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Travelling from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London by train
Looking to travel from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London by train? You've come to the right place!
On average, it takes around 20 hours 17 minutes to travel from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 14 hours 35 minutes though. You'll usually find 8 trains per day running along the 655 miles (1054 km) route between these two destinations. You’ll need to make 3 changes during the journey to London, as there currently aren't any direct services on this route. You'll be travelling with Eurostar, TGV or SNCF on your way to London, as these are the main rail operators on this route.
Plan your trip ahead and book your train tickets in advance if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Just start a search in our Journey Planner to view the latest prices for trains from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London.
If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to London by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.
Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London by train
| First train | 04:55 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 20:14 | |
| Departure station | Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino | |
| Arrival station | London | |
| Journey time | From 14h 35m | |
| Distance | 655 miles (1054 km) | |
| Frequency | 8 trains per day | |
| Changes | 3 changes | |
| Train and bus operators | TGV Lyria, Trenitalia, SNCF, Eurostar, Italo, Trenord, BlaBlaCar Bus |
FAQs about the train journey from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London
Want to know more about your journey from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Can you take a train directly from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London?
How close is Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London by train?
Which train companies operate from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London?
Is it possible to get from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London without flying?
What is the best way to travel from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London?
What time does the first train from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London leave?
What time does the last train from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London leave?
How often are trains from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London?
Do you need to book the train from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London in advance?
Can you buy return train tickets from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London?
Italo, Trenitalia, Intercity and TGV Lyria trains from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London
Italo
Trenitalia
Intercity
TGV Lyria
Italo is a high-speed train operator that runs services between many of the major cities across Italy. All Italo trains are modern, air conditioned, and have free WiFi available for all travellers. There are four comfort classes, or "ambiances", as Italo like to call them – Smart (the cheapest price), Comfort (with wider seats and extra legroom), Prima (with a welcome selection of food and drink, fast track boarding and extra space), and Executive Club (with all Prima services, extra-wide seats, access to Italo Club lounges and personal entertainment screens at your seat).
More information
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
More information
Trenitalia's Intercity trains run on standard lines outside the high-speed network, offering more than 90 trains a day that guarantee long and medium distance connections, ensuring wide coverage of the rail network. All Intercity trains are modern and comfortable with plenty of seats, retractable tables, power sockets, air conditioning, courtesy lights and plenty of luggage space. Intercity Night trains allow you to travel overnight in cabins with beds, berths or seating.
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TGV Lyria links France to Switzerland and can travel at a maximum speed of 200 mph (320 km/h). Resulting from the collaboration between SNCF and SBB, TGV Lyria has three comfort classes on all trains. Standard (equivalent to the Second Class TGV, with comfortable seats), Standard 1ère (with more legroom and access to the SNCF show Grand Voyageur at the Gare de Lyon in Paris) and Business 1ère (available all week except Saturday, on some lines only).
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Eurostar, TGV INOUI, Italo and TGV Lyria classes from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London
Compare the different travel classes offered by Eurostar, TGV INOUI, Italo and TGV Lyria when travelling from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London.
Eurostar
TGV INOUI
Italo
TGV Lyria
Eurostar Standard
In Eurostar Standard, you'll find comfortable seats, free WiFi and a large selection of drinks and snacks for sale in the onboard café-bar.
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Catering at your seat
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
Eurostar Plus
As well as all the facilities you'll find in Eurostar Standard, in Eurostar Plus you'll also get a light meal served at your seat for trips to and from London. Though you won't get a meal at your seat for trips solely in Europe, you'll get to sit back and relax in comfier seats.
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- Complimentary meal at seat (1)
- Catering at your seat
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
- (1) A meal at your seat is only provided on trains travelling to or from the United Kingdom.
Eurostar Premier
Eurostar Premier gives you the freedom to travel in your own time, with same-day boarding guaranteed and Eurostar's exclusive lounges (where available) where you can relax before your trip. In Eurostar Premier, you'll also benefit from complete comfort, including a free meal and free drinks at your seat.
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Catering at your seat
- Gourmet menu (1)
- Lounge access
- (1) A gourmet hot meal is exclusive to trains to and from the United Kingdom; on trains in Europe, you'll have a cold meal served at your seat.
Second Class
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power sockets and more.
- Free WiFi
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- Fold-down table
- Luggage storage
- Reading light
- More legroom
- Quiet area
First Class
Want to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional perks.
- Free WiFi
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- Fold-down table
- Luggage storage
- Reading light
- More legroom
- Quiet area
Smart
Although Smart is Italo’s standard and cheapest class, you won’t miss out on the fantastic service! This class provides you with the following amenities:
- Vending machine
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Welcome service
- Fast track
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Salotto
- Personal screens
- Catering at your seat
Prima
In addition to all the perks of Italo Smart, Italo Prima also provides a little extra, such as a dedicated Fast Track service and a welcome service.
- Vending machine
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Welcome service
- Fast track
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Salotto
- Personal screens
- Catering at your seat
Club Executive
If you fancy travelling in style, upgrade to Italo Club Executive and enjoy dedicated catering service, personal screens, and free entry to Italo Club Lounge.
- Vending machine
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Power sockets at each seat
- Free WiFi
- Welcome service
- Fast track
- More legroom
- Free magazines/newspapers
- Salotto
- Personal screens
- Catering at your seat
Standard
TGV Lyria’s Standard Class offers comfortable seats and access to the dining car, perfect for an economical trip in comfort.
- Free WiFi
- Luggage storage
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- More legroom
- Full ticket flexibility
- Welcome service
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Quiet area
- Unlimited drinks
Standard Première
When travelling in Standard Première with TGV Lyria, you will have additional legroom, the comfort of a first-class seat, as well as a hot meal served at your seat.
- Free WiFi
- Luggage storage
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- More legroom
- Full ticket flexibility
- Welcome service
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Quiet area
- Unlimited drinks
Business Première
If you prefer to travel in style, upgrade to Business Première class and enjoy a welcome drink, a meal on board and much more.
- Free WiFi
- Luggage storage
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Power sockets
- More legroom
- Full ticket flexibility (1)
- Welcome service
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Quiet area
- Unlimited drinks
- (1) Check conditions when selecting the ticket.
Onboard services on Eurostar, TGV INOUI, Italo and TGV Lyria
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London.
Eurostar
TGV INOUI
Italo
TGV Lyria
Although there's no weight limit for your luggage on Eurostar trains, you must be able to carry your bags safely by yourself.
Each bag must be clearly labelled and must be no longer than 85 cm (for trains to and from the United Kingdom) or no larger than 75 x 53 x 30 cm (for trains in Europe).
Are you travelling to or from the United Kingdom? In Eurostar Standard, choose from a wide selection of drinks and snacks at the Eurostar Café, the onboard café-bar in the middle of the train. Cards and cash (Euros or pounds) are accepted. If you're travelling in Eurostar Plus, a light meal and a drink will be served at your seat.
Travel in Eurostar Premier and you'll be treated to a gourmet meal, as well as a continuous drinks service throughout your journey.
For all other Eurostar trains (red trains, formerly Thalys), head to the bar car and choose from a wide range of hot and cold drinks as well as sweet and savoury snacks.
In Eurostar Premier on European routes, you'll get a free meal served directly to your seat.
Eurostar doesn't have an onboard entertainment portal. However, there is free WiFi available, as well as UK and EU plug sockets at your seat so you can charge your devices while travelling.
Children under 4 can travel free on Eurostar trains, as long as they're sitting on an accompanying adult's lap. Alternatively, buying a child ticket guarantees them their own seat.
You'll find changing tables on all Eurostar trains, as well as family-oriented seating (4 seats facing one another) where available.
Currently, only certain Eurostar trains running between London and Brussels can transport fully assembled bikes - contact Eurostar for more information. You can, however, take a foldable bike on board Eurostar trains to and from the UK provided that it's no more than 85 cm long and it fits in a protective bag that covers the whole bicycle. Folded bikes are treated as standard luggage.
For all other Eurostar trains in Europe, a limited number of non-foldable bikes can be brought on board, provided that the wheels are taken off and the whole bicycle is stored in a suitable cover (max. size 135 x 85 x 30 cm). Foldable bicycles are also allowed and count towards standard luggage limits.
The rules around travelling with your pets depend on whether you're travelling across the Channel or not, so check before you travel:
Eurostar trains to and from the United Kingdom:
- Pets are not permitted on board.
- Guide dogs and assistance dogs can travel, but they must be accompanied by their owner. You must also reserve a ticket for your assistance dog at least 48 hours before travel, by filling out Eurostar's contact form.
Trains in the rest of Europe:
- Small dogs and other pets weighing less than 6 kg can travel for free. They must travel in a cage or carrier (max. dimensions 45 x 30 x 25 cm).
- If your dog is larger than this, you must buy them a dog ticket (generally the price is fixed at €30, around £26), and the dog must travel on your lap or on the ground, on a lead and with a muzzle.
- Guide dogs and assistance dogs, whatever their size, travel for free.
If you need help getting on or off the train, you should contact Eurostar directly before your trip. To use Eurostar's special assistance program, fill in the contact form at least 48 hours before your journey so that the team can help you.
If you're travelling to/from the United Kingdom:
- Arrive at least one hour before your train's scheduled departure time, then head to the Eurostar Assist desk or ask a member of staff.
- If you have a wheelchair, you must reserve a wheelchair space in either Eurostar Plus or Eurostar Premier - you'll only pay for a Eurostar Standard ticket. Someone can travel with you at a discounted rate.
If you're travelling on red trains in the rest of Europe:
- Wheelchair users travel in Eurostar Premier on routes in Europe.
- Wheelchairs can be transported as long as they're no bigger than 70 cm long and 120 cm high. The wheelchair's turning circle must be no larger than 150 cm in diameter. The combined weight of the wheelchair, passenger and any luggage must not exceed 300 kg.
- Please note that combustion engine-powered wheelchairs are not permitted on board. However, electric wheelchairs are allowed.
Specific restrictions for trains to/from the United Kingdom:
Liquids:
- There's no restriction on liquids. However, there are restrictions on alcohol: you can take 4 bottles/cans of beer or 1 bottle of wine per person to enjoy on the journey, but large bottles of spirits are not permitted. If you're travelling with large quantities of alcohol, you should contact a courier service.
Sports equipment:
- You can travel with a golf bag as long as it's no larger than 120 x 35 x 35 cm.
- You can bring tents or other shelters if they're stored in bags or cases less than 85 cm long.
- Camping gas or butane bottles are not permitted on board.
- Camping utensils or tools such as pocket knives and Swiss army knives are permitted provided the blades are less than 75 mm long. Folding knives where the blade locks into place are prohibited.
- You can bring bats, snooker or pool cues and darts on board if they're stored in a protective case.
On board TGV INOUI trains, you can take up to 2 pieces of luggage measuring no more than 70 x 90 x 50 cm, plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 15 cm. If you are bringing an XL baggage (maximum 90 x 130 cm), it will replace one of the two 70 x 90 x 50 cm pieces of luggage authorised.
All your luggage must be labelled before entering the train.
All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar carriage offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in carriage 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer to whet your appetite.
TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand luggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey.
Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a lead. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
- You can take your bags on board Italo trains free of charge.
- If you have a small bag or backpack, you can place it under your seat. If you’re travelling with a larger bag, you can place it on the luggage racks above your seat.
- In most cases, there are no luggage size limits. However, if you travel in Italo Smart, your bags must not be larger than 75 x 53 x 30cm.
While there’s no bar or restaurant carriage on Italo trains, you can use the vending machines on board to get snacks and drinks during your journey.
- Italo trains offer free WiFi and a free entertainment portal called ItaloLive, where you can choose from a wide selection of movies, TV series, live news, eBooks, games, music, and podcasts.
- You can also charge your devices thanks to the power sockets that are available at your seat.
- Children aged 0-3 travel for free on Italo trains if they don’t occupy a seat. However, if an adult travels with more than one child aged 0-3, they will need to pay for a seat.
- Children aged 2-14 get 50% off the Flex fare if they’re travelling in Italo’s Smart Class.
- You can travel with a folding bike if it’s stored in one of the dedicated luggage racks.
- You can travel with a traditional bike if it’s disassembled and placed in a bag that is not larger than 80 x 110 x 40cm.
- Pets under 10kg can travel for free on all Italo trains provided they’re placed in a carrier or cage.
- Pets over 10kg will need a ticket to travel with you. They must also be kept on a leash and equipped with a muzzle.
Priority seats for passengers with reduced mobility are available on Italo trains. They’re usually located next to an accessible toilet. All accessible toilets also have tactile and Braille signs.
Air-conditioning is available on all Italo trains, as well as at-seat power sockets.
You can take luggage on board TGV Lyria trains without worrying about weight restrictions, so long as you're able to carry it yourself.
There are two refreshment options on board TGV Lyria trains:
Le Deli: Available in the café-bar carriage or at your seat, with a STANDARD or STANDARD 1ÈRE TGV Lyria ticket.
La Table: A French-Swiss dining experience available with a BUSINESS 1ÈRE TGV Lyria ticket.
Free WiFi is available on board. To get online, connect to the network _WIFI_LYRIA when you're on the train and go to the TGV Lyria Portal in your browser.
Families can reserve two different areas on the train:
The Family Square, located in carriages 6, 16, 7 or 17 in STANDARD (Second Class). This is a set of four seats facing one another, with space for a pushchair.
Club 4, which is also a set of 4 seats facing one another around a table.
You will also find baby changing facilities, including a baby changing table and bottle-warming station, on the upper deck of carriages 7 and 17, close to the Family Space.
Bikes are allowed on board, so long as they're folded or their wheels are detached. Bikes must also be placed in suitable storage cases (no larger than 130 x 90 cm).
Small pets may travel with TGV Lyria, as long as they are carried in a carrier or container no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Pets must be placed on your lap or by your feet and must travel with their own ticket at a flat rate of €7.
Dogs on a lead may travel on TGV Lyria trains, but they must be muzzled throughout the journey and placed by your feet. Passengers must pay a flat-rate ticket fee of €20.
2 seats in carriages 1 or 11 in First Class are reserved for passengers with reduced mobility. You can request one of these seats when making your booking. If these spaces are no longer available, you can reserve a standard seat. You can also reserve assistance at the train station for help folding and storing your wheelchair.
You can travel with musical instruments if they're stored in a case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. If you're going skiing, snowboards and skis are allowed on board (one pair of skis or one snowboard per person). They must be stored in their covers.
Cheap train tickets from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino to London by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.