Transport Links to Portsmouth

Portsmouth is well connected to the London airports of Heathrow (2 ½ hours) and Gatwick (2 hours), and the local airport of Southampton (1 hour). Here you will find details of travel options from these airports, as well as local taxi firms on arrival in Portsmouth.

London Heathrow

Heathrow is Britain’s biggest and busiest airport with excellent transport links. Travelling to Portsmouth the train is the quickest and easiest option, although National Express coaches are also available.

If using the train you need to travel from Heathrow airport to London Waterloo either by Heathrow Express to London Paddington and then catching the Bakerloo underground line (40 minutes), or by taking the Piccadilly underground line to Piccadilly Circus and changing to the Bakerloo line (55 minutes). (see details below)

London Heathrow Express Train: www.heathrowexpress.com

Heathrow to Paddington in 15 minutes, depart every 15 minutes (Single - £22-27, Return - £36-41; Business First single - £30. Fares depend on time of travel and are cheaper if booked in advance).

Heathrow Connect Train: https://www.heathrowconnect.com/

Heathrow to Paddington in 30-40 minutes (depending on terminal), depart every 30 mins, (Single - £10.20, Return - £20.40).

London Underground

The Underground, also known as the Tube, began operating over 150 years ago. Heathrow airport (Zone 6) is served by the Piccadilly line (Dark Blue Line on Tube maps).

If travelling to Waterloo (Zone 1) you will want to change at Piccadilly Circus to catch the Bakerloo line for 3 stops (Brown Line on Tube maps). A single ticket from Heathrow to Waterloo is £6.00

South West Trains: https://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/

On arrival at Waterloo large boards display the destinations and platform numbers. Quick trains taking 1 and ½ hours depart on the hour and at half-past throughout the day. Single £35, Return £36-70 (peak trains from Portsmouth arrive in Waterloo before 1000).

National Express Coach: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

Heathrow terminals – Portsmouth Harbour – 3 hours 15 to 3 hours 40. Single – between £17–24 (booking in online in advance is recommended)

London Gatwick

Southern Railway: http://www.southernrailway.com/

At least 2 trains leave every hour (for most of the day at 09 and 39 past). Direct trains take between 1 hour 20 and 1 hour 30. Early in the morning and later in the evening it is sometimes necessary to change trains (usually at Three Bridges), these trains take 1 hour 45. Single - £15.90, Return - £24.80-31.80.

Eurotunel

Eurostar: http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en

Eurostar trains arrive into the recently renovated St Pancras International (upstairs in the main concourse you will find a statue of the poet John Betjeman). Travel to Waterloo from the Underground station of Kings Cross & St Pancras takes around 15 minutes. Catch the light blue Victoria Line to Oxford Circus and change to the brown Bakerloo Line.

Southampton Airport

South West Trains: https://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/

Trains depart from Southampton Airport Parkway towards Portsmouth every 20 minutes; however, there are no direct trains and you will need to change in Eastleigh, Fareham, or Southampton Central depending on the train. Train journey time is just over 1 hour. Single - £10.50, no Open Returns are available on this route.

Ferries

Ferries arriving from continental Europe (Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries) arrive into the Portsmouth International Ferry Terminal at the North end of the city. From here it will be necessary to hire a taxi or Uber to the Holiday Inn.