple, the train is cheaper, and we would rather say so.
Combine Chichester with another stop
Chichester pairs well with its neighbours. Arundel, with its castle and cathedral, is a short drive east. Portsmouth and its historic dockyard lie to the west, and Brighton is further along the coast. If your visit coincides with a Goodwood event, see our Goodwood chauffeur page. Mention the extra stops when you enquire and we tell you what fits in the hours.
Which car for Chichester?
- Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 Series: up to 3 passengers.
- Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series: up to 3 passengers, with more rear space.
- Mercedes V-Class or VW Transporter: up to 8 passengers, the usual choice for a family or group.
- Range Rover: up to 4 passengers.
A sample day in and around Chichester
An early start from London puts you in the city by late morning. Begin at the cathedral, then walk the line of the Roman walls on the way to the Pallant area, where the Georgian houses and the gallery sit. Lunch is easy in the centre, with plenty of pubs and cafés on the four main streets.
With a car in the afternoon you can see what the station cannot reach. Fishbourne Roman Palace is a short drive west, and the harbour villages of Bosham and Itchenor offer a tide-watching walk. Bosham is especially photogenic, though its main road floods at high tide, so check the tide table before you park. After that the driver takes you back to London, and you are home in the evening. If you would rather stay the night, a one-way transfer is quoted on request.
How to book your London to Chichester driver
- Use the form below or the contact page to give the date, your London pick-up address, the number of passengers and your luggage.
- Say whether you want a day trip, a one-way transfer or an overnight stay.
- We send a fixed price, VAT included, with the car that fits your party.
- Your chauffeur arrives at the time agreed and, on a day trip, waits while you explore.
For other days out by road, see our guide to the best day trips from London by car.
Last updated 22 October 2026.
