Coach Travel to Portsmouth

Did you know Portsmouth is an island? Not only that, it’s also the UK’s only island city. Take a coach to Portsmouth and you’ll discover this unique destination has many more strings to its bow. With a prime waterfront location that’s within arm’s reach of the glorious beaches of the Isle of Wight, seaside city breaks don’t come better than this. Portsmouth – affectionately known as Pompey – is also rich in maritime history, with ships like the Mary Rose and HMS Victory in its docks. With so much to see and do, what are you waiting for?

Portsmouth: top 3 things to do

1. Explore Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard

Maritime heritage is in Portsmouth’s DNA, so a tour of the Historic Dockyard is a must. Visit the famous trio of warships: the Mary Rose, Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. There are also plenty of museums where you can gen up on the city’s seafaring past and present. An all-attraction ticket will give you unlimited entry to the lot.

2. Scale the Emirates Spinnaker Tower

The 170-metre-tall Emirates Spinnaker Tower is an icon of the Portsmouth skyline. Take the panoramic lift to the observation deck and step onto the Sky Walk – the largest glass floor in Europe. You’ll see Portchester Castle and across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Soak up the view with a cuppa and a slice of cake at Café in the Clouds.

3. Visit Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum

The man behind novels like Oliver Twist and Great Expectations was a Pompey native in his toddlerhood, before moving to London. The Victorian-style house on Old Commercial Road – where Dickens was born in 1812 – is now a museum celebrating the author’s life. Check the seasonal opening hours before you visit.

Portsmouth: getting around

Take a coach to Portsmouth and added extras like free WiFi* and a 20kg luggage allowance usually come as standard. Check out our on board facilities page to find out more about what to expect from the journey.

When your megabus sets you down in Portsmouth, your best bet is to head straight to the Visitor Information Centre. It’s located inside the D-Day Museum on Clarence Esplanade in Southsea. Grab a map of the area to get your bearings and you’ll find you can walk to most of the city’s attractions.

If you prefer to jump on a bus, there are plenty of services to get you from A to B. Or, if you fancy sunbathing on the Isle of Wight’s gorgeous beaches, regular hovercrafts from Southsea will whisk you over there in just ten minutes.

Heading to the University of Portsmouth? The Guildhall campus is a 15-minute walk from the megabus stop at the Hard Interchange by Portsmouth Harbour train station.

Portsmouth: best for nightlife

Start your evening on Albert Road or Palmerston Road, both teeming with pubs and bars that cater for all tastes. Then head over to Guildhall Walk, home to a line-up of clubs that keep the party going well into the small hours. For more in the way of chain bars and restaurants, Gunwharf Quays is another popular spot for a night out.

Portsmouth’s music scene is an impressive one, with large venues like Portsmouth Guildhall hosting the biggest names in pop and rock. The more intimate Wedgewood Rooms on Albert Road is the place to see up-and-coming artists cut their teeth on stage.

Portsmouth for free: our top 3

1. Discover Southsea Castle

Southsea Castle has worn many historical hats. It was built in 1544 to help protect the country from invaders. Since then, it’s taken a turn as a military prison and, more recently, a lighthouse. And it now houses a café – which transforms into a Champagne bar on Friday evenings – and even a microbrewery. The castle is open March to October.

2. Wander around Old Portsmouth

Just below Gunwharf Quays, on the south west of the island, you’ll find Old Portsmouth. This quaint little pocket of the city is packed with history, including the earliest stone fortifications. The Point – also known as Spice Island – is a lovely place to hang out overlooking the water with a pint of real ale.

3. Picnic on Portsdown Hill

For some fresh air and spectacular views, Portsdown Hill is just the ticket. At 120 metres above sea level, this chalk grassland gives sweeping views over Portsmouth Harbour. This scenic hill is also full of colourful wildflowers, birds and wildlife – the perfect backdrop for a picnic. Take the X4 bus from the Hard Interchange and you’ll be there in 20 minutes.

Book your coach travel to Portsmouth today using the megabus journey planner.

We serve Portsmouth from a number of routes including:

*Subject to availability and connection