A trip from Portsmouth to London with South Western Railway takes around one and a half hours directly.
During your journey, you’ll travel up from the South Coast, leaving behind the English Channel for the plush countryside of Hampshire and Surrey, before arriving at the UK’s capital.
South Western Railway operates an extensive and diverse network that connects urban, suburban, and rural passengers across the South West. The service begins at London Waterloo station and extends to Wiltshire, Dorset, Berkshire, Surrey, and Hampshire. The network covers destinations further south too, including Portsmouth and Southampton.
Departing from Portsmouth & Southsea
The station is located at the Stanhope Road and Station Street interchange. It is close to Victoria Park and a few minutes' walk from the University of Portsmouth. The station is served by buses and taxis and has a regular bus service to Portsmouth International Port.
Main stops
There are fourteen stations connecting Portsmouth to London Waterloo. These are: Fratton, Hilsea, Cosham, Portchester, Fareham, Botley, Hedge End, Eastleigh, Winchester, Micheldever, Basingstoke, Fleet, Farnborough Main, and Woking.
These may change because of train schedules or bad weather. Check when purchasing your ticket and before traveling to prevent disappointment. It’s also worth booking early if you want the best train fare. Sites like TrainPal can help you buy cheap train tickets early.
Arriving At London Waterloo
From Portsmouth you will eventually reach London Waterloo station. It’s an excellent station for departures, as it’s connected to the Waterloo & City, Bakerloo, Jubilee, and Northern London Underground lines, helping you explore the rest of the city.
There’s plenty of places near Waterloo, as well. St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and the legendary London Eye are perfect selfie snap locations nearby.
South Western Railway train classes
- Standard Class: Comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices. Wheelchair spaces are available in Standard Cass only.
- First Class: First Class includes at-seat wireless charging and more spacious seats and tables.
South Western Railway train travel advice
- Luggage: Bags and other luggage items are permitted.
- Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel for free. Dogs must be on a lead. Other animals must travel in carriers. There is a maximum of two pets per passenger.
- Bicycles: Bikes are welcomed but there is a ‘first come, first served’ policy.
- Children: Under 5’s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets. Booking in advance using TrainPal helps ensure families can sit together. The Family & Friends Railcard offers up to 1/3 off family ticket costs.
- Passenger Assist: Help with journey planning, ticket booking, boarding and alighting (including ramps), station navigation, and light luggage handling. It also provides guidance for visually impaired passengers and information on train and station facilities.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.