transport from southampton to gatwick

[goalman]

Any advice on transport from cruiseport in Southampton to Gatwick.

Edited March 21, 2014 by goalman

[John Bull]

Expect to be off the ship from about 7am (unassisted), 7.30 with an early regular slot.

If your window is tight, post again with details of you ship/flight/date.

 

Depending on your flight-time, your choices are:

 

Private transfer, from pier to airport. A simple direct transfer (no sight-seeing or stops) usually takes something under 2 hours depending on day/time/traffic & will cost £100+ for a standard saloon (sedan).

Try http://www.smithsforairports.com and http://www.westquaycars.com who both get recommended here on CC.

 

Car rental. Several suppliers near the port with depots also at Gatwick.

Would probably be best value if you want to sight-see and end up at the airport in time for a mid-late evening flight, otherwise probably not worth the cost / grief.

 

Train. Probably your best bet, except on sundays.

Direct hourly service from Southampton right into the airport's South Terminal, takes about 2 hours, costs from as little as £8 per person. No need to pre-book, though it would make it a little cheaper.

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

Your departure is from Southampton Central station, add the cost of a taxi hop from ship to station, under £10. Free internal transportation from Gatwick South to Gatwick North, allow mebbe 10 mins total.

No direct train service on sundays, which makes it more complicated & significantly increases the cost. So by coach is probably a better bet on a sunday.

 

Coach. Direct service seven-days-a-week, by

http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

takes about 2 hrs 40, costs around £16 per person.

Very limited service, only one or two coaches would fit your time-slot, and you def. need to pre-book.

Your departure is from Southampton coach station, the cruise terminal option doesn't apply to your ship. Add £10 max taxi hop.

 

Ship's coach transfer. Earliest recommended flight time is around 1pm.

Not best value, but may suit your circumstances.

 

JB :)

Edited March 21, 2014 by John Bull

[goalman]

Thanks for your info. Unfortunately, I will be leaving ship on Sunday. My flight at Gatwick is scheduled for 11:35 A.M..Any suggestions?

[scottbee]

Thanks for your info. Unfortunately, I will be leaving ship on Sunday. My flight at Gatwick is scheduled for 11:35 A.M..Any suggestions?

 

Fly out the next day?

 

If you're off the ship at 700am sharp that's cutting it pretty close (just under 2h by private transfer to gatwick)

[John Bull]

Thanks for your info. Unfortunately, I will be leaving ship on Sunday. My flight at Gatwick is scheduled for 11:35 A.M..Any suggestions?

 

Then skip the other options, private transfer is the only realistic way to do it.

Arrange unassisted disembarkation (haul your own luggage from your cabin), with a car booked for 7am, though you may not be out of the terminal before 7.15.

The big saving grace is that traffic is usually a dream on a sunday.

That journey should take 90 minutes or less.

Even if, for instance, the motorway is closed due to a big Saturday night accident your driver will know in advance, & alternate routes won't be screwed up as would be the case on a week-day.

 

So you'll be at the airport some 2 to 3 hrs ahead of your flight time. Most international check-ins close about an hour before flight time, though you'd likely need all of that time to negotiate lines at security etc.

 

There's even enough time for you to have an early assisted disembarkation - out of the terminal by 8am - but unassisted means no hunt for mis-placed bags & puts you ahead of the herd and potential immigration lines.

 

No worries :cool:

But early wake-up, unassisted disembarkation, and private transfer car waiting.

And double-check your airline's latest check-in time - not the airport's advisory which is 3 hours ahead of the flight.

 

JB :)

Edited March 21, 2014 by John Bull