Take the train to Winchester and discover this ancient cathedral city, where Alfred the Great and King Arthur wrote their legends into the annals of English history. The town reflects the astounding tales with Elizabethan and Regency buildings lining the close-knit streets. Mixed with modern shopping and a thriving restaurant scene, Winchester is as unique as it comes.
Located in the county of Hampshire, Winchester is well-connected to UK’s major cities by train – you can get from London to Winchester in 1h 23m, Oxford to Winchester in 1h 12m and Birmingham to Winchester in 2h 22m. Planning your next trip? Use our Journey Planner above to start your search for train tickets and times – we’ll always highlight the cheapest tickets to Winchester, helping you save on money.
Popular train journeys to Winchester
It’s easy to get to Winchester by train from all over the UK, with direct connections from some of the country’s biggest cities, including London, Manchester and Oxford. All trains to Winchester arrive into Winchester railway station. Have a look at our table below – we’ve highlighted some of the most popular routes to Winchester. If you’re travelling from another station, simply use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to start your search.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train operator |
|---|---|---|
| London to Winchester | 53m | South Western Railway |
| Oxford to Winchester | 1h 8m | CrossCountry |
| Manchester to Winchester | 3h 54m | CrossCountry |
| Southampton to Winchester | 24m | South Western Railway |
| Birmingham to Winchester | 2h 20m | CrossCountry |
| Basingstoke to Winchester | 14m | CrossCountry, South Western Railway |
| Reading to Winchester | 32m | CrossCountry |
| Bournemouth to Winchester | 47m | CrossCountry, South Western Railway |
How to find the cheapest train tickets to Winchester
There are a number of ways you can find cheap train tickets to Winchester to help you save money and explore the city.
First of all, consider using a Railcard to get cheaper train tickets to Winchester. You only have to buy one for the whole year, and it can get you up to 1/3 off the price of your tickets*, so it’s a win-win purchase! There are different types available – Railcards cater to different age ranges and circumstances so, from the Senior Railcard to the Disabled Persons Railcard and the newly-introduced 26-30 Railcard (Millennial Railcard), you'll be sure to find your match.
When you search for tickets in our Journey Planner, make sure you’re booking well in advance. In a lot of cases, you can secure cheaper train tickets by booking up to around three months in advance. This is because train companies usually release their tickets 12 weeks before the departure date, and prices can increase thereafter. Don’t worry though! You can sign up to our handy Ticket Alert service, and we’ll email you as soon as tickets go on sale for your preferred route.
For a complete guide, including rules and restrictions, head over to our Advance train tickets page.
You can also increase your odds of securing the cheapest train tickets to Winchester by travelling at Off-Peak times. Why not book your Advance ticket for an Off-Peak time and add your Railcard for a super money-saving combo? Get more info on benefits, rules, and restrictions by visiting our Off-Peak train tickets page.
Another way to save money is split ticketing – use our SplitSave app feature and, where possible, we’ll find the cheapest combination of fares for you. Read our SplitSave page to learn more about how split ticketing works.
Want more handy hints on how to save money on train tickets? Check out our cheap train tickets page.
*Conditions and peak travel time exclusions may apply on some railcard types.
Visiting Winchester
There really is nowhere else quite like Winchester. Once you get off at Winchester station, take your time to simply wander around the city’s medieval streets weaving around Wolvesey Castle and Winchester Cathedral. The final resting place of Jane Austen and the first Saxon king, the cathedral has traces of architecture stretching across a thousand years and some of the best samples of medieval tiles in Britain.
If you're more into legends and are a fan of Merlin and co, head to the Great Hall – all that remains of Winchester Castle – where you'll find a Round Table attached to the wall. Found next door is Queen Eleanor's garden, a recreation of a medieval herb garden and camomile lawn. Another outside treat is the River Itchen – see if you can spot the city's famous otter population gorging on the Itchen's fish. Finally, don’t miss your chance to dip into the UK's largest Farmers' Market or any number of the amazing restaurants the city has on offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main train station in Winchester?
The main train station in Winchester is Winchester railway station. Check out live arrivals and station facilities for Winchester railway station.
Which train companies run trains to Winchester?
The primary operator of trains to Winchester is SWR.
How do I find cheap tickets to Winchester?
It's easy to bag cheap train tickets to Winchester. 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.
Are trains to Winchester running?
There are frequent daily services to Winchester, although there may be fewer services on weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Winchester.