How to get here
How to get here
Wherever you travel from, you'll most likely fly to the UK. Portsmouth has great links with all of London's major airports, so it's easy to get here.
We run an airport pick-up from Heathrow, so if you land there, you can travel to Portsmouth on our coach on selected dates.
There are plenty of other transport links to Portsmouth, so however you travel, getting here is simple – even if you arrive out of hours. Our maps and directions page has information about how to get here by sea, train, coach and car.
Travelling from the airport
Travelling from the airport
London Heathrow Airport and pick-up service
Our London Heathrow Airport pickup service costs £25 and operates at the beginning of the September and January intakes.
January 2025 Airport pick-ups:
- 5.00pm Sunday 19 January 2025
- 5.00pm Wednesday 22 January 2025
- 5.00pm Saturday 25 January 2025
The pick-up is at 5.00pm. If your flight lands after 3.00pm, unfortunately you will not be able to take the airport pick up.
The airport pickups will be from Terminal 3 arrivals hall. You will need to make your way to Terminal 3 from your arrival terminal, details about travelling between terminals can be found on the London Heathrow website.
All airport pickups are subject to availability. We will notify you by email if there are any changes to your booking.
You can also take a coach to Portsmouth. The journey takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes. See the National Express website for more details about coach times and prices.
Or you can take the train to Portsmouth and Southsea Railway Station. The journey takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes and may include multiple train changes. You can find the latest travel times and ticket prices on the National Rail website.
If you arrive at London Gatwick Airport, we recommend you take the direct train to Portsmouth and Southsea Railway Station. The journey takes about 90 minutes. You can find the latest travel times and ticket prices on the National Rail website.
National Express coaches run directly from each Terminal building to Portsmouth.
If you fly into Southampton Airport, you should take the train from Southampton Airport Parkway to Portsmouth and Southsea Railway Station. You will need to change trains at either Eastleigh, Cosham, Havant or Southampton Central. The journey takes about 60 minutes. Please check the National Rail website for the latest travel times and ticket prices.
If you are arriving in the UK and travelling to the University before our airport pick-up service is available you can book a taxi using local taxi company Aquacars, this will be cheaper than using an airport taxi. Aquacars accept all credit cards including AMEX and those issued outside the UK.
Arriving to Portsmouth by train
Portsmouth and Southsea Station is the closest station to the campus, the halls of residence and the city centre. There is a taxi rank outside, or you can use Uber, or local taxi company Aquacars (tel: 023 9265 4321) to get from the station to your accommodation. However, several halls are a short walk from the station, so you will not need a taxi to get to these:
1 minute walk – Catherine House, Stanhope House, Crown Place
As you exit the station, you will see Catherine House straight ahead of you. It is the large black-glass building directly opposite. You will see Stanhope House and Crown Place on your left.
3 minute walk – Chaucer House and Margaret Rule Hall
When you exit the station, turn left. Walk down the steps on the corner and cross the road. Turn immediately left and you will see Chaucer House on your right. Margaret Rule Hall is the blue building which bridges the road. Margaret Rule Hall and Chaucer House share the same entrance door – it is underneath where Margaret Rule bridges the road.
3 minute walk - Greetham Street Hall
When you exit the station, turn left. Turn left again after passing Costa and keep walking straight ahead. Just after the blue building that bridges the road (Margaret Rule Hall), you will see a green building with a yellow top on your left. This is Greetham Street Hall.
5 minute walk – Bateson Hall and Harry Law Hall
When you exit the station, turn left. Walk down the steps on the corner and cross the road. Walk into the city square (Guildhall Square). Once you have passed the statue of Queen Victoria, go up the steps. You will see a bridge to your left between the buildings. Cross the bridge. Bateson Hall is on the left, and Harry Law is on the right. Report to Bateson Reception desk to check in for both Harry Law Hall and Bateson Hall.
7-8 minute walk – Rosalind Franklin Hall, Trafalgar Hall
When you exit the station, turn left. Walk down the steps on the corner and cross the road. Cross the main square (Guildhall Square) and continue past the shops and bars to the end of the street. Rosalind Franklin Hall is on the right – turn right into White Swan Road for the entrance door. For Trafalgar Hall, continue past Rosalind Franklin and cross the main road at the traffic lights. Turn left - Trafalgar Hall is the third building on the main road (after University House and the Ibis Hotel).
If you are going to Rees Hall, Burrell Hall or a private address, you should take a taxi from Portsmouth & Southsea Station.
Portsmouth Harbour (The Hard) is the closest station to Gunwharf Quays and the neighbourhood of Portsea. The main coach station is also here, and there is a taxi rank outside.
Fratton Station is the closest station to the neighbourhoods of Fratton, Milton, Eastney and Southsea. However, there are not always taxis waiting there, so if it is your first time in Portsmouth, we recommend you get off at Portsmouth and Southsea Station and take a taxi from there.
Arriving out of hours
If you arrive in Portsmouth outside our normal opening hours (8.30am–5.00pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am–4.00pm Friday), you should go to your accommodation for the night and come to see the International Student Advice team in University House the next working day if you need help or information.
If you arrive in Portsmouth before you're due to move in to your accommodation, you'll need to book a local hotel or guest house for your arrival. You can find places to stay via the Portsmouth Visitor Information Office. Make sure you book in advance.