How to get to Fratton (FTN) Train Station

Travel to Fratton train station from Portsmouth city centre

Portsmouth is an ancient city, with its roots dating back to Roman times. It has the oldest 'dry dock' in the world, and was, for many centuries, England's first line of defense. The city was also home to the first-ever assembly line, and, in many ways, was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The train station Fratton lies just southeast of the city centre, in the area with which it shares its name. It is an extremely old station, first opened in 1885, and passengers can travel from the station to much of the southeast of England. There are services to London Waterloo and London Victoria, as well as other towns and cities on the south coast like Brighton and Southampton. There is also a service to Cardiff in Wales. Most public transport in Portsmouth center is provided by bus or by mainline railway services from the main city centre train station, Portsmouth & Southsea railway station.

What is the best way to get to the train station from the city centre

Passengers can travel between Portsmouth city centre and the train station Fratton in four different ways: with the bus, the train, a taxi, or by walking. To take the train, passengers need to walk to Portsmouth & Southsea railway station and then catch a train one stop along the mainline to the train station Fratton. Services are provided by Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, and Southern Rail. All tickets cost the same amount. There are two bus options. Passengers can either take the number one or number two buses, departing from the City Shops South station. The number one goes right to the station, whereas the number two stops at Bradford Junction, a few minutes walk away. Passengers can also take a taxi, which can either be booked in advance or hailed in the city centre. The station is an easy walking distance from the city centre.

How far is it from the city centre to the train station? 

The train station Fratton is roughly one mile (1.6 kilometers) from Portsmouth city centre. Therefore, a walk should take about 20 minutes, and a taxi journey, if the traffic is good, only around five. Having said that, there is often quite bad traffic around Fratton train station, so it may well take closer to ten minutes by taxi. Taking the train typically takes around 15 minutes, with a ten-minute walk to Portsmouth & Southsea station a four-minute train journey. Trains depart around every seven minutes, so passengers should not have to wait for very long. Both the number one and two buses run regularly - around every ten minutes - although as with all UK bus services out of London, they can be unreliable. Catching the bus should not take more than 20 minutes, walk included, although taking the number two is likely to be a longer journey because of the walk at the other end.

How accessible is the train station for those with limited mobility?

The train station Fratton is fully accessible for those with limited mobility. The station is step-free, as well as having ramps for access to the train, accessible ticket machines, and wheelchairs available to borrow. Platform one is on the same level as the street, and, while there is a footbridge to get to platforms two and three, there are elevators at both ends for those who need them. The station also has an induction loop system for those that are hard of hearing. Portsmouth & Southsea station is also fully accessible, with all the same facilities as at Fratton apart from borrowable wheelchairs. Buses in Portsmouth are provided by First Group. All the buses are accessible, with low floors and extendable ramps for wheelchairs to board. There is a dedicated area inside the bus for wheelchair users, and other passengers, including those with pushchairs, are expected to vacate the area if it is needed by a wheelchair user.

Local tips: the train station points of interest

The easiest thing to do for passengers carrying a substantial amount of luggage is probably to get a taxi. It is a little more expensive, but all the other routes involve some form of walk above five minutes, and will, therefore, be less convenient. There is a fair amount to do in the area around Fratton railway station. For one, the home of the Portsmouth Football Club (soccer team), Fratton Park, is only a five-minute walk - fans can go on a tour or have a look around the ground themselves. There are also a number of good pubs in the area, where passengers can grab a pint of beer and a good meal before their train. These include the Nell Gwynne, the Newcome Arms, and the Electric Arms.