SWR autumn timetable: what changes for Bournemouth trains

South Western Railway moved to its autumn timetable on Sunday 20 September, and it runs until Saturday 12 December 2026. The changes are minor: many services depart between one and five minutes earlier than in the May 2026 timetable, which is enough to miss a train if you are working from an old screenshot. SWR had already introduced a temporary timetable for Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth services on 3 August, and the autumn timetable adjusts it again, according to the operator's planned improvements page.

Sunday 27 September: the Eastleigh closure

The one date to plan around is Sunday 27 September, when the lines in the Eastleigh area are closed all day for maintenance. On that day:

• London Waterloo to Weymouth services, the main route to Bournemouth, depart earlier and are diverted between Woking and Southampton Central, calling additionally at Guildford, Havant and Fareham. Journey times are longer.
• London Waterloo to Poole services start from Southampton Central rather than London.

If you are travelling down for the Arts by the Sea fringe or the Oktoberfest weekend, or heading home on the Sunday, check the journey planner for your train rather than assuming the usual departure.

The routine, for anyone new to it

The fast Weymouth train from Waterloo takes about two hours to Bournemouth, calling at Southampton Central. Bournemouth station is at Holdenhurst Road, a mile and a half from the seafront, with taxis outside and buses to the town centre; the West Cliff hotels are around ten minutes by taxi. Our guide to getting to Bournemouth from London compares train, coach and car, and if you are thinking of driving instead, parking in Bournemouth in 2026 explains why the train usually wins.