Heathrow transfer from Southampton hotel

[stepkar]

We are staying a couple of days in Southampton after our cruise. What is the best way to travel to Heathrow. We have a later flight and would like to possibly see Stonehenge on the way or other sights. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[John Bull]

Cheapest transfer would be National Express coach from Southampton coach station to Heathrow, at about £17 per person. Journey time about 2 hours. Advance booking strongly recommended.

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

 

Or by train, it's more expensive at about £39 per person, and slightly inconvenient because your journey finishes on a shuttle bus. Total journey time also about 2 hours.

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

 

Both the above of course are simply transport to the airport.

 

A direct private transfer costs about £75 to £90 for a sedan - you have a choice of a number of sights to visit at extra cost on the way or just a little off-route.

These include Winchester, Salisbury and/or Stonehenge, Highclere (TV's Downton Abbey) & Windsor. Windsor is only about 6 miles from Heathrow, an ideal choice to tie in with a flight late in the day.

Frequently used by CC members are http://www.smithsforairports.com or http://www.westquaycars.com

Or West Quay Cars' touring arm, http://www.discoverthesouth.co.uk/ which uses their most knowledgeable drivers.

 

Or you can book on a cruise-tour-transfer coach (not ship's coach) from Southampton to Heathrow (any terminal) via Salisbury & Stonehenge & Windsor. Very good value at just £65, though they pack in a lot so it is a bit rushed. Your luggage stays on the coach all the way to the airport.

http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_cruise_shuttles.htm

NB this picks up at the cruise terminal when a large ship is due in. Since you'll not be sailing in that day, you'll need to check on the link below what ship/s arrive that morning & take a taxi from your hotel to the appropriate cruise terminal for the appropriate hour (usually about 8am). I don't see any problem in you using a service intended for another ship, there's no problem accessing the coach rank at the terminals.

http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

You'll also need to check whether the arrival time at Heathrow is appropriate for your flight (ideally 2 hours ahead of flight time)

 

Salisbury & Stonehenge are also very easy to visit from a Southampton base - half-hourly train to Salisbury takes 30 minutes, costs about £9 for a "cheap day-return", Ho-ho from station to Stonehenge then after visiting Stonehenge (& mebbe Old Sarum if the weather's OK) explore historic Salisbury city centre & cathedral before taking the train back to Southampton.

http://www.salisburyreds.co.uk/stonehenge-tour.shtml

Or Winchester is closer & no need for a ho-ho, though the rail station is a 15-20 minute walk from the historic centre & cathedral.

 

Other options for a full day from a Southampton base include Bath or Portsmouth or Weymouth, all direct by train.

 

Locations of Southampton city centre hotels, cruise terminals, & coach and rail stations on this map

http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_map.htm

 

JB :)

Edited May 3, 2014 by John Bull

[stepkar]

Thank you for all your suggestions. You have been very helpful.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[palermo22]

John - we're going the opposite way (from Heathrow to Southampton. We'll most likely reserve a car and driver. Is there one company that is more reliable than others?

 

Thanks

[John Bull]

Both Smiths & West Quay are rated very reliable

 

JB :)