Jump to content

How to get from Heathrow to Southampton port


wadden
 Share

Recommended Posts

Don't simply hail a taxi from the rank at Heathrow.:eek:

Southampton is about 60 miles from Heathrow, and a metered taxi will cost you an arm and a leg. :loudcry:

 

Two main choices, both outlined by KYteach :-

 

Cheapest is by National Express bus at about £25 pp. Book a bus which is scheduled to depart from about 90 minutes after your flight is scheduled to arrive, but (subject to availability) you can change that on-the-spot to an earlier or later bus if things don't go to schedule.

You'll need to know your Heathrow arrival terminal - there are Nat Express bus stops at T4 and T5, or the Heathrow central bus station for T's 1, 2 & 3.

Book to Southampton Coach Station, it's a direct service.

Depending on which cruise terminal, you'll likely need a taxi from Southampton Coach Station to your ship at £5 to £10.

https://beta.nationalexpress.com/en

 

The other main option is by booking a private car transfer at something under £100 for the vehicle.

With four of you it's probably the best option.

Smiths is the operator most-frequently recommended on Cruise Critic but there are dozens of operators.

Here's the websites of Smiths & two other operators based at the Southampton end:

www.smithsforairports.com

www.aquacars.co.uk

www.westquaycars.com

All are experienced in airport/port transfers.

Give them your air carrier and flight number & they're best-placed to know the pick-up time.

Do make them aware of the amount of luggage that you'll have, and any young children who might need child seats or booster seats.

 

Two other options.

 

Cruise lines offer their own airport transfer buses. They collect at your airport terminal & deliver you & your luggage to the ship. Price depends which cruise line - from limited background knowledge RCI tends to be expensive, Princess more reasonable.

But for four of you, cruise line transfers won't be best value.

 

You can buy through train tickets to Southampton at Heathrow, but your journey starts with an included RailAir shuttle bus from Heathrow to a mainline station, then a direct train to Southampton Central station. Around £40 pp and involves that bus-to-rail switch so a poor choice.

But trains are frequent and no need to pre-book, so a useful Plan B if your travel arrangements go belly-up.

 

JB :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks so much. Smyths it is! £213 return for 4 of us including parking. ...great price, roughly the same as the National Express. Thanks again for the info.

 

 

 

Don't simply hail a taxi from the rank at Heathrow.:eek:

Southampton is about 60 miles from Heathrow, and a metered taxi will cost you an arm and a leg. :loudcry:

 

Two main choices, both outlined by KYteach :-

 

Cheapest is by National Express bus at about £25 pp. Book a bus which is scheduled to depart from about 90 minutes after your flight is scheduled to arrive, but (subject to availability) you can change that on-the-spot to an earlier or later bus if things don't go to schedule.

You'll need to know your Heathrow arrival terminal - there are Nat Express bus stops at T4 and T5, or the Heathrow central bus station for T's 1, 2 & 3.

Book to Southampton Coach Station, it's a direct service.

Depending on which cruise terminal, you'll likely need a taxi from Southampton Coach Station to your ship at £5 to £10.

https://beta.nationalexpress.com/en

 

The other main option is by booking a private car transfer at something under £100 for the vehicle.

With four of you it's probably the best option.

Smiths is the operator most-frequently recommended on Cruise Critic but there are dozens of operators.

Here's the websites of Smiths & two other operators based at the Southampton end:

www.smithsforairports.com

www.aquacars.co.uk

www.westquaycars.com

All are experienced in airport/port transfers.

Give them your air carrier and flight number & they're best-placed to know the pick-up time.

Do make them aware of the amount of luggage that you'll have, and any young children who might need child seats or booster seats.

 

Two other options.

 

Cruise lines offer their own airport transfer buses. They collect at your airport terminal & deliver you & your luggage to the ship. Price depends which cruise line - from limited background knowledge RCI tends to be expensive, Princess more reasonable.

But for four of you, cruise line transfers won't be best value.

 

You can buy through train tickets to Southampton at Heathrow, but your journey starts with an included RailAir shuttle bus from Heathrow to a mainline station, then a direct train to Southampton Central station. Around £40 pp and involves that bus-to-rail switch so a poor choice.

But trains are frequent and no need to pre-book, so a useful Plan B if your travel arrangements go belly-up.

 

JB :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I have a question concerning booking the National Express Bus. We are arriving at Heathrow Terminal 5. When I go to book the bus to Southampton, there is a choice for Thistle London Heathrow Terminal 5. Is this what I choose? Their website says they pick up at the front of Terminal 5, but the choice has the hotel name with Terminal 5. I just want to verify that this is what I should choose.

 

Thanks,

 

Penny

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...