cruise critic southampton port

• British Isles/Western Europe

Southampton Cruise Port to London Heathrow

By Canada17 , July 30 in British Isles/Western Europe

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Looking at taking the bus from Southampton Coach Station to Heathrow after our cruise, but have a few questions that I’m hoping some of my Cruise Critic colleagues can answer/clear up. According to Rome2Rio website, the bus ride takes 2hr 15min with a bus leaving at 9:45am and every 3 hours after that. Our flight back to Canada is around 5pm (friends flight back to USA is at 2:30pm). My questions are; 1-has anyone had any delay issues due to traffic? 2-Assume there is more than 1 bus departing at 9:45, because surely there are more than a couple of hundred cruisers out of the 2500-3000 cruisers disembarking. Can someone please confirm? 3-can we pre-buy our bus tickets? Thanking everyone in advance.

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While I have not yet made plans for my own London to Southampton transfer, I can share that  the Rome2Rio website is notorious in the land-travel world for its incomplete, erroneous information. It may provide guidelines or suggestions, but I would search out a few other sources rather than relying on it alone.    

We took the Celebrity transfer which took us to Windsor Castle. We also had a driver take us to Winchester Cathedral. Both gave us a place to keep our luggage while we toured. We did have to wait at Heathrow for our flight, but both were great visits.

Mind you, this was a L-O-N-G time ago.

I can tell you from experience that a taxi will cost you 300 pounds plus tip. (We had train tickets, but the trains were on strike that day and we had an appointment to go up The Shard, so we took the cab.)

51 minutes ago, Canada17 said: Looking at taking the bus from Southampton Coach Station to Heathrow after our cruise, but have a few questions that I’m hoping some of my Cruise Critic colleagues can answer/clear up. According to Rome2Rio website, the bus ride takes 2hr 15min with a bus leaving at 9:45am and every 3 hours after that. Our flight back to Canada is around 5pm (friends flight back to USA is at 2:30pm). My questions are; 1-has anyone had any delay issues due to traffic? 2-Assume there is more than 1 bus departing at 9:45, because surely there are more than a couple of hundred cruisers out of the 2500-3000 cruisers disembarking. Can someone please confirm? 3-can we pre-buy our bus tickets? Thanking everyone in advance.

Hello @Canada17

Your new thread has been moved to the   Ports of Call - Europe - British Isles/Western Europe   forum where it will be on topic.  The majority of your fellow Cruise Critic members that have sailed from or live there  f requent this forum and provide  feedback here.  Browse through the thread titles on this forum looking for threads of interest.  You may find your fellow Cruise Critic members have already posted questions and  received answers that may be of interest to you. 

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Hope this will be helpful!

Happy sails,

Go to the National Express website for your research (and to purchase your tickets).  We've taken it TO Southampton 3 times, easily the cheapest and for us the most reasonable choice.  10% of the cruisers will NOT be using National Express.

2 hours ago, Canada17 said: Looking at taking the bus from Southampton Coach Station to Heathrow after our cruise, but have a few questions that I’m hoping some of my Cruise Critic colleagues can answer/clear up. According to Rome2Rio website, the bus ride takes 2hr 15min with a bus leaving at 9:45am and every 3 hours after that. Our flight back to Canada is around 5pm (friends flight back to USA is at 2:30pm). My questions are; 1-has anyone had any delay issues due to traffic? 2-Assume there is more than 1 bus departing at 9:45, because surely there are more than a couple of hundred cruisers out of the 2500-3000 cruisers disembarking. Can someone please confirm? 3-can we pre-buy our bus tickets? Thanking everyone in advance.

National Express coaches to Heathrow run roughly every 2 hours. So there’s normally a 9:45, then an 11:45 and a 1:35.

You can pre-book tickets online at www.nationalexpress.com - and indeed you’d be strongly advised to do so as coaches can and do sell out. Do not assume there’ll be extra coaches.

There’s always the possibility of traffic delays so be sure to allow enough time. For a 5pm flight the 9:45 or 11:45 would be fine.

Make sure you check which terminal your flight leaves from and book accordingly as National Express has separate stops at Heathrow Central (for T2 & T3), T4 and T5, all of which are some distance apart.

Rome2Rio is indeed inaccurate or well out-of-date.

Best to get your information from the horse's mouth. 

https://www.nationalexpress.com/en

This shows a broadly hourly service in the mornings, less-frequent later in the day.

Your friends should have no problem if they take the 09.30 coach (if they're allocated a late disembarkation time they can ask at Guest Relations for a slot around 8am), your 5pm flight means that you can have a lie-in for as long as the crew allow  🙂

You'll need to know your airport terminal in order to book.

You should allow a bare minimum of two hours between arrival at LHR & your take-off time.

No, extra coaches can't be pulled out of the air - when a coach is full it's full.

So as @gumshoe958  says it's very wise to pre-book .

But demand for NE coaches is nowhere near as high as you're anticipating - about 8 to 10 coach-loads take the over-priced ship-sponsored coaches. And your flight is much later than most.

NE have been around for decades, as you'll see from their timetable their schedules allow for the usual peak-time delays.

But the route is mainly motorway and a major accident, especially one which closes the motorway, can screw-up NE, ships' coaches, taxis, commuters and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. 

10 hours ago, gumshoe958 said: National Express coaches to Heathrow run roughly every 2 hours. So there’s normally a 9:45, then an 11:45 and a 1:35.   You can pre-book tickets online at www.nationalexpress.com - and indeed you’d be strongly advised to do so as coaches can and do sell out. Do not assume there’ll be extra coaches.   There’s always the possibility of traffic delays so be sure to allow enough time. For a 5pm flight the 9:45 or 11:45 would be fine.   Make sure you check which terminal your flight leaves from and book accordingly as National Express has separate stops at Heathrow Central (for T2 & T3), T4 and T5, all of which are some distance apart.

Thank you gumshoe958, will pre-book NE bus once we finalize our flights.

3 hours ago, John Bull said: Rome2Rio is indeed inaccurate or well out-of-date.   Best to get your information from the horse's mouth.  https://www.nationalexpress.com/en This shows a broadly hourly service in the mornings, less-frequent later in the day. Your friends should have no problem if they take the 09.30 coach (if they're allocated a late disembarkation time they can ask at Guest Relations for a slot around 8am), your 5pm flight means that you can have a lie-in for as long as the crew allow  🙂   You'll need to know your airport terminal in order to book. You should allow a bare minimum of two hours between arrival at LHR & your take-off time.   No, extra coaches can't be pulled out of the air - when a coach is full it's full. So as @gumshoe958  says it's very wise to pre-book . But demand for NE coaches is nowhere near as high as you're anticipating - about 8 to 10 coach-loads take the over-priced ship-sponsored coaches. And your flight is much later than most.   NE have been around for decades, as you'll see from their timetable their schedules allow for the usual peak-time delays. But the route is mainly motorway and a major accident, especially one which closes the motorway, can screw-up NE, ships' coaches, taxis, commuters and Uncle Tom Cobley and all.    JB  🙂  

Be sure to pre-book the bus. It can get hectic when cruise ships are in port.

22 hours ago, Canuker said: Be sure to pre-book the bus. It can get hectic when cruise ships are in port.

Thanks for the heads up Canuker, from one Ontarian to another. How far out should we book? Is 3 months reasonable?

2 hours ago, Canada17 said: Thanks for the heads up Canuker, from one Ontarian to another. How far out should we book? Is 3 months reasonable?

As soon as possible really - prices only go one way. But 3 months should be fine.

We are prebooked on National Express for our trip to Heathrow T5 after our cruise this coming October.  We paid the extra £4 to reserve seats as well as booking the Fully Flexible fare. 

The National Express website is easy to navigate and we immediately received our Etickets via email.  There were no problems using a credit card from the United States.   

Our flight out of Heathrow is at 515 pm (1715), so we decided on the 1145 coach in order to avoid rushing around after we disembark.  

On 7/30/2024 at 9:44 AM, Canada17 said: Thank you gumshoe958, will pre-book NE bus once we finalize our flights.

Southampton Docks to Heathrow. Car and driver. £140. May have increased. Have a look at aquacars.co.uk. Can’t do any harm to check ‘em out…

2 hours ago, Crown Vic said: Southampton Docks to Heathrow. Car and driver. £140. May have increased. Have a look at aquacars.co.uk. Can’t do any harm to check ‘em out…

Thanks for the tip, Crown Vic, just sent in a request for estimate.

1 hour ago, Canada17 said: Thanks for the tip, Crown Vic, just sent in a request for estimate.

Would be interested in the reply. Cheers…

We’re using OTS R/T. I think you’ll find a better price here.

airporttaxis-uk.co.uk

On 8/3/2024 at 10:39 PM, Crown Vic said: Would be interested in the reply. Cheers…

Hi Crown Vic,

Got our response and also did our research, results are…..for 4 people, National Express is £105.5 which is fully flexible up until 24 hours, can cancel and make changes (£67.50 for standard, non-refundable). One would have to walk about 15-20minutes from cruise terminal to bus station or 4 minute cab ride. Aqua Cars pickup at cruise port is £123 and Airport Taxis, suggested by Crawford is £140 with meet and greet at terminal.

Thank you Crown Vic (and Crawford) for your great suggestions. 

On 8/4/2024 at 8:15 PM, crawford said: We’re using OTS R/T. I think you’ll find a better price here.   airporttaxis-uk.co.uk

Hi Crawford, what’s “OTS R/T”? Not good with acronyms, lol!

2 minutes ago, Canada17 said: Hi Crawford, what’s “OTS R/T”? Not good with acronyms, lol!

Sorry, OTS is Onward Travel Solutions. R/T is round trip. 

13 hours ago, Canada17 said: Hi Crown Vic, Got our response and also did our research, results are…..for 4 people, National Express is £105.5 which is fully flexible up until 24 hours, can cancel and make changes (£67.50 for standard, non-refundable). One would have to walk about 15-20minutes from cruise terminal to bus station or 4 minute cab ride. Aqua Cars pickup at cruise port is £123 and Airport Taxis, suggested by Crawford is £140 with meet and greet at terminal.   Thank you Crown Vic (and Crawford) for your great suggestions. 

No prob! Ya hafta pick the one that is most convenient for you. If you use car pick up at the cruise terminal, arrange a spot to meet. The traffic, coming and going, can be quite hectic! Cheers…

hampshirelad

As someone who lives in the Southampton area I suggest you look to get a Taxi from the cruise terminal to the bus station as its not a particularly pleasant walk with cruise luggage and navigate a busy road with traffic lights. Just a good moment for a wheel to come off your case !!

Book your tickets direct from the National Express site as soon as you can and allow yourself plenty of time to cover the unexpected. I find the coach is much easier when it comes to handling luggage as it is stored in the usual hatch under your seat, you do not have to endlessly haul it down station platforms .

Time wise you do not mention day of the week. Weekdays you will pick up the morning commute into London on the M3 as it gets close to junction 12 for the M25. The 2.15 hr journey time seems fair to me.

The only advantage a taxi might have is that if there is a very major disruption on the roads then they will know a "work round " to get you there

I am sure others will have their own opinions

10 hours ago, hampshirelad said: As someone who lives in the Southampton area I suggest you look to get a Taxi from the cruise terminal to the bus station as its not a particularly pleasant walk with cruise luggage and navigate a busy road with traffic lights. Just a good moment for a wheel to come off your case !!   Book your tickets direct from the National Express site as soon as you can and allow yourself plenty of time to cover the unexpected. I find the coach is much easier when it comes to handling luggage as it is stored in the usual hatch under your seat, you do not have to endlessly haul it down station platforms .   Time wise you do not mention day of the week. Weekdays you will pick up the morning commute into London on the M3 as it gets close to junction 12 for the M25. The 2.15 hr journey time seems fair to me.   The only advantage a taxi might have is that if there is a very major disruption on the roads then they will know a "work round " to get you there   I am sure others will have their own opinions

Thanks for the heads up Hampshirelad. Will probably book a car and drive as the difference in cost from National Express is not too much. Perhaps you can answer this question for us, National Express says the ride to Heathrow is 2 to 2hr 15min, car ride from the port to Heathrow is noted as 1hr 15min to 1hr 30min (google maps says 1hr 15min by car). Is the 1hr 15min car ride correct? We would be disembarking on a Tuesday. The 1hr 15min ride would be great since our friend’s flight is at 2pm (getting pickup at 9am).

2 hours ago, Canada17 said: Thanks for the heads up Hampshirelad. Will probably book a car and drive as the difference in cost from National Express is not too much. Perhaps you can answer this question for us, National Express says the ride to Heathrow is 2 to 2hr 15min, car ride from the port to Heathrow is noted as 1hr 15min to 1hr 30min (google maps says 1hr 15min by car). Is the 1hr 15min car ride correct? We would be disembarking on a Tuesday. The 1hr 15min ride would be great since our friend’s flight is at 2pm (getting pickup at 9am).

You might just be able to do it in 1hr15 in the middle of the night but otherwise, no chance. It’s just over 70 miles so 1hr30 at best, potentially 2 hours if there’s traffic.

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• British Isles/Western Europe

shopping near port of Southampton

By mycruisey , March 8, 2022 in British Isles/Western Europe

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IIs there any shopping, specifically for wine, near the port?

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Which berth or cruise terminal? Or ship/date?

And how are you travelling to Southampton - Private transfer? Train? Nat Expess bus? ship-sponsored transfer bus ? 

Island Princess, June 13th, 2022

1 hour ago, mycruisey said: Island Princess, June 13th, 2022

Your ship is scheduled to berth at Mayflower Cruise Terminal.

The nearest shops of any description are a 20 minute walk from your ship, but that includes a wine specialist  https://www.majestic.co.uk/stores/southampton  

Excellent range and knowledgeable staff.

It's right opposite Southampton Central train station (Western Esplanade side) so if you arrive by train, first buy from Majestic then take a taxi from the rank at the train station - taxi should cost about £8.

There's also an ASDA grocery store opposite the coach (bus) station & only a 6-minute walk from the train station. Also a decent selection of wines, but no top-quality stuff - and of course no knowlegdeable staff.

Whether you arrive by train or by Nat Express coach, you enter via the multi-storey carpark opposite the coach park, via the white pedestrian carpark entrance then up in the elevator. Since you'll have luggage you'll find it easier if one of you stays with the luggage by the entrance while the other goes up to the store. You can then take a taxi from the rank at the coach station, it'll cost £8 to £9.

If you arrive by private transfer its easier to use the front entrance - because the road at the front is a great deal higher than at the back you enter direct onto the shop floor - if your driver isn't a local get him to set Portland Terrace into his GPS.

  https://groceries.asda.com/dept/beer-wine-spirits/wine/1215685911554-1215345814806

If you arrive by car you also have a number of other options.

If you arrive on a ship-sponsored transfer bus it goes direct to the ship. And even if it (rarely) makes a comfort stop that'll be at a motorway service area - no acohol sales.

So you choose to

- buy at the airport (no duty-frees on arrival & limited choice)

- or buy before you travel (needs to go in checked luggage with lots of padding and crossed fingers) -- or if you have time a taxi from the ship (there'll be plenty dropping folk off). If to Majestic a taxi back to the ship from the rank at the  rail station, if to ASDA there's a rank near the shop's front door in Portland Terrace. But whether its worthwhile for a couple of bottles of wine is debateable.

14 hours ago, John Bull said:   Your ship is scheduled to berth at Mayflower Cruise Terminal. The nearest shops of any description are a 20 minute walk from your ship, but that includes a wine specialist  https://www.majestic.co.uk/stores/southampton   Excellent range and knowledgeable staff. It's right opposite Southampton Central train station (Western Esplanade side) so if you arrive by train, first buy from Majestic then take a taxi from the rank at the train station - taxi should cost about £8.   There's also an ASDA grocery store opposite the coach (bus) station & only a 6-minute walk from the train station. Also a decent selection of wines, but no top-quality stuff - and of course no knowlegdeable staff. Whether you arrive by train or by Nat Express coach, you enter via the multi-storey carpark opposite the coach park, via the white pedestrian carpark entrance then up in the elevator. Since you'll have luggage you'll find it easier if one of you stays with the luggage by the entrance while the other goes up to the store. You can then take a taxi from the rank at the coach station, it'll cost £8 to £9. If you arrive by private transfer its easier to use the front entrance - because the road at the front is a great deal higher than at the back you enter direct onto the shop floor - if your driver isn't a local get him to set Portland Terrace into his GPS.   https://groceries.asda.com/dept/beer-wine-spirits/wine/1215685911554-1215345814806   If you arrive by car you also have a number of other options.   If you arrive on a ship-sponsored transfer bus it goes direct to the ship. And even if it (rarely) makes a comfort stop that'll be at a motorway service area - no acohol sales. So you choose to - buy at the airport (no duty-frees on arrival & limited choice) - or buy before you travel (needs to go in checked luggage with lots of padding and crossed fingers) -- or if you have time a taxi from the ship (there'll be plenty dropping folk off). If to Majestic a taxi back to the ship from the rank at the  rail station, if to ASDA there's a rank near the shop's front door in Portland Terrace. But whether its worthwhile for a couple of bottles of wine is debateable.   JB   🙂   Thank you for this information.  It seems that as we will be taking the ship's transfer,  we  will most likely try first at the airport or just bite the bullet and buy on the ship!!

On 3/9/2022 at 3:32 PM, mycruisey said: just bite the bullet and buy on the ship!!

If you have Princess Plus, obviously you will not be paying for glasses of wine, but you also get 25% off bottles of wine. 

On 3/8/2022 at 4:41 PM, mycruisey said: IIs there any shopping, specifically for wine, near the port?

If you have a little time, stroll down to the West Quay Shopping Centre. It isn’t too far. Ask any local for directions.

If nothing else, there’s an M&S (Marks and Spencer) with vino.

On 3/13/2022 at 1:53 PM, Crown Vic said: If you have a little time, stroll down to the West Quay Shopping Centre. It isn’t too far. Ask any local for directions. If nothing else, there’s an M&S (Marks and Spencer) with vino.  Cheers!

Is the Marks and Spencer located in the West Quay Shopping Centre or a separate shop?  Thank you.

Also, I’ve reserved a room at the Elizabeth House hotel for the night before my cruise in November.  Do you think it’s too far from the cruise docks?  I’m arriving by coach from London the day before the cruise and will have all day to wander around (Osbourne House is closed the first week of November) so West Quay and M&S will give me something to do.  Thanks again.

7 hours ago, ladysail2 said: Is the Marks and Spencer located in the West Quay Shopping Centre or a separate shop?  Thank you.   Also, I’ve reserved a room at the Elizabeth House hotel for the night before my cruise in November.  Do you think it’s too far from the cruise docks?  I’m arriving by coach from London the day before the cruise and will have all day to wander around (Osbourne House is closed the first week of November) so West Quay and M&S will give me something to do.  Thanks again.

yes, it’s in the West Quay Mall.

Elizabeth House isn’t very convenient, it’s a 10 to 15 minute walk from the top end of town (the Civic Centre & white clock tower) or 25 minutes from West Quay Mall.  For something to do, can I suggest you visit the Tudor House & Gardens..

4 hours ago, John Bull said: yes, it’s in the West Quay Mall. Elizabeth House isn’t very convenient, it’s a 10 to 15 minute walk from the top end of town (the Civic Centre & white clock tower) or 25 minutes from West Quay Mall.  For something to do, can I suggest you visit the Tudor House & Gardens..   JB  🙂

I wanted to stay in a place a little different than a typical hotel. Have stayed at Premiere Inn a few times..nice but no character.   Thank you for the Tudor House suggestion. I’ll take a look.   😊

11 hours ago, ladysail2 said: I wanted to stay in a place a little different than a typical hotel. Have stayed at Premiere Inn a few times..nice but no character.   Thank you for the Tudor House suggestion. I’ll take a look.   😊

Yes, the vast majority of hotels close to the city centre and cruise terminals are modern chain clones like Premier Inn - perfectly acceptable but rather bland and soul-less.

If you’re not already committed to ElizabethHouse, Pig-in-the Wall and Ennios are characterful boutique hotels in the same area as Premier Inn West Quay

2 hours ago, John Bull said:   If you’re not already committed to ElizabethHouse, Pig-in-the Wall and Ennios are characterful boutique hotels in the same area as Premier Inn West Quay   JB  🙂

Good suggestions, JB. Have stayed at Ennios which is in a converted Victorian warehouse. Very enjoyable stay, good location and an easy walk to the Docks when we boarded the QM2. Also, for those so inclined, Ennios is close to a Starbucks. 

p.s. JB, thanks for the M&S in West Quay answer. Cheers!

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