Chatham to Portsmouth train with Southern

Fri 18 Sept
+ Add return
Southern
Southeastern
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
2,000+ travel companies
Southern
Southeastern
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
2,000+ travel companies
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Travel Information

Compare train for Chatham to Portsmouth

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chatham to Portsmouth among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £51 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 25m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £51, while a train costs an average of £51.

Distance: 130 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Driving

£51

Average Price

Cheapest

£29

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 25m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 55m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 55m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Southern

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Chatham to Portsmouth is a train with an average price of £51.
The fastest way to travel from Chatham to Portsmouth is by train with an average journey time of 2h 55m.
Yes, you can take a train between Chatham and Portsmouth.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around £51 compared to roughly £29 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-21.81. The journey takes 2h 55m versus 1h 55m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.

Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.

Compare prices and tickets Chatham to Portsmouth by train

Compare train 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 Chatham to Portsmouth trains with Omio?

Southern as well as Southeastern offer trains services from Chatham to Portsmouth.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Chatham to Portsmouth.

Why book with Omio vs Southern?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Southern, but also compare tickets for the likes of Southeastern to find the best option for your trip from Chatham to Portsmouth.
  • 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: Train from Chatham to Portsmouth

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Chatham to Portsmouth run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 55m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £50 if you book in advance.

The earliest train runs at 04:03, the last at 22:02. The fastest train covers the 130 km distance in 3h 1m.

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
130 km
Average train duration
2h 55m
Cheapest ticket price
£50
Trains per day
8
Fastest train
3h 1m
First train
4:03
Last train
22:02
Cheapest Month
May
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Best time to book
3 days
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

Train companies: Southern, Southeastern from Chatham to Portsmouth trainsSouthern, Southeastern trains will get you between Chatham and Portsmouth from £50. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Southern

About
Southern Rail is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates a wide range of services, from high-speed intercity trains to local commuter services. Its trains include the InterCity 125, InterCity 225, and Class 444 and 450. It also offers a variety of ticket types, such as Advance, Off-Peak, and Super Off-Peak. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Southern Rail are London to Brighton, London to Southampton, and London to Portsmouth.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Southern Duration
3h 57m
Cheapest Southern Price
£44
Southern frequency
4 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and luggage areas at the end of carriages
Cancellation Policy
According to ticket type conditions
Refund
Full refund provided
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with snacks and drinks
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets available
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free, larger dogs require a ticket
Quiet zone

Southeastern

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Southeastern Duration
3h 1m
Cheapest Southeastern Price
£50
Southeastern frequency
25 a day

Complete guide to Portsmouth

Things to do in Portsmouth

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

  • Must visit

HMS Victory

A major naval museum where visitors can board Nelson’s flagship and explore life at sea through preserved decks and displays.

  • Recommended

HMS Alliance

This working museum ship reveals cramped Victorian submarine life and the engineering behind one of Britain’s earliest submarines.

  • Recommended

Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery

Portsmouth’s city museum covers local history, football heritage and art, with exhibits spanning the city’s people and places.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK. Hotels can be pricey in summer, but dining and local buses remain manageable for most city-break budgets.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants: 10-12.5% if not already added. Taxis: round up or 10%. Cafés and pubs: tipping is optional, though small change is appreciated for table service.

FAQs: Chatham to Portsmouth train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chatham to Portsmouth by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Portsmouth, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Chatham to Portsmouth can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £50, while the average price tends to be around £51.
The train journey from Chatham to Portsmouth covers a distance of 130 km and takes approximately 3h 1m. Trains run 8 per day.
The train distance from Chatham to Portsmouth is 130 km.
The first train from Chatham to Portsmouth leaves at 4:03.
The last train from Chatham to Portsmouth departs at 22:02.
Trains from Chatham to Portsmouth run approximately 8 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Chatham to Portsmouth.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Chatham to Portsmouth.
To travel from Chatham to Portsmouth, you can take a train.
There is no night train service from Chatham to Portsmouth.
The train station in Chatham that goes to Portsmouth is Chatham station (CTM), and it arrives at Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS).
The cheapest way to get from Chatham to Portsmouth is by train, costing approximately £50.
Booking trains from Chatham to Portsmouth in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Chatham to Portsmouth offers a mix of urban and rural views, with sections of the route providing glimpses of the English countryside, including fields and small towns. However, it is not widely recognised as one of the most scenic train routes in the UK.
A day trip from Chatham to Portsmouth is not feasible as the journey takes 3h 1m. There are 6 trains per day. The distance is 130 km.
A visit to Portsmouth typically requires 2 to 3 days to explore its main attractions, such as the Historic Dockyard, Spinnaker Tower, and Southsea Beach.
Yes, you can take the train from Chatham to Portsmouth.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Chatham and Portsmouth

Most Chatham to Portsmouth trains use the Chatham to Portsmouth & Southsea station pair, with some services arriving at Fratton. Use this guide to compare Chatham and Portsmouth train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Chatham
Arrival train stations in Portsmouth

Which Chatham station do trains to Portsmouth leave from?

Trains from Chatham to Portsmouth leave from Chatham. The station is from Chatham city centre at Chatham station, Railway Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6PN.
ChathamChatham station, Railway Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6PN+44 3303339232ShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Chatham from Chatham city centre

Location for Rail Replacement ServicesBus stop B in the bus interchange, to the right of the station entrance

Chatham train station facilities and services

Chatham has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Chatham.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

ATMs are available at Chatham.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Chatham. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0345 322 7021 or Text relay 18001 0345 322 7021 Freephone 0800 783 4524 or Text Relay 18001 0800 783 4524, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Chatham: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Chatham: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Chatham: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B2. This station has a degree of step-free access to the platform, which may be in both directions or in one direction only - please check details - Step free access to platform 1 for services to London via ramp to car park. Step free access to platform 2 for services away from London via ramp from Railway Street. Step free interchange via road and steep paths is in excess of 250 metres. Step access between platforms available via the booking hall, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available to book, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: In the booking hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Monday - Sunday 24 Hours a Day Assistance/Help available from station staff from First to Last trains, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

More options for your journey from Chatham to Portsmouth

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