Supporting your child’s future
Providing services and facilities to our local communities
We know that travelling to college is an important part of planning for sixth form. Itchen is well connected by dedicated college buses and public transport, with students travelling to us from across Southampton and Hampshire.
Whether your child uses a College contract bus, public transport, the train, bike or another form of transport, the information below will help you plan their journey.
Itchen operates seven dedicated contract bus routes, with services covering a wide range of areas across Southampton and Hampshire.
Our regular routes serve areas including:
There are also three lunchtime services, allowing students who have no morning lesson to travel to College for an afternoon session, and students who only have morning lessons to travel home at lunchtime at no additional cost.
591 – Bishops Waltham / Fair Oak / Hedge End
592 – Whiteley / Park Gate
593 – Gosport / Lee-on-the-Solent / Stubbington
594 – Bishopstoke / Eastleigh / Chandler’s Ford / West End
595 – Portchester / Fareham / Titchfield / Locks Heath / Warsash
596 – Hamble / Netley / Sholing
597 – Romsey / Baddesley / Chilworth / Swaythling / Portswood
The College bus service is operated by Xelabus.
For 2026/27, the College bus pass costs £650. Bus passes can be purchased through the College Shop and collected at enrolment or from the Finance Office.
The current enrolment information confirms that the £650 cost can be paid in two instalments:
Eligible students may be able to receive support towards travel costs through Itchen Financial Support.
Students can download the Itchen College Tracker app to track their College bus in real time.
The app can also be used for notifications about changes or disruption to services.
College buses will stop at bus stops on the published route, but students need to flag down the bus so that the driver knows they want to get on.
Timetables show estimated departure times, and actual journey times can vary depending on traffic.
Students should arrive at their bus stop at least five minutes before the published time.
If there are delays or changes to a service, the College will communicate updates through the bus tracking app.
Students whose area isn’t served by a College contract route can use regular public transport.
Bluestar operates services across Southampton and Hampshire, with a subsidised bus pass arrangement available for Southampton colleges.
Students travelling from Totton and the Waterside can use Bluestar services and connect at Southampton Central for a service that brings them within walking distance of College.
The nearest train station to Itchen is Sholing.
From Sholing station, students can walk to College via Station Road and Middle Road. The current College information gives the walk as approximately 25 minutes.
There is a regular service from Fareham to Sholing, calling at stations including Swanwick, Bursledon, Hamble and Netley.
Students travelling from Totton will need to change trains at Southampton Central.
Bicycles can be taken on most local train services, making rail travel a practical option for some students.
There is covered cycle parking near the White’s Road entrance to College.
Students are responsible for bringing a suitable heavy-duty lock, such as a D-lock, to secure their bicycle. Cable locks are not considered sufficient.
Bicycles are left at the owner’s risk.
Covered parking for motorcycles and mopeds is available behind the North Block and can be accessed via the White’s Road entrance.
Vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk.
Students are asked to be considerate of local residents, particularly when arriving at or leaving College.
Parking on the College site is limited.
Free parking is available on surrounding roads, but we ask students and visitors to park considerately and respect local residents’ driveways and property.
Vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk and the College accepts no responsibility for damage, loss or theft.
Students travelling from the Isle of Wight can use ferry services from Town Quay Marina, which is approximately 2.5 miles from Itchen.
Ferry services operate from Hythe and East Cowes, and subsidised student tickets are available for Isle of Wight residents through Red Funnel.
If the cost of travelling to College is a concern, your child may be eligible for support through Itchen Financial Support (IFS).
Depending on eligibility, support may be available towards College contract bus passes and Bluestar termly bus passes.
If you’re unsure which travel option is best for your child, please contact the College’s Transport Officer.
For general enquiries:
Email: info@itchen.ac.uk
Telephone: 023 8043 5636
