Trains to Portsmouth
Heading for a sunny day or weekend in the UK's only island city? Trains to Portsmouth take just under an hour and a half from London or around 45m from Southampton, so you’ll be wandering around the lively town centre or the historic dockyard in no time.
We’re here to be your one-stop-shop for cheap train tickets, times and info about how to get to Portsmouth by train. If you want to get straight to booking, start a search for times and tickets above, or keep reading to find out more about trains to Portsmouth.
How to buy cheap train tickets to Portsmouth
There are a few ways you can save money on train travel this summer. Some of our top tips for booking cheap train tickets to Portsmouth include:
Travel Off-Peak
Tickets are usually cheaper to Portsmouth if you travel during Off-Peak hours. This is normally outside of rush hours during Monday to Friday, and anytime during the weekend. We’ll highlight whether a journey is during Off-Peak train times as your search for tickets.
Book in advance
Train tickets to Portsmouth normally go on sale around 12 weeks in advance, usually at their cheapest price. If Advance train tickets aren’t on sale yet, why not sign up to our Ticket Alert tool, and we’ll email you as soon as you can buy tickets for your chosen date.
Save up to 1/3 with a Railcard
Railcards can save you to 1/3 on the price of eligible train tickets to Portsmouth. Costing just £30 for one year, it doesn’t take long to make your money back either. Find out if you qualify for one and buy a Railcard online with us today.
Save up to 34% with GroupSave
If you’re heading to Portsmouth with three to nine of your favourite pals, we’ll let you know if you qualify for GroupSave when you search. This discount allows groups that are travelling together to save up to 34% on rail fares.
Split your train tickets
Splitting your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
Why not check out our train deals and discounts guide to discover the latest offers from train companies you can book with us.
Popular train journeys to Portsmouth
Travelling by train is the easiest and fastest way to get to Portsmouth from the other UK destinations. South Western Railway (SWR), Great Western Railway (GWR) and Southern run frequent services to Portsmouth. Have a look at our table below for more information about the most popular routes to Portsmouth, or start your search for a different station in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train operator |
|---|---|---|
| London to Portsmouth | 1h 24m | SWR, Southern |
| Southampton to Portsmouth | 43m | GWR, SWR |
| Brighton to Portsmouth | 1h 17m | GWR, Southern |
| Bristol to Portsmouth | 2h 26m | GWR |
| Bournemouth to Portsmouth | 1h 17m | CrossCountry, GWR, SWR, Southern |
Visiting Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a gem of a city located on the south coast known for its port and maritime heritage. Whether you're here for the day or multiple nights, you won't get bored roaming and perusing the stunning historic ships, submarines and eclectic museums that pay rightful homage to Portsmouth's proud past. The city offers a step into the past with every footstep - visitors can explore over 800 years of seafaring tales, from the Mary Rose to HMS Victory.
Head to the Point district for a taste of the winding, cobbled streets, and old-style pubs and after that, venture up the Spinnaker Tower for a bird's eye view of the port and city beyond. Another bonus of being in Portsmouth is its proximity and easy links to the Isle of Wight.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get cheap train tickets to Portsmouth?
It's easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Portsmouth. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can.
Are trains running to Portsmouth?
Trains run frequently almost every day to Portsmouth, although there may be less services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Portsmouth.
How long does it take to get to Portsmouth by train?
You can view train timetables and travel times to Portsmouth in our Journey Planner. Portsmouth is well connected to major cities around the UK by train, just enter your departure station and travel date into our Journey Planner to see how long it takes.
Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Portsmouth?
Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Portsmouth, these include:
- Network Railcard (London & South East Travel Zone)
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Family & Friends Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Persons Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.