Winchester lies surrounded by Hampshire’s countryside on the edge of the South Downs. Just an hour from London, it’s ideally placed for a day out or a short break.

Winchester is easy to reach by rail and coach. Once you are here, moving around on foot is the perfect way explore this historic city.

Getting here by rail

There are regular, direct trains from London Waterloo, Oxford, and Bournemouth. Each of these takes about an hour. Direct services also run to Birmingham with links to the north of England. Check rail services to Winchester from across the UK and Europe with Omio.

The train station is a 10-minute walk from the city centre. Or you can use the city’s park and ride bus service to travel from the station to the lower part of the city. Here you will find the Visitor Information Centre.

Both Winchester rail operators (South Western Railways and Cross Country) allow you to bring your bike on the train. Winchester is conveniently location on National Cycle Network route 23. So bringing your bike allows you to explore the Itchen Valley countryside. National Rail’s advice for taking your bike on trains is here and a map of cycle parking in the city can be found here.

Getting here by coach

National Express run regular coach services to London, Heathrow and Bournemouth. The Winchester departure/pick up point is St Catherine’s Park and Ride. Do allow time to get to St. Catherine’s if you are using the service. You can walk (approx. 20-25 mins) or use the Park and Ride bus (approx. 8 minutes). Find the National Express services here.

Getting here by ferry

Winchester is less than an hour by train from Portsmouth & Southsea station. From here you want walk (c20 minutes) or take a taxi (c 5 minutes) to the port for ferries to/from France, Spain, the Channel Islands or Isle of Wight. Or take the 17-minute train to Southampton for more ferries to the Isle of Wight.

Getting around by bus

Stagecoach runs buses from Winchester to Romsey, Alresford, Eastleigh, Petersfield, Bishop’s Waltham, Whitchurch and many surrounding villages and suburbs.

Bluestar No. 1 service leaves Southampton City Centre (stop CU Hanover Buildings) approximately every 20 minutes. The journey takes 50 minutes to Winchester Bus Station and the bus station is across the road from the Visitor Information Centre, situated on The Broadway (postcode SO23 9GH).

The South Downs Rambler bus operates on Sundays from 21 July until 15 September, including the Bank Holiday.

Getting around by taxi

Taxi ranks can be found at the train station and within the City (for example, on The Broadway, Silver Hill and Jewry Street). Some local taxi numbers are shown below:

• Wessex Cars – 01962 877 749
• Taxi Link Winchester – 01962 656 222
• Wessex cars – 01962 626 262

Getting here by road

Winchester is located just off Junctions 9, 10 and 11 of the M3. Also accessible via the A34 from Newbury and Oxford. We encourage you to car share wherever possible and to use our park and ride car parks. Parking information is available here.