Guide to Southampton stations and transferring to the cruise ship terminals
Cruise travellers taking public transport to Southampton will arrive at one of the Southampton train or coach stations, specifically the Central railway station or the National Express coach station. Both stations are conveniently situated in the city center, just a short stroll apart, and only a few minutes’ drive from the port and cruise terminals.
There are two public transport choices for traveling from Southampton to London and its airports: the train and the coach. The coach is the most affordable option, although it takes longer, while the train offers a quicker journey but comes at a higher price.
Southampton has four cruise terminals strung along a couple of miles of waterfront.
The map of Southampton city provided below shows the locations of each cruise terminal in relation to the bus and train stations, as well as the main hotels, highlighting their distances from one another.
Southampton Train & Coach Station Locations
Train and coach station locations
Southampton features multiple railway stations, with the primary one, Southampton Central, situated in the heart of the city and in close proximity to the port and cruise terminals.
National Express inter-city coaches make their stop at Southampton Coach Station, which is approximately 400 yards from Southampton Central railway station. This coach station is solely for National Express services, as local buses do not operate from this location.
Both the train and coach stations feature a designated taxi stand right outside their main entrances. The train station tends to be quite bustling, resulting in a consistently long queue of taxis. In contrast, the coach station is significantly quieter.
How to transfer between Southampton train and coach stations and cruise terminals and hotels
There are no shuttles or public transport to any of Southampton’s 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, several within a 5 minutes walk.
Southampton train station and Southampton by train
Southampton Central Station has four platforms and basic facilities compared with the main stations in London.
The facility offers toilets, a snack kiosk, and ATMs, but it lacks left luggage services, currency exchange, Wi-Fi, and a tourist information center. A staffed ticket office is available throughout the day, along with a ticket machine for collecting prepaid tickets.
Right outside the main entrance, you’ll find taxis waiting to take you to the cruise terminal. However, there are no porters on hand to help with your luggage, so you’ll need to manage your bags yourself as you transport them from the station platform to the taxi stand.
For detailed information on your options with regards to buying tickets please consult our dedicated Southampton trains page. Understanding train fares can be tricky, but a little research can lead to significant savings.
Our Southampton train page also outlines what to expect when using the train in terms of things like luggage storage.
Train Tickets and 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 and Timetables
Book in advance, confirm seat, save money
Map of Southampton
Our Southampton map below illustrates the position of the coach and train station in relation to other facilities.
Visit our 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 – Between London & Cruise Ships
These shared shuttle transfers give you an affordable and simple option of travelling between London and Southampton cruise Port, and go in either direction. You choose your pickup/drop offs from one of the London Zone 1 hotels below.
Features:
- Cancel up to 15 days in advance for a 85% refund
- From Central London to/from Southampton Port
- Convenient pick-ups/drop-offs in central London
- 1 Check-in luggage + 1 Hand luggage per person
- Two free walking tours included: The Wizard Walk walking tour & The Royals and Landmarks tour
Central London to Southampton Port
Pick-up: *Please choose between A, B and C (click the hotel for more information and exclusive prices):
A. Meliá White House
B. The Westminster London Curio Collection by Hilton
C. The Holiday Inn Kensington High Street
*Pick-up will take place between 7:30 am and 9:35 am. The exact time will be advised on your voucher, which you’ll receive approx. 7 days prior to your transfer.
*Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time for boarding.
Drop-off: You will be transferred to the Southampton Port cruise terminal, arriving approximately at 11:35 am.
Southampton Port to Central London
Pick-up: Following your arrival at Southampton Port via cruise ship, your driver will be waiting to greet you at the cruise terminal exit from 8:00 am. The shared transfer shall depart at 8:30am from Southampton Port and will guide you through to Central London.
Drop-off: *Please choose between A, B and C (click the hotel for more information and exclusive prices):
A. The Holiday Inn Kensington High Street
B. The Westminster London Curio Collection by Hilton
C. Meliá White House
Drop offs in London will start at approximately 10:30 am.
Public Shared or Private 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.
With these tour transfers you have the option to choose from either shared or private transfers.
Both shared and private starting rates are based on two sharing a vehicle; you can then choose up to eight passengers. If you are travelling solo you can see the rates by clicking through to book.
Half day tour transfers (shared or private) visiting Windsor Castle or Stonehenge, in either direction between Central London and Southampton
Cruise tour transfers allow you to visit popular attractions in the UK en-route between Southampton and London: Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.
Tours go in either direction so you can choose the tour transfer (and visit the attraction) that is right for you.
Pre-cruise – London to Southampton direction
For the pre-cruise transfer you will be met at a centrally located London hotel between 7.30 and 9.15 am, before spending a couple of hours at either Stonehenge or Windsor Castle, and then arriving at your cruise ship at approx. 2.15 pm.
Pre-cruise Stonehenge transfer
Pre-cruise transfer stopping off at Stonehenge (entrance extra) en route to Southampton.
Pre-cruise Windsor transfer
Pre-cruise transfer visiting Windsor Castle (entrance extra) en route to Southampton.
Post-cruise – Southampton to London direction
For the post cruise transfer your driver/guide will be waiting to greet you at the cruise terminal exit between 8 and 8.30 am, before spending a couple of hours at either Windsor Castle or Stonehenge, arriving at your chosen London hotel between 1:30 pm and 3:15 pm.
Note: entry to all attractions is extra.
Also see our door to door service for straight transfers: Southampton direct cruise ship shuttle service. This service also drops at Heathrow passenger terminals.
Post cruise Stonehenge transfer
Post cruise transfer stopping off at Stonehenge (entrance extra) from Southampton to London.
Post cruise Windsor transfer
Pre-cruise transfer visiting Windsor Castle (entrance extra) en route to Southampton.
Full day post cruise 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.
Tours
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.
Stonehenge
Enjoy a memorable group full day trip to the mysterious Stonehenge. This comfortable cruise transfer will take you by luxury, air-conditioned touring coach, with friendly driver. Entry to Stonehenge included.
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 during 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
Options available: