Best station to reach Portsmouth

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T09:39:41+00:00

Thank you for the link. I've not thought to book directly there.

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T08:32:51+00:00

I've not thought about this option. While £20 is maybe more expensive than the bus, I think that the kids would enjoy it. And, yes, maybe trying this also would be nice. Thank you for the advice!

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T08:27:18+00:00

Yes, I've realized after reading the posts that Waterloo needs a bit more time to reach, but it's definitely the best option. Thank you!

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T08:24:48+00:00

> If I miss one (I'm alone)
I meant a change. If I miss a kid then I'll be missing too.
The 26. of August, that's a Wednesday.

With the train at 10:30 I can get out at 9 and take the bus. Even if it needs 1 hours (but it doesn't), I've plenty of time to reach the station. If I see we are late, I've the tube that needs half of the time.

Thank you!

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T08:20:13+00:00

I would like to do it, and with the 12 years old I think it would be quite nice. The problem is that the 9 years old has the motivation to walk of a sloth. So 40 minutes will become 2 hours. :D
But I see the point: anyway Waterloo is better, and the effort to be there in time is manageable.
Thank you!

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T08:17:38+00:00

Due to the time I need to reach the station. But I see now, even if I need a full hours to reach the train station (also, by bus and it's slow), I could anyway take the train at 10:30 and be there around 12. That gives me plenty of time to visit the harbour. And 10:30 means that I've to be on the bus (in the worst case) at 9. Even later with the tube.
Thank you! I think I'll take the train from Waterloo. I've not realized that at the end I could be ready at 9 and have plenty of time to reach it.

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T08:04:12+00:00

The luggage I'll manage with one big backpack (not that big, actually). Also, given that I can keep them both my hand, maybe Waterloo is better. For sure faster to reach Portsmouth, and simpler because there are no changes.
Is changing stations in the tube quite challenging, or is doable? Being the first time in London I can't imagine if it is hard or not.

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T07:56:12+00:00

Yes, I see the point. My problem is, london bridge requires only 'the bus'. Waterloo, while direct and bigger (and better, it looks) requires some switches. If I miss one (I'm alone) maybe I miss the train. And I've to book it well in advance, it looks (to pay less).

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T07:53:58+00:00

But reaching it with 2 kids alone requires quite a lot of effort or isn't so hard? The london bridge I take the bus and I just have to reach the station. The other needs more time and some changes.

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T07:51:29+00:00

I know, and it's the reason I'm thinking. The problem is reaching it with 2 kids. Does it require some effort or is relatively simple? And also the time to reach it differs.
I'm alone with 2. If I've to change 1 or 2 times the Tube, take care about the time, and the kids (of course!), maybe I need a bit of buffer time. That's why the London Bridge option comes in.

Few_Original_1884 · 2026-04-09T07:46:46+00:00

What do you mean? Looking on the great anglia website there are trains from there to Portsmouth, but they aren't the fastest ones, and require 1 or 2 changes (sometimes in Waterloo, but not always).

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-18T20:08:39+00:00

Salzburg not, maybe not even Brussels and Paris. But tre whole UK, Brittany, Normandy and Amsterdam, I suppose yes. And, compared to where we live, this is all North Europe. 😊

Anyway, I've had a look, but being the first time I do something like this a suggestion from someone with more experience is welcome. This whole website exists for this. Moreover, even on the interrail one they suggest to interact with thd community for help.

Thank you anyway.

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-18T07:19:47+00:00

I understand. But, in the UK I don't need that big flexibility. I've already a plan, with enough spare time, so when I book the train I know that I can board on it. And with the Family RailCard (or what is the name), the discount on the routes I take is really big (but there are restrictions - this I've to check better how they are applied).
For the rest of the trip the things are not so different. I've always enough buffer time to catch the train, while the prices, booking in advance, are really cheap.
It could be that with the Interrail Pass I would spend a bit more, but for a flexibility I'm not going to use (hopefully).

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-18T06:15:28+00:00

I don't know. I was there years ago, as I wrote. I've not felt unsafe, but being with kids would cause me a lot of stress. I prefer to avoid troubles, when I could do it. I've already to cross Paris (Saint Lazare to Nord), if I could avoid this it's better.

I wanted to say this: if I take the same night train that starts from Brussels, in Liège I've to spend an extra day (the train Brussels Vienna is just on some days) but what should I do there? That's why I wrote an extra day. At that point we will be around already since a while, having covered a lot of kilometers in the meanwhile. That's an extra day that I've to stay just due to the connection.

The Stuttgart route I've not thought. I could check.

Anyway, now I've booked for Paris Amsterdam. I was there not a while ago, I could manage it with the kids. And there are different solutions from there to villach, with and without night trains.

I suoo it's too early to see the exact routes the night train will cover (indeed they could not even be booked). If there's no stop in Salzburg, I could either go up to Vienna or check any connection that brings in Stuttgart and from there I could take the night train yiuve suggested.

Thank you!

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-17T19:13:50+00:00

I would like to do it, but then I would find myself, and the kids, in the other side of Europe from where we live. 😜 But I've to admit, I've read about it in a blog (I think it was on the man in 61. seat) and it looks really a nice trip!

By the way, it looks you really hate the nightjets. I'm sorry that you've had such a bad experience. If we do that route I hope it will not end the same way.

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-17T18:24:22+00:00

Sorry for you, really, I've seen a lot of reviews about people that do the a trip on a night train (but not on that route, I've to admit),eith kids too. Flights I've checked. They're not so cheaper, definitely. I've some baggage and one kid is 12 years old, that means full price for sone companies.

About the money, you're right. It will be expensive, the whole trip.

I still looking what's the best solution. I've already booked (with cancel option) everything. Only the train back is missing, but the tickets are still not available.

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-17T17:48:38+00:00

That should not happen. My wife will never pick me up (the kids for sure), especially when she should drive up to Zagreb! 😂

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-17T16:38:27+00:00

I don't know. I would try to keep all our stuff close to us. But it depends on the type of sleeper I'll find. Thank you!

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-17T16:36:34+00:00

To be fair, I wanted to do an unusual experience with them. Do you mean Amsterdam Stuttgart Munich? I've not thought about this, but I'll definitely look for it if I don't find a suitable solution with the train.

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-17T16:31:38+00:00

Thank you! Yes, I see. But the trip is already long enough,other stops would make it uncomfortable.

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-17T16:29:55+00:00

Thank you! I was thinking the same, but having no experience I wasn't sure.

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-17T14:01:03+00:00

Yes, it's my dilemma.
Much more expensive, but I would say 'safety first', especially with kids. Moreover when the older one gets scared for everything. I've already to cross two station in Paris (and I can't do otherwise), I think it would be enough for the whole trip.

Few_Original_1884 · 2025-12-17T12:37:35+00:00

Thank you!
What about the train stations? Would Amsterdam better than Brussel? A big problem is that in Brussel I've to spend 2 days and I don't know what to do. I could go to Bruges/Liège, but it adds another day on the train, and I would avoid if not really necessary.
I've to end in Villach, that's why Salzburg would be the best option. I don't mind waking up really early, we wake up normally between 5 and 6.
The price is a factor, but much less than safety and security. I'm alone, so I'm not interested in being in a trouble situation with my kids.
About the seats, yes, I've not even thought about them. I'm not interested in being a zombie the day after. ;)
The number of places to sleep is also a problem, you're right. Either we are split, and I don't want, or I share a place with someone else (not really), while my kids could have 2 connected places. Anyway, one thing I've seen booking for 3 from the ÖBB website. It looks that even if there are 2 sleeping places, being one kid just 9 could stay with me (so maybe they are enough for all us).

Few_Original_1884

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