When to purchase tickets?

We will be staying in Winchester pre cruise at the Mecure hotel, cruising out of Southampton.

We will be 2 senior ladies with each a large suitcase and a carry on.

We plan to take the train that takes 15 minutes. We will need to take a taxi from our hotel.

Do will need to purchase train tickets before or can we purchase on the day?

Is it easy to get on the train with the luggage?

It's a short journey, plenty of trains. No need to buy tickets in advance, the fare is under £7 so if there's any savings by doing so (which I doubt) it'll be pennies. Buying at the station should only take two minutes.

Getting on & off with luggage is easy, unlike US trains there's either no-step or one small step between platform & train. No storage area for large cases, but there's usually plenty of room to keep your luggage around you.

There's a taxi rank just yards from the Mercure, or you can ask reception to call one for you. The station's not far, but it's a bit up-hill so with luggage a taxi makes sense. Tell the driver you're Southampton-bound so he can drop you at the front station entrance & you avoid needing the subway. Straight from entrance to booking office to platform.

Easy at the Southampton Central end too, straight from platform to station exit and taxi rank. A taxi to any cruise terminal will cost £6 to £10.

JB :)

Thanks for your help.

Since you will need a taxi at each end, surely it makes sense to skip the train and take a taxi from Winchester to the dock?

Since you will need a taxi at each end, surely it makes sense to skip the train and take a taxi from Winchester to the dock?

www.westquaycars.com estimate that journey at about £28 to £30.

So you're right, Earl - a taxi door to door will cost only a few £ more than taxi+train+taxi.

JB :)

Thanks for giving me another idea for travel.