Bournemouth (Bournemouth)

There are entrances to the station on both platform 2 (which leads to platform 1) AND on platform 3; so if you will be taking a taxi to the station, in order to take a train heading towards Southampton and beyond, ask the driver to drop you at the north side entrance, by platform 2.

Though the main entrance to Bournemouth station is the south side entrance on platform 3, this is where the taxi rank and bus stops are located.
Note that trains from London, Reading, Southampton, Oxford, Birmingham and the north use platform/track 3, so exiting the station when arriving by these trains is very straightforward

The main access between platforms 1 and 2 and this south side entrance/exit is to use the footbridge which spans the station, though if you do so, there is no alternative to using the staircases.
Hence the suggestion to avoid having to use this footbridge by using the north side entrance to the station; though that isn’t an option if you take a bus to the station.

The step-free access across the station is provided by subway under the railway tracks at the eastern end of the station, though the somewhat hidden slopes to and from this passage way are comparatively steep.
When using the main entrance, in order to access this passage way turn right when you step on platform 3.

Bournemouth station is on the northern edge of the town centre, and the pedestrian access to the town is compromised by a large supermarket opposite the main exit, which now blocks what would have been the quickest walking route.
So the easiest means of accessing the town centre for those who don’t want to take a taxi, is to catch a bus from the stops opposite the station entrance.

Route 5 and Route 6 (direction Bournemouth Square) also link the station to the central part of the sea front, they stop by the main pier.

Bus route/line 50 departs from the bus station opposite the train station and provides a direct link (by open top buses in the summer) to the Sandbanks area and on to Swanage.