Heathrow to Southampton to Isle of Wight

We will be arriving at Heathrow from the US on Aug. 11 around 11:00 am. We will be with another couple and would like to arrange transportation to Southampton where we will stay for two nights before our Oceania cruise leaves on Sunday, Aug. 13. On August 12 we plan to take the ferry to the Isle of Wight to see some friends who live there. Does the ferry leave from the same docks that the cruise ships leave from? Can you recommend transportation from Heathrow to Southampton and lodging in Southampton that would be convenient for the ferry and the cruise ship?

Thanks so much for your help.

Cruise lines offer their bus transfers on sailing day only.

Heathrow to Southampton is a little awkward by train, it involves a RailAir bus to the nearest mainline station. And quite expensive at over £40 pp

So the direct bus service from Heathrow to Southampton is simpler and cheaper (about £23 pp)

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

Do book the bus in advance to avoid disappointment. Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours from aircraft touchdown to bus pick-up.

If your flight is delayed, your ticket is good for the next available bus (this concession only for journeys from airports)

But for four of you, a private transfer would be so much easier and not a lot more expensive.

Try http://www.smithsforairports.com or http://www.aquacars.co.uk or http://www.eststquaycars.com

Mention cruise critic in any correspondence, they're well-know to CC members.

For a hotel, check some recent threads on this forum eg http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2450724

There's a précis, with a useful little map at https://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_accommodation.htm

The map shows the cruise terminals and the rail and bus stations.

None of the hotels on that map are more than a £10 taxi ride from any cruise terminal or rail/bus stations, some are walkable.

Ferries to the Isle of Wight operate from Town Quay (the yellow A on that map)

Two routes

- the traditional ferry (cars or foot passengers) runs to East Cowes, the hi-speed ferry (foot passengers only) runs to West Cowes (usually just called Cowes).

http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/

There are also hovercraft & hi-speed & traditional car ferries from Portsmouth to Ryde, and traditional car ferries from Lymington to Yarmouth.

Portsmouth harbour is easy from Southampton by direct train or Nat Express bus, Lymington by train (change of train at Brockenhurst)

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

JB :)

Thank you, John Bull. I was hoping you would reply. This is very useful information that will help with our planning.

There is large sailing event on IOW in August. You might find out when that is at it would impact ferries and getting around. But since you will be visiting friends they should be able to direct you.

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Thank you "Formerly Know As Cool Cruiser" for the heads up. It looks like you're talking about Cowes Week? This year it is July 29-August 5, so that shouldn't impact the ferries.