Getting from London to Southampton

[oceanpark]

There will be four of us going from our hotel in London to the cruise ship terminal in Southampton on a Sunday. Looking at a shared transfer with a stop at Stonehenge, arriving at terminal by 2:00. It is very expensive, but the shared transfers without Stonehenge is also high. We don’t want to take the bus or train as they both involve taking taxis. Any information on this would be appreciated.

[mandream]

We just did this a month ago - also for 4 people. We used Smith's. They were great to work with and very prompt. Highly recommended.

 

It was 130GBP each way, plus an additional 50 GBP for the stop at Stonehenge.

 

Mike

[DiamondDiva]

We also used Smith's this month and can recommend their services.

[Mr. Click]

That 130 to 150 GBP is a fair price. We paid about the same thing in May. Keep in mind that your driver is likely going to have to make the two hour return trip empty since most cruise ships unload in the morning.

[oceanpark]

That is not a bad price for four people. I looked at London Toolkit and it is much higher.

[TommyD3]

Doing Celebrity transfer from Heathrow Airport to Southampton for Silhouette TA in November for about $100 per person.

[barbels]

We took the National Express Bus from Victoria Coach Station to Southampton with short taxi rides on each end. This was by far the least expensive way to go and it was easy and really no hassle. From the port to Heathrow we took the bus again and we only needed one taxi ride. I highly recommend this method.

[Yoshikitty]

+1

We always use National Express between London and Southampton.

[wendychloecruiser]

The OP sounds like us...hate schlepping luggage in and out of taxis and busses even though it may be cheaper.

 

We always use

 

https://www.airport-pickups-london.com/

 

(They don’t just go to the airport)

[Cruzinram]

National Express. So simple and very cheap. We actually arrived in Southampton 20 min early. Nice clean bus, comfortable, driver handles all the luggage.

[Redtravel]

I have used Smith's and also National express bus. Smith's is good. It is expensive. We shared a transfer with stone jenge stop with another couple. Arranged the share on roll call. Smithtour picked us up, drove to Stonehenge, did not stay with us at Stonehenge, took us through Salisbury with commentary and then went to hotel in Southampton. Cost per couple was about $180 for both of us. That included entry fee at Stonehenge. Rather expensive. Another time we stayed in Lomdon and took national express bus. It was excellent. Took bus from Victoris bus station to Southampton. Took a taxi in London to bus station and a taxi from Southampton bus station to ship. Cost was less than 20 pounds for both of us on the bus. Taxi from bus to ship was about 5 pounds.

[2theship]

We always use Woodford Chauffeur Cars.

[phabric]

Check out www.internationalfriends.co.uk. It is a coach service on embankment and disembarkment days with a stop at Stonehenge. I have used them 2x on disembarkment day from Dover and Southampton.

[Ox Fan Cruiser]

another thumbs up from us for Smithsforairports We used them following this Aprils Transatlantic to Southampton. Driver waited for us... We disembarked about 2 hours after the first passengers did and no problem. We had them bring us to Stonehenge before dropping us off at London Gatwick. Would use them again in a heart beat.

[red919]

I've used National Express from airport to Southampton (which I highly recommend) but this trip I will be coming from London so this thread has been of great interest to me. I was planning to take the train from Waterloo Station but do others find National Express from Victoria to be more convenient?

[TomMMD]

Make sure it is not a Bank Holiday Weekend. If it is, add extra time.

 

We did that run a few years ago and would have missed the ship except the Celebrity bus was also caught in the traffic.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[fizzy1]

Make sure it is not a Bank Holiday Weekend. If it is, add extra time.

 

We did that run a few years ago and would have missed the ship except the Celebrity bus was also caught in the traffic.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

 

Not bank holiday

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[TeaBag]

I've used National Express from airport to Southampton (which I highly recommend) but this trip I will be coming from London so this thread has been of great interest to me. I was planning to take the train from Waterloo Station but do others find National Express from Victoria to be more convenient?

Another National Express person here. We have not gone from Waterloo, just Victoria Station 3 times. We get the £5 fare plus £1 booking fee and find it is a very comfortable ride to the bus station in Southampton for £11 total. Bus driver loads the bags.

[Kingofcool1947]

We just did this a month ago - also for 4 people. We used Smith's. They were great to work with and very prompt. Highly recommended.

 

It was 130GBP each way, plus an additional 50 GBP for the stop at Stonehenge.

 

Mike

 

Does that include a gratuity to the driver?

How much if any is the norm?

I have been told people don’t tip in the UK.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I've also used Smiths and they are excellent. I like the convenience. Generally go on longer cruises in Europe and don't like schlepping all over the place with luggage.

[mandream]

Does that include a gratuity to the driver?

How much if any is the norm?

I have been told people don’t tip in the UK.

 

Although I have been to London many times, I am often still confused by whom to tip and how much. So I can't really say what the norm is. I will say that unlike at home, with all the drivers (including airport transfers) the drivers always seem to "move on quickly" as opposed to any pause waiting for a tip. I think I gave them about 5 pounds there and about the same in euros on the way back. That was more because it was all I had on me in cash each time. In both cases - they seemed genuinely pleased that I offered anything - perhaps they were simply being polite. At home I would have been extremely embarrassed with those amounts.

 

Mike

[Northern Aurora]

We have also used Smithsforairports for transportation from Southhampton to Heathrow. We were extremely happy, and, given the convenience and personal service, thought it was very reasonably priced.

[mickey89]

Does that include a gratuity to the driver?

How much if any is the norm?

I have been told people don’t tip in the UK.

Giving tips is definitely not required on public transport as people are paid a good wage and not reliant on tips.

Being polite is all that is required.

[springaussie]

Public Transport employees would be fired in Australia for taking tips.

I assume it is the same in England.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Private car services like Smiths are not public transportation.