Are you looking for ways how to get from London to Portsmouth? You are on the right page! I’ve lived in the UK for more than a decade now and visited Portsmouth. Portsmouth is a waterfront city situated in the county of Hampshire, South East of England. It is near London, which makes it a great place to go on a weekend break.
You can reach Portsmouth from London by train, coach, car and tour. The road distance between London and Portsmouth is 120.3 kilometres or 74.8 miles while the direct distance is 106 kilometres or 66 miles. It takes about 1 hour and 55 minutes to travel this distance by car.
Ready to meet one of the oldest seaside cities in Britain? I have gathered important transport information which you will surely find useful, including frequently asked questions about going to Portsmouth from London.
HERE ARE THE RECOMMENDED TOURS FROM GET YOUR GUIDE
How to get from London to Portsmouth
OPTION 1: How to get from London to Portsmouth by Train
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 27 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £14
The most comfortable and efficient way of travelling from London to Portsmouth is by train. In as fast as one hour and 27 minutes, you can arrive in Portsmouth and start exploring this historic city.
Southern and South Western Railway travel this route daily. They depart from the London Waterloo and London Victoria stations. All trains arrive at Portsmouth and Southsea Station. Here’s a timetable to guide you:
Train from London to Portsmouth
| DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 12:01 am | 6:16 am | 6 hours 15 minutes | £12.44 |
| Cheapest trip | 2:09 pm | 4:11 pm | 2 hours 2 minutes | £11 |
| Fastest trip | 11:30 am | 12:57 pm | 1 hour 27 minutes | £16.74 |
| Latest trip | 11:30 pm | 2:16 am | 2 hours 46 minutes | £12.44 |
It is easy to book train tickets online. Go to Trainline or Omio and browse through their list of daily trips from London to Portsmouth. Surely, you’ll find one that fits your budget and itinerary.
Prior to booking, see if you are eligible for any Railcard deals.
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend searching for the best train fares with Trainline. They have great options for various trains and schedules, to suit your budget.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to Portsmouth by Coach
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £17.94
If you like to do land travel, you can consider taking a coach to Portsmouth from London. It is almost as fast as a train ride, if the traffic conditions are favorable.
You can book a coach coming from London Victoria Coach Station or London Wandsworth. All will stop at the University of Portsmouth, Cambridge Road.
Coach from London to Portsmouth
| DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 8:30 am | 10:35 am | 2 hours 5 minutes | £17.94 |
| Latest and fastest trip | 10:00 pm | 11:55 pm | 1 hour 55 minutes | £17.94 |
To book a coach ticket, you can choose your preferred trip of National Express in Trainline and grab exclusive online deals with them.
The coaches traveling from London to Portsmouth are serviced by National Express. Each coach is equipped with amenities such as Wifi connectivity, charging ports, plenty of legroom, and air conditioning.
BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!
If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with Trainline. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the United Kingdom.
OPTION 3: How to get from London to Portsmouth by Car
- Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 55 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £24.28
If you wish to drive on your own or with your group, you can do so by bringing a car on your way to Portsmouth from London. This is a nice way to maximize your time there and go to different tourist spots conveniently.
To reach Portsmouth, you have to drive for 74.8 miles via A3. If the traffic is light, you can get there in less than 2 hours.
The price to rent a car in London starts at £24.28. The total price depends on the type of vehicle you will be getting and the number of days that you would like to rent the car. Visit Rental Cars, Europcar, or Discover Cars for all the options.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
If this is your first time driving in London and beyond, I suggest you read my UK driving tips for some useful information.
OPTION 4: How to get from London to Portsmouth by Tour
- Travel Duration: Varies
- Travel Fare: varies
Contact your local travel agency in London for day tours to Portsmouth. This is a convenient way to travel between the two destinations as they will be the ones to set all the necessary arrangements for you.
HERE ARE THE RECOMMENDED TOURS FROM GET YOUR GUIDE
If you are in Portsmouth already and are in search of tours in the area, you can check out Get Your Guide for all the most recommended activities in the city.
More About Portsmouth, UK
- I have rounded up all the best things to do in Portsmouth in this helpful article. These include a visit to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and a close look at Titchfield Abbey.
- Now that I have mentioned the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, you might find my guide to visiting this tourist destination interesting and informative.
- The National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth is among the best British War Museums you can visit while in the UK.
- Fancy a Portsmouth Treasure Hunt Mystery? This is only one of the many activities you can book via Get Your Guide!
HERE ARE THE RECOMMENDED TOURS FROM GET YOUR GUIDE
Map of Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from London to Portsmouth, UK
What is the London to Portsmouth distance?
The direct distance between London and Portsmouth is 106 kilometres or 66 miles.
What London station goes to Portsmouth?
London Waterloo and London Victoria stations go to Portsmouth.
Does Portsmouth have a train station?
Yes, it has Portsmouth and Southsea Station. This is where trains from London arrive.
Is there a direct train from London to Portsmouth?
Yes, there are direct trains that go from London to Portsmouth. Southern and South Western Railway travel this route daily.
How long is the train journey from Portsmouth to London?
Travelling by train from Portsmouth to London takes at least 1 hour and 27 minutes.
Can I go from London to Portsmouth by car?
Yes, you can get to Portsmouth from London by car. You can bring your own car or rent one and then drive for 74.8 miles via A3.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Portsmouth?
The fastest way to get from London to Portsmouth is by train. The fastest train ride can get you there in a matter of 1 hour and 27 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Portsmouth?
The cheapest way to get from London to Portsmouth is by train. If you book well in advance, you can get a one-way fare for as low as £14.
What is the best way to get from London to Portsmouth?
The best way to get from London to Portsmouth is by train. Not only is it the fastest way but it also is the cheapest way to get to Portsmouth, making it a really cost-efficient option for those travelling from London.
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for my UK trip?
YES – If you’re traveling to the UK, securing travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is essential for your peace of mind; I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance, which is renowned for its reliability. (READ MORE)
💧 Can I drink tap water in the UK?
YES – You can confidently drink tap water in the UK—just run it for a bit first—and use a Hydro Flask travel bottle, it is a great eco-friendly companion to keep you hydrated while touring the UK attractions.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in the UK?
YES – Renting a car in the UK is one of the best ways to see the country. I recommend Discover Cars, to check for the best car rental deals that suit your budget. See my UK driving tips here.
📲 Will my phone work in the UK?
POSSIBLY. Always check with your home mobile provider. If it won’t work or is too expensive, I recommend using Airlo E-Sim for data packages to stay connected online.
🔌 What adapter should I use in the UK?
TYPE G – In the UK, you’ll need a type G plug travel adapter with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle to power your devices, and the electrical system runs on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. (READ MORE)
✈️ What is the best site to buy UK flights?
For finding affordable UK flights, I recommend using Skyscanner. You can always compare the prices that suit your budget.
🛏️ What is the best way to book accommodations in the UK?
My go-to for UK accommodations is Booking.com. I recommend to always check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.
💷 What currency do I need for my UK trip?
Sterling Pounds – I suggest getting a Wise Travel Card for your hassle-free forex and contactless spending while in the UK. (READ MORE)
🧳 What do I pack for the UK trip?
Depending on the season – You can check my article about the best time to visit the UK.
🛂 Do I need a visa for the UK?
Likely Not – US, Canada, AU, NZ, and EU passport holders do not need a visit visa to the UK. If ever you need one, read more on how to apply for a UK visit visa. Visit iVisa.com to help you with your visa travel documentation needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel BlogEverything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.