Main train stationsSouthampton Central station
Train companiesGreat Western Railway, South Western Railway, CrossCountry
Main attractionsSouthampton Hall of Aviation, SeaCity Museum

 

Heading to Southampton for a sunny day out or weekend away? Trains to Southampton take just over an hour from London, and less than half an hour from Bournemouth, so you’ll be wandering around the Marina, or hopping on a boat trip in no time.

We’re here to be your one-stop-shop for cheap train tickets, times and info about how to get to Southampton by train. If you want to get straight to booking, start a search for times and tickets above, or keep reading to find out more about trains to Southampton.

How to find cheap train tickets to Southampton

There are a few ways you can save money on train travel this summer. Some of our top tips for booking cheap train tickets to Southampton include:

Travel Off-Peak

Tickets are usually cheaper to Southampton if you travel during Off-Peak hours. This is normally outside of rush hours during Monday to Friday, and anytime during the weekend. We’ll highlight whether a journey is during Off-Peak train times as your search for tickets.

Book in advance

Train tickets to Southampton normally go on sale around 12 weeks in advance, usually at their cheapest price. If Advance train tickets aren’t on sale yet, why not sign up to our Ticket Alert tool, and we’ll email you as soon as you can buy tickets for your chosen date.

Save up to 1/3 with a Railcard

Railcards can save you to 1/3 on the price of eligible train tickets to Southampton. Costing just £30 for one year, it doesn’t take long to make your money back either. Find out if you qualify for one and buy a Railcard online with us today.

Save up to 34% with GroupSave

If you’re heading to Southampton with three to nine of your favourite pals, we’ll let you know if you qualify for GroupSave when you search. This discount allows groups that are travelling together to save up to 34% on rail fares.

Split your train tickets

Splitting your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.

Why not check out our train deals and discounts guide to discover the latest offers from train companies you can book with us.

Popular train journeys to Southampton

Travelling by train is the fastest, easiest and greenest way to get to Southampton from the other UK destinations. South Western Railway (SWR), Southern, Great Western Railway (GWR) and CrossCountry services run frequently to Southampton every day. Have a look at our table below for more information about the most popular routes to Southampton, or start your search for a different station in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.

RouteFastest journeyTrain operator
London to Southampton1h 11mSWR, Southern
Bournemouth to Southampton27mCrossCountry, SWR
Winchester to Southampton15mCrossCountry, SWR
Portsmouth to Southampton43mGWR, SWR
Bristol to Southampton1h 38mGWR

 


Visiting Southampton

Widely known as the cruise capital of Europe, Southampton is a thriving maritime city with a long, varied and proud history. The Pilgrim Fathers set off from Southampton Harbour in The Mayflower to build their New World in America, as did the ill-fated Titanic on her maiden voyage. Southampton airport, as it is now called, was the setting for the maiden flight of the Spitfire, designed by a local resident, and the city's medieval walls are always popular with visitors.

As the city is on the coast, a visit to the SeaCity Museum is a must and puts the focus on the history of Southampton, exploring its maritime connections through the ages. This is an innovative, state-of-the-art museum telling some of the stories of the millions of people who through the ages have travelled into and out of the city. As the museum offers an interactive experience, it is suitable for visitors of all ages.

Tudor House and Garden traces over 900 years of the history of Southampton and is the city's most important historic building. Recent restoration has added fascinating new displays and facilities.

Back to the sea and no trip to Southampton would be complete without a boat ride. Boat trips between one and five hours offer stunning views of the docks and some of the world's largest cruise ships. Visitors will see where the Titanic left from, and can also join Disco and Party Nights.

Still, on the water, yachting is an immensely popular pastime, and it's possible to learn the rudiments of sailing on popular courses and explore the harbours, marinas, and creeks of the Solent.


Frequently asked questions

What's the main train station in Southampton?

The main train station in Southampton is Southampton Central station, which is located just east of the city centre.

Which train companies run trains to Southampton?

There are a number of trains companies in the UK that operate trains to Southampton, including South Western Railway and Southern.

How can I get cheap train tickets to Southampton?

It’s easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Southampton. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.

Are trains running to Southampton?

Trains run frequently almost every day to Southampton, although there may be less services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Southampton.

Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Southampton?

Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Southampton, these include:

Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too. 

Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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