Getting to Fareham
How to reach Fareham by road, rail, and public transport
Fareham sits at a natural crossroads in south Hampshire, and reaching it is straightforward from most directions. The town benefits from both motorway and rail connections, making it accessible from London, Southampton, Portsmouth, and the wider region.
By road, the M27 motorway runs through the northern part of the borough, with junctions 9, 10, and 11 providing access. From Southampton, take the M27 eastbound and exit at junction 9 or 10. From Portsmouth, take the M27 westbound and exit at junction 11. From London, the M3 to junction 14, then the M27 eastbound to Fareham. The journey from central London takes approximately ninety minutes outside peak hours, though motorway congestion, particularly on the M3 and M27, can add significantly to this during Friday afternoons and bank holiday getaways.
The A27 runs through Fareham town centre, connecting it to Portsmouth to the east and Southampton to the west on the old road route. The A32 runs north to Wickham and the Meon Valley, and south to Gosport.
By rail, Fareham station has direct services to London Waterloo (approximately one hour forty minutes), Portsmouth (fifteen to twenty minutes), and Southampton (twenty to twenty-five minutes). Services are operated by South Western Railway and Southern. The station is a short walk from the town centre, on the western side.
By bus, the Eclipse busway connects Fareham to Gosport on a dedicated corridor, and regular services run to Portsmouth, Lee-on-the-Solent, and the surrounding areas. The bus station is on West Street in the town centre.
The nearest airport is Southampton Airport, approximately fifteen miles to the north-west. It offers domestic and short-haul European flights. London Heathrow and Gatwick are further away but accessible by road and rail. Southampton Airport is served by its own railway station (Southampton Airport Parkway) with direct services from Fareham.
The Isle of Wight ferry services depart from Portsmouth (Wightlink car ferry from Gunwharf, Hovertravel hovercraft from Southsea). Both terminals are reachable from Fareham by road or rail in approximately twenty minutes.
Fareham is also on the National Cycle Network. Route 22 passes through the area, and the old Gosport railway line has been converted into a shared-use path for walkers and cyclists, providing a pleasant traffic-free route southward.
Satellite navigation will generally bring visitors directly to the town centre without difficulty. The postcode PO16 0AH will put you on or near the High Street. For the railway station, use PO16 0BD.