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Trip Summary
There are 24 daily trains from Portsmouth to Nottingham. Traveling by train from Portsmouth to Nottingham usually takes around 4 hours and 51 minutes, but the fastest South Western Railway + Connections train can make the trip in 4 hours and 23 minutes.
| Distance | 148 mi (238 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 23m |
| Lowest price | £42.06 |
| Most frequent service | Southern + Connections |
| Train lines | 3 |
Train service from Portsmouth to Nottingham
- Great Western Railway + Connections tickets: £109 one-way
- South Western Railway + Connections tickets: £56 one-way
- Southern + Connections tickets: £42 one-way
Which train should you take from Portsmouth to Nottingham?
There are 3 train lines with service from Portsmouth to Nottingham. Southern + Connections is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 15 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Western Railway + Connections | 2 | 4h 53m | £108.43 |
| South Western Railway + Connections | 7 | 4h 42m | £93.20 |
| Southern + Connections | 15 | 4h 56m | £70.82 |
Great Western Railway + Connections train tickets from Portsmouth to Nottingham start from £108, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 Great Western Railway + Connections schedules to Nottingham. Great Western Railway + Connections in Portsmouth leaves from Fratton and one other station. And in Nottingham trains arrive at Railway station .
From Portsmouth to Nottingham train travel on Great Western Railway + Connections takes 4 hours and 53 minutes. If you are looking to get to Nottingham faster, Great Western Railway + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 4 hours and 23 minutes.
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 Nottingham is approximately 148 miles, or 238 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 51 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 23 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 Nottingham tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. 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 Saturday 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 20:00. 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 24 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 Nottingham 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.
Nottingham
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Nottingham is famous as Robin Hood's hometown, where he romped through Sherwood Forest and slept beneath the Major Oak. While you can still enjoy attractions as old as the 800 sandstone caves from the Dark Ages, modern-day Nottingham is a thriving shopping area that offers cricket, bowling, and dozens of cultural attractions.
If Robin Hood's story entices you, step back in time to reimagine the experience. The city's Robin Hood Town tour dives into Nottingham's rich history and highlights the life of Robin Hood, including the city's landmarks associated with him. Then, channel your own inner Robin Hood with an archery class in Sherwood Forest, or simply explore the forest's cycle trails on a bike.
After you've worked up an appetite, head to one of the top restaurants in Nottingham: Josephine's Tea Room and Café, The Wollaton Pub and Kitchen, and Bill's Restaurant and Bar. Cosy Club, The Cod's Scallops, and The Alchemist are excellent options for some lively libations.
Nottingham is easy to reach by either train or coach. Northern Rail and CrossCountry travel directly to Nottingham and connect to many other British train lines. In addition, FlixBus and Megabus provide coach service in the area. To reach Nottingham by flight, you'll arrive at East Midlands Airport.
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 Nottingham?
Image credit: Neil Turner
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Railway station
The Nottingham Railway Station is a striking Edwardian Baroque Revival-style building in red brick and terracotta, giving it a rich red colour recognizable from blocks away. The station is located south of the city's historic centre, but there are several cafés, shops, and hotels in the immediate area. Some of the train routes that run through this station include CrossCountry's Cardiff to Nottingham and Birmingham to Nottingham lines, plus some East Midlands Railway and Northern routes. The station connects to a tram stop and the Station Street bus stop, so it is easy to transfer from one mode of transportation to another.
Train stations in Nottingham:
Railway station
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Need a return trip from Nottingham to Portsmouth?
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