Alternate ways to Southampton

[fromtheplains]

We usually take the train from London to Southampton and were planning to do so next Monday, Jan 4 but understand that there may be a problem getting to Southampton because of tunnel work. What is a good alternate way to get there? Are there any good options on a bus? Thanks for any info.

 

Steve

[oldsilverfox]

Hi Steve,

You are right. the rail network is closing the tunnel on the normal route from London into Southampton in order to enlarge in so that we can run greater height freight cars.

 

The local TV is saying that they have laid on a shuttle bus from the last "upstream" train station, I think it will be St Deny's but don't bank on it, so in theory you should still be carried to Southampton Central station slightly later albeit by an english double decker bus !!

 

Other options would be to contact your cruiseline / TA to find out whether they are running a shuttle directly from St Denys into the Cruise Terminal, or just get off the train at St Denys station and get a taxi from there, it isn't that far from the Eastern docks where the QE2 and the new Ocean terminals are. See Google UK maps.

 

I live about 5 miles from Southampton. If you want any further info please come back to me.

 

Hope this helps and you have a super cruise.

Regards

David

[oldsilverfox]

I had a look on Google and it is 2.5 miles between St Denys and the two terminals in the Eastern Docks, the other two terminals in the Western docks are around another two extra miles.

[KarenR_UK]

For St Denys you would (probably) have to call for a taxi as it does not have a taxi rank. The latest station with a rank would be Southampton Airport Parkway - its on the upline (i.e. platform 1) and you'd be coming in on platform 2 - that used to be a problem but they do have a new footbridge (although last I heard the lift itself was not working.) if worst came to worst, assuming there are at least 2 of you, one could go round to the rank & get a cab to the other side of the station to pick up the other & the luggage.

 

 

BUT you might be ok - from the 2nd link

http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/

http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/0912%20Soton%20Tunnel.aspx

 

The tunnel will also be completely closed from 25 December to 3 January

 

I am hoping by the 4th they have sorted out the trains - I use them to get to work!

[milkcow]

Engineering work was being done on the line further along from Southampton Central when we were there in November.

 

The buses laid on for the "bridge" service were regular deluxe tour buses with luggage storage underneath.

 

The London double deck city buses are all on the docks at Southampton waiting to be driven onto a Ro-ro ship and taken to America to service English tourists in USA cities!

 

stop

David

[lord of the seas]

You could take a helicopter from Battersea heliport to Eastleigh airport and get a taxi from there.This would be the quickest way.

[bob brown]

Last time I went from Heathrow to Southampton on a National Express coach. Trip was just over two hours with one stop at Winchester. Got a low advance purchase fare. Very nice ride. I would not hesitate to recommend it. Took a taxi to Holiday Inn, but could have just as well walked it on a nice day.

[fromtheplains]

Thanks for your help everyone. I booked two tickets on the National Express this evening from London Victoria Coach Station to Southampton.

 

Steve

[oldsilverfox]

The National Express coach station is a stone's throw from the Train station where, hopefully Cunard should have a shuttle bus running.

[milkcow]

The shuttle bus from Cunard stopped at the top of the "wall", at the other end and up one or two floors through the shopping mall next to the National Express bus station, the one time when we stayed on the ship at Southampton, instead of boarding or deboarding.

 

David