- Must visit
The Beatles Story
Acclaimed branch of the Imperial War Museums covering modern conflict, personal stories, and the impact of war in a dramatic dock building.
Cheapest price on Sep 18
$108
Average ticket price on Sep 18
$135
Fastest journey on Sep 18
4 h 49 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
5 h 6 m
Trains on Sep 18
21
Distance
318 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Portsmouth to Liverpool is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Portsmouth to Liverpool will cost around $135 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $108.
It's difficult to get from Portsmouth to Liverpool without transferring at least 2 times.
L79529+
Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+
C01304+
C17810
L79538+
Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+
W34011+
C07955
L79545+
Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+
W34237
L79919+
G00851+
C17771
L79922+
G00739+
C17797
L79538+
Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+
W33930
L79529+
Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+
W33983
L83871 · L84514+
Tube from Vauxhall to London Euston+
W34254
L79919+
G00851+
C17771
L79919+
G00851+
C17771Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Portsmouth to Liverpool among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $50 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 1m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $50, while a train costs an average of $147.
Distance: 197 miles (318 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$147 Average price | $50 Average price Cheapest | $85 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 1m Average total duration Fastest 4h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 9m Average total duration 8h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg 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 Portsmouth to Liverpool:
A bus is $97 (€79) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Portsmouth to Liverpool costing on average $147 (€120).
Other travel options to Liverpool take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 39m.
You'll arrive about 23m sooner (4h 31m by train vs 4h 54m by car). Tickets start at around $147 (€120) compared to roughly $85 (€70) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Portsmouth to Liverpool trains for today, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L79573+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+ W33898 | On time 8:21 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h02 | 1:23 PM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
L79952+ G00879+ C17966 | On time 12:00 PM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h42 | 5:42 PM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
L79650+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+ W34103 | On time 12:19 PM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 4h45 | 5:04 PM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
| Friday, September 18 | |||||
L83859+ G38514+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+ W34177 | 4:30 AM Portsmouth Harbour (PMH) | 5h29 | 9:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 4 transfers | |
L83859+ W34177+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+ C24945 | 4:35 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h24 | 9:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 4 transfers | |
L83859 · L80927+ W34177+ Tube from Vauxhall to London Euston | 4:35 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h24 | 9:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 5 transfers | |
L83859+ W34073+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston | 4:35 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h28 | 10:03 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
L79529+ C01304+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+ C17810 | 5:17 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h25 | 10:42 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 3 transfers | |
L79529+ W33983+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston | 5:17 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h06 | 10:23 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
L83865+ W34254+ G38516+ G16013 | 5:23 AM Portsmouth Harbour (PMH) | 5h36 | 10:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 4 transfers | |
L83865 · L81943+ W34254+ Tube from Vauxhall to London Euston | 5:28 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h31 | 10:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 5 transfers | |
L83865+ W34254+ G38516+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston | 5:28 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h31 | 10:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 4 transfers | |
C82508_C82336+ L83871 · L84514+ W34254 | 5:32 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h27 | 10:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 6 transfers | |
L83871 · L84514+ W34254+ G38516 | 5:50 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h09 | 10:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 5 transfers | |
L79538+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+ W33930 | 6:15 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 4h49 | 11:04 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
L79538+ W33912+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+ C24952 | 6:15 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h44 | 11:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 4 transfers | |
L79538+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+ W34011+ C07955 | 6:15 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h54 | 12:09 PM Liverpool James Street (LVJ) | 3 transfers | |
L79919+ G00851+ C17771 | 6:24 AM Portsmouth Harbour (PMH) | 5h18 | 11:42 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
L79919+ G00851+ C17771 | 6:28 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h14 | 11:42 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
L79919+ G00851+ C17771 | 6:28 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h14 | 11:42 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
L79545+ W33912+ G38518+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston | 6:40 AM Portsmouth Harbour (PMH) | 5h19 | 11:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 4 transfers | |
L79545+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston+ W34237 | 6:44 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h20 | 12:04 PM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
L79545+ W33912+ G38518+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Euston | 6:44 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h15 | 11:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 4 transfers | |
L79922+ G00739+ C17797 | 6:55 AM Portsmouth & Southsea (PMS) | 5h22 | 12:17 PM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Portsmouth to Liverpool run on average 3 times per day, taking around 4h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $75 (€62) but you can travel from only $20 (€16) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 04:30, the last at 19:43. The fastest train covers the 197 miles (318 km) distance in 4h 4m.
Distance 197 miles (318 km) |
Average train duration 4h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price $75 (€62) |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 4h 4m |
First train 4:30 AM |
Last train 7:43 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Liverpool — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Liverpool trip today.
Acclaimed branch of the Imperial War Museums covering modern conflict, personal stories, and the impact of war in a dramatic dock building.
Large free museum covering archaeology, natural history, world cultures, and planetarium shows. Excellent for broad insight into the region.
Modern museum telling Liverpool’s story from port city to pop culture capital, with social history, transport, and riverfront galleries.
Scenic riverside promenade with Mersey views, public art, and access to major museums. Ideal for a relaxed walk along the waterfront.
Historic commercial street with restored warehouses, boutiques, and nightlife. Great for architecture, independent shops, and city atmosphere.
Creative district known for independent venues, street art, and converted warehouses. A good area to explore Liverpool’s contemporary culture.
A hearty beef and vegetable stew long linked with Liverpool's seafaring history. It is the city's signature comfort food and gave Liverpudlians the nickname 'Scousers'.
A baked potato filled with corned beef, a classic Merseyside chip shop and pub snack. It is a simple local favourite tied to everyday working-class food culture.
A dense spiced fruit loaf or cake served sliced with butter. Popular across Merseyside, it is a traditional teatime bake with a long local following.
Elegant fine dining restaurant by Chef Paul Askew, known for seasonal British tasting menus and polished service in a refined city-centre setting.
Stylish modern restaurant in the Baltic Triangle serving small plates and seasonal British cooking in a relaxed but ambitious setting.
Historic dining room in the Philharmonic pub, celebrated for classic British dishes and a grand traditional atmosphere with strong local character.
Moderate for UK city breaks: hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while transit and casual meals are fairly affordable for tourists.
Tipping is optional. Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or add about 10%. Cafes and pubs: no tip expected, small change appreciated.
Official public transport app
Liverpool Lime Street -> Liverpool ONE Bus Station, Liverpool
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Portsmouth to Liverpool 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 Liverpool, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Portsmouth to Liverpool trains use the Portsmouth & Southsea to Liverpool Lime Street station pair, with some services arriving at Liverpool Central. Use this guide to compare Portsmouth and Liverpool train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Portsmouth & Southsea has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Portsmouth & Southsea.
Wi-Fi is available at Portsmouth & Southsea. ATMs are available at Portsmouth & Southsea.
Ticket office support is available at Portsmouth & Southsea.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Portsmouth & Southsea: Parking, WC.
Available at Portsmouth & Southsea: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Portsmouth & Southsea: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category A Station - This station has step-free access to all platforms. Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, 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.
Portsmouth Harbour is 1 km from Portsmouth city centre. Public transport options include:
Portsmouth Harbour has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Portsmouth Harbour.
Wi-Fi is available at Portsmouth Harbour. ATMs are available at Portsmouth Harbour.
Ticket office support is available at Portsmouth Harbour.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Portsmouth Harbour: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Portsmouth Harbour: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Portsmouth Harbour: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category B Station - Steps or 20m ramp (approx. 1:11 gradient) to main entrance, or steps to side entrance. 32m ramp (gradient up to 1:8) from Wightlink IoW ferry terminal. Level access to all platforms. Stepped footbridge between platforms is also available. Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge, 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.
Fratton is 1 km from Portsmouth city centre. Public transport options include:
Fratton has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Fratton.
Wi-Fi is available at Fratton.
Ticket office support is available at Fratton. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: 0800 5282100.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Fratton: Parking, WC.
Available at Fratton: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Fratton: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category A Station - This station has step-free access to all platforms, 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.
Liverpool Lime Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, Upper Crust, Starbucks, JD Wetherspoon
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are located near Platform 7.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:38, Sun: 07:15 - 23:05. Information desks are located in the main concourse.
Luggage storage is the Excess Baggage Co. lockers and staffed luggage storage counter are located in the main concourse near the escalators across from Platform 6. Open daily 08:00 to 21:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Liverpool Lime Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Liverpool Lime Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool Lime Street: Full wheelchair access throughout the station, with help points at the Skelhorne Street entrance and at customer information desk in the main concourse.
Nearby hotels include Pembroke Studios, Riley’s Rooms, Holiday Inn Liverpool City Center.
Liverpool Central 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 Liverpool Central.
Wi-Fi is available at Liverpool Central. ATMs are available at Liverpool Central.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool Central. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0151 555 1111, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Liverpool Central: Parking, WC.
Available at Liverpool Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool Central: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A: “This station has step free access to all platforms / the platform” All platforms can be accessed via lift, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Liverpool James Street is 1 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool James Street 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 Liverpool James Street.
Wi-Fi is available at Liverpool James Street. ATMs are available at Liverpool James Street.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool James Street. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0151 555 1111, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Liverpool James Street: Parking, WC.
Available at Liverpool James Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool James Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A: “This station has step free access to all platforms / the platform”The Ticket Office is step free via James Street only and platforms can be accessed via lifts, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need