Southampton Cruise Port to Salisbury to London? Uber and then train? Luggage?

[XuGator]

Hi - We return into Southampton from a cruise on July 22nd. If we want to tour Stonehenge before returning to London, how easy is it to just catch an Uber to Salisbury when we get into port and then take the train from Salisbury to Waterloo?  I guess my questions are:

 

1. Do the trains (southwestern rail) book up from Salisbury to London Waterloo? We really dont know how long the Stonehenge tour would take so hoping to just go to the station when we are ready and get a ticket then. It looks like the train runs very frequently.

2. Do we need to book tickets for Stonehenge ahead of time (does this sell out) ?

3. Should we Uber directly to the Stonehenge parking area or to the Visitors center to take the tram?

4. Is there a place we can store our luggage while touring here?

 

Thank you for any insight - I just want to make sure I am not missing anything with this tentative plan. Thank you

 

[Globaliser]

16 minutes ago, XuGator said:

1. Do the trains (southwestern rail) book up from Salisbury to London Waterloo?

 

No. These are fundamentally commuter trains, on which there are no reservations. If you have a ticket and you can physically get onto the train, you can travel on it.

 

You may want to remember that Stonehenge is not in Salisbury - it's about 10 miles away.

[John Bull]

As Globaliser's post, Stonehenge is about 10 miles past Salisbury. And there's no left-luggage facility at Stonehenge.

So taking an Uber to Stonehenge will mean keeping the car & driver there while you visit (about 90 minutes is ideal) then take you back to Salisbury to the train station.

You are also strongly advised to pre-book Stonehenge admission - you have to book a 30-minute arrival slot to be sure of admission without delay.

I doubt an Uber would want to do that, it'd probably mean a pre-booked private transfer. 

Try https://westquaycars.com/ or https://www.aquacars.co.uk/ or https://gunwharf-executive-travel.co.uk/

But it'll be expensive.

 

Instead consider a train from Southampton central station to Salisbury station. Buy train tickets at the station, fare about £10 pp. Half-hourly service, 35 minute journey, 

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Drop your bags at the Railway Tavern, at the end of the station approach road (if out-of-hours, ring the bell). About £3 per bag.

https://www.facebook.com/LeighandJulie/

Take the Stonehenge Tour bus from the station approach.

https://www.thestonehengetour.info/

Buy your Stonehenge tickets with the Stonehenge Tour bus, ideally in advance - tickets bought from the tour bus allow you  admission at any time.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/

Take the Stonehenge Tour bus back to Salisbury - get off in the city centre if you want to explore this laid-back historic city and visit its magnificent cathedral then walk or bus or taxi back to the station, or get off the bus back at the station.

Collect your bags & take a train to London Waterloo.

For Salisbury to London Waterloo advance tickets (available about 10 weeks out) can be as low as £9.20, - but it's only good for the train time that you booked. Miss that train and the tickets are trash & you'll have to purchase fresh tickets at the walk-up fare of about £30.

 

Another option is  

https://www.internationalfriends.co.uk/southampton-cruise-tour-transfer-to-london.html

A long-established & reputable coach operator which provides ship-to-central London hotel tour-transfers from most cruise ships in Southampton via a choice of sights, very popular with cruisers.

One option includes a brief visit to Salisbury and 90 minutes at Stonehenge but then also includes Windsor & its castle, so it's a very full day with an early evening arrival in central London.

Like the Stonehenge Tour bus from Salisbury, Stonehenge tickets bought with your tour-transfer admit to Stonehenge at any time.

Certainly the simplest package for your needs

 

JB 🙂

 

 

 

[XuGator]

2 hours ago, John Bull said:

As Globaliser's post, Stonehenge is about 10 miles past Salisbury. And there's no left-luggage facility at Stonehenge.

So taking an Uber to Stonehenge will mean keeping the car & driver there while you visit (about 90 minutes is ideal) then take you back to Salisbury to the train station.

You are also strongly advised to pre-book Stonehenge admission - you have to book a 30-minute arrival slot to be sure of admission without delay.

I doubt an Uber would want to do that, it'd probably mean a pre-booked private transfer. 

Try https://westquaycars.com/ or https://www.aquacars.co.uk/ or https://gunwharf-executive-travel.co.uk/

But it'll be expensive.

 

Instead consider a train from Southampton central station to Salisbury station. Buy train tickets at the station, fare about £10 pp. Half-hourly service, 35 minute journey, 

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Drop your bags at the Railway Tavern, at the end of the station approach road (if out-of-hours, ring the bell). About £3 per bag.

https://www.facebook.com/LeighandJulie/

Take the Stonehenge Tour bus from the station approach.

https://www.thestonehengetour.info/

Buy your Stonehenge tickets with the Stonehenge Tour bus, ideally in advance - tickets bought from the tour bus allow you  admission at any time.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/

Take the Stonehenge Tour bus back to Salisbury - get off in the city centre if you want to explore this laid-back historic city and visit its magnificent cathedral then walk or bus or taxi back to the station, or get off the bus back at the station.

Collect your bags & take a train to London Waterloo.

For Salisbury to London Waterloo advance tickets (available about 10 weeks out) can be as low as £9.20, - but it's only good for the train time that you booked. Miss that train and the tickets are trash & you'll have to purchase fresh tickets at the walk-up fare of about £30.

 

Another option is  

https://www.internationalfriends.co.uk/southampton-cruise-tour-transfer-to-london.html

A long-established & reputable coach operator which provides ship-to-central London hotel tour-transfers from most cruise ships in Southampton via a choice of sights, very popular with cruisers.

One option includes a brief visit to Salisbury and 90 minutes at Stonehenge but then also includes Windsor & its castle, so it's a very full day with an early evening arrival in central London.

Like the Stonehenge Tour bus from Salisbury, Stonehenge tickets bought with your tour-transfer admit to Stonehenge at any time.

Certainly the simplest package for your needs

 

JB 🙂

 

 

 

JB - Thank you for the thorough and detailed response.  That is very insightful and helps a lot.  Two more quick questions 

 

1. Salisbury to Waterloo.  I know tickets are more expensive if not purchased in advance but do these tickets ever sell out? Is there any risk of not getting a train back to London if we wait until the day of to buy?

 

2. I understand that Stonehenge won’t store luggage but is keeping our luggage with us an option if we just wheel them on the path at Stonehenge? We don’t mind walking from the Stonehenge visitor center to the site with our bags if this is allowed. 
 

Thanks again 

[gumshoe958]

1 hour ago, XuGator said:

JB - Thank you for the thorough and detailed response.  That is very insightful and helps a lot.  Two more quick questions 

 

1. Salisbury to Waterloo.  I know tickets are more expensive if not purchased in advance but do these tickets ever sell out? Is there any risk of not getting a train back to London if we wait until the day of to buy?

 

2. I understand that Stonehenge won’t store luggage but is keeping our luggage with us an option if we just wheel them on the path at Stonehenge? We don’t mind walking from the Stonehenge visitor center to the site with our bags if this is allowed. 
 

Thanks again 

1. There may be a limit on the number of advance tickets they sell, and they will go up in price as time goes on, but you’ll always be able to buy a full price ticket and get on a train.

 

They’re commuter trains and there are no reserved seats, even if you buy an advance ticket that ties you to a specific service.
 

Many trains on that route start at Salisbury (others start further west) so you’d be unlucky not to get a seat but worst case scenario is you’d have to stand. You’ll definitely get on a train though.

[John Bull]

1 hour ago, XuGator said:

1. Salisbury to Waterloo.  I know tickets are more expensive if not purchased in advance but do these tickets ever sell out? Is there any risk of not getting a train back to London if we wait until the day of to buy?

No, no worries about that.

 

2. I understand that Stonehenge won’t store luggage but is keeping our luggage with us an option if we just wheel them on the path at Stonehenge? We don’t mind walking from the Stonehenge visitor center to the site with our bags if this is allowed. 
Luggage might not be permitted on-site (security), probably won't be admitted on the shuttle to the Stones which are over a mile away

Thanks again 

 

JB 🙂

Edited June 9, 2023 by John Bull

[Cotswold Eagle]

I had a look at Stonehenge's website, because it had never occurred to me that someone might want to wheel suitcases around! English Heritage might not have done either, because the issue is not specifically addressed, but it does point out that there is no luggage storage and asks that only 'essential' items are brought. 

[phabric]

13 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

 

 

https://www.internationalfriends.co.uk/southampton-cruise-tour-transfer-to-london.html

A long-established & reputable coach operator which provides ship-to-central London hotel tour-transfers from most cruise ships in Southampton via a choice of sights, very popular with cruisers.

One option includes a brief visit to Salisbury and 90 minutes at Stonehenge but then also includes Windsor & its castle, so it's a very full day with an early evening arrival in central London.

Like the Stonehenge Tour bus from Salisbury, Stonehenge tickets bought with your tour-transfer admit to Stonehenge at any time.

Certainly the simplest package for your needs

 

JB 🙂

 

 

 

I have taken International Friends tour with stops at Salisbury, Stonehenge and Windsor before being dropped off at the door of my London hotel.  We arrived around 6pm.  A great way to see these 3 places and being dropped off at the door of certain hotels.

 

In June 2022, I took Princess post cruise excursion that stopped at Stonehenge, not listed on the excursion, we stopped at Salisbury for a walk to the Cathedral, did not go in, before being dropped off at LHR.

[Twickenham]

This thread piqued my curiosity about what to do with luggage when visiting Salisbury, and a quick Google search came up with this site for luggage storage: Caboose. It appears to be a B&B that also offers luggage storage for visitors to the area.

[John Bull]

1 hour ago, Twickenham said:

This thread piqued my curiosity about what to do with luggage when visiting Salisbury, and a quick Google search came up with this site for luggage storage: Caboose. It appears to be a B&B that also offers luggage storage for visitors to the area.

  Just a few doors down from the Railway Tavern which I mentioned, G.

But always useful to have two options 🙂

 

JB 🙂

[XuGator]

On 6/8/2023 at 7:47 PM, John Bull said:

As Globaliser's post, Stonehenge is about 10 miles past Salisbury. And there's no left-luggage facility at Stonehenge.

So taking an Uber to Stonehenge will mean keeping the car & driver there while you visit (about 90 minutes is ideal) then take you back to Salisbury to the train station.

You are also strongly advised to pre-book Stonehenge admission - you have to book a 30-minute arrival slot to be sure of admission without delay.

I doubt an Uber would want to do that, it'd probably mean a pre-booked private transfer. 

Try https://westquaycars.com/ or https://www.aquacars.co.uk/ or https://gunwharf-executive-travel.co.uk/

But it'll be expensive.

 

Instead consider a train from Southampton central station to Salisbury station. Buy train tickets at the station, fare about £10 pp. Half-hourly service, 35 minute journey, 

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Drop your bags at the Railway Tavern, at the end of the station approach road (if out-of-hours, ring the bell). About £3 per bag.

https://www.facebook.com/LeighandJulie/

Take the Stonehenge Tour bus from the station approach.

https://www.thestonehengetour.info/

Buy your Stonehenge tickets with the Stonehenge Tour bus, ideally in advance - tickets bought from the tour bus allow you  admission at any time.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/

Take the Stonehenge Tour bus back to Salisbury - get off in the city centre if you want to explore this laid-back historic city and visit its magnificent cathedral then walk or bus or taxi back to the station, or get off the bus back at the station.

Collect your bags & take a train to London Waterloo.

For Salisbury to London Waterloo advance tickets (available about 10 weeks out) can be as low as £9.20, - but it's only good for the train time that you booked. Miss that train and the tickets are trash & you'll have to purchase fresh tickets at the walk-up fare of about £30.

 

Another option is  

https://www.internationalfriends.co.uk/southampton-cruise-tour-transfer-to-london.html

A long-established & reputable coach operator which provides ship-to-central London hotel tour-transfers from most cruise ships in Southampton via a choice of sights, very popular with cruisers.

One option includes a brief visit to Salisbury and 90 minutes at Stonehenge but then also includes Windsor & its castle, so it's a very full day with an early evening arrival in central London.

Like the Stonehenge Tour bus from Salisbury, Stonehenge tickets bought with your tour-transfer admit to Stonehenge at any time.

Certainly the simplest package for your needs

 

JB 🙂

 

 

 

John - Thank you for all the helpful info you provide on these boards. So it appears there is a train strike scheduled for July 22nd. Will this definitely impact your prior suggesting to take the train from Southampton to Salisbury and also the train from Salisbury back to London on that day? I dont know enough about how these train strikes work. Does it mean that no trains will be running? Is our only option of doing Stonehenge on our own after the cruise going to be with a private transfer? Thanks again

[gumshoe958]

1 hour ago, XuGator said:

John - Thank you for all the helpful info you provide on these boards. So it appears there is a train strike scheduled for July 22nd. Will this definitely impact your prior suggesting to take the train from Southampton to Salisbury and also the train from Salisbury back to London on that day? I dont know enough about how these train strikes work. Does it mean that no trains will be running? Is our only option of doing Stonehenge on our own after the cruise going to be with a private transfer? Thanks again

Ah: yes, I’m afraid the train strike will be a problem if it goes ahead. Details haven’t yet been published but on previous strike days there have been no trains at all between Southampton & Salisbury, and only limited services between Salisbury & London involving a change of train half way, at Basingstoke.

There is an hourly bus, the X7, that would get you from Southampton to Salisbury in about 1 hour 20 mins, and the train from Salisbury to London should still be possible as above, so it’s still doable by public transport albeit not as simple as it would otherwise be. But note that the X7 is a normal city bus, not a coach, so luggage space will be limited.

 

Otherwise yes, realistically you would need to book a private transfer OR try the International Friends tour mentioned by @John Bullif it’s available, which has been recommended by many on CC before.

[XuGator]

26 minutes ago, gumshoe958 said:

Ah: yes, I’m afraid the train strike will be a problem if it goes ahead. Details haven’t yet been published but on previous strike days there have been no trains at all between Southampton & Salisbury, and only limited services between Salisbury & London involving a change of train half way, at Basingstoke.

There is an hourly bus, the X7, that would get you from Southampton to Salisbury in about 1 hour 20 mins, and the train from Salisbury to London should still be possible as above, so it’s still doable by public transport albeit not as simple as it would otherwise be. But note that the X7 is a normal city bus, not a coach, so luggage space will be limited.

 

Otherwise yes, realistically you would need to book a private transfer OR try the International Friends tour mentioned by @John Bullif it’s available, which has been recommended by many on CC before.

Great info. Thank you Gumshoe!

[John Bull]

That's a bit of a downer.🙁

 

As Gumshoe's post, rail strikes don't usually mean no trains, but the train operators concentrate their remaining resources on the main routes, particularly commuter routes.

Southampton to London is likely to be affected to a degree, perhaps Salisbury to London will be more-affected, Southampton to Salisbury is likely to be a casualty.

BTW strikes also affect the following morning's trains, because trains aren't in the right place after the strike.

The strike may be called off, but this has been a long-running dispute so I wouldn't bet on that.

 

The International Friends tour-transfer is probably your best bet if they still have availability. More expensive but much easier than your original plan.

 

You should be able to get full refunds on any rail and ho-ho tickets that you've already bought..

 

JB 🙂

[XuGator]

Thank you both. I appreciate all the info