Trying to get from Southampton to Kensington

[superdave57]

Getting back from the cruise on the 9th of June. Family of 4. Looking to get to a hotel on Gloucester Road in Kensington(Montana Hotel). Trying to figure the most economic way to get there. Second, is there a train station near by where I can by travelcards so that I can get the 2 for 1 discounts in seeing some of the sights in London? Please advise

[John Bull]

Cheap - and pretty convenient - is by National Express coach from Southampton coach station to Victoria coach station. Its a 5 minute cab ride (about £7) from any cruise terminal to Southampton coach station - you may need 2 cabs, there'll be plenty for early disembarkation, sometimes a short wait later during main disembarkation.

 

Coach journey time about 2hrs 20 mins.

You'll make the 08.35 (£7.50) if you opt for early unassisted disembarkation which is normally 07.00 to 07.30.

With regular disembarkation you should be able to make the 09.30 (£12.00).

You'll certainly make the 10.30 (£7.50).

These are flexible prices & may rise.

Ignore references on Nat Express website to "Southampton cruise terminal" - this does not apply to your cruise/terminal & will show nil availability.

Your departure is from Southampton Coach Station.

http://coach.nationalexpress.com/

 

A rival company

http://www.greyhounduk.com/

offers an almost identical coach service, from Southampton Town Quay (same taxi arrangements, though walkable if your ship berths at City Cruise Terminal) to London Victoria, close to the coach station.

Again, flexible pricing, currently the 09.45 showing at £6

 

With either coach service, you really need to pre-book. Sometimes Americans have credit card problems when booking - do advise your card company that you will be using your card in the UK.

 

From Victoria Coach Station it's 2 miles from the hotel. With kids & luggage, a cab is best bet -again, you may need two.

The 08.30 from Southampton also has a stop at Hammersmith, 2 miles before the hotel, so you can get off there & save a little time.

 

London tube or bus, from either Victoria or Hammersmith, will be cheaper than taxi to your hotel, but with luggage it needs a Londoner to advise suitable tube stations/bus routes.

 

Alternatively, by train:

 

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

Southampton Central rail station is near the coach station.

There are frequent direct trains from Southampton, 3 to 4 per hour, journey time around 1hr 30 mins, about £34 pp.

 

Most trains go to London Waterloo. From there to your hotel is about 4 miles. Same bus/tube/taxi comments as for Victoria or Hammersmith - but more expensive by cab cos its twice as far, though you'll see some famous sights on your way - ask the driver to point them out.

 

There are also some trains from Southampton Central to London Victoria (near Victoria Coach Station). This is closer to your hotel than London Waterloo, but .........

Avoid trains which involve a change at Clapham Junction, its awkward with luggage.

Direct trains to London Victoria are cheaper (about £16 pp) but go by a slow & circuitous route, taking an hour longer.

 

Pre-booking isn't essential, but tickets bought at the station will be a little more expensive.

 

You can buy bucket-price "megatrain" tickets (from £4, must be pre-booked, not transferable) on the London Waterloo route, but the earliest on your date is 12.55pm, so you'll be nursing your luggage in a Southampton cafe for a few hours.

http://uk.megabus.com/megatrain.aspx

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Hammessmith+Broadway&daddr=Montana+Hotel,+Gloucester+Road,+Kensington,+Kensington+and+Chelsea+to:Victoria+Coach+Station+-+Arrivals,+Buckingham+Palace+Road,+London+to:Waterloo+station&hl=en&ll=51.497202,-0.16531&spn=0.075876,0.161533&sll=51.492895,-0.20386&sspn=0.037942,0.080767&geocode=FYm1EQMdspT8_yk_4ruVtw92SDEElKSFqgu5ZA%3BFYLBEQMd5DX9_yFnuRhBt5DcPw%3BFVe2EQMdtLz9_yFsrDCOuhlF3g%3BFcTgEQMdwj_-_ykXijQ0uAR2SDGME9Hq9nh2yA&mra=ls&t=m&z=13

A is Hammersmith bus stop

B is the Montana Hotel

C is Victoria coach station

D is Waterloo eail station

 

Brew a strong coffee & go through the options ;)

And consider other responses.

But don't take too long if you want to travel by coach - prices are flexible & places limited.

 

JB :)

[superdave57]

John Bull, thank you so much for all of the info... I think we are going to do the coach. You really put alot of effort in your explanation and we are grateful to you....

[dog]

I just used West quay taxi recommended on here to get to windsor from southampton. Reliable. On time. Smooth ride.

[handfordr]

If you are using the Natiional Express buses every other one stops at Hammersmith on the way into London which is probably more convenient for Gloucsester Road than going all the way into Victoria.

 

The occasional one also stops on the Cromwell Road at Earls Court a few hundred yards from Gloucester Road.