The Coastliner 700 is the slow, scenic way between Portsmouth and Chichester, a Stagecoach bus that threads the string of harbour villages along the top of Chichester Harbour rather than rushing past them on the train.
Once a single marathon route all the way to Brighton, the 700 was split up in 2025, and the Portsmouth service now turns round at Chichester. What is left is still a handy cross-county link, calling at Havant, Emsworth and a dozen waterside spots in between.
The Coastliner 700 in brief
| Detail | The 700 |
|---|---|
| Route | Chichester to Portsmouth (The Hard Interchange) |
| Operator | Stagecoach South |
| Main places | Chichester, Fishbourne, Bosham, Emsworth, Havant, Hilsea, Portsmouth |
| Typical journey | About 1 hour to 1 hour 25, end to end |
| Frequency | Roughly every 20 minutes in the daytime |
| First and last | From Portsmouth 04:45, last back 22:25; from Chichester 06:03, last 23:40 |
| Single fare | Capped at £3 on any single |
| Ways to pay | Contactless, Stagecoach Bus app, cash |
| Updated | November 2026 |
The figures below come from the Stagecoach South timetable in force at the time of writing, so treat the clock times as a guide and check the live board for the exact minute of the next bus.
Where the 700 runs
The route hugs the coast road, the A259, for most of the way, dipping into the old villages around Chichester Harbour before climbing into Portsmouth over Portsbridge. The map traces the full run from end to end.
From Chichester into Portsmouth
Westbound buses leave Chichester bus station, pass the cathedral and head out through Fishbourne before working along the waterside villages. After Emsworth and Havant the 700 crosses into Portsmouth at Hilsea, runs down through North End to the city centre, then finishes at Gunwharf Quays and The Hard. The key calling points run as follows:
| No. | Stop | What is nearby |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chichester Bus Station | Trains, the cathedral, city centre |
| 2 | Fishbourne | Fishbourne Roman Palace |
| 3 | Bosham and Broadbridge | Bosham harbour village |
| 4 | Southbourne | Southbourne rail station |
| 5 | Emsworth, The Square | Quayside town, shops and cafes |
| 6 | Havant Bus Station | Trains, Spring Arts Centre |
| 7 | Hilsea, the Lido | Edge of Portsmouth Island |
| 8 | North End | Busy local shopping parade |
| 9 | Guildhall and city centre | Portsmouth and Southsea station, the university |
| 10 | Gunwharf Quays | Outlet shopping, Spinnaker Tower |
| 11 | The Hard Interchange | Harbour station, ferries, Historic Dockyard |
The bus also stops at plenty of smaller request points, so ring the bell in good time if you want one of the lesser-used stops.
From Portsmouth back to Chichester
Going the other way the 700 leaves The Hard and Gunwharf, climbs back out of the city through North End and Hilsea, then follows the same chain of villages east through Havant and Emsworth to Southbourne, Bosham and Fishbourne before Chichester. It is the same road in reverse, and the same scenery, which on a clear day is reason enough to take the bus rather than the train.
You might also like
If you are aiming for a connection at the far end, these are the useful endpoints to plan around:
- Havant for onward trains and buses towards Leigh Park;
- Emsworth for the harbour walk and the Thorney Island path;
- Chichester for the city, the Festival Theatre and buses on to Bognor.
Those connections are worth checking against live times, because a missed link at Havant or Chichester can add a long wait.
How often the 700 runs
On weekdays the 700 is frequent for most of the day and thins out in the evening. The pattern looks like this:
| Time of day | How often |
|---|---|
| Daytime, Monday to Saturday | About every 20 minutes |
| Early evening | About every 30 minutes |
| Late evening | Roughly hourly to the last bus |
The first bus out of Portsmouth leaves The Hard at about 04:45, with the last heading back from Chichester at 23:40. From Chichester the first is around 06:03 and the last out of Portsmouth is 22:25. As an example of a daytime run, leave Chichester near 10:00 and you are at The Hard by about 11:10. Sunday times are lighter, so check the Stagecoach Bus app for the exact departures that day.
What the 700 costs
Fares are simple thanks to the national price cap. A single anywhere on the route is capped at £3, which is good value given how far the 700 travels. For a day of hopping on and off, a Stagecoach day ticket works out cheaper, and after 7pm a NightRider covers unlimited evening travel for around £2.70.
Because the route crosses from Hampshire into West Sussex, pick the day ticket that matches how far you are going:
- a Portsmouth DayRider, about £5, for travel within the city;
- a wider South DayRider for the full run out to Chichester, priced in the app;
- a single, capped at £3, if you are only making one trip.
Children, students and older or disabled pass holders travel for less or free, so it is always worth asking or checking the app before you tap on.
Paying on board
There is no ticket office on a bus, so you buy as you board. The quickest ways are:
- tap a contactless card or phone on the reader as you get on, and the daily cap is worked out for you;
- buy a single or a day ticket in advance in the Stagecoach Bus app and show the screen to the driver;
- pay the driver in cash, though having the right change helps.
Whichever you choose, buy or tap before you sit down, as there is no conductor to come round later.
Good to know before you ride
Does the 700 still go to Brighton?
No. Since the 2025 shake-up the Portsmouth 700 runs only as far as Chichester. To carry on east you change at Chichester onto the services that cover Bognor, Worthing and Brighton.
Is the bus or the train faster to Chichester?
The train via Havant is quicker end to end, but the 700 drops you right in the middle of far more villages and the city centre. For the direct coastal rail link, see our guide to the coastal train between Brighton and Portsmouth.
Where does it stop in Portsmouth?
It runs right through, from Hilsea and North End down to the Guildhall, Gunwharf Quays and The Hard, so it links the mainline stations with the waterfront. Our wider guide to buses in Portsmouth sets out how it fits with the city routes.
Can I get to Havant on it?
Yes, Havant is one of the main stops, with its own bus station and trains. The round-the-clock Number 23 between Havant and Portsmouth is the faster option if Havant is all you need.
This guide was put together by Portsmouth And from Stagecoach South timetable and fares information, current as of November 2026. Always check live times and prices before you set off, as operators adjust them from time to time.
Last updated: November 2026.
