Margate to Southampton bus with National Express

Fri 11 Sept
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Margate to Southampton

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 11 Sept

Cheapest price on 11 Sept

£29

Average ticket price on 11 Sept

£29

Fastest journey on 11 Sept

6 h 15 m

Average journey duration on 11 Sept

6 h 15 m

Buses on 11 Sept

1

Distance

202 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Margate to Southampton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Margate to Southampton will cost around £29 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £29.

Fast coaches

On Fri 11 Sept, we found 1 buses from Margate to Southampton, including 1 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 202 km distance in an average of 6 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 15 m .

The slowest buses will take 6 h 15 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • National Express
    18:156h15
    Margate
    0:30Southampton
    £291One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach for Margate to Southampton

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Margate to Southampton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £50 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 6h 22m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £50, while a coach costs an average of £50.

Distance: 202 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Driving

£50

Average Price

Cheapest

£40

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

6h 22m

Average total duration

Fastest

5h 52m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 55m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Margate to Southampton is a coach with an average price of £50.
The fastest way to travel from Margate to Southampton is by train with an average journey time of 4h 35m.

Other travel options to Southampton take longer:

Coach takes on average 5h 52m.

Yes, you can take a coach between Margate and Southampton.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £50 compared to roughly £40 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-10.90. The journey takes 5h 52m versus 2h 55m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.

Live departures

Margate to Southampton bus times

The table below shows live departures for Margate to Southampton coaches for today, Thursday 10 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National Express6:45 Margate
7h35
14:20 Southampton1 change
National Express12:00 Margate
8h10
20:10 Southampton1 change
National Express15:55 Margate
6h25
22:20 Southampton1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Margate to Southampton by coach

Compare coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Fri
11 Sept
Sat
12 Sept
Sun
13 Sept
Mon
14 Sept
Tue
15 Sept
Wed
16 Sept
Thu
17 Sept

Why should you book Margate to Southampton coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Margate to Southampton.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Margate to Southampton.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Margate to Southampton

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Margate to Southampton run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 52m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £50 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 02:20, the last at 20:49. The fastest coach covers the 202 km distance in 5h 55m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
202 km
Average bus duration
5h 52m
Cheapest ticket price
£50
Buses per day
4
Fastest bus
5h 55m
First bus
2:20
Last bus
20:49
Cheapest Month
Sept
Cheapest Day
Mon
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Best time to book
1 day
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express from Margate to SouthamptonYou can travel by bus between Margate to Southampton with National Express for as low as £50. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
5h 55m
Cheapest National Express Price
£50
National Express frequency
4 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

What's included in each class

Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.

Standard
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs

Complete guide to Southampton

Things to do in Southampton

Discover the best of Southampton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Southampton trip today.

  • Must visit

SeaCity Museum

Maritime museum telling the story of the Titanic, the docks and ocean travel. One of Southampton’s key visitor attractions.

  • Recommended

Tudor House and Garden

Historic house museum with period rooms and displays on local history. A rewarding visit in the heart of the old town.

  • Recommended

Southampton City Art Gallery

Gallery in the Civic Centre showing art from several periods, including modern British works. Good for a cultural stop in the city centre.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for UK city breaks. Hotels and dining cost less than London, while buses and casual meals are fairly manageable for most tourists.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-12 for fast food or a basic meal.
Mid-range
£18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants may add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, tip around 10% for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.

FAQs: Margate to Southampton coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Margate to Southampton by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Southampton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Margate to Southampton can start from as little as £50 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Margate to Southampton is £50; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Margate to Southampton is 5h 55m to travel the 202 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Margate to Southampton leaves at 2:20. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Margate to Southampton leaves at 20:49.
There are 4 coaches a day from Margate to Southampton which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Margate to Southampton, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Southampton. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Margate and Southampton and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Margate , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Margate, Marine Terrace, Margate, Cliftonville Darwin Court, Cliftonville, Northdown Road . When arriving in Southampton , you can end your route in coach stations like Southampton, Coach Station, Southampton, University.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Margate, Marine Terrace, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Southampton, Coach Station, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Southampton from Margate is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 55m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Margate to Southampton is September.
Yes, you can take a coach between Margate and Southampton.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Margate to Southampton:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Margate to Southampton for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Margate to Southampton depends on the coach companies:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Margate to Southampton.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Margate to Southampton:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Margate to Southampton:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Margate to Southampton.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Margate to Southampton with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Margate to Southampton with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Margate to Southampton with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Margate and Southampton

Most Margate to Southampton buses use the Margate, Marine Terrace to Southampton, Coach Station station pair, with some services arriving at Southampton, University. Use this guide to compare Margate and Southampton bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Margate
Arrival bus stations in Southampton

Which Margate station do buses to Southampton leave from?

Buses from Margate to Southampton leave from Margate, Marine Terrace. The station is 1 km from Margate city centre at Margate, Station Approach, Margate CT9 5AD, UK.
Margate, Marine TerraceMargate, Station Approach, Margate CT9 5AD, UKWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Margate, Marine Terrace from Margate city centre

Bus35 · 7m
944, 8 · 10m · £3 · every ~4 min

Margate, Marine Terrace bus station facilities and services

Margate, Marine Terrace has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Margate, Marine Terrace. ATMs are available at Margate, Marine Terrace.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Margate, Marine Terrace.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Margate, Marine Terrace: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Margate, Marine Terrace: The station is accessible for wheelchair users.

Margate, Cliftonville Darwin Court
City-centre transport

Getting to Margate, Cliftonville Darwin Court from Margate city centre

Bus69 · 9m · £3 · every ~2 min
Cliftonville, Northdown RoadNorthdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9, UKWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Cliftonville, Northdown Road from Margate city centre

Cliftonville, Northdown Road is 1 km from Margate city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus8A, 960 · 14m · £3 · every ~5 min

Cliftonville, Northdown Road bus station facilities and services

Cliftonville, Northdown Road has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Cliftonville, Northdown Road. ATMs are available at Cliftonville, Northdown Road.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Cliftonville, Northdown Road.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Cliftonville, Northdown Road: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Cliftonville, Northdown Road: Accessible for persons with mobility impairments.

More options for your journey from Margate to Southampton

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