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City guide

Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Portsmouth is a port city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. Most of Portsmouth is located on Portsea Island off the south coast of England in the Solent, making Portsmouth the only city in England not located primarily on the mainland.

Type City

Why go

  • City in Hampshire, England.
  • Served by Goodwood Aerodrome (QUG).

History

Portsmouth is a port city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. Most of Portsmouth is located on Portsea Island off the south coast of England in the Solent, making Portsmouth the only city in England not located primarily on the mainland. The city is located 22 miles (35 km) south-east of Southampton, 50 miles (80 km) west of Brighton and Hove, and 74 miles (119 km) south-west of London. With a population last recorded at 208,100, it is the most densely populated city in the United Kingdom. Portsmouth forms part of the South Hampshire urban area with Gosport, Fareham, Havant, Eastleigh and Southampton.

Airports

Southampton Airport (SOU) 15 mi to the centre
Southampton SO18 2NL, UK — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 5 airlines (Flybe, Air France, Skynet Airlines, Aurigny Air Services…) · direct flights to 23 destinations incl. Bergerac, Brest, Guernsey, Jersey, La Rochelle… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves London (65 mi) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 5 airlines, 23 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Bembridge Airport (BBP) 9.2 mi to the centre
Bembridge, Isle of Wight, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Goodwood Aerodrome (QUG) 15 mi to the centre
Chichester, West Sussex, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Solent Airport 5.2 mi to the centre
Gosport, Hampshire, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Isle of Wight/Sandown Airport 12 mi to the centre
Sandown, Isle of Wight, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Bere Farm Airstrip 6 mi to the centre
Fareham, Hampshire, ENG, GB
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Portsmouth International Port
Ferry terminal · 0.3 mi from the centre · Portsmouth City Council
Outdoor
Gosport Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 1.4 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Portsmouth Harbour
Ferry terminal · 1.4 mi from the centre · South Western Railway
Outdoor
Wightlink Passenger Ferry Terminal.
Ferry terminal · 1.4 mi from the centre · Wightlink
Outdoor
Portsmouth Car Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 1.5 mi from the centre · Wightlink
Outdoor
Portsmouth IOW Car Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 1.5 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Waterbus
Ferry route · Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Outdoor
Gosport Ferry (passenger)
Ferry route
Outdoor
Gosport Ferry
Ferry route · regional
Outdoor
Hayling Ferry (Passenger)
Ferry route
Outdoor
Wightlink: Ryde - Portsmouth Fastcat (passenger)
Ferry route · Wightlink
Outdoor
Portsmouth Harbour - Ryde Pier Head
Ferry route · Wightlink
Outdoor
Hovertravel Ryde to Southsea
Ferry route
Outdoor
Southsea to Hovertravel Ryde
Ferry route · Hovertravel
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Goodwood Aerodrome (QUG); 12 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Portsmouth International Port, 0.3 mi); routes include Waterbus, Gosport Ferry (passenger), Gosport Ferry.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach