4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE)
Cheapest price
$18
Average price
$28
Fastest journey
1 h 26 m
Average duration
2 h 18 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
112 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE) will cost around $28 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $18.
Of the 2 trains that leave Southampton Central (SOU) for London Waterloo East (WAE) on Mon, May 18, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, May 18 the direct trains cover the 112 km distance in an average of 2 h 18 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 26 m .
On Mon, May 18 the slowest trains will take 3 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.
8:00 AM1h26Southampton Central (SOU)9:26 AMLondon Waterloo East (WAE)$181One-way0 transfers
7:50 AM3h09Southampton Central (SOU)10:59 AMLondon Waterloo East (WAE)$371One-way0 transfers
- 8:00 AM1h26Southampton Central (SOU)9:26 AMLondon Waterloo East (WAE)$181One-way0 transfers
- 7:50 AM3h09Southampton Central (SOU)10:59 AMLondon Waterloo East (WAE)$371One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE)
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $15. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 23m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $15, and a train costs an average of $18.
Distance: 69 miles (112 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$35 Average price | $26 Average price Cheapest | $29 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 53m Average total duration Fastest 1h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 30m Average total duration 3h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE):
A bus is $8 (€7) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE) costing on average $35 (€28).
Other travel options to London Waterloo East (WAE) take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 0m.
You'll arrive about 44m sooner (1h 23m by train vs 2h 7m by car). Tickets start at around $35 (€28) compared to roughly $29 (€24) 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.
Direct services run with South Western Railway.
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.
Compare prices and tickets Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE) by train or bus
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.
May 18
May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
Why should you book Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE) trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs South Western Railway?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for South Western Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of Cross Country to find the best option for your trip from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE).
- 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.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare South Western Railway with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE).
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE).
Journey information
Overview: Train from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE)
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE) run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 23m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $18 (€15) but you can travel from only $15 (€12) by bus.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 07:50, the last at 08:50. The fastest train covers the 69 miles (112 km) distance in 1h 26m.
Distance 69 miles (112 km) |
Average train duration 1h 23m |
Cheapest ticket price $18 (€15) |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 1h 26m |
First train 7:50 AM |
Last train 8:50 AM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Train companies: South Western Railway, Cross Country from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE) trainsSouth Western Railway, Cross Country trains will get you between Southampton Central (SOU) and London Waterloo East (WAE) from $15 (€12). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
South Western Railway
Cross Country
FAQs: Trains from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE)
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE) 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 London Waterloo East (WAE), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE)
Wifi
Shopping
Parking
Dining
ATM
Taxis
Accessibility
WC
Lounge
Lost and Found Office
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Bike Rental
Car Rental
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:40 - 20:45 Saturday 06:00 - 20:45 Sunday 06:30 - 20:45
- Car Park: Premium-downside
- Taxi: Yes outside Platform 4 exit
- 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 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: Yes
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located in the Waiting Rooms on Platforms 1 and 4. The National key toilets are located on Platforms 1 and 4; these toilets are operated by a radar key. A radar key is available from station staff upon request. A 'National Key Scheme' key [RADAR] can be purchased by contacting the following. Address: 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF. Tel: 020 7250 3222. Minicom: 020 7250 4119. Fax: 020 7250 0212. Email: [email protected]
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets
- Waiting rooms location: All platforms. Waiting rooms are heated and seating complies with Code of Practice.
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 1 - 200 spaces Platform 4 - 44 spaces Outside Platform 4 entrance - 4 spaces Outside Platform 1 entrance - A new bike hut with 140 two tier spaces
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail replacement bus service goes from the north side (Blechynden Terrace) during engineering works. Overnight onward transport goes from the South side (West Quay side)
ShoppingParkingDiningAccessibilityWC
HotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar Rental
Information Desk
- Type of shops available: newspapers
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category B1. 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 Waterloo East is only through use of lift at Waterloo Main. Ramps access to the platforms is steep. There is no ticket office. Full ticket office facilities available in Waterloo Main station. There is an entrance from Southwark underground station but this involves either steps or an escalator. There is also a step only access available from the Sandall Street entrance onto the overbridge connection between Waterloo East and Waterloo main stations. Taxis and direct road access only available from Waterloo main station which is connected via ramps and an overbridge to Waterloo East station.
- Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not wheelchair accessible
- Accessible taxis: Accessible Black Cabs are available from the taxi rank adjacent to the Cab Road exit from Waterloo Main station.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: On overbridge from Waterloo Main station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Wheelchairs available open hours: Assistance/Help available from station staff from First to Last trains.
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: Platform B and C - Available during staffing hours
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: Platform B and C - Available during staffing hours
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Only available when staff present
- Waiting rooms location: Heated waiting room on Platform B and C Only available when staff present
- 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
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Bus alighting point in Sandell Street.
Most popular train connections from Southampton Central (SOU)
More options for your journey from Southampton Central (SOU) to London Waterloo East (WAE)
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