Press & Media; Portsmouth locations; 15th July 2019

Getting to Portsmouth

Whether by train, coach, or more, there are plenty of options to get to the city

We've got great transport links to the city, both within the UK and beyond.

London is just a 90 minute train ride away. If you're travelling further afield, Southampton airport is a half an hour drive down the road. Wherever you need to go, you're not far away from your destination.

Getting around the city is simple, with plenty of buses running at almost all hours, a flat landscape that's easy to cycle, and every uni building within easy walking distance of each other.

By train

These stations are just a short walk or cycle from the University:

  • Portsmouth and Southsea – 8 minutes walking and 5 minutes cycling
  • Portsmouth Harbour – 15 minutes walking and 5 minutes cycling

From either of these stations you can get to the following destinations:

  • London Waterloo (1hr 30mins)
  • London Victoria (2hrs 10mins)
  • Bristol (2hrs)
  • South Wales (3hrs 15mins)
  • Southampton, Bournemouth and Brighton (40min - 2hrs)

For more information on train times, connections and prices, visit the National Rail website.

Cheaper train tickets

If you use the trains regularly or to travel long distances, it might be worth buying a railcard to get up to a third off all train fares. This includes a 16-25 railcard (also available to full time mature students), a 26-30 railcard, a Disabled railcard or a Network railcard for the South East region.

Don’t forget to check if minimum fares apply and to take your railcard with you on your journey. Railcard discounts aren’t available on season tickets.

Buying your tickets in advance usually means you can get cheaper tickets - but do check if you can get a refund if you have to amend your travel plans. 

To avoid booking fees, buy your train ticket at the station or online via National Rail.

By coach

National Express run coach services between Portsmouth and London (with countrywide connections) throughout the day all week. Except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Megabus run a service direct to Newcastle, via Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

These services all call at The Hard Interchange, by Portsmouth Harbour railway station - and some services also stop outside the Students’ Union.

For more information, visit the National Express and Megabus websites.

Cheaper coach tickets

You can also save money with a TOTUM student card on most Megabus journeys, or with a Coachcard on National Express if you're under 26 or a full time student.

By ferry

Being a city by the sea, there are a number of international and local ferry connections that will bring you straight to the city's doorstep.

International

There are daily sailings between Portsmouth and France (Caen or St Malo), as well as a weekly service to Cherbourg. Additional ferry services sail at least twice a week to Spain (Bilbao or Santander), Jersey or Guernsey. These services are operated by Brittany Ferries or Condor Ferries.

Isle of Wight

There are frequent daily services to the Isle of Wight by hovercraft, passenger catamaran and passenger/car ferry via Wightlink and Hovertravel. Students can save money with Hovertravel’s Hover Academic Card and Wightlink’s Education and Training season tickets.

Foot passengers can take a bicycle for no extra charge on both Wightlink and Hovertravel services, although spaces may be limited.

Gosport

Frequent daily services to Portsmouth via Gosport passenger ferry can be booked via the Gosport Ferry website.

Hayling Island

There is a frequent services between Hayling Island and Eastney (by IMS). Bicycles are carried free of charge or you can take the number 25 First Bus service between the ferry and the city centre. 

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The Isle of Wight ferry crossing the Solent

By car

The Portsmouth Park & Ride scheme runs two services from the Park & Ride terminal, just outside the city. You can leave your car here, and get bus travel across the city, to save on parking. It's ideal if you have family or friends visiting for the day.

  • PR1 – this route runs from the terminal down to the Hard Interchange.
  • PR3 - this route runs to Clarence Pier and the D-Day Museum, useful for getting to Southsea seafront.

For more information and the full timetable visit the Park & Ride website.

By plane

There are a couple of local airports within easy reach of Portsmouth, for international travel.

Heathrow Airport (1hr 30 mins by road via A3/M25) for all international connections. Railair and National Express coaches connect Heathrow Airport to Guildford or Woking Rail Stations, from where you can catch regular trains to Portsmouth.

Gatwick Airport (1hr 30 mins by road, 1hr 36 mins by rail) for international connections. Direct rail connections are available from Gatwick Airport Station.

Southampton International Airport (30 mins by road via M275/M27, 60 mins by train) for regular flights to other parts of the UK, the Channel Islands, Ireland, and various destinations in Europe.