Trains from London to Portsmouth from IDR 221,815

The charming city of Portsmouth on Britain’s south coast is famous for its maritime heritage, range of museums and waterfront shopping complex. Whether you’re heading from the capital to the country’s only island city for a day trip or a weekend away, our guide below is here to help you with all the information you could need for your journey.

Which station is best for getting from London to Portsmouth?

You’ve got two options for getting directly from London to Portsmouth by train. The fastest option is from London Waterloo with South Western Railway. Trains on this route run around three times an hour and can take just under an hour and a half to Portsmouth & Southsea station. Typical travel times are between 1h 40m and 2h 10m.

Alternatively, you can take a Southern Railway service from London Victoria to Portsmouth. Services to Portsmouth & Southsea station on this route generally run twice an hour, taking between 2h 2m and 2h 11m. Head over to our journey planner to see which option works best for your travel plans.

London Waterloo to Portsmouth with South Western Railway

Getting to London Waterloo

London Waterloo station is a major transport hub with mainline services to Weymouth, Exeter and other London stations and neighbouring counties. As well as joining up with mainline rail services, this busy central London station has good connections with the London Underground, with the following lines serving Waterloo Underground station:

• Bakerloo
• Northern
• Jubilee
• Waterloo & City

It’s also easy to access Waterloo East station for Southeastern services to Kent and East Sussex.

Station facilities include left luggage, seating areas, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities and water fountains as well as free public Wi-Fi. If you’ve got time for some shopping or a bite to eat before your journey to Portsmouth, London Waterloo won’t disappoint. Pick up supplies at Boots or M&S Simply Food, grab a cuppa at Starbucks or Pret, or pick up a gift at Hotel Chocolat or Lush. Check out the Network Rail station retail directory for a full list of outlets.

On board your South Western service from London to Portsmouth

Many South Western Railway services feature quiet zones, ideal for a more peaceful trip. Free Wi-Fi is also available on many, although not all, South Western trains.

There are three general routes from London Waterloo to Portsmouth:

• The quickest option is London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Woking, Guildford, Godalming, Haslemere, Petersfield, Havant and Fratton.
• The next quickest option travels via all the above stations as well as additional stations such as Farncombe, Liphook and Liss.
• The slowest option goes via Basingstoke and Winchester.

Be sure to check our journey planner for detailed information, including stops, on your preferred journey.

First Class upgrades are generally available on services from London Waterloo to Portsmouth. In First Class, you’ll find wider seats with extra legroom, large tables, and at seat wireless charging.

You can book a First Class ticket in advance using the journey planner by choosing your preferred journey and then selecting ‘View 1st Class & More Tickets’ before you reach the payment screen. Alternatively, weekday upgrades can be purchased from the ticket office before you travel, while you can grab a weekend upgrade directly from the guard onboard, subject to availability.

London Victoria to Portsmouth with Southern Railway

Getting to London Victoria

Popular with tourists and locals alike, London Victoria is well connected via mainline trains, the London Underground and buses, with Victoria coach station just a short walk away. Transport links include:

• Circle, District and Victoria Line Underground services
• Southeastern, Southern Railway and Gatwick Express services
• Buses directly from outside the station and coaches from Victoria Coach Station

You’ll find a range of shops, cafes and restaurants available at the station, ideal if you have some time before your train departs. These include McDonald's, Superdrug, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Scribbler (full directory here).

At London Victoria station, you’ll also find all the facilities you’d expect of a major London terminus, such as accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, seating areas, ATMs and free public Wi-Fi.

On board your Southern service from London to Portsmouth

Southern trains feature free onboard Wi-Fi. If you choose to upgrade to First Class, you’ll also benefit from quieter carriages and more space.

The journey from London Victoria to Portsmouth generally includes stops at Clapham Junction, Three Bridges and Chichester. If you’re looking to travel back directly from London Gatwick Airport to Portsmouth, you’ll also want to join the Southern services originating from London Victoria.

How much do train tickets from London to Portsmouth cost?

Train tickets for the approximately 63 miles journey from London to Portsmouth can start from as little as IDR 221,815, although average fares are usually between £30 and £35. Generally, Southern services from London Victoria are slightly cheaper, although journey times are usually longer than South Western services from London Waterloo. Be sure to make use of the journey planner to compare options and work out what’s best for your trip.

Which station is best for Portsmouth: Portsmouth & Southsea or Portsmouth Harbour?

You’ll find that many services from London to Portsmouth stop at both Portsmouth & Southsea station and Portsmouth Harbour station, so you may well be wondering which station is best for your trip to Portsmouth. The answer depends on what your plans are once you arrive.

Portsmouth & Southsea station is located in the heart of the city centre, so it will suit you if you’re visiting for city centre shops, the Guildhall, St John’s Cathedral or the University of Portsmouth.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth Harbour station will be the best option for you if you’re looking to spend time at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the Mary Rose Museum, Gunwharf Quays or Spinnaker Tower. If you’re looking to travel by ferry to the Isle of Wight, you’ll also want to choose Portsmouth Harbour station.

Fratton station also features on many of the routes from London and is a convenient option for some of Portsmouth’s neighbourhoods as well as for bus connections to Southsea Beach and South Parade Pier.

Whichever station you choose, be sure to have a read through our Portsmouth destination guide for tips on hotels, restaurants and attractions.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.