Gatwick Airport to Southampton Central Trains From £12.50*

It takes around two hours and twenty minutes to get from Gatwick Airport to Southampton Central with Southern. However, you must change trains at Ford to get to Southampton. On your journey, you’ll head west, swapping the busy station of Gatwick Airport in Sussex for the sunny south coast of Hampshire.

Southern primarily operates routes between Central London and the South Coast of England, to places in Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.

Departing from Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport is a straightforward station to depart from, as the train station is already built into the South Terminal building. If you’re coming from the North Terminal building, then you can catch the shuttle bus service that ferries passengers between terminals every few minutes.

Gatwick Express, Southern, Thameslink, and Great Western Railway all operate through this station, serving destinations such as London St Pancras, London Euston, Brighton, and Southampton.

Main stops

When travelling with Southern from Gatwick Airport to Southampton Central, there are several stops along the way, including Three Bridges, Horsham, and Chichester. Note that you must change trains at Ford to continue to Southampton.

It’s worth considering that these routes may change due to adverse weather conditions, train faults, engineering works, or scheduling alterations. So, it’s best to double-check before you travel.

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Arriving at Southampton Central

Southampton Central is a convenient and straightforward station to arrive at. Placed in the West Quay area of the city centre, there are local buses and taxis outside the Platform 1 exit that can help you get around the city centre and neighbouring areas of the city.

Southampton has buckets (and spades) of things to do. Known for its rich maritime heritage, pleasant weather, and excellent beaches, it makes for a great day out at the seaside. If you’d like to imbibe the warm southern weather and the salty sea air, consider visiting Lepe Beach, Weston Beach, or Calshot Beach. Or, if you’d like to know more about Southampton’s past, consider visiting the SeaCity Museum to learn more about the city’s connection to the ocean.

South Western Railway, Southern, CrossCountry, and Great Western Railway all run their services through Southampton Central, serving routes to destinations like London Waterloo, Bournemouth, Weymouth, and Portsmouth.

Southern train classes

• Standard Class: Enjoy comfortable seats and free Wi-Fi, with priority seating and wheelchair space available near train doors. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
• First Class: It is possible to get a Gatwick Airport to Southampton Central First-Class ticket with Southern, enjoy quieter carriages, larger seating and tables, and wireless charging.

Southern train travel advice

• Luggage: Store larger bags away on the overhead shelf or luggage racks. Smaller items of luggage can fit under the seats.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and small animals can travel at no cost. Dogs need to be on a lead, and other animals must be in carriers. Passengers can bring a maximum of two pets.
• Bicycles: Peak-time restrictions apply to regular bikes and e-bikes. Spaces are free of charge with no need to pre-book. E-scooters and hoverboards are not permitted.
• Children: For children under 5, travel is free, and those between 5 and 15 receive a 50% fare reduction. The Family & Friends Railcard can reduce family ticket costs by up to one-third.
• Passenger Assist: Assisting with purchasing tickets and other necessary items for the journey, providing ramps or alternative transportation, and helping with luggage handling, boarding, and transfer services.

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