London Waterloo to Poole Trains From £8.10*

Marvel at the Dorset countryside from the comfort of your seat on your way from London Waterloo to Poole. South Western Railway operates direct services twice an hour, taking 2 hours and 6 minutes on average.

South Western Railway (or SWR) provides commuter services from Waterloo to south-west London, regional trains in Wiltshire, Devon and Somerset, and suburban routes across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and Dorset. The Island Line also provides services on the Isle of Wight. Destinations include Salisbury, Dorchester, Exeter and Richmond.

Departing from London Waterloo

The London to Poole train departs from London Waterloo, a major railway and transport hub in central London. Located close to Lambeth and Southwark, the station is served by many local bus routes, as well as the Bakerloo, Jubilee and Northern lines on the London Underground. It’s also adjacent to Waterloo East station.

All mainline trains are operated by South Western Railway, connecting the capital to places like Weybridge, Dorking and Guildford.

Main stops

Services from London Waterloo to Poole could also stop at Basingstoke, Southampton Central and Bournemouth. Trains may call at different stops depending on the operator, time and route.

Arriving at Poole

Poole railway station is less than eight minutes from the town centre. Situated by Holes Bay on Serpentine Road, you can easily catch one of the local buses stopping nearby or a cab from the station’s taxi rank. Poole is one of the few stations in the UK providing interchange with ferry services. Services operated by DFDS Seaways and Brittany Ferries take passengers to Jersey, Guernsey, Normandy or Brittany.

All rail services from Poole are operated by South Western Railway. Running along the South West Main Line, trains stop at stations including Woking, Winchester and Christchurch.

For a wonderful nature walk full of wildlife, all you need to do is follow the Holes Bay Path. Loop around to see the Walled Garden, Upton Country Park and Hamworthy Park beach huts. Stop by The Tea Rooms for a bite to eat and a warming cup of tea. Discover the Georgian Old Town, local history at the Poole Museum and Scaplen’s Court, the town’s oldest building with stunning gardens.

South Western Railway train classes

• Standard Class: Almost half of South Western Railway’s fleet offers free Wi-Fi access. Standard Class coaches have comfortable seating, luggage areas and power sockets under table seats. Buy cheap train tickets when you book in advance.
• First Class: Opt for London to Poole First Class accommodation and enjoy wider, more luxurious seats with large tables featuring wireless charging. Simply place your device onto the charging pad.

South Western Railway train travel advice

• Luggage: South Western Railway does not have a specific limit, but your luggage shouldn’t block aisles, doorways or wheelchair areas.
• Bicycles: Spaces are limited, and some trains have no dedicated storage areas. Reservations aren’t required. While e-bikes are permitted, e-scooters are not allowed.
• Children: Travel is free for under-5s, and 5–15-year-olds pay half the fare. 16–17 Saver Railcard holders get 50% discounts on most tickets, and Zip Oyster photocards are accepted for travel within the London fare zones.
• Pets: Bring up to two pets on board and keep them on a lead or in a carrier.
• Passenger Assist: Requests for assisted travel (e.g., using ramps, etc.) can be made at any point, but booking no more than two hours before departure is advised.

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