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Journey from Southampton Central to London Waterloo on the fastest train in 1 hour 16 minutes, usually 1 hour 35 minutes. Every day, 74 trains leave from Southampton Central, starting at 04:52 and ending at 23:00. During Off-Peak Times from 09:30 on weekdays, enjoy a quieter and less crowded journey. Get real-time updates on train schedules, delays, and cancellations. Save time, effort, and money with us.
| Departs | Arrives | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
05:50 Southampton Central | 3 hours 12 minutes, 2 change | 09:02 London Waterloo | Southern | Find tickets |
05:55 Southampton Central | 1 hour 31 minutes, Direct | 07:26 London Waterloo | South Western Railway | Find tickets |
06:30 Southampton Central | 1 hour 17 minutes, Direct | 07:47 London Waterloo | South Western Railway | Find tickets |
06:37 Southampton Central | 2 hours 55 minutes, 1 change | 09:32 London Waterloo | Southern | Find tickets |
06:44 Southampton Central | 1 hour 55 minutes, Direct | 08:39 London Waterloo | South Western Railway | Find tickets |
Plan your journey from Southampton Central to London Waterloo with ease. Explore the first and last train times, departure and arrival stations, distance, journey time, and price options to make the most of your trip.
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.
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.
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.
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.
*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.
Travelling by train from Southampton Central to London Waterloo is efficient and offers a scenic and comfortable experience. With frequent departures from Southampton Central, you can reach London Waterloo in just 1 hour 16 minutes, making it one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel between these two places.

The fastest train journey time from Southampton Central to London Waterloo is 1 hour 16 minutes . Direct trains can save significant time by avoiding transfers. Always check if a direct route is available for your journey. Moreover, when searching for trains, consider the total travel time. Some routes with fewer stops or more efficient schedules might be faster.
No, there are no direct trains from Southampton Central to London Waterloo. However, you can still find the best train options using the TrainPal Train Journey Planner. Simply enter your departure and arrival stations to see all available train services and plan your trip

Southampton Central to London Waterloo trains are generally punctual, but delays or disruptions can happen due to weather, strikes, and other factors. With Train Journey Planner, finding a train timetable for your trip is simple. Enter your departure and arrival stations to view a detailed schedule of available trains. Provide your travel details to find the best routes, connections, and train times.
It’s recommended to reach the train station 15-20 minutes before your train is set to leave. This gives you sufficient time to locate your platform, particularly in larger stations. Arriving early is also beneficial if you need to collect tickets or find your way around an unfamiliar station, helping to minimise any potential stress.
Yes, most trains on the Southampton Central to London Waterloo route offer amenities like Wi-Fi, food services, and various seating options. Additional facilities may include power sockets, accessibility features, and luggage storage. Check the specific amenities offered by the train operator when booking, as these can vary.
Transferring between train stations in the UK can be effortless with some planning. If your travel requires a transfer, review your ticket and journey details for specific transfer instructions. Major stations typically feature clear signage and helpful staff. Additionally, TrainPal Train Journey Planner offers comprehensive transfer details.

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