Southampton - Central London Transfers

Details of Independent Travel Between Southampton and Central London

Southampton Ocean Cruise Terminal
Southampton Ocean Cruise Terminal

Key Facts Traveling Between Heathrow & Southampton

Its about 80 miles from Southampton to the centre of London.

Between Southampton and Central London there is a choice of three modes of transport, rail, bus and private transfers by private car or bus/van.

There are no shared van shuttle style services available.


There are 4 cruise terminals at Southampton far apart from one another

A key aspect to remember at Southampton is that there are four cruise terminals strung along about two miles of the waterfront at Southampton.

We have a Southampton map that depicts the relative position of each cruise terminal to the bus and rail stations.


How long will it take to travel between Southampton and Central London

By road in a private vehicle it will take about 2 hours between a Central London hotel and the Southampton cruise terminals. If you have a hotel in the west of London, like Kensington it should be quicker, if your hotel is on the far side of London, perhaps in Docklands or around Tower Bridge it may take longer.

Going into London, you will routinely be subject to traffic congestion delays Mondays to Fridays. Most transfers will be arriving in the London area from Southampton about 9:30 a.m.

Traveling from London its prudent to allow a much greater contingency on Summer Saturdays when the road down to Southampton often comes to near gridlock as Londoner's flock to the beaches down the same road. Otherwise you will be unlucky not to have a starlight run without significant delays.


The cheapest but slowest option between Southampton and Central London is the bus

The cheapest option by far normally is to get the coach but it is also the slowest, typically taking 2.5 hours. In London the terminus is at Victoria Coach Station.

Victoria is a major hotel district and is very central. It also benefits from having direct public transport to all four of London's major airports. If you are cruising from Southampton and using the bus Victoria is a very good location to stay in London.

At Southampton, buses do not go to the cruise terminals, you will require a short taxi ride between the bus station and cruise terminal.

There is a luggage policy that is 'European' a maximum of two cases in the luggage hold, neither of which should weigh more than 20kg (44lb).

Note: There are no shuttle style services that will pick you up from your hotel in London.

Southampton - Central London By Bus - Full Details


The fastest option by public transport between Southampton and Central London is the train

Trains will take broadly the same time or be slightly faster than a vehicle between London and Southampton. However that is without the time taken in getting between London's Waterloo station and your London hotel and the 5 minute taxi journey from Southampton station to the cruise terminal. If you are going to use the train the County Hall hotel district is next to Waterloo Station. County Hall is very central, where the London Eye is located and across the river from Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.

Luggage is only limited by the amount you can personally carry and store within the train. The trains themselves are basically commuter trains and run several times an hour.

Like the bus alternative, you will require a short taxi ride between the train station at Southampton and the cruise terminals.

Southampton - Central London By Train - Full Details


Public Transport Indicative Costs Between Southampton and London.

Southampton - Central London Public Transport (Adult price per person)
Transport Journey Time One Way Return
National Express Bus 2 hours 15 mins £5.50/£12.00* £11.00/£19.00*
Rail (Off Peak Fare) 1 hour 30 mins £35.90 £39.40
Rail (Anytime Fare) 1 hour 30 mins £36.50 £73.00
* Bus fares - cheapest price is advance purchase 'funtime' fare, second is standard non-flexible fare
Taxi required between Southampton bus/rail station and cruise port - approx £6-£9 per taxi
Rail prices based on Southampton to London Waterloo.

Southampton To/From Central London By Private Car or Bus / Mini-Bus Charter

There are no shared shuttle services between London and Southampton. If you do not take public transport you will need to hire your own vehicle and driver.

If you have a small group this can be a very cost effective as well as a fast and comfortable of traveling. For many the reason to choose a private vehicle is the convenience of a true door to door service. With both bus and train you need a taxi at either end.

There are also some interesting places along, or not far off the road between Southampton Heathrow, notably Stonehenge and Windsor Castle. Using a private vehicle its easy to turn your transfer into an efficient, cost-effective tour.

Southampton - Central By Private Vehicle - Full Details


Southampton - Central London Private Vehicle Transfer (Cost Per Vehicle)

Vehicle Journey Rate Max People Luggage Capacity
Saloon / Sedan Car 2 hrs £151 3 3 cases
Estate /Station Wagon 2 hrs £157 3 6 cases
MPV Van 2 hrs £205 5 10 cases
8 Seat Bus 2 hrs £240 8 16 cases
12 Seat Bus 2 hrs £290 12 16 cases
16 Seat Bus 2 hrs £345 16 16/20 cases
21 to 52 Seat Bus 2 hrs p.o.a 17+  
Prices include all taxes and are per vehicle.
More Details - Heathrow - Central Private Vehicle Transfers

Southampton To/From London Via Stonehenge (or Windsor, Salisbury, Bath ...)

The world famous Stonehenge is just a short detour when traveling between London & Southampton.


With one hour visiting Stonehenge (the most time, most people need) the entire journey will take around 4 hours. This is a very convenient, efficient and affordable way of viewing Stonehenge without having to take a day out of your vacation on a dedicated tour from London.


There are a lot of alternatives we can offer to places like Windsor, Bath and Salisbury where our drivers will also provide guiding. We now have years of experience offering customised tour transfers from just a couple to very large groups.

Southampton to/from London via Stonehenge - More Details


Private Vehicle To /From Southampton via Stonehenge (Prices per vehicle, not person)
  To 3 People To 8 People 9-12 People 13-16 People 17+ People
Heathrow £195 £285 £350 £420 p.o.a.
Central London £215 £320 £390 £465 p.o.a.
Gatwick £215 £330 £400 £470 p.o.a.

- Includes 1 hour at Stonehenge. Prices not inclusive of admissions.

- Prices to/from other airports and combo's with other attractions on application.

Southampton to/from London via Stonehenge - More Details

Typical Schedules (Prices per vehicle, not person)

Leave Southampton: 08:30

Stonehenge 09:30 - 10:30

Heathrow 12:00

Leave Southampton: 08:30

Stonehenge 09:30 - 10:30

Central London 12:30

Leave Central London: 10:00

Stonehenge 12:00 - 13:00

Cruise Terminal 14:00

Tour Transfer with specialist Stonehenge guide

Typical Schedule

08:15 - Leave Southampton

08:45-09:00 Salisbury photo stop
09:10-09:40 Neolithic briefing
09:40-10:00 Scenic Drive

10:00-11:00 Stonehenge
12:30 Heathrow
or
13:15 Central London hotel

  1-8 People* 9-12 People* 13+ People
Heathrow £350 £450 p.o.a
London £400 £500 p.o.a
Gatwick £400 £500 p.o.a
       
       
* Luggage capacity for vehicles is around 16-20 cases.
Car seating 3 with luggage sometimes available at a lesser cost but very limited availability
Southampton - London Guided Tour Transfer More Details