Heathrow T4 to Southhampton

Want to book National Express bus but not sure how much time to allow. We're landing at 8:45am. Bus leaves at 9:45am and 11:45. Any chance we could make the first one or should be just book the second one and not worry about it?

Where do you catch the bus outside T4?

There's an outside possibility of making the 9.45. Its at least an hour from touchdown to arrivals hall, probably longer for non-EU visitors but eastbound trans-Atlantic flights are often early. If you don't make it you can re-book to a later coach for a small fee - but I don't know if you'd have to take inter-terminal transport to central bus station to arrange this, and it would be subject to seat availability.

Since the chances are slim I think your simplest & safest bet is to book for the 11.45, though you'll be hanging around T4 for about 90 minutes. You'll be at the cruise terminal about 2pm, so wiggletime of about 60 to 90 minutes.

If by any chance you were at the bus stop in time for the 9.45 bus, you could try to blag your way on by talking sweetly to the driver.

The Terminal 4 stop is on the concourse outside the terminal at the arrivals level, any airport employee can point it out & it will have a Nat Express sign.

Your journey is to Southampton coach station - ignore the cruise terminal option on their website, which doesn't apply to your ship & will lead you down a blind alley.

There's a taxi rank at Southampton coach station, a taxi to any of the four cruise terminals will cost you £5 to £10.

http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

Because of the awkward timing, also consider the train - involves a shuttlebus from the airport terminal to a mainline station (usually Woking, sometimes Reading) then a direct train to Southampton central station, which is near the coach station. Same 2 hour journey time in total, but costs about £38 pp. Frequency of 30 minutes or less.

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

Or a private transfer will cost £80 to £90 with http://www.smithsforairports.com or http://www.westquaycars.com

Both are based at the Southampton end.

JB :)

.

JB - thanks for your response. We have all day to get to Southhampton, since we board the Quantum of the Seas the next day. I really didn't want to sit at T4 for hours but would probably be best to book the 11:45, if we decide on the bus. We're staying at the Premier Inn in SH, so could walk from the Coach Station.

Thanks again.

I noticed the other day you can book a Flexible Add On (or something like that) for £5/pp in advance, allowing you to take any coach within 12 hours of original booking.