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train vs bus, London to Portsmouth?

Hi, I'm traveling from London to Portsmouth to catch the ferry. Can anyone offer comments on train vs. bus travel, especially on this route? Time is not a huge concern, but I'm on a budget; bus seems to be about 2-3 times cheaper and drops off at the ferry port. Thanks,
Robin

Posted by
11294 posts

I think you answered your own question. The train is faster but pricier; the bus is slower but cheaper. If saving money is more important than saving time, choose the bus. Do check if discount train tickets are available (they often are, as long as you're buying sufficiently in advance and can live with non-refundable and non-changeable tickets). Sometimes, discount train tickets can match bus fares.

Posted by
518 posts

Robin,
I recently bought advance purchase train tickets (good for any time, any train on the day of travel) for £27.90 per ticket from Victoria Station to Portsmouth. I bought them at virgintrains.com. It is on Southern Rail. I didn't price bus fare. Trains also leave for Portsmouth from Waterloo station and are faster, but they cost more -- or at least they did for my search. Maybe this is useful for you.

Posted by
5309 posts

The anytime fare is £27.90 for Southern Trains and £33.10 for all trains. If you travel after 9am or at the weekend the Southern fare is £26.90. There are advance fares on Southern tied to a specific train for as little as £5, subject to quotas.

Posted by
1174 posts

We used www.aquacars.co.uk. They will fetch you from anywhere in London and deliver you to anywhere in Portsmouth, door to door, for less money than two train tickets. If you're alone it may not be worth the money. They met us at Heathrow and took us to our waterfront hotel in Portsmouth. Worth a look maybe. The door to door convenience was worth it to us.