Booking rental car at end of trip in Southampton.

[OhState1]

First time cruiser here again.  You’ve all been so informative and helpful so far.. so here goes…. We are wondering if anyone has a recommendation for an rental agency or any experience renting a car post trip in Southampton.  It looks like there are some rental agencies at the port.   Our itinerary states we disembark at Southampton but I’ve read some posts here that say it sometimes gets switched to Portsmouth.  We want to get a small vehicle, see Stonehenge and Windsor , then drop the car off at Heathrow the next day.  We've both done London numerous times, so skipping the city proper.  We have no qualms about driving there.  Any advice?  Thanks!

[OhState1]

Just found the British Isles/Western Europe forum. Will check there. Still finding my way around here.  

[Island2Dweller]

What day of the week are you arriving?  There are branches of the major firms (such as Hertz) near the docks, but typically in the UK city centre branches close at lunchtime on Saturday and don't open again until Monday morning.  Airport branches (such as at nearby Southampton airport) have much longer hours, and might be your only option if arriving on a Sunday.

Expect to pay a one-way fee, perhaps £50.  Small cars will usually have manual transmission, if you want an automatic you need to specifically reserve this.

[OhState1]

Thanks!  We arrive early on a Thursday. Hadn’t thought about the transmission.  We can drive a manual (actually own one) but shifting with the other hand was a bit awkward when we were in Ireland.  
 

Any idea which Berth/dock area Oceania uses? May help us determine which agency to use.  (Also price comparisons). 

Edited February 10, 2023 by OhState1

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, OhState1 said:

Thanks!  We arrive early on a Thursday. Hadn’t thought about the transmission.  We can drive a manual (actually own one) but shifting with the other hand was a bit awkward when we were in Ireland.  
 

Any idea which Berth/dock area Oceania uses? May help us determine which agency to use.  (Also price comparisons). 

you can check the  Cruise schedule  they have several piers

https://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/