Trains to Southampton
Discover the ‘Cruise Capital’ of Europe
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Southampton welcomes more than four million visitors every year, and with an amazing number of things to do it’s no wonder. The city is bursting at the seams with museums, music venues, galleries, parks, and of course lots of maritime history. Whether you’re going to make your way on your next cruise adventure or you just want to visit the city, hopping on a train to Southampton station is a great way to start your journey. Our guide will help you plan the perfect stay.
Popular routes to Southampton
With such a great range of things to do, it’s no wonder that Southampton is such a popular destination! We know that it’s so much more than just a gateway to cruises, so we run many direct services from all over the UK. Below are some of our most popular.
FAQs
How many train stations are there in Southampton?
There is just one main train station in the city:
How far away is the city centre?
You will arrive into Southampton Central and be around a 15-minute walk (or a short bus ride) from the city centre.
How far away is Southampton Central from the port?
Heading on a cruise? You lucky thing! The station is around a 22-minute walk from the port, however we bet you’ll have loads of luggage, so you can hop on the U1C or the THREE bus for around 10-15minutes, or grab a taxi.
Where is the nearest airport?
Southampton Airport is the closest airport, and is easily accessible from Southampton Central. Simply hop on a 7-minute train and with only 99 steps between the platform and the terminal doors, you’ll be at the airport in no time.
Can I get cheap tickets to Southampton?
More questions?
If you have any further questions about Southampton Central, check out our station guide.
Shopping in Southampton
Whether you need to pick up something you forgot to pack or just want to indulge in some retail therapy, Southampton has everything you could want when it comes to shopping. You’ll find two indoor shopping centres, as well as a great selection of independent shops, meaning you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Westquay shopping centre is always a favourite and at under a 10-minute walk from the station, it’s the perfect choice for finding all your high street favourites in one convenient location. There’s also plenty of cafés and restaurants scattered around if you need to rest weary feet!
If you prefer independent shops and boutiques, head to Bedford Place. Here, independent up-market shops huddle together, hidden down side streets, allowing you to meander through the historic district and search for unique finds. After a long day of shopping, you can stay here as afternoon turns to the evening that turns into night. Bars, pubs, and restaurants breathe a new lease of life into the area.
Love it or loathe it, the Ikea in Southampton city centre is a popular shopping destination and thanks to its convenient location, you can drop in for some home accessories or just to eat the world-famous meatballs!
Food & Drink in Southampton
With a thriving café culture, a host of great fish and chip shops, and all the seafood restaurants you could want, Southampton goes above and beyond when it comes to food and drink. You’ll also find a great selection of traditional pubs, lively bars, and pumping music venues to continue the night in, should you so choose.
It’s not all seafood though. Southampton has an amazing selection of veggie and vegan options, meaning no one gets left out of the obligatory holiday cream tea. With so many great locally-run options, even the pickiest of eaters will be spoiled for choice.
Thanks to its great seaside location and proximity to beautiful farmland, it’s perhaps unsurprising that there’s an amazing selection of local produce on offer. To find some of the best, head to Southampton Market on Fridays and Saturdays, where amongst the vintage accessories and antiques, you can find some of the very best local food on offer.
Culture in Southampton
Southampton is a must-visit location for culture vultures. Whether you love museums, music, film, or theatre, the city is full of amazing things to see and do. Of course, if you prefer to keep it simple there are also plenty of beaches and parks where you can play outside with the kids, whatever the weather.
The choice of museums and galleries is immense. Some of our favourites include Southampton City Art Gallery, where you can find art spanning eight centuries featuring an amazing selection of contemporary British art. Plus, there’s SeaCity, which is a state of the art, child-friendly museum looking at Southampton’s maritime history.
Southampton is home to the Mayflower Theatre, which shows a great selection of West End shows, as well as musicals, opera, and ballet. The Nuffield Theatre at the university is where you can see a varied programme, including anything from Shakespeare to contemporary dance. If you’re more of a film-nut, try and get a ticket to see something at the Harbour Lights Picturehouse, where you can enjoy independent and European films, alongside blockbusters.
Catching a train to Southampton
We want to help you travel affordably, so we encourage you to buy your ticket in advance via our website or CrossCountry app - To get the very best out of your train travel, read our top tips to find cheap train tickets and learn about our exclusive benefits offered to registered customers.
Southampton Central Station has step-free access throughout. Both accessible ticket machines and office counters are available in the station, as are ramps for train access. Customers are advised that there are no accessible taxis available at the station.
If you want to explore Southampton and all it has to offer, you’ll want to stay longer than a day! So, make sure you book a great value hotel in Southampton before you arrive.
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