Portsmouth on a Budget: 5-Day Adventure Guide

Discover charm and history without breaking the bank in Portsmouth.

21 June 2023

Portsmouth, UK offers budget-friendly options for travelers looking to explore history and culture without breaking the bank. Visitors can tour the historic dockyard, climb the Spinnaker Tower for panoramic city views or unwind on the beaches at Southsea without spending a penny. Local markets offer affordable artisanal goods and street food while public transportation is readily available for access to nearby attractions.

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Travel plan

Getting latest place information
Day 1

Arrival and Exploration

  • Check into the Ibis Budget Hotel and drop off bags
  • Wander around the historic dockyard
  • Visit the HMS Victory
  • Have lunch at Pie & Vinyl for some classic English comfort food
  • Walk along the seafront and watch the sunset at Southsea Beach
  • Head back to the hotel for some much needed rest
Day 2

Art and Culture

  • Start the day off with a delicious breakfast at Home Coffee
  • Visit the Portsmouth City Museum and see the Charles Dickens Exhibition
  • Take a break at the D-Day Museum and explore the history of the landings
  • Stroll over to the Mary Rose Museum and learn about the Tudors
  • Have dinner at Montparnasse, a cosy and intimate French restaurant
Day 3

Adventure Time

  • Rent some bikes from the rental shop
  • Cycle along the Hayling Billy Trail and stop for picnics along the way
  • Try your hand at kayaking at Langstone Harbour
  • Check out the Castle Road Market for some local crafts
  • End the day with fish and chips at Deep Blue Sea
Day 4

Historical Walk

  • Begin the day with breakfast at The Tenth Hole
  • Take a guided walking tour to explore Portsmouth's history
  • Visit The Royal Marines Museum and find out about Portsmouth's connection to the military
  • Lunch at Fratton Café for a homely and hearty meal
  • Take a stroll around the historic Old Portsmouth area
  • Rest up with an evening in watching a movie at the hotel
Day 5

Goodbye Portsmouth

  • Have a lazy breakfast and check out of the hotel
  • Take a boat tour around the harbour and enjoy the view of the city from the water
  • Visit the Spinnaker Tower for an amazing panoramic view of the city
  • Grab a light lunch at the Beach Cafe and soak up the last of the sunshine
  • Head home with some happy memories of your visit to Portsmouth.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Portsmouth by plane is to fly into either Southampton Airport or Gatwick Airport, and take a train or bus to Portsmouth. From Southampton Airport, you can take a train to Portsmouth and Southsea Station, which takes about 30 minutes. From Gatwick Airport, you can take a train to Portsmouth and Southsea Station or a National Express bus to Portsmouth, which takes about 2 hours.

Car

The best way to get to Portsmouth by car is to take the A3(M) or M27, depending on where you are coming from. From London, take the M25, then the M3, and then the A3(M). From Southampton, take the M27 and then the A27 towards Portsmouth.

Train

The best way to get to Portsmouth by train is to take a direct train to Portsmouth and Southsea Station. You can catch a direct train from London Waterloo, which takes about 90 minutes. There are also direct trains from Southampton, Brighton, and Bristol.

Boat

The best way to get to Portsmouth by boat is to take a ferry from either Jersey, Guernsey, or St. Malo. There are also cruises that stop in Portsmouth, such as P&O Cruises and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Bus

The best way to get to Portsmouth by bus is to take a National Express coach from London Victoria Coach Station, which takes about 2 hours. There are also coaches from Bristol, Birmingham, and Manchester.

Destination

Portsmouth

If you're looking for a coastal city with all the charm of a seaside postcard but with drastically less seagull poop, look no further than Portsmouth. It may just be the best place to experience both British history and fish and chips in equal measure.

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Number of days

1 2 3 4 5

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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