Fareham, Portchester & Swanwick Train Stations Guide

Which train stations are in Fareham?

The borough has three stations on the Portsmouth to Southampton line: Fareham, Portchester and Swanwick. Each is listed by National Rail and South Western Railway with South Western Railway as the station operator. Fareham is the main one, with the widest facilities. Fareham Market Station is a separate subject, covered in our Fareham Market Station guide.

Which train companies call at Fareham?

Three operators appear on National Rail's engineering notice for the weekend of 3 and 4 October 2026: Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and Southern. The notice says Great Western trains between Cardiff Central or Bristol Temple Meads and Portsmouth Harbour would terminate and start at Fareham, with replacement buses between Fareham and Portsmouth Harbour. It lists South Western Railway services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour, and Southern services from places including London Victoria, Gatwick Airport, Brighton and Littlehampton. South Western Railway's own page for Fareham names London Waterloo, Southampton Central and Portsmouth Harbour as connections.

That gives the main destinations: London, Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton and Cardiff. Journey times and frequencies change with the timetable, so use the National Rail journey planner or the operator's site for the day you travel. Which operators stop at Portchester and Swanwick can differ from Fareham, so check the live departure board for each.

What is at Fareham station?

Fareham station is at Station Approach, PO16 0UT. South Western Railway's station page describes a manned ticket office open Monday to Friday 05:40 to 19:55, ticket machines, waiting areas, Wi-Fi, toilets on Platform 1 and a taxi rank at the entrance. There is a bike store with 266 spaces and CCTV on Platform 3, and replacement buses leave from the forecourt during engineering works. National Rail adds that staff help is available from 05:20 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday and from 06:30 to 23:00 on Sundays, and lists refreshments and shops.

Where can I park at the stations?

Parking varies a lot between the three. Fareham has 154 spaces, including 7 accessible spaces, according to National Rail. Swanwick, at Botley Road in Park Gate (SO31 1BA), has 80 spaces including 4 accessible ones. South Western Railway's Swanwick page says parking charges range from £1.00 an hour to £584 a year as published in October 2026, and that Blue Badge holders park free once registered. Prices can change, so check the page before you go.

Portchester station, on Station Road (PO16 8BJ), has no car parking at all, according to both National Rail and South Western Railway, though it does have a drop-off point and sheltered bike storage for 20 bikes. Plan to walk, cycle, get a lift or take a bus there.

How accessible are Fareham, Portchester and Swanwick?

Fareham is the easiest. South Western Railway calls it a Category A station with step-free access throughout, accessible toilets across the platforms and an induction loop at the ticket office. National Rail lists lifts and a Changing Places toilet.

Portchester and Swanwick are Category B3, which National Rail describes as some step-free access to platforms, possibly in one direction only. At Swanwick, South Western Railway says there is step-free access to Platform 1 for trains towards Southampton Central, while Platform 2 needs a stepped footbridge. At Portchester, it says Platform 2, for Portsmouth services, has a very steep ramp that some wheelchair users may need help with, and that Platform 1 has no step-free access. If you need help, use the staff help points and the helpline listed on the National Rail station pages, and book assistance in advance.

What are the ticket office hours at Portchester and Swanwick?

Portchester's ticket office is open Monday to Friday 06:00 to 10:20 and Saturday 08:00 to 14:00, and is closed on Sundays. Swanwick's is open Monday to Friday 06:00 to 18:15, Saturday 07:15 to 15:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 14:30, according to South Western Railway. Both have ticket machines. South Western Railway says contactless and Oyster payment are not available at either station, so buy a ticket or load a smartcard first.

Can I save money with a railcard?

National Rail's railcard page lists the options as published in October 2026. The 16-25, 26-30, Senior, Two Together and Network railcards each give a third off, and cost £35 for one year. The 16-25 and Senior cards are also sold for three years at £80, while the Disabled Persons Railcard costs £20 for one year or £54 for three. The Family and Friends railcard gives a third off adult fares and 60 per cent off children's. A 16-17 Saver gives 50 per cent off most fares. Discounts have conditions and time restrictions, so read the terms before buying.

How do I get to the stations by bus?

National Rail lists bus links at all three stations. For the routes First Bus lists around Fareham, see our Fareham buses guide. If you are driving to the station, see our town centre parking guide and our M27 commuting guide.