London to Hayling Island by train and car

Hayling Island sits on the Hampshire coast between Portsmouth and Chichester Harbour, roughly seventy miles from central London. It is a genuine island — the only road on and off is the Langstone Bridge at the northern tip — which is part of why it stays quiet even in high summer.

There are two sensible ways to arrive: drive, or take the train to Havant and cover the last few miles locally.

How do you drive from London to Hayling Island?

The usual route is the A3 south out of London, past Guildford and through the Hindhead Tunnel, then joining the A3(M) towards Portsmouth. Leave the A3(M) at Havant and pick up the A27, following signs for Hayling Island onto the A3023. That road takes you over the Langstone Bridge and straight down the spine of the island.

For Wittering Sands, stay on the A3023 through Stoke and Mengham, then head east towards Sandy Point. The house is on Wittering Road, close to the eastern shore.

An alternative, if you are coming from south or east London, is the A24 or M23/A27 corridor westwards through Chichester and along the A27. It is often similar in time and can be calmer than the A3 on a Friday.

How long does the drive take?

In free-flowing traffic the drive is usually in the region of two hours. Realistically, budget two to three hours — Friday afternoons, bank holiday weekends and hot summer Saturdays all add time, and the A3 around Guildford and the A27 around Havant are the usual pinch points. The Langstone Bridge is a single carriageway in each direction and can queue at peak arrival times.

Travelling before mid-morning or after early evening makes a noticeable difference.

Is there parking at the house?

Yes — there is off-road parking at the house, so you do not need to plan around public car parks. If you are bringing more than one car, or a trailer for a boat, let us know in advance when you check dates.

Can you get to Hayling Island by train?

Not all the way. There is no railway station on Hayling Island itself — the old branch line closed in the 1960s, and its route is now the Hayling Billy Trail. The station you want is Havant, on the mainland just north of the bridge.

Havant is served by direct trains from London Waterloo (South Western Railway) and is also on the coastal line between Brighton, Chichester, Portsmouth and Southampton. Direct Waterloo services typically take somewhere around an hour and a half to a little under two hours, depending on the service and the number of stops. Journeys involving a change will take longer.

Fares vary a great deal with how far ahead you book, the time of day and the ticket type, so it is worth checking the operator directly rather than assuming.

How do you get from Havant station to Sandy Point?

Havant to Sandy Point is roughly six to seven miles.

• Taxi — the simplest option, and usually the quickest. There is a rank outside Havant station, but pre-booking is wise on summer weekends and late in the evening.
• Bus — local services run from Havant across the Langstone Bridge and down the island. Expect the bus to take appreciably longer than a taxi, and check the timetable in advance, as evening and Sunday frequencies are reduced.
• Bicycle — the Hayling Billy Trail, built on the old railway line, runs from the bridge down the western side of the island. It is a lovely arrival if you are travelling light.

Which airport is closest?

Southampton Airport is the nearest at around thirty miles, with Gatwick roughly sixty miles east along the A27/M23. Both are straightforward drives, with Gatwick more exposed to traffic.

Do you need a car once you are here?

Not for a beach-based stay at Sandy Point — the shoreline, the lagoon walks and Hayling Island Sailing Club are all within walking distance. You will want a car for West Wittering, Chichester, the South Downs or the wider harbour. Our activities guide sets out what is walkable and what is a drive.

A few practical notes

• The island has one road in and one road out. If you are catching a train home or have a fixed appointment, leave more margin than the map suggests.
• Supermarkets and a good butcher are in Mengham, a few minutes from the house, so you can arrive without a full car of shopping.
• Check-in details and directions for the final turn are sent ahead of your stay.

Ready to plan a stay? Dates and availability are on the direct booking calendar.

---

Details last checked August 2026 — please confirm times and fares directly with the operator before travelling.