Thinking of making a visit? Solent University is located in the heart of Southampton city centre, within walking distance of Southampton Central train station.
Southampton is well connected with the rest of the UK, whether you plan to get here by car, train, aeroplane or ferry.
Southampton is just 75 miles (120km) from London, with excellent road links. Southampton sits at the southern end of the M3 motorway.
Those who are travelling with a sat nav should use the postcode SO14 0YN.
Please note: East Park Terrace is closed to traffic from 6 September 2023 as part of Southampton City Council's sustainable transport corridor project.
While the University has limited on-campus parking, there are several car parks in the immediate vicinity. View these on Google.
If you are a blue badge holder, please email us to receive guidance on applying for a permit.
There are over 200 free-to-use cycle spaces here on the main campus.
East Park Terrace pay-to-park scheme
The car parks (excluding the Solent Sports Complex) at our East Park Terrace campus are subject to a pay-to-park scheme through RingGo. The scheme applies to non-permit holders from 8.30am (Car Parks C, D & F) or 10:00 (Car park B) to midnight, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays. Limited spaces are available and on a first come first served basis only.
Cashless payments can be made by the RingGo app, online, by telephone, or text. More information can be found on the RingGo website. Guidance is also provided on signage in the car park.
Please see local signage for restrictions. Please note that parking is not available in Car Park B before 10:00 or in Car Park E at any time. These are permit holder only zones and Parking Charge Notices will be issued for non-permit holders parking in these areas.
View the car parks on our campus map
Hours of operation and tariffs may vary throughout the Christmas period. Alternative signage will be displayed to reflect these changes.
From London, we recommend travelling to Southampton from London Waterloo station.
For other locations, please use the National Rail journey planner.
The closest train station to us is Southampton Central Station. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to Solent University from the station – follow the directions on Google maps.
If you exit via Platform 1, turn right, walk up the hilly footpath towards the Civic Centre building (large white stone building with clock tower). Then follow Civic Centre Road and New Road straight on until you see the University ahead of you.
If you exit on Platform 4, turn left, walk up the hill towards the Civic Centre building (large white stone building with clock tower). Then follow Civic Centre Road and New Road straight on until you see the University ahead of you.
From Heathrow Airport
By train: Take the Railair coach link from Heathrow Airport to Reading or Guildford train station. Services to Southampton Central operate from both these stations. The total journey time from Heathrow to Southampton is approximately two hours. The Railair service runs every 30 minutes and picks up from all four terminals. For more information on the service, please visit the South Western Railway website.
By coach: The National Express coach service operates from the bus station at Heathrow Airport to Southampton coach station. On direct services the average journey time is 1 hours and 50 minutes. Discount coach cards are available for students and young people.
For more information on services to Southampton and discount coach cards, visit www.nationalexpress.com.
From Gatwick Airport
By train: Train services operate between Gatwick Airport and Southampton Central. the average journey time is 2 hours.
By coach: National Express coach services operate from Gatwick to Southampton coach station, via Heathrow (coach changeover). The average journey time is 4 hours.
From London Stansted Airport
By train: Rail services operate from Stansted Airport to central London via the London Underground. Direct services to Southampton operate from London Waterloo. The average journey time is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
By coach: National Express coach services operate from the coach station at Stansted Airport to Southampton via Heathrow and central London (coach changeover). The average journey time is 4 hours.
From Southampton Airport
There are regular buses, trains and taxis from the airport to the centre of Southampton.
Buses and taxis are right outside the entrance, whilst the train station is located a couple of minutes walk away and is called Southampton Airport Parkway.
The airport is approximately four miles from Solent University and train services to the city centre run frequently with journey times of ten minutes.
Taxis are available from outside the terminal but need to be booked at the taxi desk inside the airport.
Directly outside the Spark you will find a number of bus stops servicing the local area. The Uni-link U6 bus stops directly outside the University, as well as West Quay shopping centre, Portswood, the University of Southampton and Southampton General Hospital.
Other bus stops can be found on Above Bar Street. More information about local bus travel can be found on the My Journey Southampton website.
Red Funnel ferries provide a regular, fast and efficient service from Cowes on the Isle of Wight to Southampton Town Quay.
If you would like information for local B&B / guest houses (for an overnight stay before or during your visit) please contact:
- Southampton City Information on 023 8083 3333 or
- Destination Southampton on 023 8078 0300.
For details of hotels in the area please visit hotels.uk.com or bedandbreakfasts.co.uk.
