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Trip Summary
You can pick from 13 daily train trips between Manchester and Portsmouth. The average train journey from Manchester to Portsmouth takes 6 hours and 43 minutes, but some Arriva Trains Wales + Connections train trips are as short as 4 hours and 58 minutes.
| Distance | 190 mi (306 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 58m |
| Lowest price | £68.38 |
| Most frequent service | Arriva Trains Wales + Connections |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Manchester to Portsmouth?
There are 4 train lines with service from Manchester to Portsmouth. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 6 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arriva Trains Wales + Connections | 6 | 6h 39m | £125.21 |
| CrossCountry + Connections | 2 | 5h 19m | £132.15 |
| Northern Rail + Connections | 4 | 7h 53m | £96.79 |
| Virgin Trains + Connections | 1 | 5h 14m | £125.21 |
Arriva Trains Wales + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Portsmouth start from £125, and on average cost . Daily there are 6 Arriva Trains Wales + Connections schedules to Portsmouth. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Portsmouth trains arrive at Cosham and 2 other train stations.
From Manchester to Portsmouth train travel on Arriva Trains Wales + Connections takes 6 hours and 39 minutes. If you are looking to get to Portsmouth faster, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 58 minutes.
CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Portsmouth start from £132, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Portsmouth. CrossCountry + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Portsmouth trains arrive at Fratton and one other train station.
From Manchester to Portsmouth train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 5 hours and 19 minutes. If you are looking to get to Portsmouth faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 58 minutes.
Northern Rail + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Portsmouth start from £68, and on average cost . Daily there are 4 Northern Rail + Connections schedules to Portsmouth. Northern Rail + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Airport . And in Portsmouth trains arrive at Hilsea Station and one other train station.
From Manchester to Portsmouth train travel on Northern Rail + Connections takes 7 hours and 53 minutes. If you are looking to get to Portsmouth faster, Northern Rail + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 58 minutes.
Virgin Trains + Connections train tickets from Manchester to Portsmouth start from £125, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 Virgin Trains + Connections schedules to Portsmouth. Virgin Trains + Connections in Manchester leaves from Manchester Piccadilly . And in Portsmouth trains arrive at Hilsea Station .
From Manchester to Portsmouth train travel on Virgin Trains + Connections takes 5 hours and 14 minutes. If you are looking to get to Portsmouth faster, Virgin Trains + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 58 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Manchester and Portsmouth is approximately 190 miles, or 306 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 43 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 58 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Manchester to Portsmouth on Tuesday. Tickets for Tuesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Tuesday. Tuesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Manchester at 18:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 13 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Portsmouth to Manchester.
City Information
Manchester
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Most recognizable for its world-famous football team, Manchester is a modern, vibrant city with a diverse range of attractions that will appeal to explorers of all kinds. Often referred to as "The Capital of the North," Manchester is also known for being the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Visitors can relive this booming era by taking a trip to the Science and Industry Museum to see how this previously small town changed the world's ideas of industry and manufacturing forever. These days, Manchester is famous for its music and art scene, with it being the birthplace of bands like The Smiths and Oasis.
Art and music-lovers may want to visit Afflecks, a vast and eclectic emporium of all things indie and grunge, to purchase records, artwork, and memorabilia, among many other things. Manchester is also home to 15 parks and gardens, with Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens among the most popular. This park provides a beautiful setting for picnics and scenic walks, perfect for when you need an escape from the bustling city.
And if you really are only here for Man U, both Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium are stops on our itinerary to visit every premier league stadium in England.
With three large train stations—Piccadilly, Oxford Road, and Victoria—Manchester is easily accessible via rail. National Express and Megabus coaches also allow access from all over the country. In addition, Manchester Airport houses three large terminals, which provide global entry to the city.
Portsmouth
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Portsmouth, located on the South coast of England, is home to several important historical dockyards and thus a storied maritime heritage. Though many people travel here to experience the nautical atmosphere, Portsmouth also offers many attractions and experiences to suit every taste.
For a taste of the sea, Henry VIII's Mary Rose is a must-see attraction, as well as Lord Nelson's famous HMS Victory. Both ships are accompanied by museums where visitors can learn more about these significant historical warships. If the weather drives you inside, take a walk around the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, hosting a variety of displays and recreations of how life has changed in Portsmouth over the centuries. To see the whole city all at once, climb Spinnaker Tower to see the city from 170 meters high. Finally, if you're feeling brave, walk across the glass Sky Walk to see the waves crash on the shore beneath your feet.
Due to its many ports, Portsmouth is accessible via ferry, as well as train, car, and bus. The South Western Railway makes getting to Portsmouth from London and other southern towns easy, while National Express and Megabus provide bus services that link many other major towns and cities.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Manchester?
Image credit: Hugh Llewelyn
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Manchester Piccadilly
As the city's main train station, Manchester Piccadilly receives regular trains from London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Liverpool. It has 14 platforms, with platforms 13 and 14 positioned away from the main concourse and accessed via a moving walkway. The mezzanine level contains a variety of shops and food outlets. Travellers can also access Metrolink trams on the Blue, Yellow, and Purple lines by descending into the lower level. The area around the station hosts plenty of parking, several hotels, and a variety of food options.
All train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Piccadilly
Manchester Airport
Where is the train station in Portsmouth?
Main arrival station: Hilsea Station
There are more train stations and stops in Portsmouth than most cities. Most trains from Manchester will stop at one (or more) of the 3 following stations in Portsmouth:
Train stations in Portsmouth:
Hilsea Station
Cosham Train Station
Fratton
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Portsmouth to Manchester?
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