Southampton Central to London Waterloo Trains From £12.40*

Getting from Southampton Central to London Waterloo takes approximately one hour and nineteen minutes with South Western Railway.

On your journey, you’ll first head northeast, up from the English Channel and towards Hampshire and Surrey before arriving in Greater London.

South Western Railway operates an extensive and varied network, linking passengers across the South West of England’s urban, suburban, and rural routes. Its services extend to counties like Wiltshire, Dorset, Berkshire, Surrey, and Hampshire. The network also runs further south, connecting key social cities such as Portsmouth and Southampton.

Departing from Southampton Central

Southampton Central is the city’s main train station, located in the city centre, so it’s easy to get to. Local taxis and public buses stop outside the station’s Platform One exit. If you’re coming to the station from the Isle of Wight, a regular bus service connects the station to the city’s ferry terminal.

Southampton Central is the busiest station in Hampshire. It is only around seventy-nine miles from London Waterloo, meaning you can get to the UK capital in only one hour and nineteen minutes.

South Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR), CrossCountry, and Southern all call Southampton Central home, providing train service to destinations like Weymouth, Manchester Piccadilly, London Waterloo, and Brighton.

Main stops

There are only three stops from Southampton Central to London Waterloo: Southampton Airport Parkway, Winchester, and Woking.

However, it should be remembered that these routes may change due to poor weather, scheduling alterations, train faults, or construction work. So, it’s best to double-check before you travel.

To secure cheap train tickets, follow these three rules: book your tickets early, use a Railcard for discounts, and search and book through TrainPal for the best deals.

Arriving at London Waterloo

London Waterloo is an excellent station to arrive at, as it’s connected to the Waterloo & City, Bakerloo, Jubilee, and Northern London Underground lines, helping you explore the rest of the city easily and connecting you with the rest of London’s transport system if you’re embarking on another journey.

It also helps you conveniently explore the rest of London. For instance, there are plenty of places to see near Waterloo. For example, the Tate Modern, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Shard, and the legendary London Eye are all close by. If you’d like to go a little further afield, you can easily catch the tube to the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, or the British Museum.

South Western Railway train classes

• Standard Class: Comfortable seating, Wheelchair spaces and free Wi-Fi. There are also tables and power sockets for your devices.
• First Class: It is possible to get a Southampton Central to London Waterloo First Class ticket. Tickets include at-seat wireless charging and more spacious seats and tables.

South Western Railway train travel advice

• Luggage: Bags and other luggage items are permitted. Luggage racks and overhead compartments are available for the convenient storage of large luggage, carry-on items, and small belongings.
• Pets: Small animals, including dogs and cats, travel for free. Dogs should be leashed, and other animals must be transported in carriers. Each passenger is allowed up to two pets.
• Bicycles: Bikes are welcome, but there is a ‘first-come, first-served’ policy. Small folding bicycles can be carried, but electric scooters are not allowed.
• Children: Under 5s can travel for free. Children aged 5 to 15 can save 50% on their tickets. 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.