Rome Toolkit 
Paris Toolkit Southampton train and coach stations
Guide to Southampton stations and transferring to the cruise ship terminals
Cruise passengers using public transport into Southampton will arrive at either the main Central railway station or the National Express coach station. These are located in the city centre just a short walk from each other, and are a few minutes drive from the port and cruise terminals.
The train and coach are the public transport options available from Southampton to London and its airports. The coach is the cheapest but slowest option, whilst the train is faster yet more expensive.
Southampton has four cruise terminals strung along a couple of miles of waterfront. Our Southampton city map below illustrates the relative position of each cruise terminal and distance from the bus and train stations.
ON THIS SOUTHAMPTON TRAIN & COACH STATION PAGE
SOUTHAMPTON TRAIN & COACH STATION LOCATIONS
Train and coach station locations
Southampton has several railway stations, the main station in the centre of the city and closest to the port and cruise terminals is called Southampton Central Station.
The inter-city National Express coaches stop at Southampton Coach Station, this is around 400 yards from the railway station. Southampton coach station is exclusive to National Express, the local buses do not come here.
The relative location of Southampton train and coach stations to the four cruise terminals and city centre hotels are depicted on our Southampton city map below. Both the train and coach stations have a dedicated local taxi rank outside their main doors. The train station is very busy, so there is always a long line of cabs. The coach station is much quieter.
How to transfer between Southampton train and coach stations and cruise terminals and hotels
The railway and coach stations at Southampton are within 400 yards of each other in the city centre. There are no shuttles or public transport to any of Southamptons four cruise terminals. A local taxi is required for a cruise terminal transfer. The cost should be around £10.
Both the railway and coach stations are in the heart of Southampton city centre, there is a good choice of hotels close to both, a few within a 5 minutes walk. All the main hotels are identified and compared including their relative locations on our city map below.
Southampton train station and Southampton by train
Southampton Central Station has four platforms and basic facilities compared to the main stations in London. There are toilets, a snack kiosk and ATM's but no left luggage, foreign exchange, wifi or tourist office. There is a manned ticket office open all day and a ticket machine where you can collect pre paid tickets. Just outside the main entrance are waiting taxis ready to transfer you to the cruise terminal. There are no porters available to assist with luggage. It is up to you to offload your cases and wheel them from the station platform to the taxi rank.
For detailed information on your options with regards to buying tickets please consult our dedicated Southampton trains page. Train fares are complex and a little research can save a lot of money. Our Southampton train page also outlines what to expect when using the train in terms of things like luggage storage.
TRAIN TICKETS & TIMETABLES
Book train tickets in advance, save money
• Full timetables & journey planning
• Identify the best fares, including advance fares
• Purchase e-tickets or collect tickets at station
Southampton Coach Station
Southampton Coach Station is small with just three coach bays and is exclusively used by National Express. The coach station is very close to Southampton city centre and within walking distance of some hotels.
Facilities are basic with just a ticket office, limited seating areas, toilets and a coffee shop. Like the trains, ticket prices are volatile and there are good reasons to buy your tickets as far in advance as you can.
National Express provide direct coach links to Southampton from central London (Victoria Coach Station), Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport. All journeys terminate in Southampton where waiting taxis will transfer you on to your cruise terminal. There are no porters to assist with luggage at the coach station. Once your bags are unloaded from the coach you must carry them to the taxi rank. Your taxi transfer to the cruise terminal should cost around £10.
For detailed information on your options with regards to buying tickets please consult our dedicated Southampton National Express coach page.
NATIONAL EXPRESS COACH TICKETS & TIMETABLES
Book in advance, confirm seat, save money
• Full timetables & journey planning
• Identify the best fares, including advance fares
• Pay securely by credit card, e-tickets and mobile tickets
MAP OF SOUTHAMPTON
Our Southampton map below illustrates the position of the coach and train station in relation to other facilities. We have a designated Southampton hotels page which provides information on all the properties listed, along with booking details.
Whilst our Southampton cruise terminals page is a useful guide on the city's waterfront.
TRANSFER OPTIONS BETWEEN LONDON & SOUTHAMPTON
If changing vehicles and dragging luggage between stations and taxis all sounds a bit much, then there are other more relaxing transport options available. We offer a range of good value, convenient transfers which are exclusively tailored to cruise customers.
These include door to door shuttle transfers in smart, executive vehicles direct from your London hotel, and tour transfers which offer a similar service but incorporate some world class sightseeing along the way.
Private transfers are also available, allowing you to dictate your own timings and can include sightseeing if you wish. This can be a surprisingly good value option if there are a group of you travelling.
SHARED SHUTTLE TRANSFERS - LONDON, HEATHROW & CRUISE SHIPS
Key features of cruise ship shuttle transfers
- Guaranteed to operate - there is no minimum group size and will run with only 1 passenger
- Executive vehicles are used with wifi and uniformed drivers.
- All Central London hotels, Air bnbs and Heathrow hotels are visited in both directions
- Luggage allowance per person is 1 item of hold luggage (23kg each) and 1 item of carry- on luggage (10kg each)
London and Heathrow Airport to Southampton direction
- Maximum of 6 passengers, 4 pickups/drop offs per journey
- Pickups mid-morning in London and Heathrow
- Arrival at cruise terminals by 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Southampton to London and Heathrow Airport direction
- Maximum of 8 passengers, 4 pickups/drop offs per journey
- Meet n Greet at the Southampton cruise terminal between 0800 – 0830 am
- Scheduled arrival into Heathrow is approx. 1030am and into central London 11am
Joining the cruise ship transfer service
Pick-up times are provided before you make a booking.
For the transfer to Southampton relax in your Central London or Heathrow hotel reception with your luggage, ready to board when the vehicle arrives.
At Heathrow Airport we cannot pick up from passenger terminals due to parking restrictions. The Sofitel Heathrow Hotel and the Hilton Heathrow Terminal 4 are linked to terminals 5 and 4 respectively. If you are using passenger terminals 2 or 3 you will need to take a hotel bus called the Heathrow Hoppa to one of the supported hotels.
For the transfer from Southampton you will be greeted by a representative as you enter the public area of the cruise terminal. airline style and directed to your vehicle. At Heathrow vehicles will drop you off at both Heathrow hotels and passenger terminals.
CRUISE SHUTTLE RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION 2023
£92pp one-way
- Pay in British Pounds, US Dollars or Euro
- Guaranteed to operate - no minimum group size
- Maximum of 8 passengers, 4 pickups/drop offs
- Executive vehicles with Wi-Fi and uniformed drivers
- If your ship is late docking, we will wait
- Serves any London city centre hotel/Airbnb
- Serves Heathrow Airport hotels, terminal drops
PUBLIC SHARED SOUTHAMPTON CRUISE SHIP TOUR TRANSFERS
Our cruise ship tour transfers are exclusive to cruise customers disembarking or boarding ships at Southampton cruise port. A great opportunity to include world class sightseeing on your journey to or from your cruise ship.
Important note regarding timings for 2023
It is not expected that there will be covid restrictions for the 2023 cruise season. However the situation will be monitored and possible timed embarkation procedures may be introduced. If so, it may be necessary to amend slightly the advertised timings. This is to ensure guests arrive at the cruise terminal at their allocated embarkation time. If timed embarkation policies are introduced, all customers will be contacted prior to the transfer to confirm their specific timings.
Half day tour transfers travelling between London & Heathrow Airport and Southampton
Choose between a Stonehenge pre-cruise transfer, stopping off at Stonehenge en route to Southampton, or a post cruise transfer visiting Windsor Castle from Southampton to London.
For the pre-cruise transfer you will be met at a centrally located London hotel in the early morning to visit Stonehenge and then arrive at your cruise ship around early afternoon.
For the post cruise transfer you are met at the cruise port and taken via Windsor Castle to a centrally located London hotel.
You will spend around 2 hours at your chosen sightseeing attraction, with entry included.
Also see our door to door service for straight transfers: Southampton direct cruise ship shuttle service. This service also drops at Heathrow passenger terminals.
Pre-cruise transfer stopping off at Stonehenge en route to Southampton. Entry to Stonehenge included.
Post cruise transfer visiting Windsor Castle from Southampton to London. Entry to the Castle is included.
Full day tour transfers travelling from Southampton to Heathrow Airport & London
Your driver will meet you at the terminal building exit from 08:00am and will accompany you to the coach. We plan to leave Southampton by 08:30am. There is a typical walk of about 75 yards to the vehicle where the driver will load your luggage into the hold. In the unlikely event your ship is delayed into port, we will delay our departure. Some transfer tours include Heathrow, others go directly to London after the tour. Do double check when booking your tour covers the drop-off you need.
Drops begin at Heathrow Airport (when applicable, hotels and passenger terminals) typically around 5:00pm and Central London hotels about one hour later.
Cotswolds, Downton Abbey locations
& pub lunch
Enjoy a 2-course lunch in a 15th century inn in Cotswolds plus visits to "Downton Village" (Bampton), Burford & Stow-on-Wold.
Warner Bros. Studio - Harry Potter
Enjoy a full day tour at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter with transfer to London or Heathrow from Southampton.
Salisbury, Stonehenge & Windsor
This transfer takes you to Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge and finally Windsor Castle. Entrances are extra and can be added on at time of booking.
Georgian City of Bath & Windsor
This transfer from Southampton will take you to the beautiful city of Bath to visit the Roman Baths and also the majestic Windsor Castle. Entrances can be added on at booking.
Private transfers between Southampton, London and beyond
Cars, vans and touring coaches catering for all party sizes
We offer a comprehensive private transfer service to or from your Southampton cruise ship.
We have a wide range of vehicles of all sizes that cater from single travellers to large groups. All transfers are competitively priced with no hidden extras. Prices include all taxes, parking and London congestion charges.
At airports and Southampton cruise terminals the you will personally be met and greeted as you exit into the public area of the terminal. At airports our drivers track your incoming flight and will time their arrival based on actual landing time. No need to worry if your flight is early or late.
Sightseeing options like Stonehenge or Windsor Castle on the way!
A host of world class attractions are accessible along the Southampton transfer route and with a private transfer you have the freedom to stop and explore. Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral are just three heritage sites of many you could visit.
PRIVATE SOUTHAMPTON TRANSFERS BY CAR, VAN OR COACH
Direct door to door private transfers
Private direct transfers between Southampton and London and its airports.
Stonehenge or Windsor stopover
Private transfers between Southampton and London with stopover at Stonehenge or Windsor
Full day private tour transfers
Your own private full day cruise ship tour transfer either guided or with a friendly driver
