- Must visit
Jane Austen's House
Historic house museum where Jane Austen spent her final years, with period rooms and objects linked to her life and writing.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£19
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£24
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
1 h 7 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
1 h 9 m
Trains on 18 Sept
12
Distance
71 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from London to Alton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London to Alton will cost around £24 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £19.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 12 trains from London to Alton, including 6 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 71 km distance in an average of 1 h 9 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 7 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 9 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.
L78463
L79531 · L78463
L78471
L78479
L83854 · L78457
L79548 · L78487
L79542 · L78479
L79559 · L78495
L79531 · L78463
L79535 · L78471Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Alton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £12 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 44m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £12, while a train costs an average of £27.
Distance: 71 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£27 Average Price | £12 Average Price Cheapest | £30 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 44m Average total duration Fastest 1h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 6m Average total duration 1h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 29m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from London to Alton:
A coach is £16 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Alton costing on average £27.
Other travel options to Alton take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 36m.
The journey is about 15m faster (1h 14m by train vs 1h 29m by car) and roughly £3 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£27 vs £30). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for London to Alton trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L79714 · L78623 | On time 17:00 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h11 | 18:11 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
L78631 | On time 17:25 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h05 | 18:30 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L83143 · L78639 | On time 17:50 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h21 | 19:11 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
L78639 | On time 17:55 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h16 | 19:11 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L78647 | On time 18:25 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h15 | 19:40 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L78655 | On time 18:53 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h18 | 20:11 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L78663 | On time 19:23 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h16 | 20:39 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L79764 · L78663 | On time 19:30 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h09 | 20:39 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
L78677 | On time 20:23 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h16 | 21:39 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L79782 · L78677 | On time 20:30 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h09 | 21:39 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
L78691 | On time 21:23 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h16 | 22:39 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L79801 · L78691 | On time 21:30 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h09 | 22:39 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
L83854 · L78457 | 6:15 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h27 | 7:42 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
L78463 | 6:53 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h16 | 8:09 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L79531 · L78463 | 7:00 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h09 | 8:09 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
L78471 | 7:20 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h19 | 8:39 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L79535 · L78471 | 7:30 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h09 | 8:39 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
L78479 | 7:53 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h16 | 9:09 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L79542 · L78479 | 8:00 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h09 | 9:09 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
L78487 | 8:24 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h13 | 9:37 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L79548 · L78487 | 8:30 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h07 | 9:37 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
L78495 | 8:53 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h16 | 10:09 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
L79559 · L78495 | 9:00 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h09 | 10:09 Alton station (AON) | 1 change | |
L78503 | 9:24 London Waterloo (WAT) | 1h13 | 10:37 Alton station (AON) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and 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.
Trains from London to Alton run on average 7 times per day, taking around 1h 14m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £16 but you can travel from only £7 by coach.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 71 km distance in 1h 7m.
Distance 71 km |
Average train duration 1h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price £16 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 1h 7m |
First train 0:02 |
Last train 23:56 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Alton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Alton trip today.
Historic house museum where Jane Austen spent her final years, with period rooms and objects linked to her life and writing.
Local museum presenting Alton’s story through objects, archives and displays on town life, trade and notable residents.
Country house with changing art exhibitions, historical displays and landscaped grounds, giving a broader view of local culture.
The town’s main historic street, lined with period buildings, independent shops and key civic landmarks for an easy walk.
A broad common on the edge of town with open views, paths and wildlife interest, well suited to short countryside walks.
Scenic village area near Alton known for timber-framed buildings, literary links and a gentle, characterful walking atmosphere.
Hampshire hog’s pudding is a seasoned pork sausage or pudding linked with the county’s farmhouse cooking and traditional butchery.
Watercress soup is tied to Hampshire’s watercress-growing heritage, especially around nearby Alresford, and is a classic local seasonal starter.
A ploughman’s lunch of local cheddar, bread, pickle and salad is a classic pub meal across Hampshire and southern England.
Well-known café and coffee spot for brunch, cakes and light lunches with a relaxed atmosphere in central Alton.
Smart Indian restaurant known locally for curries, tandoori dishes and friendly service in a polished town-centre setting.
Popular pub and dining room in nearby Chawton serving modern British dishes and drinks in a characterful village inn.
Alton is moderately priced for southern England, with mid-range stays and meals costlier than many UK towns, but cafés, pubs and local buses remain manageable for visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares, and café tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Alton station -> Alton High Street, Alton
As an attractive town within commuting range of the capital, Alton has a regular service of trains from London Waterloo, operated by South West Trains. As well as a direct service which runs every 30 minutes on weekdays and takes 1 hour 15 minutes, passengers can take a slightly faster-connecting service by changing at Woking station. Alton is also the connecting station for the Watercress Line, a heritage steam railway that operates seasonal services to nearby Alresford. The area's famous associations with Jane Austen and its excellent country walks make this a popular weekend and off-peak destination too.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London to Alton 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 Alton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most London to Alton trains use the London Waterloo to Alton station pair. Use this guide to compare London and Alton train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
London Waterloo is 1 km from London city centre. Public transport options include:
London Waterloo has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at London Waterloo.
Wi-Fi is available at London Waterloo. ATMs are available at London Waterloo.
Ticket office support is available at London Waterloo. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at London Waterloo: Parking, WC.
Available at London Waterloo: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at London Waterloo: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: There is step free access from the main concourse to all platforms, shops and facilities. Step free exits are exit 1 (Station approach), exit 2 (with a lift to Waterloo Road and lift access to the London Underground Jubilee line), and exit 3 for taxis and onward travel towards the South Bank, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available from the taxi rank on Cab Road / Station Approach, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket machines are located at various locations on the main concourse and are accessible to wheelchair users, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Clapham Junction is 5 km from London city centre. Public transport options include:
Clapham Junction has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Clapham Junction.
ATMs are available at Clapham Junction.
Ticket office support is available at Clapham Junction.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Clapham Junction: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Clapham Junction: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Clapham Junction: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step free access available through Brighton Yard entrance to all platforms via lifts. Step free access available through Grant Road entrance to platform 1 and 2 via lifts, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
London Victoria is 1 km from London city centre. Public transport options include:
London Victoria has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at London Victoria.
Wi-Fi is available at London Victoria. ATMs are available at London Victoria.
Ticket office support is available at London Victoria. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at London Victoria: Parking, WC.
Available at London Victoria: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at London Victoria: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: There is step free access at London Victoria Rail Station to the Victoria Line on the Underground. This can be accessed via the Cardinal Place entrance to the underground, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Main concourse, Accessible taxis: Available on request Taxi rank outside main station entrance, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Monday - Sunday 24 Hours a Day, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Alton has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Alton.
Wi-Fi is available at Alton.
Ticket office support is available at Alton.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Alton: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Alton: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Alton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category A Station. Level access to Platform 1. Lifts to Platform 2, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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