Portsmouth to London Trains From €12.17*

The table below compares the two operators serving the Portsmouth-to-London route.

• Fastest operator: South Western Railway saves up to 40 minutes compared with Southern services.
• Arrival station: SWR serves London Waterloo, while Southern serves London Victoria.
• Frequency: SWR operates more frequent direct services throughout the day.

Travelling from Portsmouth to London is one of southern England's most popular rail journeys, linking the historic naval city with the capital through Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex.

Departure from Portsmouth

London-bound trains depart from three stations within Portsmouth: Portsmouth Harbour, Portsmouth & Southsea and Fratton. Each station serves a different part of the city, but all offer direct services to London throughout the day.

Portsmouth Harbour station

Portsmouth Harbour is the city's principal rail gateway and the starting point for most London services. It sits directly beside ferry terminals and transport interchanges, making it particularly convenient for visitors arriving from surrounding coastal areas.

• The Hard Interchange: Provides direct access to local bus services across Portsmouth and South Hampshire.
• Gosport Ferry: Connects passengers arriving from Gosport with the station entrance in just a few minutes.
• Wightlink Catamaran: Offers direct passenger ferry services to and from Ryde Pier Head on the Isle of Wight.
• National Express coaches: Long-distance coach services stop immediately adjacent to the station.

• Platforms 1, 3, 4  and 5: Handle most terminating and departing services from the harbour.

Portsmouth Harbour has a cafe, a convenience store and waiting areas within the station complex. Travellers can easily pick up coffee, snacks or a meal deal before boarding, while nearby outlets at The Hard provide additional food options for longer journeys.

Portsmouth & Southsea station

Portsmouth & Southsea is the city's central railway station and sits within easy walking distance of the main shopping district. It is the most convenient departure point for passengers staying in the city centre.

• Commercial Road buses: Frequent services connect the station with Southsea, Cosham and other Portsmouth neighbourhoods.
• City centre access: The station is only a short walk from the Cascades Shopping Centre.
• Local taxi services: Taxi ranks are available close to the main station entrance.

• High-level platforms: Most through services to London use the elevated platforms.
• Low-level platforms: Selected terminating and starting services use the lower section of the station.

Passengers will find a WHSmith inside the station for meal deals, newspapers and travel essentials. Coffee outlets and nearby city-centre cafes also provide plenty of options for grabbing breakfast or refreshments before departure.

Fratton station

Fratton is located east of Portsmouth city centre and is convenient for residents travelling from surrounding residential districts. Most London-bound trains stop here shortly after leaving Portsmouth Harbour.

• First Bus routes: Frequent local buses serve Fratton and neighbouring districts.
• Fratton Park access: The station is the designated match-day stop and sits within a 15-minute walk of Portsmouth FC's home stadium.
• Local taxi services: Taxi pick-up points are available outside the station.

• Island platforms: Most services use centrally located island platforms.
• Lift access: Step-free routes are available throughout the station.

Fratton offers smaller retail facilities than Portsmouth Harbour or Portsmouth & Southsea, but passengers can still purchase drinks, snacks and travel essentials before boarding. Several cafes and convenience stores are also located within a short walk of the station.

Onboard trains from Portsmouth to London

The journey to London passes through a variety of landscapes, including coastal waterways, historic towns and stretches of countryside. Depending on the route and operator, passengers can enjoy views of castles, national parks and some of southern England's most attractive scenery.

The scenic side

• Sit on the right-hand side of South Western Railway services after leaving Portsmouth for views of Portsmouth Harbour and Portchester Castle.

Key landmarks

• Portchester Castle: A well-preserved Roman fort overlooking the harbour.
• Guildford Cathedral: Visible on many South Western Railway services approaching Guildford.
• Arundel Castle: One of the most recognisable landmarks on Southern's route to London.
• South Downs National Park: A highlight of the Southern route through West Sussex.

Arriving in London

Depending on your chosen operator, your train will arrive at either London Waterloo or London Victoria.

Arriving at London Waterloo

London Waterloo is the arrival station for South Western Railway services. As Britain's second busiest railway station, it provides outstanding access to the South Bank, Westminster and central London.

• For taxis: Use the main concourse exit to reach the primary black cab rank.
• For the South Bank: Follow signs to the South Bank exit near York Road.
• For Westminster: Exit towards Westminster Bridge for the shortest walking route.
• For Waterloo Underground station: Follow internal signs from the concourse.

• London Underground: Connect directly with the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines.
• London buses: Multiple routes depart from stops immediately outside the station.
• River services: Waterloo Pier is within walking distance of Thames boat services.
• Cycle hire: Santander Cycles docking stations are available nearby.

Waterloo is well-positioned for exploring central London on foot. The London Eye is less than 10 minutes away, while Westminster Abbey and Big Ben can all be reached within around 20 minutes.

Arriving at London Victoria

London Victoria is the arrival station for Southern services. Located in Westminster, it offers excellent access to Buckingham Palace, Victoria Coach Station and several Underground lines.

• For taxis: Leave via Hudson's Place beside Platform 1.
• For Buckingham Palace: Use the Terminus Place exit and follow Buckingham Palace Road.
• For Victoria Underground station: Follow clearly marked signs within the station.
• For Victoria Coach Station: Exit onto Buckingham Palace Road and walk south.

• London Underground: Access the Victoria, Circle and District lines directly from the station.
• London buses: Extensive bus services operate from Victoria Bus Station and surrounding streets.
• National Express coaches: Victoria Coach Station is approximately seven minutes away on foot.
• Airport connections: Rail services provide straightforward links towards Gatwick Airport and the South East.

Victoria is an excellent arrival point for visitors heading to Westminster. Buckingham Palace, St James's Park and Green Park are all within a short walk, while many central London landmarks can be reached without needing public transport.