How to Travel to Portsmouth Cruise Terminals from London, Gatwick, or Heathrow Airports: Times and Prices
If you’re setting sail from Portsmouth Cruise Terminal and wondering how to get there from London or its major airports, we’ve got you covered. While Portsmouth is sometimes referred to as “London (Portsmouth)” by cruise lines, it’s a completely separate city located on England’s south coast—around 70 miles from London.
It’s not connected to the London Underground or local public transport, so you’ll need to plan your journey in advance. Whether you’re travelling by train, coach, or car, this guide walks you through each option with travel times, prices, and practical tips to make your pre-cruise transfer as easy as possible.
We’ve done this journey in just about every way—train, car, coach, you name it—so everything here is based on real experience with our best advice included.
Where is Portsmouth Cruise Terminal?
Portsmouth International Port—also known as Portsmouth Cruise Terminal—is located just north of the city centre, within the commercial port area. The address is:
Portsmouth International Port
George Byng Way
Portsmouth, Hampshire
PO2 8SP, United Kingdom
It’s well signposted as you approach Portsmouth and is easily accessible by car, taxi, coach, or public transport. The terminal itself is modern and compact, with check-in, security, and boarding all housed under one roof. There’s a small café inside, but there’s not much else in the immediate area—so don’t arrive too early expecting restaurants or shops nearby.
Tip: Don’t confuse this cruise terminal with the nearby ferry terminals (Portsmouth Harbour or Gunwharf Quays), which are in a completely different part of the city.
Getting to Portsmouth International Port from Central London
Train – Fast and Frequent
Taking the train from London to Portsmouth is a popular and easy option. The closest station is Portsmouth & Southsea, which is around a 10-minute taxi ride or a 25-minute walk to the cruise terminal. We’ve done the walk ourselves—it’s flat and easy, but it can be a bit of a struggle with luggage.
Direct trains depart from London Waterloo Station to both Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour. Journey times range from 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. Trains also run from London Victoria, but these are slower and less frequent.
This is our go-to option. Trains are fast and frequent, but they get very busy at peak times, and luggage space can be limited. Trainline is the best place to book in advance for cheaper fares.
Portsmouth Harbour Station is slightly further from the cruise terminal (about 15–20 minutes by taxi), but it’s right next to Gunwharf Quays—a lovely shopping and dining area on the waterfront. If you have a bit of time before your cruise, it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat, enjoy the views, or pick up any last-minute bits.
Approximate train ticket prices (standard class):
Advance single: from £10
Off-peak return: ~£55
Anytime return: ~£82.40
Top Tip: Book early for the best fares. You can choose First Class, but in our opinion, it’s not worth the upgrade on this short journey. Always try to travel off-peak—that’s after 10am on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and any time on weekends. You’ll avoid busy trains and often save a significant amount on fares.
Coach – Comfortable, Budget-Friendly, and Easy
National Express runs coach services from London Victoria Coach Station to Portsmouth International Port, taking around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
The best part? These coaches drop you right at the cruise terminal, so there’s no need to worry about taxis or walking once you arrive—just hop off and head straight to check-in.
The coaches are modern and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi and underfloor luggage storage, making them a great option if you want something straightforward and affordable.
The only downside is that coaches run less frequently than trains and are more susceptible to traffic delays, especially during busy periods or weekends.
Fares: from £15 one way
Top Tip: As with trains, book early for the best prices.
By Car/Taxi/Uber – Direct and Comfortable
Driving from London to Portsmouth via the A3 is straightforward and scenic. The journey typically takes between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes.
However, driving from central London can be unpredictable—traffic can be heavy, and road closures or delays are common. Always allow extra time, especially if you’re travelling on a weekday or during rush hour.
Pros: Door-to-door convenience, especially helpful with lots of luggage or mobility needs.
Cons: Cost and traffic. Prices vary unless you pre-book.
Estimated costs:
Uber/Bolt: £130–£160
Private transfer: £150–£180
Taxi/Black cab: May be available, but pre-booking is strongly recommended.
From Heathrow Airport to Portsmouth Cruise Terminal
Coach – Best Option. Direct and Good Value
National Express offers direct coaches from Heathrow Central Bus Station to Portsmouth (The Hard Interchange). The journey takes about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Fares: From £12 when booked in advance
Transfer to Port: The Hard Interchange is about 10 minutes by taxi to the cruise terminal. Taxis and Ubers are widely available.
This is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to get to the port if you’re flying into Heathrow.
By Car – Fastest Option
Driving from Heathrow to Portsmouth typically takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic. The route is mostly motorway, so it’s a fairly quick and straightforward drive.
You can either pre-book a private transfer or head to the taxi rank at the airport. Just be aware that black cabs can be hit or miss—some may decline the fare if they’re not keen to go that far, so we always recommend pre-booking for peace of mind.
The big benefit here is door-to-door service. No changes, no hauling luggage around stations—just straight from the terminal to the port.
Private transfer: £150–£200
Uber/Bolt: Slightly cheaper, but availability can be hit or miss at peak times
Train – Not Direct and Not Recommended
There’s no direct train from Heathrow to Portsmouth. You’ll need to take:
The Elizabeth Line or Heathrow Express to London Paddington
Then the tube to Waterloo
Then a train from Waterloo to Portsmouth
The journey takes around 3 hours, and with all the changes—especially on the Tube—it’s not ideal with luggage. We don’t recommend this route unless you’re very familiar with the London transport system.
Prices:
Advance single: from £50
Off-peak return: ~£75
Anytime return: ~£150
From Gatwick Airport to Portsmouth Cruise Terminal
Train – Best Option
Taking the train from Gatwick Airport to Portsmouth & Southsea is by is easy and reliable. There are direct services to Portmouth with no changes - although you will need to get to the port from the Train Station, and the journey takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes throughout the day, making it a flexible choice regardless of when you land.
Once at Portsmouth & Southsea, you’ll need a taxi (10 mins) or can walk (25 mins) to the terminal.
Approximate prices:
Advance single: from £8
Anytime single: ~£22
Off-peak return: ~£32
By Car – Easy and Flexible
Driving from Gatwick to Portsmouth is straightforward and takes just under 1 hour 45 minutes.
This is a great option if you want door-to-door convenience, especially if you’re travelling with lots of luggage or in a group. You can pre-book a private transfer for peace of mind, or use ride-hailing apps like Uber or Bolt, which both operate from Gatwick Airport. There’s also a traditional taxi rank outside the terminals, although these can be more expensive and don’t always offer fixed pricing.
Uber/Private Transfer: ~£140–£170
Bolt and other ride-hailing apps are also available at the airport.
Coach – Less Frequent but Cheap
Coach services from Gatwick to Portsmouth are limited, but they do exist. The journey takes around 2 hours.
Prices: From £12 one way when booked in advance.
Note: Some routes may require a change in London, which can add time and complexity.
Final Tips for Travelling to Portsmouth Cruise Terminal
Taxis and Ubers are widely available in Portsmouth, but we recommend pre-booking during busy cruise days.
Book your train and coach tickets early using Trainline or National Express to get the lowest prices.
Travelling in a group? Groups of three or more adults can get 33% off on off-peak train tickets with GroupSave.
If you’ve got heavy luggage, avoid routes involving multiple train changes or the London Underground.
We hope this guide has helped you feel more confident about getting to Portsmouth Cruise Terminal, whether you’re coming from central London, Heathrow, or Gatwick. We’ve tried just about every option ourselves, so everything here comes from real-world experience—not just a quick Google. However you choose to travel, give yourself a little buffer time, especially on embarkation day, and don’t forget to book in advance to save money. Safe travels—and we’ll see you onboard!
