Making the most of Portsmouth
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The new passenger terminal at Portsmouth International Port offers the modern high standards and style of an airport terminal – with none of the queues and baggage hassles of flying.
Free shuttle service to the town center. However it is an easy walk into town.
By Rail: There are frequent train services between Portsmouth and London Waterloo: the journey takes 85 minutes. Services to London Victoria pass through Chichester, Brighton and Gatwick. Services to Cardiff pass through Salisbury and Bristol. Portsmouth & Southsea train station is a short bus or taxi ride from the port.
By Coach: There are direct services from the port to Heathrow and Gatwick airports and London Victoria Coach Terminal. Change at London Victoria for all major towns and cities.
Printable map to take along.
Portsmouth, is the UK's premier waterfront destination, combining sea views great shopping, eating and drinking with stunning attractions and centuries of history, all on the water's edge and all just a few miles from the ship's gangway.
Take a walk around the city and you'll notice a striking contrast of old and new. HMS Warrior 1860 stands within a mile of Portsmouth's newest landmark, the Spinnaker Tower. Home to no less than 12 museums covering all aspects of Portsmouth's past as well as the award winning shopping and leisure complex Gunwharf Quays - with over 20 cosmopolitan bars and restaurants as well as nightclubs, a multi-plex cinema and bowling.
Kids don't miss out either. With popular attractions such as the Pyramids Fun Pools, Blue Reef Aquarium, Action Stations interactive museum and Playzone, the indoor soft play center, we've got those wet, rainy days covered. When the sun shines Southsea's beautiful seafront with playgrounds, funfair and plenty of space to fly a kite will help your little ones run off that excess energy!
Getting around
Several bus companies operate within Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. A day travel ticket can be bought for £3.60 (£2.40 concessions). It is a compact, flat city however, and nowhere is a very long walk.
Food and shopping
Each shopping district in Portsmouth offers something a bit different. Right on the water's edge, Gunwharf Quays offers shopping and spectacular views across Portsmouth harbor. Explore over 90 designer outlet shops in its wide pedestrian avenues and squares, you could bag a bargain from big names including Burberry, Paul Smith, Hobbs, LK Bennett, Molton Brown and Polo Ralph Lauren to name but a few. Millions of visitors are drawn back to Gunwharf Quays time and time again; you could make a day of it and stop for lunch, a drink or a movie. And from here it's an easy stroll into the city center or Southsea.
If you have started to feel that every other high street looks the same then Southsea will make a refreshing change. Albert Road, Marmion Road and Palmerston Road are the streets to head for if you're looking for something different. Leading brands Debenhams, John Lewis, Laura Ashley, East and Jones are joined by a fabulous range of independent shops and specialist stores, just perfect to help you dress yourself or your home. Why not take a stroll down Marmion Road? Don't miss Barbara Tipple, award-winning diamond merchant or treat yourself and your feet at the Sole Café, Southsea Rock, Interior Trading and Victoriana, all local stores…
Money
The currency throughout the UK is the pound (£). You may also hear the slang term quid for pounds. Scottish bank notes are frowned upon in other parts of the UK, so change the notes before leaving Scotland.
Cash machines (ATM) or less formally 'holes in the wall' are very widely available and usually dispense £10 and £20 notes.
Visa, Mastercard and Maestro, are accepted by most shops and restaurants.
Staying connected
English is spoken throughout the country, but sometimes with heavy accents!
Most cafe's and restaurants offer free WiFi.
The local emergency telephone number is 999, however the EU-wide 112 can also be used.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours are in general:
Small stores 6 or 7 days a week (10am - 6pm) Larger stores in general stay open til' 9PM Hyper marts often 24/7