How to Travel to Southampton Cruise Terminals from London, Gatwick, or Heathrow Airports: Times and Prices
If you're planning to embark on a cruise from Southampton Cruise Terminal but are unsure how to get there from London or its major airports, we've got you covered. This guide will provide you with all the information you need for a smooth and hassle-free journey.
It's important to note that despite being advertised by some cruise lines as "London (Southampton)," Southampton is actually located nearly 80 miles away from central London. It is not accessible by the London Underground or tube system. While Southampton is a popular departure point for cruises, it is a separate city and port located on the south coast of England. Therefore, it's essential to plan your transportation accordingly to reach Southampton Cruise Terminals from London or its major airports. We'll explore the available train, coach, and car options in this guide to help you make the right choice. So let's dive in and learn how to travel to Southampton Cruise Terminals from various starting points.
Southampton has five cruise terminals. The City and Horizon terminals are close to the railway station.
Getting to Southampton Cruise Terminals from London
Let's start by discussing various modes of transportation to reach Southampton from Central London.
Train - The most popular option:
The train is the preferred way to travel from London to Southampton Cruise Terminal. Trains depart from London Waterloo and take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes on the fast service, which runs roughly hourly. London Waterloo is easily accessible for most of London by tube (Bakerloo, Northern, Waterloo & City and Jubilee Lines), bus and the nearby Waterloo East railway station.
Ticket prices vary depending on when you book and travel. Early bookings result in lower fares, starting from as low as £10 for a one-way ticket. You can choose standard class or first class. Honestly, in our opinion First Class is not worth the extra cost.
Approximate cost of standard class rail tickets from London to Southampton:
Advance one-way ticket booked in advance: from £10 GBP / $12 USD
Anytime one-way ticket: £52 GBP / $70 USD
Off-Peak return (round-trip): £55 GBP / $70 USD
Anytime return (round-trip) £104 GBP / $133 USD
How to get to Southampton Cruise Terminals from Southampton Central train station
Upon arriving at Southampton Central, you have the option to walk or take a taxi to the cruise terminals. The City and Horizon cruise terminals are only a 15-minute walk from the train station, while the Ocean, Queen Elizabeth II, and Mayflower terminals are around a 30-minute walk.
Uber and taxi services are available in the city, with plenty of taxis waiting outside the train station.
The cost of a taxi ride to the Ocean, Queen Elizabeth II, and Mayflower terminals is typically around £10, but it may be slightly higher during busy days and public holidays.
While most taxi cab drivers accept credit cards, it is worth noting that some may be hesitant or prefer cash payments. It is always a good practice to ensure the driver turns on the meter when you enter the car to ensure a fair and accurate fare. When it comes to tipping, it is customary to round up the fare to the nearest pound as a gesture of appreciation
How to book train tickets in the UK
The easiest and cheapest way to book train tickets is online before your travel. Booking usually opens 8-12 weeks ahead, and the cheapest Advance tickets are available approximately 8 weeks before your desired travel date. You can book via Trainline and your tickets will be emailed to you instantly. Alternatively, you can choose to collect your tickets via the automated machines at any UK rail station.
For more help and advice on booking UK train tickets read the a quick guide to train travel in Britain.
Types of train tickets explained
Anytime: These tickets are valid for any train on the day you select. You can purchase a one-way ticket valid for two days or a round-trip ticket valid for the outward journey for five days and the return journey within one month.
Off-Peak: These tickets can be used for any train on the day you choose, except during peak periods (Monday-Friday before 9:30 am). They have fixed prices and never sell out. One-way tickets are valid for two days, and round-trip tickets allow you five days for the outward trip and one month to complete the return journey.
Advance fares: These tickets are cheaper but require you to select a specific travel time. They are available in limited quantities at a discounted price, so it's best to purchase them in advance.
TOP TIP: If you're traveling in a group with three or more adults during off-peak hours, you can get a 33% discount with a Group Saver ticket. Simply book your tickets together on Trainline, and the discount will be automatically applied.
Car - The easiest option:
If convenience is your priority, booking a car, Uber, Bolt, or taxi is the easiest way to reach Southampton Cruise Terminal from London. Depending on your location in London, the journey can take around 2 hours and 30 minutes, but travel time depends on traffic conditions and the time of day. This option comes at a premium cost, but it may be worth it if you have a lot of luggage or prefer the comfort of a private vehicle. The car will pick you up at your hotel and take you directly to the cruise terminals.
National Express coach is a convenient and cheap transport option to and from Southampton.
Coach - The cheapest option:
If you're on a tight budget, taking a coach is the cheapest but slowest option. Coaches depart from Victoria Coach Station in London, and travel times vary from 2 hours and 30 minutes to just over 4 hours depending on traffic. Ticket prices also vary, with early bookings as low as £12 for a one-way ticket. You can buy tickets from the National Express website.
How to get form Southampton Coach Station to Southampton Cruise Terminal
Coaches drop passengers off at Southampton Coach Station near Asda Supermarket. From there, you can either walk or take a taxi to the cruise terminals. The City and Horizon cruise terminals are only 15 minutes away, while the Ocean, Queen Elizabeth II, and Mayflower terminals are approximately a 25-minute walk. Taxis are not usually available at the Coach station, so it's recommended to pre-book or walk to a nearby taxi stand.
How to get to Southampton Cruise Terminals from Heathrow Airport:
If you're arriving at Heathrow or Gatwick Airport, several options are available to reach Southampton.
Coach - The reccomended option:
A direct coach from Heathrow Airport is the fastest and cheapest way to reach Southampton, taking approximately 2 hours. You can book your journey in advance, with prices starting from £12. For an additional £5, you can select the "Change and Go" option, allowing you to use any coach within 12 hours before or after your selected departure time. This is perfect if you're concerned about potential flight delays or early arrivals.
Coaches are comfortable, air conditioned and have luggage storage for large bags.
The coach departs from Heathrow Central (for terminals 2 and 3) and Heathrow Terminal 5 approximately every 2 hours. It arrives at Southampton Coach Station (refer to the instructions mentioned above for reaching the Cruise Terminals from Southampton Coach Station).
Car - The quickest option:
Booking a private transfer or taxi is the easiest way to get from Heathrow Airport to Southampton Cruise Terminal. The journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions and the time of day. Expect to pay approximately £150-£200 for a private transfer. Taxis, Uber, or Bolt may be slightly cheaper but could involve longer wait times and no guarantee of availability.
Train - Inconvenient but possible:
While it is possible to take a train from Heathrow to Southampton, it's not the most convenient option. The journey takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on connections.
To reach Southampton, you would need to take the Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road, then transfer to the tube (Northern Line) to London Waterloo station and catch a train to Southampton (refer to the rail details mentioned above). This option may be challenging if you're unfamiliar with the tube or have multiple bags, as many tube stations have numerous stairs.
Royal Caribbean docked at the City Cruise Terminal
How to get to Southampton Cruise Terminals from Gatwick Airport:
By Rail - The most convenient route:
If you're arriving at Gatwick Airport, the most convenient way to reach Southampton is by rail. . (See details about the different ticket types and how to book rail tickets).
Quickest option with a change at Clapam Junction
You can take the train from Gatwick Airport to Clapham Junction station, which takes approximately 20 minutes. From Clapham Junction, you can catch a train to Southampton, with the journey lasting around 1 hour and 20 minutes. Advance Tickets cost from £15 when booked early.
Example ticket prices for trains from London Gatwick to Southampton (via Clapman Junction):
Advance One-way ticket: from £15
Anytime Single: £42
Off-peak return: £52
Anytime Return: £85
Slower and Cheaper option with No Changes (from £9)
Alternatively, you can take a direct train from Gatwick airport to Southampton. This service is slower, taking approximately 2 hours, but eliminates the need for transfers and is cheaper. These trains are less regular than trains via Clapam Junction.
Example ticket prices for direct trains from London Gatwick to Southampton:
Advance One-way ticket: from £9
Anytime Single: £20
Off-peak return: £32
Anytime Return: £40
By Car - Travel at your convenience:
If you prefer to travel by car, the drive from Gatwick Airport to Southampton takes around 2 hours and 10 minutes. Various transportation services, including Uber, Bolt, and taxis, are available at the airport. Alternatively, you can pre-book a transfer for added convenience, as taxis may have longer wait times or may not accept the job.
In conclusion, there are several transportation options to reach Southampton Cruise Terminal from London and its major airports. Whether you choose to travel by car, train, or coach, there's always an option that suits your budget and time schedule. We hope this guide has helped you understand the different transportation options available, making your journey to Southampton a stress-free experience.