Best Portsmouth train station to use

[andym]

Southern don't do bike reservations, but a MkI Winning Smile and a touch of being sensible should see you OK. It's officially two bikes per set of four carriages, but I've seen half a dozen.

Well maybe if it's not a problem if you don't get on, and you have to catch the next train, but I'm not sure I'd chance it - especially if you're also relying on the train not being late and not getting lost on your way across Portsmouth.

 

[Polite]

Southern don't do bike reservations, but a MkI Winning Smile and a touch of being sensible should see you OK. It's officially two bikes per set of four carriages, but I've seen half a dozen. The bike space is by the Tardis disabled access loo, in carriage 3 or 2, depending on which way the train is pointing - look for the red stripes either side of the carriage doors.

@Polite, what time are you travelling?

The ferry leaves at 08.15, and the train arrives at 07.16 (45 mins before departure is the latest check-in time). Given the possibility of it being a non-straightforward cycle to the port, I'm going to get an early o'clock train that gets in at 06.50. That gives me more time but still not sure of the best station to get off at. Thanks.

 

[Bollo]

The ferry leaves at 08.15, and the train arrives at 07.16 (45 mins before departure is the latest check-in time). Given the possibility of it being a non-straightforward cycle to the port, I'm going to get an early o'clock train that gets in at 06.50. That gives me more time but still not sure of the best station to get off at. Thanks.

Not a bad idea. You've probably worked out from the thread so far that Pompey is quite a tricky place to find your way around. In the end it's up to you, but I'd +1 for StuAff.

Also you'll probably feel like getting out and pushing the train once it crosses over on to the island.

 

[ufkacbln]

As an aside, there are a lot if cheapish hotels near Fratton or in Southsea, or further out at Cosham.

If the danger is missing the ferry then a previous nighttrip would be an option.

 

[ufkacbln]

Do you have a Garmin or similar

If so then PM with an email address and I am quite happy to send GPX routes from all three stations

Not necessarily the fastest, but the routes that I would take if I had to make the journeys

PS.... Had it been an evening trip I could have offered a guided trip, but unfortunately the timings conflict with work commitments

 

[gavintc]

'Getting off at Fratton' is a good Naval expression and worth a quick google. If you do leave the train here, you are 5 mins ahead of the time you would get off at Portsmouth and Southsea. The route is not too bad, head north on Fratton Road which becomes Kingston Road then turn left on Kingston Crescent. The other options demand that you go up the A3 - not a major problem, but some might find it a bit worrying as it an urban dual carriageway.

 

[Polite]

Do you have a Garmin or similar

If so then PM with an email address and I am quite happy to send GPX routes from all three stations

Not necessarily the fastest, but the routes that I would take if I had to make the journeys

PS.... Had it been an evening trip I could have offered a guided trip, but unfortunately the timings conflict with work commitments

Thanks, the trip is tomorrow morning. I don't have a Garmin but thanks anyway.

 

[Brandane]

Last time I made this journey, the Portsmouth train stopped somewhere about 12 miles from Portsmouth! We got the usual apology that the "service" had terminated for technical reasons.
I was heading for the Caen ferry, but luckily had plenty of time. Also luckily for a stranger to the area, I had been talking to a couple of other cyclists on the train who were Portsmouth bound, one of whom had a satnav with cycle routes on it. It turned out to be a nice cycle, from wherever it was!
The alternative was to wait for a taxi as offered by Southern (??) trains. And join the queue along with about 200 other people.....

 

[Brandane]

'Getting off at Fratton' is a good Naval expression and worth a quick google.

Without having to google it, I believe we have a similar expression in Ayrshire, known as "getting off at Paisley". Paisley being some miles short of the end of the line at Glasgow .

 

[StuAff]

'Getting off at Fratton' is a good Naval expression and worth a quick google. If you do leave the train here, you are 5 mins ahead of the time you would get off at Portsmouth and Southsea. The route is not too bad, head north on Fratton Road which becomes Kingston Road then turn left on Kingston Crescent. The other options demand that you go up the A3 - not a major problem, but some might find it a bit worrying as it an urban dual carriageway.

TMN to me......

 

[StuAff]

Thanks, the trip is tomorrow morning. I don't have a Garmin but thanks anyway.

Print that out.....
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2738311

 

[StuAff]

Last time I made this journey, the Portsmouth train stopped somewhere about 12 miles from Portsmouth! We got the usual apology that the "service" had terminated for technical reasons.
I was heading for the Caen ferry, but luckily had plenty of time. Also luckily for a stranger to the area, I had been talking to a couple of other cyclists on the train who were Portsmouth bound, one of whom had a satnav with cycle routes on it. It turned out to be a nice cycle, from wherever it was!
The alternative was to wait for a taxi as offered by Southern (??) trains. And join the queue along with about 200 other people.....

12 miles? Petersfield at a rough guess, which is 15 miles....

 

[Brandane]

12 miles? Petersfield at a rough guess, which is 15 miles....

Can't be sure, but having now looked at the map I seem to remember coming in from somewhere more to the east of Portsmouth. Could it have been Chichester? From Victoria station IIRC..

 

[StuAff]

Can't be sure, but having now looked at the map I seem to remember coming in from somewhere more to the east of Portsmouth. Could it have been Chichester? From Victoria station IIRC..

Yes, it would have been that line from Victoria. Chichester's about 15 miles as well, Emsworth about 10.

 

[Polite]

I'm typing this from the ferry, so I got there in time! Very easy from Fratton station, in the end. Thanks, all, for the tips.