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Trip Summary
38 trains operate daily from Portsmouth to Manchester. The train trip from Portsmouth to Manchester is usually about 5 hours and 3 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest South Western Railway + Connections train can get you there in as little as 4 hours and 43 minutes.
| Distance | 190 mi (306 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 43m |
| Lowest price | £115.83 |
| Most frequent service | South Western Railway + Connections |
| Train lines | 3 |
Which train should you take from Portsmouth to Manchester?
There are 3 train lines with service from Portsmouth to Manchester. South Western Railway + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 26 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 11 | 4h 57m | £131.56 |
| South Western Railway + Connections | 26 | 5h 8m | £118.80 |
| Southern + Connections | 1 | 4h 56m | £115.83 |
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Portsmouth to Manchester start from £130, and on average cost . Daily there are 11 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Manchester. Great Western Railway + Connections in Portsmouth leaves from Fratton and one other station. And in Manchester trains arrive at Manchester Piccadilly and one other train station.
From Portsmouth to Manchester train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 4 hours and 57 minutes. If you are looking to get to Manchester faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 43 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Great Western Railway + Connections offers 11 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Manchester.
UK's South Western Railway operates passenger rail services in London, Windsor, Reading, and Southampton. Both standard class and first-class seating are available, with the first-class section clearly marked and physically separated from the rest of the train by internal doorways. These cars offer more space and quiet away from the more crowded areas.
Southern Railway is part of the British rail network serving stations predominantly between central London and the British south coast. Destinations include Brighton, Gatwick Airport, and Worthing. WiFi and accessible restrooms are available on most trains, plus the option to upgrade to a first-class ticket with extra legroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Portsmouth and Manchester is approximately 190 miles, or 306 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 3 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 43 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.
Trains departing from Portsmouth to Manchester tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Portsmouth at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 18:00. 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 38 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 Manchester to Portsmouth.
City Information
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.
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.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Portsmouth?
Image credit: Matt Buck
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Cosham Train Station
Many of the trains to Portsmouth arrive in one of its northern suburbs, Cosham. The Cosham Train Station is on the West Coastway Line between Brighton and Southampton and welcomes South Western Railway, Southern, and Great Western Railway trains. The staffed station building includes toilets and a coffee shop, and while it is relatively small, shops and restaurants in Cosham are just steps away. Local buses run from Cosham to the centre of Portsmouth to bring you to the attractions and scenery at the harbour.
All train stations in Portsmouth:
Cosham Train Station
Fratton
Hilsea Station
Where is the train station in Manchester?
Image credit: Hugh Llewelyn
Link to image attributionMain arrival 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.
Train stations in Manchester:
Manchester Piccadilly
Manchester Airport
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Need a return trip from Manchester to Portsmouth?
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