The number 2 is one of the buses that ties Portsmouth together, running the length of the island from Paulsgrove in the north down to The Hard on the waterfront. Along the way it passes the main hospital, the shops and much of the east of the city, which makes it one of the most useful routes to know.
You might also like
Here is where the 2 goes, the stops it makes, how often it runs and what it costs.
The number 2 at a glance
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Number 2, Portsmouth |
| Operator | First Bus, trading as Solent |
| Runs between | Paulsgrove and The Hard, by Gunwharf Quays |
| Via | QA Hospital, Cosham, Hilsea, Copnor, St Mary’s Hospital, Eastney, Albert Road and the city centre |
| Single fare | £3 for the first journey of the day |
| Daily cap | £5.40 with Tap On Tap Off, Portsmouth zone |
| Frequency (Mon to Fri) | About every 12 minutes in the day; first bus around 03:05, last around 02:03 |
| Ways to pay | Contactless Tap On Tap Off, the First Bus App, cash |
| Updated | November 2026 |
Where the number 2 runs
The 2 starts at Paulsgrove in the north, loops round by the hospital and Cosham, then works down the eastern side of the island to Southsea and the harbour. These are its main stops in order.
| No. | Stop | What is nearby |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paulsgrove | The northern end, by the shops |
| 2 | Upper Wymering | Residential streets above the harbour |
| 3 | QA Hospital | Queen Alexandra Hospital, the city’s main hospital |
| 4 | Cosham | Shops and the rail interchange |
| 5 | Hilsea | Northern Portsea Island |
| 6 | Copnor Bridge | Over the railway into Copnor |
| 7 | St Mary’s Hospital | The community hospital |
| 8 | Eastney | The eastern seafront and beach |
| 9 | Albert Road | Southsea’s independent shops and bars |
| 10 | Portsmouth City Centre | Commercial Road and the Guildhall |
| 11 | The Hard | Gunwharf Quays, the harbour and the interchange |
The exact stops can vary a little by time of day, so check your journey on the First Bus App or at the stop before you set off.
The 2 on the map
The map gives a sense of the run across the island from Paulsgrove down to The Hard.
For the exact line your bus follows on the day, the First Bus App shows it live.
How often the number 2 runs
The 2 runs almost around the clock on weekdays, which is unusual for a city bus. On a typical Monday to Friday the pattern is roughly this.
| Time of day, Monday to Friday | How often a bus comes |
|---|---|
| Early morning, from about 04:25 | Every 15 to 20 minutes |
| Daytime, about 07:30 to 18:30 | About every 12 minutes |
| Evening, until about 22:00 | Every 16 to 20 minutes |
| Late evening | Every 25 to 30 minutes |
| Through the night | About once an hour |
The first bus leaves The Hard at around 03:05 and the last at around 02:03, so there is a bus for most of the night. Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays run to a lighter timetable, so check the First Bus App or the timetable at the stop for those days and for the exact minute of your bus.
Fares on the 2
The 2 uses the standard First Bus fares for Portsmouth:
- a single journey is £3;
- Tap On Tap Off caps your spend at £5.40 a day and £21 a week in the Portsmouth zone;
- tap the same contactless card on when you board and off when you get off to get the capped price.
Child, student and group tickets are bought in the First Bus App rather than by Tap On Tap Off, and an older or disabled person’s bus pass is accepted as usual. You can also pay with cash on board, though contactless is quicker and caps what you spend. For the full fare detail and all the city routes, see our First Bus Portsmouth guide.
Riding the number 2
Where does the number 2 bus go in Portsmouth?
From Paulsgrove in the north, round by QA Hospital and Cosham, then down through Copnor and Eastney to Albert Road, the city centre and The Hard by Gunwharf Quays.
How much is the number 2 bus?
A single is £3, and with Tap On Tap Off your spending is capped at £5.40 a day in the Portsmouth zone, so extra journeys after that are free.
Does it stop at QA Hospital?
Yes. The 2 is one of the main routes to Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one reason it is so well used.
How do I find the times?
Use the First Bus App or the display at the stop for live departures, as the route runs frequently rather than to a fixed clock time. For the wider network, see our guide to buses in Portsmouth.
Does the number 2 run at night?
Yes. On weekdays it runs through most of the night, with the last bus around 02:03 and the first around 03:05.
Portsmouth And put this together from First Bus route and fare information. Last updated: November 2026. Check live times in the First Bus App before you travel.
