Wareham Station is on the South Western Railway London Waterloo to Weymouth line and is the closest mainline station to Swanage.
Less than a mile from Wareham town centre (Swanage nearest town), it’s well connected to Purbeck and other parts of Dorset.
Not only is it a great way for visitors to access the Isle of Purbeck, Wareham Station is a key way for residents to commute to and visit the conurbation of Poole & Bournemouth to the east, and Dorchester and Weymouth to the west.
Trains typically run twice an hour each way – from Weymouth to London Waterloo, and from Waterloo to Weymouth.
- Journey time from London Waterloo to Wareham: 2 hours, 13 mins – 2h 22m (check National Rail Enquiries or the South Western Railway website to book tickets and for live updates and possible changes/disruptions to services: www.southwesternrailway.com)
Onward travel to Corfe Castle & Swanage
By bus
The MoreBus Number 40 stops at Wareham Station, so you can pick up the bus right from the train on toward Corfe Castle and Swanage.
This is an hourly bus service (check with the bus company for timetables so you can coordinate your arrival on the train with the bus departure time: www.morebus.co.uk)
- Journey time from Wareham to Swanage via bus: Around 40 minutes
By taxi
Various local taxi companies also work out of Wareham Station, enabling you to get to your destination with ease.
There may be taxis already waiting at the taxi rank for you to pick up but it’s always worth phoning ahead to book to ensure your journey goes smoothly.
- Journey time from Wareham to Swanage via car/taxi: Around 25 minutes
Find local taxi companies here.
Purchasing tickets for your journey
You can buy your tickets in advance online or visit the ticket office at Wareham Station, which is located at ground level and accessible both from the car parking area or from platform 2.
There are ticket machines on platform 2 to either purchase tickets or collect pre-bought tickets. You’ll need your booking reference number and the card used to pay for the tickets.
Ticket office opening hours
- Monday – Friday – 6.10am – 6.30pm
- Saturday – 7.15am – 1.50pm
- Sunday – 10am – 2pm
Buy tickets online via websites such as National Rail and Trainline, or directly through South Western Railway. All have the option to add railcards, such as the Family & Friends railcard, the 16-17 saver, 16-25, 26-30, senior, veterans and disabled railcards, which all typically give you 1/3 off your ticket price. Find out more information on the National Rail website: www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/National-Railcards.aspx
Station facilities
You’ll find public toilets and an enclosed waiting room on platform 2.
There is no refreshments kiosk at Wareham Station but there are various small shops, cafés and supermarkets in Wareham itself.
Wifi is available, and there are public telephones.
Bike racks are available at the station. There is also a handy bicycle repair, sales and advice shop – Cycleworks – right next door to Wareham ticket office.
Parking at the station
There’s a good-sized car park (69 spaces) on the Platform 2 side of the station.
You can purchase a car parking ticket in the station ticket office, from a machine outside, or via the RingGo parking app (location number 77556). Alternatively call to pay to park on 01256 802804.
Purchase either a day, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual ticket.
- Weekday day ticket: £3.10/day
- Weekend day ticket: £2/ day
- Weekly ticket: £14.10
Accessibility information
The guard on the train is available to offer assistance to board and alight the train. Assistance can be booked in advance but is not necessary – simply make yourself known to the guard and they will gladly help you out.
There is a ramp available for wheelchair access to the train.
Ticket machines and toilets at the station are accessible.
To access the opposite platform there is a stepped footbridge, however there is also level access via a controlled pedestrian level crossing. The foot and cycle crossing is manned and has locking automatic gates.
Location & contact details
Wareham Station is easy to find and is located just off the main A351 from Poole to Swanage, and equally accessible from the Bere Road direction.
- 📍 Wareham Station postcode: Northport, BH20 4AS
- 📞 Customer services phone number: 0800 5282100
You might be interested in…Wareham Station’s history
Wareham Train Station was once part of the branch line to Swanage, which closed in 1972.
After much campaigning, local residents and historic railway enthusiasts managed to get the line partially rebuilt and restored. The Swanage Railway now runs as a popular heritage line and is one of Swanage and Purbeck’s main attractions, running steam and diesel locomotives throughout the year, along with various events and festivals.
A limited number of special services run on the Swanage Railway line all the way to Wareham for special events. It is hoped that this will become a more regular and permanent feature of the railway in future.
Read more about the railway, its stations, history and ongoing projects here.
