Getting Around Hampshire

Sit back, enjoy the view and let someone else do the driving. It is easy to plan your journey by bus, coach or train using Traveline or the county’s local public transport guide My Journey. 

Most guides online from transport operators' websites. Alternatively they are available from some libraries, tourist information centres and bus and rail stations. Hampshire's Tourist Information Centres can also advise on local transport and provide timetables.

There are also plenty of fun and easy ways to go car-free on days out in Hampshire, read our guide to car-free days out in Hampshire. 

Cycling

If you are feeling energetic, cycling is a great way to see Hampshire. There are over 30 different cycling routes across the county and a range of trails for beginners and enthusiasts. A number of cycle trails are off road and offer flat, easy-going cycling.

The Meon Valley, Test Way and Hayling Billy trail are all on disused railway lines so are great for beginners and families. For longer distance routes, try the South Downs Way National Trail, which runs between Winchester and Eastbourne or the Shipwrights Way, which links villages and towns in East Hampshire.

If you’ve left your bike at home, there are lots of places across the county where you can hire a bike.

For a unique experience, hire an electric bike in the South Downs National Park and enjoy gentle assistance up hills. Find out more information on cycling or download a range of cycling routes, maps and leaflets by visit the Cycling in Hampshire website. 
 

By Bus

The main bus services within Hampshire are operated by Stagecoach, First Group and Blue Star. For a comprehensive list of bus operators, visit the Hampshire County Council website.

Avoid city centre congestion and take the Park and Ride services which operate in Winchester, Portsmouth and Basingstoke.

For the most up-to-date, latest Hampshire travel information please contact Traveline or the bus operators directly.

Until the end of December 2024, bus fares are capped at £2 as part of the Government's ways to ease the cost of living. Find out where you can visit by bus across Hampshire. 

New Forest Tour
Hop on and off the New Forest Tour open top bus at villages, attractions and forest walks between late June and mid September. There are three connecting routes which cover the whole of the National Park. Enjoy on-board commentaries about the people, places and animals of the New Forest. For information on routes, timetables and tickets, please visit the New Forest Tour website.

Marwell Zoo Bus
From April to October a bus service will run between Eastleigh train station and Marwell Zoo (M1). The bus operates on Saturdays, Sundays, bank holidays and every day during the school holidays. It’s only 15 minutes from Eastleigh train station and is one of the easiest ways to get there. For more information visit the Three Rivers Rail Website. 

South Downs Ramblers Bus
The South Downs Rambler bus linking Winchester and Petersfield Stations, enabling passengers to enjoy the beauty of the countryside along the South Downs Way. This popular bus service runs every Sunday from 23 July to 24 September 2023. Criss-crossing the course of the South Downs Way it enables passengers to hop on and off the bus throughout the day and enjoy one of the south's best loved long distance footpaths.  It also links railway stations (for those visiting from further away), local attractions, stunning countryside, pretty villages, country pubs and much more. Download more information.

Solent Go Travelcard 
The Solent Go travelcard is a stress-free way to travel around South Hampshire. No need to have the right cash to hand for fares or to remember which operators you’re travelling with. The Solent Go travelcard works on most buses and ferries* throughout South Hampshire. Hop-on and hop-off buses as you please, buy your tickets today from the Solent Go website. 
 

By Train

The main train service in Hampshire is operated by South Western Railway, which operate from Bournemouth and Poole in Dorset through to London Waterloo. Most major towns in the county are served by rail, with regular services and good connections. 

Great Western Railway run an hourly service through Hampshire between Southampton, Fareham and Portsmouth stations. They also run direct trains from South Wales, Bristol, Bath and Salisbury into Hampshire.

Travel in Hampshire on a nostalgic steam train between Alresford and Alton on the Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line). It’s the perfect way to unwind and witness the sights, sounds, smells and magic of steam travel from a bygone age. Special events run throughout the year, including a day out with Thomas, real ale train and spectacular steam galas.

It is easy to travel to the South Downs National Park by train with stations at Liphook, Liss, Petersfield and Rowlands Castle. For more information on stations and train services, visit the East Hampshire Rail website. 

Use the Three Rivers Rail website to find out information on trains calling at Salisbury, Dean, Mottisfont & Dunbridge, Redbridge, Millbrook, Southampton, St Denys, Swaythling, Southampton Airport, Eastleigh, Chandler's Ford, Bursledon, Hamble, Netley, Sholing, Woolston and Bitterne. Download the line guide or discover places to eat or drink along the way.

If you’re keen to visit a number of destinations and attractions across the region, then why not take advantage of Ranger (1 day) and Rover (multi-day) tickets through South Western Railways and Great Western Railways. These include the one day Waterside Wanderer Ticket providing numerous exciting day trip itineraries across rail, bus and ferry services in the Southampton area.

By Water

Avoid a lengthy road journey and take a ferry from one side of the water to the other. Here are some of the popular Hampshire travel services. 

Hythe Ferry
Take the Hythe Ferry to cross the water between Southampton and the village of Hythe. The ferry runs from the end of the pier in Hythe, which can be accessed by the Hythe Pier Railway - one of the oldest continuously operating public pier trains in the world.

Gosport Ferry
Enjoy the sights of Portsmouth Harbour and take the Gosport ferry to Portsmouth. The ferry takes 4 minutes to travel and there are regular services operating throughout the year. For timetable information, visit their website.

Hamble Ferry
Take a ride on the distinctive pink Hamble Ferry, ‘Emily’, which operates a regular service from Hamble to Warsash. The ferry runs from 9am to 5pm and the current charges are as little as £1 each way for foot passengers.

Hayling Ferry
The Hayling Ferry is the most convenient way to travel between Portsmouth and Hayling Island. Visit their website for timetable information.

Hurst Castle Ferry
Built by Henry VIII, Hurst Castle was one of a chain of coastal fortresses built in 1544. Visit the castle by ferry with regular services between Keyhaven and Hurst. In the summer months, a ferry service operates from Yarmouth on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Portsmouth Harbour Waterbus
The Portsmouth Harbour Waterbus links the four major attractions of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower, Royal Navy Submarine Museum and Gunwharf Quays.
 

By Car

Hampshire has an excellent road network, with the M3 leading from Winchester to London, and the M27/A27 from Southampton across into Sussex.

RAC Route Planner - If you don't like getting lost while you travel in Hampshire, let the RAC work out your route for you.

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