Trains to Bournemouth
| Main train stations | Bournemouth station |
| Train companies | South Western Railway |
| Main attractions | Bournemouth beach, Bournemouth Pier, Fisherman's Walk Cliff Lift |
Heading to Bournemouth for a sunny day at the beach? Or a weekend away in this popular seaside destination? Trains to Bournemouth take just under two hours from London, and around 45 from Southampton so you’ll be soaking up the sun on the sandy beach in no time.
We’re here to be your one-stop-shop for cheap train tickets, times and info about how to get to Bournemouth (and the beach) by train. If you want to get straight to booking, start a search for times and tickets above, or keep reading to find out more about trains to Bournemouth.
How to find cheap train tickets to Bournemouth
There are a few ways you can save money on train travel this summer. Some of our top tips for booking cheap train tickets to Bournemouth include:
Travel Off-Peak
Tickets are usually cheaper to Bournemouth if you travel during Off-Peak hours. This is normally outside of rush hours during Monday to Friday, and anytime during the weekend. We’ll highlight whether a journey is during Off-Peak train times as your search for tickets.
Book in advance
Train tickets to Bournemouth normally go on sale around 12 weeks in advance, usually at their cheapest price. If Advance train tickets aren’t on sale yet, why not sign up to our Ticket Alert tool, and we’ll email you as soon as you can buy tickets for your chosen date.
Save up to 1/3 with a Railcard
Railcards can save you to 1/3 on the price of eligible train tickets to Bournemouth. Costing just £30 for one year, it doesn’t take long to make your money back either. Find out if you qualify for one and buy a Railcard online with us today.
Save up to 34% with GroupSave
If you’re heading to Bournemouth with three to nine of your favourite pals, we’ll let you know if you qualify for GroupSave when you search. This discount allows groups that are travelling together to save up to 34% on rail fares.
Split your train tickets
Splitting your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
Top tip: If you're travelling from London to Bournemouth, it's sometimes cheaper to purchase a ticket for an indirect service via Southampton Central. Depending on when your connecting service from Southampton departs, this can take just over two hours.
Why not check out our train deals and discounts guide to discover the latest offers from train companies you can book with us.
Travelling from London to Bournemouth (and the beach)
One of our most popular routes during the summer, South Western Railway (SWR) run trains from London to Bournemouth. Departing from Waterloo station, the fastest journeys reach Bournemouth in 1h 43m. You’ll travel on the South Western main line, one of the major railway lines serving Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset.
Most SWR trains have free WiFi and you're allowed to bring your bike on board. Bike spaces are allocated on a 'first come, first serve' basis (except for small folding bicycles, which are allowed on at all times) and you can reserve a space for your bike up to 24 hours in advance. If you fancy travelling in style, SWR trains have First Class carriages, which are decked out with leather seats and are more spacious. If you’re travelling on a service before 10:00 on weekdays, you’ll be served a complimentary hot drink and biscuit from the food trolley service.
Getting from the train station to Bournemouth beach
It's easy to reach Bournemouth beach from the train station and takes just over 20-minutes to walk. Simply head out of the station onto Holdenhurst Road. Cross straight over the roundabout onto Bath Road and then turn into Bath Road South Car Park. Once you've passed through the car park, you'll see the beach ahead of you.
All in all, Bournemouth is well worth a visit from London - perfect for a day trip or weekend break!
Popular train journeys to Bournemouth
Travelling by train is the fastest, easiest and greenest way to get to Bournemouth from the other UK destinations. South Western Railway and CrossCountry are a couple of the main rail operators running frequent services to Bournemouth. Have a look at our table below for more information about the most popular routes to Bournemouth, or start your search for a different station in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train operator |
|---|---|---|
| London to Bournemouth | 1h 43m | SWR |
| Southampton to Bournemouth | 27m | CrossCountry, SWR |
| Oxford to Bournemouth | 1h 56m | CrossCountry |
| Bristol to Bournemouth | 2h 26m | CrossCountry, GWR, SWR |
| Birmingham to Bournemouth | 3h 8m | CrossCountry |
Visiting Bournemouth
The town's beaches are well-known throughout the UK. Boscombe Pier, opened in 1889 and extended and renovated since then, is a popular destination for tourists as well as locals. The beaches are very popular, due in part to how well maintained they are, and due to the region’s hot summers. Check out our guide to the best beaches near London to reach by train for more details on Bournemouth beaches.
St Peter’s Church, which saw its completion in 1879, is another stop-off for tourists. Bournemouth railway station was built in July 1885 and featured an impressive glass canopy roof, which to this day is one of the station's most representative features and is in itself a location worth having a look at.
Bournemouth will also delight culture enthusiasts with The Pavilion, which shows West End productions, as well as operas and ballet. Families will also find entertainment at the city’s very own air show, which is held each year in August.
Frequently asked questions
What's the main train station in Bournemouth?
The main train station in Bournemouth is Bournemouth station. It's located north-east of the city centre.
Which train companies run trains to Bournemouth?
There are a number of trains companies in the UK that operate trains to Bournemouth, including South Western Railway and CrossCountry.
How do I get from the train station to Bournemouth beach?
It only takes 23 minutes to walk from Bournemouth station to the beach. Simply head out of the station and turn right onto Holdenhurst Road. At the roundabout, cross straight over onto Bath Road and then turn left into Bath Road South Car Park. Once you've passed through the car park, turn left and you'll see the entrance to the beach ahead of you.
Are trains running to Bournemouth?
Trains run frequently almost every day to Bournemouth, although there may be fewer services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Bournemouth.
Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Bournemouth?
Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Bournemouth, these include:
- Network Railcard (London & South East Travel Zone)
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Family & Friends Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Persons Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.
How can I get cheap train tickets to Bournemouth?
It’s easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Bournemouth. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.