Portsmouth travel guide

Portsmouth Tourism | Portsmouth Guide

You're Going to Love Portsmouth

With a population of 194.150, Portsmouth is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Portsmouth deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Activities & attractions in Portsmouth

Where to Eat in Portsmouth

If you’re looking for affordable options, Casa Brasil Portsmouth (44/45 The Boardwalk Port Solent) and Carluccio's - Portsmouth (Unit R20 Blake House) are great picks.

When to visit Portsmouth

Portsmouth in December
Estimated hotel price
£71
1 night at 3-star hotel
Portsmouth in December
Estimated hotel price
£71
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Portsmouth

Plane

When flying to Portsmouth, you’ll arrive at Southampton Airport (SOU), which is located 24 km from the city centre. The shortest domestic flight to Portsmouth departs from Edinburgh and takes around 1h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Portsmouth, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Portsmouth to Oxford takes 0h 52m and costs around £19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about £23 for a 1h 33m trip. Located 2.9 km from the city centre, Portsmouth Fratton, Hants is the busiest station in Portsmouth. Another popular train station is Portsmouth Harbour, located 2.6 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Portsmouth is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 101 km from Portsmouth. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Portsmouth, including National Express, Megabus and FlixBus. From Birmingham, the bus ride to Portsmouth takes 209 km and will cost you around £6. From Bristol, the ticket costs about £8 for a journey of 225 km. The most popular bus station is Portsmouth Widley, located 5 km from the city centre of Portsmouth. Portsmouth Rudmore Roundabout is also a commonly used station, and is 0.9 km from the city centre.

Plane

When flying to Portsmouth, you’ll arrive at Southampton Airport (SOU), which is located 24 km from the city centre. The shortest domestic flight to Portsmouth departs from Edinburgh and takes around 1h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Portsmouth, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Portsmouth to Oxford takes 0h 52m and costs around £19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about £23 for a 1h 33m trip. Located 2.9 km from the city centre, Portsmouth Fratton, Hants is the busiest station in Portsmouth. Another popular train station is Portsmouth Harbour, located 2.6 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Portsmouth is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 101 km from Portsmouth. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Portsmouth, including National Express, Megabus and FlixBus. From Birmingham, the bus ride to Portsmouth takes 209 km and will cost you around £6. From Bristol, the ticket costs about £8 for a journey of 225 km. The most popular bus station is Portsmouth Widley, located 5 km from the city centre of Portsmouth. Portsmouth Rudmore Roundabout is also a commonly used station, and is 0.9 km from the city centre.

Airports near Portsmouth

Airlines serving Portsmouth

Lufthansa
Good (4,665 reviews)
KLM
Good (852 reviews)
SWISS
Good (942 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,539 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,614 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,306 reviews)
Air France
Good (984 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,585 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (484 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,958 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,120 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,469 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,860 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (229 reviews)
Finnair
Good (872 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,177 reviews)
LOT
Good (685 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (923 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (827 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (833 reviews)
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Where to stay in Portsmouth

Average rates range from around £102 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £151 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Portsmouth

Most booked hotels in Portsmouth

Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
£98+
Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27, Jct.7
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£67+
Leonardo Hotel Southampton
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£81+
Holiday Inn Southampton
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£82+
Portsmouth Marriott Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£87+
Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
£105+

Hiring a car in Portsmouth

Hiring a car in Portsmouth costs £43 per day, on average, or £86 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

Expect to pay £1.49 per litre in Portsmouth (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £17.77 and £23.69. The most frequently booked car type in Portsmouth is Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Hyundai i10 or similar) is, on average, 74% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Portsmouth costs £43 per day, on average, or £86 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

Expect to pay £1.49 per litre in Portsmouth (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £17.77 and £23.69. The most frequently booked car type in Portsmouth is Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Hyundai i10 or similar) is, on average, 74% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.