Trains to Southampton Central

Southampton Central Train Station is the city's main railway station, serving Hampshire and the broader south of England region. The station runs along the South West Main Line, the Wessex Main Line, and the West Coastway Line. It is the busiest station in Hampshire and is only seventy-nine miles from London Waterloo Station.

When the station was originally built in 1895, it lay on the bank of the River Test. Yet as the city began to boom in the early twentieth century, a series of land reclamation efforts led to the creation of Southampton’s present-day docks. This left the station completely landlocked, and it remains so today.

Southampton has always had a strong naval history. It was the departure point for the Mayflower in 1620, the Titanic in 1912, and the D-Day Landings during the Second World War. Today, the city remains the UK’s largest port for cruise liners, like the Queen Mary 2.

Southampton Central offers a variety of services to its passengers, including:

• A ticket office at the main entrance and both booking halls (opening times: Monday to Friday 5.40am – 7.45pm; Saturday: 6.00am – 7.45pm; Sunday: 6.30am – 7.45pm). You can book train tickets as well as monthly and annual season tickets at the ticket office.
• Self-service ticket machines and accessible ticket machines. Plus, you can collect tickets you have bought online from the self-service machines.
• Step-free access to all platforms.
• Boards to check the real-time train timetable.
• ATMs, shops, and hospitality.
• Public Wi-Fi and post boxes.
• 392 bicycle storage stands and racks. There are two hundred spaces on Platform 1 and forty-four spaces on Platform 4.

Southampton Central can be found in the city centre, so it’s an easy and convenient station to get to. Located in the West Quay area of the city centre, it’s serviced by local taxis and buses outside the Platform One exit. Furthermore, there is a bus link from Southampton Central for ferries to the Isle of Wight.

Trains from Southampton Central Train Station serve a wide geographic area. The most regular trains are to Brighton and London Waterloo. There are also inter-city services to Manchester Piccadilly, London Victoria, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, and Cardiff Central. This combines more regional services to Romsey, Salisbury, and Weymouth.

London Waterloo to Southampton Central

It takes around one hour and fifteen minutes to get from London Waterloo to Southampton Central with South Western Railway. Two trains leave her hour.

Fareham to Southampton Central

The journey from Fareham to Southampton Central takes twenty-five to twenty-nine minutes with Southern, and twenty-one minutes with Great Western Railway (GWR).

Bournemouth to Southampton Central

With South Western Railway, it takes anywhere from twenty-nine to forty-five minutes to get from Bournemouth to Southampton Central, or thirty-three minutes with CrossCountry.

Brighton to Southampton Central

To get from Brighton to Southampton Central, it takes approximately one hour and forty-eight minutes to travel with Southern. There are usually two trains per hour.

There are four main train operators at Southampton Central Train Station. The busiest is South Western Railway, which runs the most popular service to London Waterloo and other places on the south coast, including Bournemouth, Weymouth, and Portsmouth.

Southern runs services to Brighton, while GWR operates the line to Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour. Meanwhile, CrossCountry runs services to Manchester Piccadilly and Cardiff Central.

Upon arriving at Southampton Central Train Station, you'll find yourself in a city rich with fascinating maritime history, pleasant weather, and excellent beaches. If you don't mind shingle beaches, Southampton offers several options like Weston Beach, Calshot Beach, and Lepe Beach. Lepe Beach, part of the picturesque Lepe Country Park, looks out onto the nearby Isle of Wight and is recognised as an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' by the local government.

For those interested in exploring the city's maritime history further, the SeaCity Museum is a must-visit. Here, you can delve into the city's deep connections with the oceans, including the story of the infamous Titanic, all just a short distance from Southampton Central Train Station.

If you're looking to save on travel, consider using TrainPal to find the cheapest train tickets around, making your journey to and from Southampton Central Train Station more affordable.

What is the postcode for Southampton Central Train Station?

The full address of Southampton Central Train Station is Blechynden Terrace, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 1AL.

Is there a free bus from Southampton Central to the Cruise Terminal?

A free shuttle bus can take you from the station to the Town Quay. From there, it is a fifteen-to twenty-minute walk to the terminal. You could also catch a taxi to the cruise terminal if you’re in a hurry.

What time does Southampton Central open?

Opening times are: Monday to Friday 5.40am to 8.45pm, Saturday 6am until 8.45pm, and on Sundays the station is open from 6.30am until 8.45pm.

Please keep in mind that the services within the station, including cafes, restaurants, and ticket offices, may open at different times.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.