Portsmouth to St Ives bus with National Express

Fri 18 Sept
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2,000+ travel companies
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Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Portsmouth to St Ives

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Portsmouth to St Ives among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £51 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 9h 38m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £51, while a train costs an average of £275.

Distance: 318 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Train
Driving

£51

Average Price

Cheapest

£275

Average Price

£63

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

10h 8m

Average total duration

9h 38m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

9h 38m

Average total duration

Fastest

9h 8m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 45m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Portsmouth to St Ives is a coach with an average price of £51.

This is compared to other travel options from Portsmouth to St Ives:

A coach is £225 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Portsmouth to St Ives costing on average £275.

The fastest way to travel from Portsmouth to St Ives is by train with an average journey time of 9h 8m.

Other travel options to St Ives take longer:

Coach takes on average 9h 38m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Portsmouth and St Ives including taking a train and coach.
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 £51 compared to roughly £63 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £13. The journey takes 9h 38m versus 4h 45m 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.

Compare prices and tickets Portsmouth to St Ives by train or coach

Compare train and 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
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Portsmouth to St Ives coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Portsmouth to St Ives.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Portsmouth to St Ives.

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.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Portsmouth to St Ives.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Portsmouth to St Ives.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Portsmouth to St Ives

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Portsmouth to St Ives run on average 6 times per day, taking around 9h 38m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £51 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 05:20, the last at 22:14. The fastest coach covers the 318 km distance in 12h 15m.

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
318 km
Average bus duration
9h 38m
Cheapest ticket price
£51
Buses per day
6
Fastest bus
12h 15m
First bus
5:20
Last bus
22:14
Cheapest Month
Aug
Cheapest Day
Fri
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Oct - Dec
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 Portsmouth to St IvesYou can travel by bus between Portsmouth to St Ives with National Express for as low as £51. 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
12h 15m
Cheapest National Express Price
£51
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.

Bus providers: National Express from Portsmouth to St IvesYou can travel by bus between Portsmouth to St Ives with National Express for as low as £51. 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
12h 15m
Cheapest National Express Price
£51
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 St Ives

Things to do in St Ives

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

  • Must visit

Tate St Ives

Seafront gallery showing modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions and dramatic views over Porthmeor Beach.

  • Must visit

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

Former artists’ studio and home of Barbara Hepworth, featuring sculptures displayed in the garden and preserved rooms.

  • Recommended

St Ives Museum

Local museum covering fishing, mining, art and maritime life, with varied exhibits that explain St Ives past.

Pound sterling (£)

St Ives is pricier than many UK seaside towns, especially in summer. Hotels, seafood meals and parking add up, though buses and simple cafés can keep costs manageable.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food, pasties or a simple café meal.
Mid-range
£18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£45+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino or flat white.

Tipping culture

Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and spare change is fine in cafés.

FAQs: Portsmouth to St Ives coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Portsmouth to St Ives 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 St Ives, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Portsmouth to St Ives can start from as little as £51 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Portsmouth to St Ives is £51; 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 Portsmouth to St Ives is 12h 15m to travel the 318 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 Portsmouth to St Ives leaves at 5:20. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Portsmouth to St Ives leaves at 22:14.
There are 6 coaches a day from Portsmouth to St Ives which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Portsmouth to St Ives, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to St Ives. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Portsmouth and St Ives and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to St Ives from Portsmouth is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 12h 15m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Portsmouth to St Ives is August.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Portsmouth and St Ives including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Portsmouth to St Ives:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Portsmouth to St Ives for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Portsmouth to St Ives 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 Portsmouth to St Ives.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Portsmouth to St Ives:
  • 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 Portsmouth to St Ives:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Portsmouth to St Ives.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Portsmouth to St Ives with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Portsmouth to St Ives with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Portsmouth to St Ives with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Portsmouth and St Ives

Most Portsmouth to St Ives buses use the Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange to St Erth, A30 station pair. Use this guide to compare Portsmouth and St Ives bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Portsmouth
Arrival bus stations in St Ives

Which Portsmouth station do buses to St Ives leave from?

Buses from Portsmouth to St Ives leave from Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange. The station is 1 km from Portsmouth city centre at The Hard Interchange, Portsmouth PO1 3DT, UK.
Portsmouth, The Hard InterchangeThe Hard Interchange, Portsmouth PO1 3DT, UKWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange from Portsmouth city centre

Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange is 1 km from Portsmouth city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainLondon Victoria - Portsmouth Harbour, Brighton - Portsmouth Harbour, Littlehampton - Portsmouth Harbour, Three Bridges - Portsmouth Harbour, Barnham - Portsmouth Harbour, Gatwick Airport - Portsmouth Harbour, Havant - Portsmouth Harbour, Bognor Regis - Portsmouth Harbour · 3m · £0.90 · every ~4 min
Bus1, 2, 8, 3, 7, X4, H1, X5, Pr1 · 6m · £2 · every ~214 min

Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange bus station facilities and services

Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Café at The Hard (in the station), Fast Food Outlet (in the station).

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange: Elevators, ramps.

Portsmouth, University

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