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London to Southampton by train
It takes an average of 1h 42m to travel from London to Southampton by train, over a distance of around 69 miles (111 km). There are normally 113 trains per day traveling from London to Southampton and tickets for this journey start from $12.85 when you book in advance.
| First train | 4:30 am | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 1:05 am | |
| Departure station | London | |
| Arrival station | Southampton | |
| Journey time | From 1h 5m | |
| Distance | 69 miles (111 km) | |
| Frequency | 113 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From $12.85 | |
| Train operators |
Travel by train from London to Southampton in just over an hour
Considering a trip to the south coast and need more information on the journey from London to Southampton by train? Start your journey with us!
Usually, the journey from London to Southampton by train takes around 2 hours and 4 minutes to travel the 69 miles between these two cities. However, the fastest services can take you there in as little as 1 hour and 5 minutes. With around 105 direct trains running on this popular route, you can sit back and relax as you don’t need to make any changes along the way.
If you’re traveling on this route, you’ll board a train at train operated by South Western Railway or Southern. With the former, you’ll depart from London Waterloo station. Whereas with the latter, you’ll board a train at London Victoria station. With both operators, you’ll find free WiFi on the majority of services, as well as comfortable seating and luggage storage. Lastly, no matter who you end up traveling with, you’ll arrive at Southampton Central station.
Once you’ve arrived, you can begin to enjoy Southampton’s most popular sights. Not sure where to begin? Head for the Southampton City Art Gallery and the SeaCity Museum – home to interactive maritime displays and events. From Southampton, you can also access some of the UK’s most beautiful areas, including the New Forest and Jurassic Coast.
If you’d like to purchase the cheapest train tickets, try traveling during Off-Peak hours, as tickets are generally cheaper outside of morning/evening rush hours on weekdays. Hoping to save even more? Try booking an Advance ticket – they tend to be released 12 weeks prior to the departure date and are usually cheaper than purchasing tickets on the day of travel.
Eager to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from London to Southampton in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. For further information, continue reading for FAQs, timetables with first and last train times and tips on booking cheap train tickets.
FAQs about the train journey from London to Southampton
Want to know more about your journey from London to Southampton? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Can you take a train directly from London to Southampton?
How close is London to Southampton by train?
Is it possible to get from London to Southampton without flying?
What is the best way to travel from London to Southampton?
What time does the first train from London to Southampton leave?
What time does the last train from London to Southampton leave?
How often are trains from London and Southampton?
Do you need to book the train from London to Southampton in advance?
Can you buy return train tickets from London to Southampton?
Cheap train tickets from London to Southampton
Book in advance
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
Consider a Season Ticket
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Southampton is right for you.
Use your Railcard
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Split your tickets
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.